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Hit Show steals the spotlight with commanding victory in Dubai World Cup

Last updated: April 5, 2025 | 16:31

Florent Geroux is presented with the trophy after winning the Dubai World Cup on Hit Show alongside Sheikh Hamdan at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday. Reuters

Jockeys are seen in action during the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Reuters

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Under the shimmering lights of Meydan, Hit Show delivered a career-defining performance to capture the $12 million Dubai World Cup, bringing glory to Qatar’s Wathnan Racing and etching his name into racing history. With poise, patience, and perfect timing, jockey Florent Geroux guided the son of Candy Ride to a stunning triumph that left the crowd in awe.

In a race rich with expectation, all eyes were on the Japanese superstar Forever Young, the undefeated colt tipped for greatness. But it was Hit Show who emerged from the shadows to seize the moment. Geroux settled the five-year-old mid-pack, conserving energy as Mixto, boldly ridden by the legendary Frankie Dettori, tried to dictate the pace from the front.

As the field straightened for the final charge, Mixto looked to have stolen a march. But Geroux, cool and calculating, unleashed Hit Show with a perfectly timed move. Striding powerfully through the stretch, the bay surged past Mixto, sweeping to the front in the final furlong and holding on with authority.

Forever Young, uncharacteristically flat as they turned for home, rallied late but left his run too late — his unbeaten record broken as he crossed the line in third, behind the gallant Mixto who clung on for second.

For Wathnan Racing, it was a moment of pure celebration — a crowning achievement on the biggest stage of all. For Hit Show, it was a masterclass in timing, tenacity, and transformation, turning the spotlight his way on a night where champions are made.

RACE 8: Danon Decile dazzles to claim Sheema Classic victory

Under the dazzling lights of Meydan, Danon Decile — last year’s triumphant Japanese Derby winner — stamped his class on the world stage with a magnificent victory in the prestigious Dubai Sheema Classic, delivering a third win of the evening for Japan and adding yet another jewel to his growing crown.

Ridden with exquisite timing by Keita Tosaki, the imposing son of Epiphaneia was the picture of poise and power. As the field rounded the home turn, Tosaki made his move, allowing Danon Decile to glide effortlessly into contention before surging to the front with majestic ease. Though Calandagan flew home late in a last-gasp attempt to reel in the leader, the Japanese star had already struck — his stride full of conviction, his will unbending.

Behind them, Durezza battled gamely for third, holding off a fading Rebel’s Romance, who had bravely tried to dictate the pace from the outset under William Buick but paid the price for his early exertions.

It was a victory that combined beauty, balance, and brute strength — a performance that reinforced Danon Decile’s stature as a world-class middle-distance runner and further highlighted Japan’s growing dominance on international turf.

For Tosaki and trainer Noriyuki Hori, it was a night of celebration, one where preparation met perfection, and where Danon Decile carved his name into Meydan folklore.

RACE 7: Soul Rush outsprints Romantic Warrior in G1 Dubai Turf thriller

In a heart-stopping finale that left the Meydan crowd breathless, Soul Rush and jockey Cristian Demuro shattered the dreams of the global Romantic Warrior faithful, as the Japanese challenger launched a dazzling late surge to claim victory in the final stride of the pulsating Dubai Turf.

Three years after the epic dead-heat between Lord North and Panthalassa, the judge’s scrutiny seemed to have the outcome hanging in the balance, with a dead-heat once again appearing imminent as fractions and pixels were carefully examined. But eventually, the number nine was called, and Demuro, overcome with emotion, raised his fist in triumph as Soul Rush’s name was confirmed as the victor.

This was no ordinary victory. Soul Rush, the quintessential late-bloomer, had clinched his first Grade 1 only last season in the prestigious Mile Championship at the age of six. Now, trainer Yasutoshi Ikee had his charge in the form of his life, following a brilliant second-place finish in the Hong Kong Mile. This win added to his growing legacy, cementing his status as a rising star on the international stage.

