Latest news with #DubaiKahaylaClassic
Khaleej Times
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Tadhg O'Shea: The relentless champion jockey who has helped redefine UAE horse racing
Over two decades have passed since a young, unassuming Irish apprentice jockey landed on UAE shores with little more than raw talent and relentless drive. Today, Tadhg O'Shea is a titan of the sport - 12-time UAE Champion Jockey, Group 1 winner, and the most successful rider in the country's racing history. His is not just a story of winning races. It's a story of building something lasting, something that reaches beyond the winner's enclosures and the roar of the Meydan crowd. It's about a career carved out through perseverance and an unshakable love for the sport. When UAE racing fans saw O'Shea ride for the first time in the Emirates, there was already something magnetic about his approach - nothing flashy, just determination and an uncanny ability to read a race and ride every horse to win. That quiet confidence, that nose for the right moment, has never left him, or diminished even 20 years on. From Dromahane to Dubai Born in Dromahane, County Cork, O'Shea didn't come from a racing family. He was one of those kids with a dream and the work ethic to chase it. RACE (Racing Academy and Centre of Education), Ireland's national training and education centre for the racing industry, located in Kildare Town, sharpened his instincts, and by 2001, he'd earned the title of champion apprentice in Ireland. That same year, the UAE came calling. It was the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, former Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who offered him the breakthrough that changed everything when he offered him an opportunity to ride in the UAE during the Winter. That opportunity gave him not only a platform but a foundation. What followed was a career defined not just by success, but by staying power. O'Shea still speaks about Sheikh Hamdan with heartfelt gratitude and reverence. A Rider of the People, O'Shea's partnerships with top UAE trainers like Kiaran McLaughlin, Erwan Charpy, and now Bhupat Seemar and Ernst Oertel, have produced some of the country's most memorable performances. But for all the victories -over 1,160 and counting - it's his consistency and loyalty that has made him a mainstay of the UAE racing community. Over the years UAE's die-hard racing community has watched O'Shea walk into saddling enclosures, whether it's a Friday afternoon at Jebel Ali or a packed Group 1 card at Meydan, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Al Ain, with the same calm presence. He's approachable and grounded. His success hasn't distanced him from the sport's core. If anything, it's brought him closer to it. Always Chasing Excellence Despite being a 12-time champion, O'Shea isn't one to be caught up in milestones. "I don't set targets," he often says. "I just want to do right by the horses and the people I ride for." But the numbers speak for themselves - dozens of Group victories, a landmark win on Mizzna in the 2008 Dubai Kahayla Classic, and a history-making tally that's unlikely to be touched for years to come. His 2022 win against Switzerland in the Dubai Golden Shaheen was one of the most fitting moments in a career built on persistence. A Group 1 triumph for a rider who had spent so many years proving he belonged at the top level with thoroughbreds, not just Arabians. The Man Beyond the Saddle Off the track, O'Shea is as real as they come. A family man through and through, he often credits his wife, Debbie, and their sons, Darragh and Aaron, as the pillars behind his longevity. After the loss of his mother Ann, the sport became even more emotional for him—every ride, every win, now carried her memory. 'She never missed a race,' he once told me. 'And now, I believe she still watches, just from a bit higher up.' Still Hungry, Still Here At 43, many jockeys would be winding down. Not O'Shea. His hunger hasn't dulled—it's sharpened. He's fitter than ever, riding with the same fire he had in his twenties, but now with the wisdom of experience. What makes O'Shea different isn't just what he's won - it's what he's built. A legacy. A benchmark for what it means to be a professional in UAE racing. And a reputation that has endured across years, surfaces, and generations of horses and riders. The Irish rider hasn't just make a career in the Emirates - he has defined what that career could look like. And as the UAE continues to elevate its racing scene, it's hard to imagine it without the ever-smiling presence of Tadhg O'Shea.
Gulf Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
102 horses from 13 nations vie for Dubai World Cup glory
Meydan Racecourse will host on Saturday the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup 2025, with the participation of 102 horses from 13 countries, competing in nine races with a total prize pool of $30.5 million, including $12 million for the main ninth race, the Dubai World Cup. Meydan Racecourse opens its doors at 2:30pm, with the first race, the Group 1 'Dubai Kahayla Classic', starting at 4:35pm, while the main race, the "Dubai World Cup", will be held at 9:30pm. All eyes will be on the main race, sponsored by Emirates Airline, over a distance of 2,000 metres (dirt track), amidst fierce competition between 11 elite thoroughbred horses (Group 1). The global elite is represented by the Japanese horse 'Ushba Tesoro', and the top contender 'Forever Young', the 2024 UAE Derby champion, and the 2025 Saudi Cup winner. Competing for the title are also 'Imperial Emperor', 'Walk of Stars', 'Wilson Tesoro', 'Ramjet', 'Rattle N Roll', 'Mixto', 'El Maracolo,' 'Katona', and 'Heat Show'. The evening begins with the first race, the Group 1 'Dubai Kahayla Classic' for pure-bred Arabian horses, over a distance of 2,000 metres (dirt track), with a prize pool of $1 million and the participation of 15 horses. The second race, the Group 2 'Dubai Gold Cup', will feature 10 thoroughbred horses over a distance of 3,200 metres (turf), with a prize pool of $1 million, while 14 thoroughbred horses will participate in the third race, the Group 2 'Godolphin Mile' over a distance of 1,600 metres (dirt track), with a prize pool of $1 million. The fourth race, the Group 1 'Al Quoz Sprint', over a distance of 1,200 metres (turf), will feature 11 thoroughbred horses (Group 1), with a prize pool of $1.5 million, while the fifth race, the Group 2 'UAE Derby', over a distance of 1,900 metres (dirt track), will feature 9 thoroughbred horses (Group 2), with a prize pool of $1 million. A total of 12 thoroughbred horses will participate in the sixth race, the Group 1 'Dubai Golden Shaheen', over a distance of 1,200 metres (dirt track), with a prize pool of $2 million. Eleven thoroughbred horses (Group 1) will compete in the seventh race, the Group 1 'Dubai Turf", over a distance of 1,800 metres (turf), with a prize pool of $5 million. Nine thoroughbred horses will compete in the eighth race, the Group 1 'Longines Dubai Sheema Classic', over a distance of 2,410 metres (turf), with a prize pool of $6 million. WAM
