Latest news with #FirstClasss
Al Etihad
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
How Dark Saffron lit up Meydan for stunning home delight
7 Apr 2025 00:13 KUUMAR SHYAM (DUBAI)The 29th Dubai World Cup had a surprise main winner – Hit Show – while also dishing out an equally stunning local delight when Dark Saffron dazzled in the spotlight at the Meydan Racecourse on Saturday. Not only did the gelding son of Meadow Saffron take home the winner's purse of Dh1.16 million for owner Sultan Ali, he became the first three-year-old to defeat a race for usually horses at least twice his age. Trained by Ahmed bin Harmash, the Emirati horse defied expectations in winning the race in 1:11:41 minutes, ahead of Nakatomi and the defending champion Tuz. The cream of the horse racing world has descended in the UAE for the showpiece event, carrying a total prize money of $30.5m, with Hit Show proving a surprise winner for the main prize among nine races on the card. While a couple of horses only justified their favourite tags, one of the most notable and pleasant good news came from the hosts' very own fraternity in the sixth race when Connor Beasley kept him in the front for most of the 1,200-metre sprint. Tuz got stuck behind the eventual winner and with Nakatomi on the right even as the most fancied Straight No Chaser never got started when the gates presence of two three-year-olds in the race for the first time since 2006 was already a talking point pre-race when Dark Saffron and American Stage were entered. Only five three-year-olds had ever contested in the history of the competitors like Tuz and Straight No Chaser, it looked even less likely when Dark Saffron drew stall 11 after couple of non-runners. But Beasley managed to straighten his head at the right time and mustered speed only horse able to stay in touch with the three-year-olds was Tuz, who landed in the box seat and appeared likely to capitalise once they punctured. However, he also came under riding approaching the 600m and his bid for back to back wins appeared though, is all heart and tried to rally up the rail. This is where Beasley's tactical masterpiece came to the fore as he shut the door on Tadhg O'Shea aboard Tuz on a number of occasions. Nakatomi charged late, Tuz made ground when it was all over but Dark Saffron, with a 3.5kg swing in the weights, was able to fend them off. He gave Beasley his second win of the night following First Classs's Kahayla Classic success. The Dubai Golden Shaheen was contested as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint on Nov. 1 at Del admitted he was "a bit speechless" about his willing partner. "He's one of them, he's just kept improving and he was in up against good competition on the turf. He's got speed to burn and to do what he's just done is incredible. "It's just a big relief. This is what it's all about. We've got a good bunch of horses and to get a big winner like this on a night like this, it's just fantastic. He's got plenty of natural speed and it was probably a blessing being drawn out wide because I only had one option."Bhupat Seemar, the handler for Tuz, said: "This is horse racing and these things happen. Tactically they got the race on us, so it is how it is. They went fast and maybe we could have gone a bit faster, but the door wasn't open. I don't think he couldn't lie up." Straight No Chaser finished a miserable eighth and jockey John Velazquez said: "He jumped, I asked him but he didn't go. That's not his style, his style is 'come and get him'. At least if he lays close he's fine, but he just didn't even do that."
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: Raging Torrent produces stunning run to win Godolphin Mile
Legendary Italian jockey Frankie Dettori guided Raging Torrent to an emphatic win in the $1 million Godolphin Mile at the Dubai World Cup on Saturday. Coming off a grade 3 win at Gulfstream, Raging Torrent proved too strong for the rest of the field at Meydan. King Gold finished second while Japanese horse Kazu Petrin took the third place. Meanwhile, iconic 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. In the first race of the day, it was First Classs who emerged victorious, claiming the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic as the 29th Dubai World Cup got under way at Meydan on Saturday. 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: 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.