Romantic Warrior—the world’s richest racehorse—had everything in his favour. A smart break, a perfect draft behind Japanese pacesetter Meisho Tabaru, and the entire world watching as he rounded the turn. Yet, despite being sent for home with all the authority of a champion, the elusive, decisive break never came. Instead, Soul Rush was making his move, threading through the field, inching closer and closer as the finish line neared.

With every stride, the tension mounted, and just as Romantic Warrior seemed to lift again, feeling the presence of his challenger, Soul Rush found another gear—diving at the line with everything he had. Both horses were at full stretch, a spectacular battle to the wire, but it was Soul Rush who edged ahead in the final moments, his late surge stealing the victory in a dramatic climax.

As the horses returned to unsaddle, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Ikee, his face glowing with pride, congratulated Demuro for the perfect ride, while Romantic Warrior’s jockey, James McDonald, was visibly tense, knowing his champion had fought valiantly but fallen short.

With this victory, Japanese-trained horses have now claimed five of the last ten Dubai Turf titles, and for Ikee—who has trained icons like Orfevre and Satono Diamond—this triumph marked his most important success on foreign soil. Behind them, Maljoom, who had been languishing at the back of the pack, came flying late to complete the placings, a reminder of the unpredictable thrills of the Turf.

RACE 6: Dark Saffron stuns favourites, storms to Dubai Golden Shaheen glory

In one of the most dramatic upsets on Dubai World Cup night, it was the unheralded Dark Saffron—a fiery local three-year-old—who lit up the Meydan dirt with a performance for the ages, guided by a masterclass of timing and tenacity from jockey Connor Beasley in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Pre-race talks had already focused on the unusual inclusion of two three-year-olds—the first such occurrence since 2006—in a race historically dominated by hardened older sprinters. Only five juveniles had ever dared to line up in the Shaheen before, and of those, just two had been Northern Hemisphere-breds: My Catch and Dios Corrida, who faded into the background with finishes of 12th and 11th respectively. Expectations for this year's sophomore entries were modest at best.

Among them, the spotlight was firmly fixed on Japan’s American Stage, the seemingly superior of the two, while few gave any real chance to Dark Saffron, trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash and largely overlooked by the racing elite. Most eyes were instead locked on defending champion Tuz, or the formidable American sprinter Straight No Chaser, expected to dazzle under the desert lights.

As tension peaked at the gates, Dark Saffron gave every indication of inexperience, rearing and resisting in stall 11. But Beasley, composed and calculated, straightened his mount just in time for the break, launching the colt forward with electric speed. In a flash, both three-year-olds were in front, stealing the early initiative.

Almost immediately, it was clear something was amiss with Straight No Chaser. The American flyer struggled badly with the fierce kickback, swallowed up by the dirt and pressure, and was quickly running on empty. The race had turned on its head within the first furlong.

Only Tuz looked capable of mounting a serious threat. He stalked just behind in the box seat, waiting patiently for the leaders to crack. But as the field thundered past the 600m, the champion found himself toiling—his challenge fading as quickly as it had formed.

Still, the brave bay refused to go down quietly. Under Tadhg O’Shea, Tuz summoned every ounce of heart to launch one last assault up the inside rail. But it was here that Beasley’s brilliance shone brightest. Reading the move before it unfolded, he shut the door with quiet authority—not once, but several times—closing off O’Shea’s momentum and sealing Dark Saffron’s unlikely path to glory.

RACE 5: Admire Daytona grabs Kentucky ticket with thrilling UAE Derby victory

Japan’s grip on the UAE Derby tightened further on a balmy evening at Meydan, as Admire Daytona summoned every ounce of courage to hold off a surging Heart Of Honor in a heart-stopping, photo-finish climax.

With just a short head separating triumph from heartbreak, it was the Japanese colt who emerged victorious, earning his ticket to the Kentucky Derby and sending waves of elation through the Japanese camp.

