Welcome to Foreign Friday, where we break down the biggest international horse races! This week, we’re heading to Dubai for an action-packed card featuring some of the world’s best horses, followed by the legendary Grand National!
Meydan Racecourse
🔥 Dubai World Cup Night – We’re covering all the top races, including:
🏆 Dubai Gold Cup
🏆 Godolphin Mile
🏆 Al Quoz Sprint
🏆 UAE Derby
🏆 Dubai Golden Shaheen
🏆 Dubai Turf
🏆 Dubai Sheema Classic
🏆 Dubai World Cup
🐴 Grand National – One of the toughest and most exciting steeplechases in the world!
Dubai World Cup & Grand National Picks
22 to 1 Tom’s Tips and Comments
RACE 2 – Dubai Gold Cup
Thoroughbred • Group 2 • For 4YO+ • 3200m • TURF • USD 1,000,000
8 – Trawlerman
He last ran at Ascot, and he ran third, going 3200m vs. Kyprios. The race before, he ran second to Kyprios. He ran third last year in this race. See a pattern? Win, maybe, but there is no Kyprios in this race. Gosden and Buick.
3 – Double Major
His prep race was on the all-weather at Chantilly; he ran second, going 2700m. He also saw the back end of Kyprios at Longchamp by over 22 lengths. He has a nice win at Saint-Cloud, going 3100m in a group one. If ready, he could win.
9 – Terms Of Endearment
This is my wildcat horse.
She has never competed at this distance but has won group races four times, three of which were stakes races. Why choose her? She changed trainers in April 2025, and William Haggas knows how to win. He entered her here for a reason.
RACE 3 – Godolphin Mile
Thoroughbred • Group 2 • For 4YO+ For SH 3YO • 1600m • DIRT • USD 1,000,000
11 – Peptide Nile
He used the February Stakes at Tokyo as prep for this race, running four. He won a Group One race at the Tokyo race last February and was second up. He runs against good horses at one mile, like Lemon Pop and Shamal, running in the money against them. With these odds, I like him for the win.
8 – Mufasa
He defeated White Abarrio last time at Gulfstream, going seven furlongs. He was well beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He won in Chile before shipping to the States and has won twice going seven furlongs. He is a graded stakes winner who was purchased in March for this race. I don’t know if the one-mile distance is his best distance.
13 – Raging Torrent
He won his last race at Santa Anita with Frankie Dettori riding for the first time. He was the favorite in that grade one race. In the Breeder’s Cup, he was no match for Straight No Chaser in the Sprint. He runs the one-turn seven-furlong races, and now can he stretch out to the one-mile distance?
Considered:
15 – Steal Sunshine
RACE 4 – Al Quoz Sprint
Thoroughbred • Group 1 • For 3YO+ • 1200m • TURF • USD 1,500,000
8 – Win Carnelian
He started his racing career by competing in races of one mile or longer, achieving some success. He hasn’t secured a win since February 2023, which was also over a mile. In his last two races, he ran six furlongs, finishing just a neck behind in one and two lengths behind in the other. In a separate six-furlong race against Group One horses, he placed fourth out of eighteen.
3 – Howdeepisyourlove
He’s been competing against Hong Kong’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, without success. The only race he won in his last six outings was a group three that Ka Ying Rising didn’t participate in. He has three races this year, so he is as ready as he will be.
9 – Believing
She is an outstanding sprinter who arrives late in the race, making the trip essential. However, she has been better at finishing second or third lately than at winning. She has run well against bias; an example is her performance at York. In her last race at Longchamp, she didn’t seem to like the very soft ground but still finished third. If she’s ready, she will show up again for a placing. First time for William Buick to ride.
RACE 5 – UAE Derby
Thoroughbred • Group 2 • For 3YO • 1900m • DIRT • USD 1,000,000
9 – Queen Azteca
She began her career in Sweden. Why is she competing in this race against males? She won three of her first four starts and finished second in the other race. She enjoyed the distance, and in her last race, she ran 9.5 furlongs, winning by three-quarters of a length in a good race time. In great form and if I get 12-1, I will be very happy.
4 – Flood Zone
He has run three times and won two of those races by three-plus lengths. He last raced in March at Aqueduct, where he was the best horse in the field, winning this grade three race after being hard-ridden and asked for more. It’s an interesting route for Brad Cox to pursue for a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, but there’s good money to run for, and with Florent Geroux riding, this horse’s chances should improve. He’s the favorite.
