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Khaleej Times
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
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.
Gulf Today
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Straight No Chaser out to fulfill trainer Blacker's Dubai dream at World Cup
If attention to detail is what makes a good racehorse trainer, then Dan Blacker has it in abundance. The California-based trainer flew 16 hours to Dubai last week to watch his superstar Straight No Chaser work at Meydan Racecourse ahead of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (sponsored by Nakheel) on 5 April. 'I came in for four days,' he explained. 'It was his first work there so I just wanted to see him go over the track and talk to my assistant, Juan Landeros, who gets on him every day. He's a big part of this horse's success.' In a sense, it was a return to the start for Blacker, who graduated from the Godolphin Flying Start programme in 2007. The two-year course involved a stint in Dubai, which Blacker remembers fondly. 'Dubai was a lot different then to what it is now,' he says. 'It's always had a special place in my heart and I've always hoped to have a horse good enough to compete on World Cup night. I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to do it with this horse.' Also on that 2007 course was soon to be Bloodstock Agent Conor Foley, who later purchased Tuz for just $7,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale back in 2018. Seven years later, Tuz will be the main rival to Straight No Chaser in the Golden Shaheen. Ever thorough, Blacker has done his research on the local sprinting star, who is unbeaten in a year, including this race in 2024. 'I've watched his win in the Golden Shaheen last year and we respect that horse a lot,' he says. 'Bhupat [Seemar, trainer] does a great job and he's on his home turf – I think that's the main thing. This is a new surface for us, a new challenge. We'll just have to see who's best on the big night.' New challenges don't seem to faze Straight No Chaser, who followed his G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint success at Del Mar in November with a blistering win in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi a month ago. 'Saudi was a great experience personally,' says Blacker. 'The horse really thrived there and he's thriving in Dubai too. What's remarkable about this horse is not only his talent and his desire but that he just takes everything in his stride – all the travel is no trouble to him - that's what makes him so special.' The Straight No Chaser journey hasn't always been smooth however, and the six-year-old son of Speightster required plenty of patience early on in his career. '[Owners] My Racehorse purchased him at the Fasig-Tipton [Midlantic] Breeze-up Sale in Maryland,' explains Blacker. After that he needed a bit of time, just immaturity stuff, nothing major. He came into my barn at the end of his two-year-old year and was a little bit of a late bloomer. But as he trained and grew, he just got stronger. We had a minor issue with him at the beginning of his three-year-old year so he didn't start until July. But he always showed a lot of talent - right from the word go.' Blacker, who is married to well-known racing TV host Christina Blacker, is originally from the UK and perhaps still has his British sense of reserve, despite 18 years in California. Even so, he admits that Straight No Chaser has broken new ground for him. 'He's the best horse I've ever had, so of course he's changed my life,' he says. 'I've got to follow him in his races around the world and any horse that does that is very special. To compete on the global stage has always been an ambition of mine, so to have a horse that can do that and win is very exciting. I'm thankful to be his trainer.' Should Straight No Chaser win the Shaheen, even Meydan's spacious winner's stage could become a little crowded. Through micro share company My Racehorse, he has 946 owners, plenty of whom will be making the trip. 'The more owners, the bigger the party!' says Blacker, with a little US-inflection on the last word. 'I don't feel any pressure. I think the micro share syndicates like My Racehorse are a great addition to the industry. It encourages people to get into ownership when they might not have before. I think it's a really positive thing and I'm proud to be a part of that. 'I enjoy sharing my love for the game and my love for horses with people who are less exposed to horses and horse racing, I believe that owners get more of a thrill when they are part of the process leading up to every race. One of our challenges in the industry is promoting the sport in a positive way and they can see firsthand the care these horses get and spread that message.' In addition to being grateful for his part in the Straight No Chaser story, Blacker is thankful for a lucky escape earlier this year when his family home was scarily close to the California Wildfires. 'We evacuated for about a week,' he explains. 'We live in Pasadena and could see the fire from our backyard on January 7th. The winds were like nothing I've ever felt before, and I've lived in California for 18 years. Our house wasn't burned but we had to replace a lot of things due to smoke damage and ash. Overall, we were very lucky.'
