Speed vs. stamina: Which will dominate at Dubai World Cup 2025?
In horse racing, equine athletes are typically bred and trained to excel in either explosive speed or enduring stamina. However, advancements in modern breeding techniques have enabled development of horses that possess both qualities — a remarkable turn of foot in the final stages coupled with the cardiovascular endurance to sustain longer distances.
By carefully selecting and cross-breeding sprinters and stayers, breeders have strived to balance fast-twitch muscle fibres, which contribute to speed, and slow-twitch muscle fibres, which support endurance. This strategic approach can make the difference between victory and defeat, as the demands of a 1,000-metre sprint, such as the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), differ vastly from those of a 3,200-metre contest, like the Dubai Gold Cup (G1).
Winning these prestigious races requires a horse with exceptional breeding and training. Royal Ascot's Gold Cup (G1), run over a gruelling 4,014 metres (2 miles, 4 furlongs), is arguably one of the most challenging tests for both horse and jockey. The great Stradivarius exemplified this, having secured victories in the race three times between 2018 and 2020, showcasing extraordinary stamina and a decisive finishing kick.
Closer to home, French-trained Vazirabad made history by winning the Dubai Gold Cup (G2) three times from 2016 to 2018, solidifying his status as the long-distance king at Meydan.
Conversely, the Golden Shaheen (G1), a 1,200-metre sprint, has been dominated by horses bred for speed and the ability to handle dirt surfaces.
Mastering speed and acceleration
UAE champion trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri has mastered the art of preparing such speedsters, notably winning the race in 2016 with Muarrab, a horse bred to produce short bursts of acceleration. Al Mheiri remarked: 'He had raw power, just like his sire Oasis Dream, one of the best sprinters and winner of the prestigious July Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot.'
'Speed and stamina are developed differently from the start of a horse's career. Sprinters are conditioned through intense workouts, while stayers are put through strength drills and muscle conditioning.'
The dichotomy between speed and stamina is all about physiology. Renowned French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupré put it into context when he described Vazirabad as a horse with an 'extraordinary turn of foot and impressive finishing ability' — a blend of tactical speed and stamina.
Vazirabad's unique mix of endurance and finishing speed set him apart from typical stayers, usually bred solely for stamina. His long stride allowed him to conserve energy over extended distances, ensuring strength in the crucial, final stages of a race. In truly-run races, his ability to quicken in the closing stages often gave him an edge over his rivals.
Acceleration vs. sustained effort
Similarly, in human athletics, some sprinters thrive on early acceleration and finishing power, akin to legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. In contrast, stayers like Mo Farah are trained to produce a sustained effort, conserving energy throughout the race.
This mirrors horse racing, where sprinters, such as those competing in the Golden Shaheen (G1), explode out of the gate with raw speed. At the same time, stayers, like those contesting the Dubai Gold Cup (G1), must sustain a rhythm over a gruelling trip before unleashing their finishing kick.
Just as Bolt thrives on his powerful start and surge to the line, elite sprinters in horse racing are bred and trained for an electrifying burst of speed. Conversely, long-distance horses rely on endurance, tactical positioning, and a well-timed finishing effort to outlast their rivals just as Britain's greatest-ever distance runner did.
Celebrated Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, known for preparing top-class middle-distance and staying horses, acknowledges the marked difference between sprinters and stayers, although he admits that, in rare cases, a horse can possess both qualities.
He explains: 'Sprinters undergo training for short bursts of speed and power, while we focus on building strength and cardio for middle and long-distance horses, with muscle conditioning as a priority.' He emphasises the importance of balance, noting that jockeys must know when to push for speed and when to conserve energy for the final stretch, regardless of the race distance.
Ultimately, success in racing isn't just about raw speed or sheer endurance — it's about striking the perfect balance between the two. Skilled trainers like Bin Suroor, Al Mheiri and de Royer-Dupré, who fine-tune this equilibrium can give their horse the winning edge, ensuring it has the strength and the speed to overcome their rivals when it matters most.
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