2 – Don In The Mood
I can leave a Japanese horse off my ticket, and this is the one I think has a good chance off his last race. He chased Luxor Café in a listed race at Tokyo. He was near the lead at this start and ran on for third. His winning effort was at 9 furlongs. His first start was in the mud, and I tossed that race.
RACE 6 – Dubai Golden Shaheen
Thoroughbred • Group 1 • For 3YO+ • 1200m • DIRT • USD 2,000,000
9 – Straight No Chaser
He won his last three races, including the Breeder’s Cup Sprint and the Saudi Sprint. In his previous race, he took the lead with two furlongs to go and was never threatened. He should be a very short-priced favorite.
11 – Tuz
He’s a local horse who has won his last five races at this track by at least three lengths. At eight years old, he started his career in Russia and was purchased, but he has only raced in Dubai since then. With his experience on the racetrack and his form, he must be considered, but his race times are only average, so keep that in mind if you’re going to add him to your ticket.
6 – Nakatomi
At the end of last season, he won at Saratoga in a grade one after a layoff running in Dubai in March. He was a beaten favorite at Keeneland, running second in a grade two race. His Breeder’s Cup Sprint run was good enough for sixth, but he was never in the race. First up here, he must be considered.
Considered:
12 – American Stage
RACE 7 – Dubai Turf
Thoroughbred • Group 1 • For 4YO+ For SH 3YO • 1800m • TURF • USD 5,000,000
8 – Romantic Warrior
In his last race, he tried the dirt for the first time and lost by a neck to Forever Young in the Saudi Cup. The rest of the field was over ten lengths behind. This horse is based in Hong Kong but has won in Dubai (setting the track record for this distance), Australia, and Japan, achieving victory in group one races. He continues to win in his Hong Kong races, consistently defeating strong competitors at distances ranging from 8 furlongs to 10 furlongs. Some of the Hong Kong races I remember were against Golden Sixty. He is the overwhelming favorite and should be.
2 – Ghostwriter
He won his first three starts of this racing career in the last five races, but he’s been up against the best horses in Europe, including Look De Vega, City of Troy, Auguste Rodin, Shin Emperor, Los Angeles, and Economics. We know he can win first up, and let’s see if getting a little older will turn him into a top-class 4yo with a bright future.
11 – Liberty Island
She ran a crap race in the Japan Cup and then was shipped to Hong Kong to run second to Romantic Warrior. She has won and been chasing horses like Equinox and Rebel’s Romance. She has been in the money all but the Japan Cup races but hasn’t won since 2023. She will be running late.
Considered:
9 – Soul Rush
RACE 8 – Longines Dubai Sheema Classic
Thoroughbred • Group 1 • For 4YO+ For SH 3YO • 2410m • TURF • USD 6,000,000
6 – Danon Decile
He won his last start at Nakayama as the favorite in a Group Two race. They knew they had a good horse because the first start of his career was in a group race, where he finished fourth, losing to Shin Emperor. He has won a Group One competition in Tokyo at this distance. With a race in hand, he should be very tough in this race. However, he seems to be an all-or-nothing horse.
4 – Rebel’s Romance
He won his last start at 2400m, and before that race, the Breeder’s Cup Turf, he won for the second time. He’s won seven of his eight starts; the only run was at Ascot, where he lost.
5 – Calandagan
He returns to the races after a second-place finish at Ascot in group one, losing to Anmaat. He was second to City Of Troy at York. He won at Royal Ascot in a 12-furlong run. He’s never been out of the money in eight starts at six tracks. He will be the favorite.
Considered:
8 – Shin Emperor
RACE 9 – Dubai World Cup
Thoroughbred • Group 1 • For 4YO+ For SH 3YO • 2000m • DIRT • USD 12,000,000
1 – Forever Young
After winning his last race against Romantic Warrior, it’s hard not to place him at the top as the best horse. In his past six races, he won four and finished third twice. The third-place finishes were in the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Both events posed challenges.
11 – Wilson Tesoro
He ran fourth to Forever Young in his last start in the Saudi Cup and was over 12 lengths behind. He’s run second twice in group races against Lemon Pop and Crown Pride. He’s won at this distance and no reason to think he will run better today.
8 – Rattle N Roll
They sent him to Saudi Arabia for a race prior to the Saudi Cup. He won his prep race by more than four lengths. He ran second in his last race by 13 lengths to Forever Young. It was hard to pick a third horse, but I have never seen a Ken McPeek horse ridden by William Buick so I think he is good enough to hit the board.
