Lord North leads the British and Irish challenge for the March 30 Dubai World Cup meeting as he seeks a record-extending fourth success in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1T) at Meydan.
After the declared fields were announced March 25, Lord North is set to face John and Thady Gosden stablemate Nashwa , a three-time group 1 winner against her own sex, in the Dubai Turf as well as the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair Luxembourg and Cairo .
The 8-year-old Lord North has won the past three editions of the race under Frankie Dettori, starting with a three-length success in 2021 before dead-heating with Panthalassa in 2022. Last year, Lord North brought up the hat trick by beating Danon Beluga by three-quarters of a length in the 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) contest. He has only raced once since then, when second in last month’s Winter Derby at Southwell.
Lord North wins the 2023 Dubai Turf
He can be backed at 13-2 for the Dubai Turf, with Arima Kinen winner Do Deuce and Godolphin’s Measured Time heading the market at 3-1.
Europe’s champion 3-year-old Auguste Rodin , who was kept in training by Coolmore this year, makes his first start of the campaign in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T), where he is joined by Aidan O’Brien stablemate Point Lonsdale .
Successful four times at the highest level last year, including in the Epsom Derby and Breeders’ Cup Turf, the Deep Impact (JPN) colt’s clash with Japan’s fillies Triple Crown winner Liberty Island promises to be one of the highlights of the $30.5m meeting.
Britain has two notable Sheema Classic contenders in high-class mare Emily Upjohn and Spirit Dancer , who has been a money-spinner for his owners—including Sir Alex Ferguson—this winter after winning the Bahrain International Trophy and Neom Turf Cup (both G2).
There is no British or Irish interest in the featured $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1), in which last year’s winner Ushba Tesoro will look to reverse form from last month’s Saudi Cup (G1) with United States-based Senor Buscador . Dettori will be aboard the Bob Baffert-trained Newgate , while Kazakhstan sensation Kabirkhan is a fascinating contender given his humble beginnings.
In the Al Quoz Sprint (G1T), Diligent Harry (trainer, Clive Cox), Emaraaty Ana (Jamie Osborne), and Kentucky-bred Frost At Dawn (William Knight) fly the flag for Britain.
The British challenge for the Dubai Gold Cup (G2T) is vast, with Coltrane , Eldar Eldarov , Giavellotto , Trawlerman , Enemy , Roberto Escobarr , and Tower of London (IRE) all engaged.
Ballydoyle pair Henry Adams and Navy Seal feature in the UAE Derby (G2), and Swing Vote goes in the Godolphin Mile (G2) for Simon and Ed Crisford.