A son of the illustrious triple Grade 1 winner Drefong, Admire Daytona carried not just pedigree but poise, leading from the break under the ice-cool hands of Christophe Lemaire. Straight from the gates, he seized the initiative, dictating the pace with fluid strides as Rafid loomed at his flank and Galactic Star tracked closely in third. A gap opened to the rest, but the danger was quietly building behind.

From the shadows came the stalking duo of Heart Of Honor and Don In The Mood, each beginning their menacing advances as the field approached the home bend. The pressure mounted on the leader, and with every stride down the stretch, the contest grew more desperate, more breathless.

In the final furlong, it became a battle of will and spirit. Don In The Mood, last year’s winning silks carried by Ryusei Sakai, was the first to falter. The outside challenge faded, leaving Admire Daytona and Heart Of Honor locked in a fierce duel, their heads bobbing, nostrils flared, hearts pounding beneath the floodlit sky. The blinkered challenger surged right-handed, rallying with defiance in the dying strides, threatening to snatch victory from Japanese hands.

But Lemaire, with steel in his reins and belief in his mount, drove Admire Daytona forward with urgency and trust. The colt, game to the core, responded with a last gasp of resolve—stretching, straining, and finally, clinging on by the slimmest of margins. The result flashed on the big screen: Admire Daytona, by a short head.

It was Japan’s third consecutive triumph in the UAE Derby, following the memorable victories of Crown Pride, Derma Sotogake, and the magnificent Forever Young. And once more, the rising sun of Japanese racing shone brightly over the desert. For Lemaire and the connections, it was joy unrestrained. For Heart Of Honor and the British team, it was defeat by inches—a haunting near-miss in a race for the ages.

But above all, it was a testament to Admire Daytona’s heart—a colt who led from the front, fought to the finish, and refused to yield when it mattered most.

Heart Of Honor’s trainer Jamie Osborne won the race in 2014 with Toast Of New York, who was denied in his own photo-finish to the Breeders’ Cup Classic that November.

This time his daughter Saffie, who in February became the first woman to win a race at Meydan, was in the saddle.

Lemaire said: “Honestly, I thought I’d won but it was very tight so you never get too happy, too early. The Japanese horses come here with quite a bit of experience at home. For us, they arrive near their best this early in the season - not too much racing but also with plenty of experience. I think they like the Meydan dirt track too. For sure he can go to Kentucky, but it is such a difficult race to win. It is one of the most iconic races in the world and we have to go if we can.”

RACE 4: Believing justifies Boughey’s faith in Al Quoz Sprint

In a heart-pounding crescendo to the Al Quoz Sprint, it was Believing—guided with ice-cool precision by William Buick— who summoned a breathtaking late surge to capture Group 1 glory in one of the most thrilling finishes of the night.

In a race that demanded heart, timing, and a touch of magic, it was the aptly named Believing who rose above all, storming down the turf with wings on her hooves to seize a dramatic Group 1 triumph in the final strides.

Under Buick, the George Boughey-trained filly sat quietly in the early stages, biding her time as the field stretched across the pristine Meydan straight.

With the pace blistering and challengers looming from all angles, Buick waited — calm, measured — before igniting the afterburners with less than 300 metres to go.

What followed was nothing short of electrifying. Like a whisper turned roar, Believing began to devour the ground, her stride lengthening, her intent unmistakable. With every bound, she closed on the leaders, her silks glinting in the floodlights, and just when hope began to flicker, she surged past Win Carnelian and Regional in the final heartbeat of the race. The winning margin may have been narrow, but the statement was immense: Believing had arrived, and in unforgettable style.

For Buick, the victory marked a poignant return to the top of the Al Quoz podium. Having last tasted success in the race aboard Godolphin’s iconic Blue Point in 2019, this latest triumph carried the weight of memory and mastery. With the Godolphin blue once again stitched across his silks, he delivered a ride that blended patience with precision, turning pressure into poetry at the perfect moment.