Dubai Eye
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Dubai World Cup: The Results
The UAE's biggest sporting event of the year is underway at Dubai's Meydan Racecourse, where they have welcomed thousands of spectators to witness 9 races throughout the evening. Winners so far: First Classs, ridden by Connor Beasley, won the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic, a 2000-metre Group One dirt race, the first race of the evening. Godolphin's Dubai Future, ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, won the $1 million Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup, run over a distance of 3,200m on turf, the second race of the evening. Raging Torrent, ridden by legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, won the $1 million Group 2 Godolphin Mile, run over a distance of 1,600m on dirt, the third race of the evening. Welcome back, @FrankieDettori 🫡 The maestro dictates the @godolphin Mile, sponsored by @emaardubai, aboard 𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 💪 #DWC25 | @emirates — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) April 5, 2025 Believing, ridden by William Buick won the $1.5 million Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, run over a distance of 1,200 mertes on turf, the four race of the evening. Admire Daytona, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, won the $1 million Group 2 UAE Derby run over a distance of 1,900 metres on dirt, the fifth race of the evening. Absolute thriller! 🙃 HEART OF HONOR lunged late in the @Jumeirah UAE Derby but 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐀 takes the spoils for 🇯🇵 #DWC25 | @emirates — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) April 5, 2025 Dark Saffron, ridden by Connor Beasley double winner of the night, wins the $2 million Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, run over a distance of 1,200m on dirt, the sixth race of the evening. Soul Rush, ridden by Cristian Demuro, won the $5 million Group 1 Dubai Turf, run over a distance of 1,800 metres on turf. A post-match assessment was needed for this very close race, however following photographic examination Romantic Warrior took second place in the seventh race of the evening. Oh, my .... @DPWorldUAE Turf! 🇯🇵 #DWC25 | @emirates — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) April 5, 2025
Khaleej Times
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai World Cup: Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Future earns memorable win
Legendary Emirati trainer Saeed bin Suroor was back on the podium as Dubai Future produced a stunning finish to win the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup at the Dubai World Cup on Saturday. Ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, Dubai Future came from behind with strong run at the home stretch to win the longest race on the Dubai World Cup night at Meydan. Remarkably, De Sousa and Bin Suroor had earlier won this race together with Cavalry Man in 2013. Double Major finished second while Epic Poet took the third place. Earlier First Classs won the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic, a Group One dirt race, as the 29th Dubai World Cup got under way at Meydan on Saturday. Ridden by Connor Beasley, the 2022 champion stayed strong and finished the race in style ahead of defending champion. First Classs became only the third horse after Madjani and Unchained Melody to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic more than once. Long before the start of the first race, the grandstand at the magnificent racecourse was buzzing with excitement at the $30.5 million event, one of the richest race nights in the world. The highlight of today's nine-race card is the $12 million Dubai World Cup which will see 11 thoroughbreds vying for glory on the dirt. Japanese sensation Forever Young, who delivered a stunning run to win the $20 million Saudi Cup early this year, is the overwhelming favourite tonight at Meydan. But don't write off Bhupat Seemar's chances of finding a place in the pantheon of racing immortals. Having guided Laurel River to victory last year, the Dubai-based Indian trainer is pinning his hopes on Walk of Stars and Imperial Emperor, two formidable equine athletes, to land him another Dubai World Cup trophy.
Khaleej Times
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai World Cup: First Classs wins Dubai Kahayla Classic
First Classs won the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic, a Group One dirt race, as the 29th Dubai World Cup got under way at Meydan on Saturday. Ridden by Connor Beasley, the 2022 champion stayed strong and finished the race in style. The Doug Watson-trained First Classs faced a late challenge from defending champion Tilal Al Khalediah but managed to clinch the victory amid big roars from the connections. First Classs became only the third horse after Madjani and Unchained Melody to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic more than once. "Big credit goes to Doug Watson and his team. There was a challenge from Tilal Al Khalediah but First Classs managed to dig deep for me. It's a massive achievement," jockey Beasley said after winning the race. Long before the start of the first race, the grandstand at the magnificent racecourse was buzzing with excitement at the $30.5 million event, one of the richest race nights in the world. The highlight of today's nine-race card is the $12 million Dubai World Cup which will see 11 thoroughbreds vying for glory on the dirt. Japanese sensation Forever Young, who delivered a stunning run to win the $20 million Saudi Cup early this year, is the overwhelming favourite tonight at Meydan. But don't write off Bhupat Seemar's chances of finding a place in the pantheon of racing immortals. Having guided Laurel River to victory last year, the Dubai-based Indian trainer is pinning his hopes on Walk of Stars and Imperial Emperor, two formidable equine athletes, to land him another Dubai World Cup trophy. Now that's the million-dollar question today as the Dubai World Cup has proved time and again that it's not the reputation of the horse, but the performance on the night that earns the big prize.