Khaleej Times
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Title race on fire as Meydan's Carnival finale sets stage for Dubai World Cup showdown
Excitement ran high at Meydan as the Dubai Racing Carnival wrapped up its final meeting, setting the stage for an electrifying buildup to the 29th Dubai World Cup on April 5. With the UAE Trainers' and Jockeys' Championships still up for grabs, every result carried added weight. Emirati trainer Musabbeh Al Muhairi tightened his grip on the trainers' standings with a dominant double. Al Arbed justified favouritism in the 1600m Longines Mini Dolce Vita Handicap, guided home by Scottish rider Danny Tudhope before the stable's success continued when Al Shibli delivered a gutsy performance to win the Longines Master Collection Handicap over 1000m on turf. Among those impressed was Silvestre de Sousa, the former Dubai World Cup-winning jockey, who is mounting a serious challenge to Tadhg O'Shea in the UAE jockeys' title race. 'Musabbeh has his horses in great shape. It's been a fantastic season riding for him—he's a wonderful trainer and easy to work with. The stable has great chemistry, which really motivates you,' said De Sousa. A three-time champion jockey in Britain, De Sousa is no stranger to success at Meydan. His résumé includes a Dubai World Cup win aboard African Story in 2014. Now, just two wins behind O'Shea, he remains firmly in contention for the UAE Jockeys' Championship. The trainers' championship also remains wide open, with Michael Costa of Jebel Ali Stables keeping the pressure on Al Muhairi and reigning champion Bhupat Seemar when he saddled Molaqab stormed to victory in the Longines Conquest Handicap. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Ernst Oertel made his presence felt with Classic City extending his winning streak to three in the Longines Legend Diver Handicap (2000m, turf). Despite a tough draw in stall 14, the Constitution gelding showed resilience under Alexandre Da Silva, holding off Swedish raider Havandi. Oertel, best known for training Purebred Arabians, was full of praise for his jockey. 'I was lucky to find [Da Silva]. He came looking for a job, and he's repaid us in full,' said the South African trainer. 'Classic City was the best horse in the race, but the draw worried me. He showed his class, and I think we'll stick to dirt now.' Dark Saffron Stakes Golden Shaheen Claim The standout performance of the night came from Dark Saffron, who blew away his rivals in the Longines Spirit Zulu Conditions Stakes (1200m, dirt). Trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash and ridden by Connor Beasley, the three-year-old colt stamped himself as a genuine contender for the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on Dubai World Cup night with a seven-and-a-quarter-length romp to victory. Bin Harmash hinted at bigger plans ahead. 'We have Sir Harmony and Dark Saffron, which is why we initially switched him to turf. But if an invitation comes for the Golden Shaheen, we'll definitely consider it,' he said. Friday's card also saw Suraj Narredu, one of India's top jockeys, make his long-awaited Meydan debut, finishing fifth aboard Diamond Dealer for Bhupat Seemar in the Longines Spirit Zulu Time (1200m, dirt)—an impressive effort given his limited experience on the surface. Kobeissi's Landmark Win Elsewhere, rising Newmarket trainer Hilal Kobeissi secured his first overseas victory as Max Mayhem powered home in the Longines Spirit Flyback Handicap, piloted by Adrie de Vries. 'That was a De Vries masterclass!' Kobeissi said. 'Winning at Meydan is a dream. You need a special horse and a lot of determination to compete at this level.' The victory was particularly poignant for De Vries, who was making a comeback following a rather serious fall earlier in the season. 'I clipped heels and went down hard a few weeks ago. It was frustrating missing key rides, but I'm lucky to be back in the saddle so quickly,' said the Dutchman. 'Tonight was special.' With Meydan's final Carnival meeting in the books, all eyes now turn to Dubai World Cup night on April 5, Saturday, when some of the sport's biggest prizes will be on the line. The battle for the UAE Trainers' and Jockeys' Championships remains wide open, promising a thrilling finish to the season. The $30.5 million Dubai World Cup fixture will see some of the very best horses, jockeys and trainers in the world compete across the glittering nine-race card.