"George was really bullish about her before the race, her prep has been faultless," said Buick. "This is a lucky spare ride for me. Ryan [Moore] was meant to ride her, obviously he was in Australia this morning, I stepped in"

"The filly was very tough. She really deserved to get that Group 1. She showed there what she's all about, she really knuckled down. Fair play to George in his team for having her in tip-top shape for tonight."

Believing was withdrawn before the start of the Breeders' Cup Sprint last November after giving trouble in the gate.

With Boughey and his partner at home awaiting the birth of their first child, assistant trainer Henry Morshead was on duty and said: "Her preparation into this has been very strong and her gate-work has been good all winter, which was a concern coming from Del Mar last time.

"But God she's tough, she really sticks her head down, she's a real testament to the hard work everyone puts in at home."

Morshead added: "It's hugely special and Coolmore are unbelievably straightforward to deal with. We're hugely honoured to have her in the yard this year as a five-year-old."

RACE 3: Raging Torrent powers legend Dettori to eighth Godolphin Mile victory

American Grade 1 winner Raging Torrent stormed to a resounding victory in the Godolphin Mile, gifting trainer Doug O’Neill a second consecutive win in the race—and his third overall—on a glittering night at Meydan. With an electric burst at the top of the stretch, the four-year-old colt turned away the determined challenge of Mufasa before striding clear to hold off France’s King Gold and Japan’s Kazu Petrin with consummate ease.

The triumph marked a historic milestone for the incomparable Frankie Dettori, who piloted Raging Torrent to his eighth win in the Godolphin Mile—further cementing his legacy as the undisputed king of this race. It was also his astonishing 24th Dubai World Cup winner, a total that towers over all others in the sport.

Breaking smartly from a middle gate, Raging Torrent slipped smoothly into stride and took up the early lead, shadowed closely to his outside by the pace-pressing Mufasa, the American import making his UAE debut for Bhupat Seemar and RRR Racing—the same connections who claimed this title with Isolate two years prior.

As the pair locked horns through the middle stages, Dettori kept his mount perfectly poised, allowing Raging Torrent to settle into a fluent rhythm beneath the floodlights. Approaching the home turn, the legendary jockey gave the signal, and the colt responded with a powerful surge. Edging clear as they straightened for home, Raging Torrent stretched his lead with every stride, seizing the moment and the race in a commanding time of 1:36.69.

Delighted Dettori said: "He’s such a lovely horse and he did the rest. You need the horse to lead like he did, he was quick away and I was able to do my own fractions. In fairness, he’s always been a sprinter in America. So I was thinking of that, I didn’t want to kick too early."

O'Neill said: “I was confident, but that’s why you run these races, you never know. He had a good, clean break, got the lead, got a little breather mid-race. Speed was always going to be his strength. I’m on cloud nine and I’ve got to thank everyone here."

Dettori, reflecting on his Dubai record, said: "Eight Godolphin Miles, that’s a hell of a record. I think it’s fair to say I grew up here. It’s great satisfaction coming back and winning - and hopefully I can win the World Cup again.”

RACE 2: Dubai Future wins Dubai Gold Cup to give Godolphin first win of the card

Godolphin’s Dubai Future, ageless and resplendent at nine, scripted a fairytale comeback under the Meydan, storming to victory in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup after a lengthy absence from the track.

With Silvestre De Sousa guiding him in a ride full of bold intent, the son of Dubawi surged to glory in the iconic Godolphin blue silks, rekindling memories of past triumphs.

For celebrated Emirati trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, it marked a fourth triumph in this storied race — his first since the gallant Cavalryman soared to victory under the same rider over a decade ago, in 2013.

Behind the winner, France’s Double Major, trained by Christophe Ferland and ridden with determination by Maxime Guyon, stayed on bravely for second, just ahead of the tenacious Epic Poet.

