General view during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday. Reuters

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Welcome to Gulf Today’s live blog for the 2021 Dubai World Cup. Join us for live updates from throughout the afternoon and evening from Meydan Racecourse with nine exciting races – reaching a climax with the world-famous $12 million Dubai World Cup at the silver jubilee running of the showpiece event.

A majestic prize handcrafted in sterling silver, richly gilded in gold with ornate chased detailing, the Dubai World Cup trophy was created by Garrard in 1996.

Deryan dominates Dubai World Cup Opener
 
French-trained Deryan (FR) broke the track record when he lifted the $750,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic Sponsored by Mubadala, the opener of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, in 2 minutes 11.87 seconds.

Ridden by former French champion jockey Ioritz Mendizabal, the 6-year-old had secured a perfect position on the rail, just off the pace, and easily picked up the leader AF Alwajel 200m from the winning post to win by three-quarters of a length from the Ernst Oertel-trained AF Alwajel, while Mubasher Al Khalediah finished a further three and a half lengths back in third.

“He did it really well this time,” said winning trainer Didier Guillemin, who had lifted the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on the same card with The Right Man in 2017.

“He was quite nervous last time when he ran in Riyadh. This time, he was much calmer and we rode him differently, a little further back. I’m extremely proud to win a Group 1 here and to win it for owner Sheikh Mansour is just amazing.”
 
Seemar fulfills Secret Ambition, O’Shea dedicates win to Sheikh Hamdan
 
Secret Ambition (GB) hardly saw another rival when availing of a perfect front-running ride from Tadhg O’Shea in the Group 2 $750,000 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City - District One.

The Satish Seemar-trained 8-year-old made full use of his barrier position in stall 2 to lead the field from early in the race and clock a very quick time of 1:35:36 while recording a six-length success.

Secret Ambition was one of only three course and distance winners in this 15-runner renewal of the Godolphin Mile and it was another course and distance winner in Golden Goal who finished second, while Avant Garde was back in third.

O’Shea, who afterwards dedicated the success to late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was keen to follow similar tactics to when the pair were impressive winners of the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan back in February and those tactics certainly paid off as the horse recorded a career best.
 
Subjectivist secures Dubai Gold Cup victory

Subjectivist, under Joe Fannings, produced a track record time to win Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup. Mark Johnston’s British raider took the lead at the second last bend and sped away from the chasing pack to cross the finishing line well ahead of the German runner Walderbe.
 
Extravagant Kid enjoys Al Quoz Sprint

Extravagant Kid, ridden by Ryan Moore, edged a thrilling Al Quoz Sprint to win the first Group 1 race of the 2021 Dubai World Cup.

Rebel's Romance blossoms in UAE Derby

Putting aside the Saudi Derby disappointment,  Rebel’s Romance bounced back from his clinched the UAE Derby from Panadol to give Godolphin their first success in the silver jubilee Dubai World Cup.

William Buick laid down a challenge for Rebel Romance on the home stretch to go past Mickael Barzalona and Panadol in the final 200m to give Godolphin their ninth UAE Derby winner.

Zenden wins Dubai Golden Shaheen

Antonio Fresu led Zenden to a spectacular victory in the $1.5m Dubai Golden Shaheen. Freuse paid the price also for victory.

Following a superb ride, Fresu took a tumble off Zenden and had an escape after managing to dive out of the way of the remaining horses running over the line.

Dubai Turf goes to Lord North

Decorated Italian jockey Frankie Dettori rode Lord North to a sensational victory in the $4m Dubai Turf. It is the second victory for Dettori, who previously won the Dubai Turf back in 1997.

Vin de Garde, under Mickael Barzalona, took the runner-up spot followed by Felix ridden by Oisin Murphy.

Magnificent Mishriff wins Dubai Sheema Classic

Riding high on Saudi Cup success, Mishriff produced another thrilling run to add the $5m Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic to his collection.

John Egan timed his run perfectly on the John Gosden-trained runner to edge out Japanese pair Chrono Genesis and Loves Only You in a three-way battle to the line.

Mystic Guide solves $12m Dubai World Cup mystery

Mystic Guide produced a dominant run to win the silver jubilee Dubai World Cup to take Godolphin’s tally to nine in the history of the race.

Luis Saez raced prominently on the Michael Stidham-trained colt to win from Japan’s Chuwa Wizard and another Godolphin runner Magny Cours trained in France by Andre Fabre.