Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse brings together elite runners from around the globe across one of racing’s premier cards. This breakdown combines Tom’s Tips and Rich’s Ranks for Races 2–9, covering the full international program of major races.

🏇 DUBAI WORLD CUP PICKS 

RACE 2 – Godolphin Mile (Group 2)

Tom’s Tips

3 – Mendelssohn Bay – toss last race, distance too far. He has won at this
track and distance three times and finished third twice from six starts. This
is his distance; he just needs to be placed forward with a strong finish.

8 – Zandvoot – he won his last two races at Jebel Ali and one at this
distance. He won once at this distance at Meydan. Gets weight break.

9 – Diamond Dealer – likes both track and distance, with three starts and
two wins at this track and four wins overall at this distance. Won last time
out and the race before. Track specialist?

Rich’s Ranks

1 – Commissioner King – hard to argue against the ML FAV as he is the best at track & Distance
7 – David Of Athens – most improvement last out – AON 8/4-0-0 but 0-2 at Meydan
10 – Hypnus – also improved in his most recent – Tom horse
9 – Diamond Dealer – horse for the 1-mile course 4 wins in 7 race – no win in 6 at others

RACE 3 – Dubai Gold Cup (Group 2)

Tom’s Tips

5 – Sons And Lovers – big win last time at 8-1. His last three races are two
wins and one third in group races. Maybe distance is what he has been
needing to run.

10 – Fairy Glen – he’s won his last two, one at Meydan and one at Lingfield
on the all-weather. This is a step up in distance and class.

4 – Caballo De Mar – He went at a short price and ran last after running
twenty furlongs and beating Coltraine. Based on past runs, he has thrown a
stinker every once in a while. Adds William Buick.

Rich’s Ranks

10 – Fairy Glen – horse made huge gains in his last 2nd up outing. Same thing here, and wins at a price
7 – Epic Poet – bounce back race coming in the 3rd up
1 – Al Riffa – looks like a highly vulnerable favorite to me
5 – Sons And Lovers – seems like the longer the race the better, this is his longest and Jame Doyle rides so you know he’ll get every chance to capitalize

RACE 4 – UAE Derby (Group 2)

Tom’s Tips

1 – Pyromancer – undefeated after three races as a two-year-old and is not
being shipped here to lose. Adds James Doyle. Strong favorite.

3 – Six Speed – won his first start of the season by five lengths, defeating
some of these horses. He appears to be a good local runner.

7 – Devon Island – second to Six Speed last time and won his other starts
in Meydan after running second at Kempton on the all-weather.
Appleby/Buick.

Rich’s Ranks

5 – Salloom – won his debut at this track by nearly 7 lengths with a final time that would probably win this race
1 – Pyromancer – undefeated Japanese horse in 3 tries, just don’t know what you have until it loses
3 – Six Speed – only race he did not win was debut – looks like the longer the better and this will be his longest to date
7 – Devon Island – don’t need much more than Godolphin, Buick and Appleby if you know anything about the sport – never mind that he finished 1st (2x) or 2nd (2x) in his 4 races.

RACE 5 – Al Quoz Sprint (Group 1)

Tom’s Tips

13 – Northern Champion – he won his last two at Meydan at five and six
furlongs. He’s the only three-year-old in the field and gets weight from his
elders. He’s gone off at 25-1 and 7-1, so expect good odds.

1 – Lazzat – is faced with some of the best sprinters and runs second. He’s
won eight of sixteen races, and his biggest win was at Royal Ascot. In form,
but will he finally get a win?

2 – Reef Runner – beat Lazzat last time out. He won a listed at Gulfstream
and ran fourth in the Breeders’ Cup race. My question is about the
distance.

11 – Monteille

Rich’s Ranks

3 – Lugal – if he can come remotely close to his Japanese track times = win
1 – Lazzat – cutting back and improving in the second up
12 – Rayevka – both wins at the distance in 4 races – none in 6 at others
7 – Native Approach – beat many of these last out same race = same result

RACE 6 – Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored By Nakheel (Group 1)

Tom’s Tips

1 – Bentornato – it’s hard to get past the Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner. He
had two races last year, both of which he won. He runs well fresh and will
be the favorite.

4 – El Nasseeb – he appears to be the best local horse in the field and is
ultra-consistent. He won last time out and steps up here.

10 – Mufasa – hasn’t won for his new connection yet, but has been in all his
races. I think he will show up today.

Rich’s Ranks

1 – Bentornato – might just be too fast for the rest on a 6f times
8 – Nakatomi – run back to Oct 3rd race at Keeneland works
5 – Lovesick Blues – can come the closest to Bentornato’s times
6 – Midland Money – ITM 5/6 races – Tom horse, probably not fast enough to win

RACE 7 – Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (Group 1)

Tom’s Tips

4 – Elnajmm – won his last two races at seven furlongs. He ran badly last
year, but only in two races. In the form of his life and adding distance today
makes him a good longshot play today.

1 – Ombudsman – Gosden isn’t here to lose and has the favorite here who
lost last time to the best turf in the world at Ascot. Excellent record, Buick
rides again. Big Favorite.

3 – Quddwah – won his last start at nine furlongs at this track. He has
another win in January. He’s an up-and-down horse but has been liking the
desert lately.

Rich’s Ranks

1 – Ombudsman – most likely winner on the card?
3 – Quddwah – undefeated in a pair at the track – close to AON 15/8-1-0
6 – Fort George – only 1 OTM finish in 11 races – cutting back in distance helps
5 – Facteur Cheval – doesn’t run two times in a row – finally healthy

RACE 8 – Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1)

Tom’s Tips

1 – Calandagan – best turf horse in the world at distance. Won the Japan
Cup last time out. He’s a gelding, so races like the ARC are not races he
can run in. Hugh’s favorite today.

3 – Giavellotto – his last race was only ok but I like his run against Sosie
better at Sha Tin. His fourth-place finish at ARC makes me think he can
beat the rest of the field.

4 – Royal Power – He won his last two races at twelve furlongs. Looking at
his past runs, he only ran once in 2025 and ran well in England in 2024.
Maybe a late-developing horse. Appleby/Buick.

Rich’s Ranks

4 – Royal Power – mid field, aside from the 6 – should sit off the pace and has LP to boot
1 – Calandagan – coming from the back of the track – flying at the end
6 – West Wind Blows – Lone E in a short field – get the right fractions and he upsets

RACE 9 – Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 1)

Tom’s Tips

1 – Forever Young – has been on a winning streak ever since losing this
race last year. Winning in Japan, capturing the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and
taking the richest race in the world. A short-priced horse, and who in this
field could possibly beat him now?

7 – Walk Of Stars – If you’re looking for a long shot, this is the horse for
you. He hasn’t won in a while, but he ran a strong race last time behind a
winner by more than five lengths. He finished fourth in this race last year.

3 – Hit Show – won this race last year and also won his last race at the
Fairgrounds. His races don’t look visually impressive, but he always finds a
way to win or run close at the finish. In the final furlong, he will be fighting it
out.

Rich’s Ranks

5 – Imperial Emperor – winner 5/7 at the distance – run back to March 1 – run at Meydan wins
1 – Forever Young – deserved 4/5 favorite – 14/11-0-3
3 – Hit Show – won his lone trip across this track – a little more distance helps
2 – Magnitude – tough call over the 4 – Meydan – but won a lot more money 2/3rd the races