Suroor holds the record for the most wins in the Dubai World Cup, with nine victories (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019).

He is also the only trainer to have saddled the same horse, Thunder Snow, to win the race twice (2018 and 2019).

"Congratulations to Saeed, he got him a spot on today and this sets the horse up for the season," said De Sousa. "I told Saeed last time he only cantered round, just to take the freshness out of him.

"Today my concern was just to get him relaxed and for the first half of the race I had him just the way I wanted. He was breathing well and relaxed and he just took me there. I'm delighted for His Highness [Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum] and thankful for having the opportunity to ride this horse."

Suroor said: "He has improved this year, even though I know he's nine years old but this year he came to Dubai a month ago and I know the way to train him. I told Silvestre to keep him behind and the key is to keep him relaxed.

"He is a mile and a quarter or mile and a half horse but we tried him over a mile and six and now two miles and he's done well. "

RACE 1: Watson secures full marks with First Classs in Dubai Kahayla Classic

Defying the odds and rewriting history, First Classs stormed to victory in the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic (2000m), joining an elite club of multiple winners that includes Madjani and Alanudd.

The eight-year-old son of Dahess trained by Doug Watson became the first horse to reclaim the prestigious crown, having previously triumphed in 2022 under different connections.

It marked a remarkable turnaround for First Classs, who had finished third in the 2023 edition before a disappointing run last year. Despite a challenging draw in stall 14, which forced jockey Connor Beasley to navigate a wide path on the first turn, First Classs settled into a comfortable rhythm just behind the leading pack while favourite and last year's winner Tilal Al Khalediah watching it all unfold right behind the leading group down the back stretch.

As Tariq faded around the home bend, First Classs seized the initiative, hitting the front 400m from the finish. He bravely withstood a determined and sustained challenge from Tilal Al Khalediah, who appeared poised to snatch victory in the final straight under Adel Al Furaydi. Mubeed, ridden by Ray Dawson, finished a distant third.

A gritty performance from the winner saw the jockey-trainer combo bag their first G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic victory.

Widely recognisable for his striking grey appearance, the eight-year-old had gone strength-to-strength all through the domestic season posting a comeback victory in the G1 Abu Dhabi Gold Cup (2200m) in February before finishing second in the G1 Emirates Championship (2200m) in the Emirati capital last month.

Jockey Connor Beasley said: “Big credit goes to Doug (Watson) and his team because it’s only the third time I’ve ever sat on this horse. He won me a big one down at Abu Dhabi and then ran a massive race there a couple of weeks ago. To get him here in peak form is a big job to do.

"He jumped pretty smart and got a lovely position going down the back there. He was travelling so good, the race collapsed in front of me and I had to get him on his way. He was very determined and gritty all the way to the line and Doug and his team have done a fantastic job to get him through the season.

“Dubai is special for me, I wouldn’t be getting these sorts of animals at home. I’ve had a great season all winter, obviously this has just topped it off nicely. It would be great to do it again later on but we’ve got one on the board which is great.”

Trainer Watson said: “Amazing, I’m so happy for Deb (owner Deborah Mihaloff). I’m so happy for the team. I’m so happy for the horse. Just seeing him come back like this after last season, it’s amazing. He’s tough as they come and we’ve been second in this a couple of times, this is fantastic. The key has been keeping him fresh. He’s just been perfect all year, he’s been happy and his coat’s come right. I’m so pleased for everyone. It’s been a rough year for me so this means so much.

"He’s a tough horse, I think that’s his fourth race winning a million-dollar race, he’s a pure racehorse and it’s lovely to see him come back from an off season and do something like that.

"I’ve been here 32 years and I’ve been to every World Cup. Worked the first one as an ambulance driver and now we’re winning races. It’s our first Arabian win, we used to have some extremely nice ones for the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid, finished second a couple of times and never won it. It's just super to win on the night any time."

Hit Show steals the spotlight with commanding victory in Dubai World Cup

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