Considered:
2 – Hit Show
4 – Imperial Emperor
6 – Mixto
Aintree
Grant National – 4m2½f (4m2f74y) Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (7yo+)
Intense Raffles
The Irish Grand National winner last April, running the second previous time in a race that was considered a good race before this race. He is seven, so on the younger side of the field, but he has the profile of a Grand National winner.
Hewick
He seeks favorable ground and achieves that type of going. He has won several notable races, including a Grade One. There are many appealing qualities about this horse, and he should be positioned near the front of the field.
Minella Cocooner
He has been running well this season but not winning yet. A third last month and a fourth earlier. He appears to want distance and has done well enough to be considered.
Hitman
He’s won three times in twenty-three starts over the fences and at shorter distances. He runs okay at times and then fails. A big longshot who may not make it around the track the second time, but if he does, watch out at big odds.
Perceval Legallios
He has been running well and winning, too. He has improved with each start and has a strong chance of winning this race.
Rich’s Ranks and Analysis
Race 2: DUBAI GOLD CUP
3 – DOUBLE MAJOR – has 7 wins – the last three were 2nd ups – like today
4 – DUBAI FUTURE – boom or bust race coming here – second race after 14 months off
8 – TRAWLERMAN – high probability to hit the board
2 – CONTINUOUS – Adian O’Brien horse – wonder why Ryan Moore isn’t riding
Race 3: GODOLPHIN MILE
16 – SWORD POINT – maybe a miler? 2 of 2 at the distance 1 for 12 at any other
13 – RAGING TORRENT – 4 of the last 5 triple digit speed numbers
10 – OASIS BOY – Soumillion rides – hasn’t worked yet – but ran much faster last out
Race 4: AL QUOZ SPRINT
7 – REGIONAL – usually fires off the bench
11 – WEST ACRE – never a bad race in 6 starts
9 – BELIEVING – consistently in the money at the highest level in England
3 – HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE – has proven she can win at the Group I level in Hong Kong
Race 5: UAE DERBY
4 – FLOOD ZONE – don’t always trust AQ speed numbers but the fractions are there
9 – QUEEN AZTECA – two big wins in a row and won three of the last four
6 – HEART OF HONOR – not a bad race in 5 starts – Meydan 4/2-2-0
1 – ADMIRE DAYTONA – last race was better than it looks as it was much faster
Race 6: DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN
9 – STRAIGHT NO CHASER – distance 7/5-0-1 -if the times travel – is the fastest horse
11 – TUZ – winner 5 in a row at Meydan and none were close
8 – ROYAL COMMANDO – ran about 2 seconds faster in last – maybe hits at a big price
13 – DARK SAFFRON – another that was faster last out – winner 2/3 at Meydan
Race 7: DUBAI TURF
8 – ROMANTIC WARRIOR will be the heavy favorite – we’ll take a few shots to beat him
9 – SOUL RUSH – finished within a ½ length of Romantic Warrior when faced off
7 – NATIONS PRIDE – Meydan 4/3-0-1 – third here last year
11 – LIBERTY ISLAND – another that faced ROMANTIC WARRIOR and wasn’t all that far behind
Race 8: DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC
2 – DUREZZA – signs of life horse after starting career on fire
4 – REBEL’S ROMANCE – winner at 10/13 at the distance – rerun BC run would do
5 – CALANDAGAN – never a bad race in 8 tries – only a length behind CITY OF TROY
8 – SHIN EMPEROR – doesn’t make 2 starts in a row too often and has backed up when he does
Race 9: DUBAI WORLD CUP
1 – FOREVER YOUNG – really tough to see him not run at a level that wins
4 – IMPERIAL EMPEROR – Meydan 4/3-1-0 – wins big when he wins
8 – RATTLE N ROLL – has a ton of Late Speed at times, tiring track and should be coming
10 – WALK OF THE STARS – doesn’t appear to be a lot of ES in here – should be forward
GRAND NATIONAL
3 – NICK ROCKET – didn’t run in Cheltenham Cup for this race
10 – STUMPTOWN – going to be the favorite – trainer puts this one in instead of the bookies’ pre-race favorite
17 – KANDOO KID – trainer says this horse is “ideal for this race” – we’ll see
26 – MEETINGOFTHEWATERS – seven in this race last year – so we know he can handle it – another year to get more fit
