Japan’s Ushba Tesoro (9-1) capped a big night for Japan in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a stunning victory from behind to capture the $12 million purse at the Dubai World Cup, which was simulcast live at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday, March 25.
The 6-year-old colt came from the back of the field under Yuga Kawada. Derma Sotogake, under Christophe Lemaire also saw victory on Saturday and cemented a spot at the 20-stall starting gate of the Kentucky Derby on May 6.
Japan-trained 3-year-old colt, Dura Erede, got 40 points for finishing second in Dubai and currently stands No. 11 on the leaderboard for the spot at Churchill Downs.
Last year’s 2022 Dubai World Cup winner, U.S. runner Country Grammer, finished seventh in what was his final Dubai race of his career.
The Dubai World Cup is one of the most prestigious and lucrative in horse racing with total prize money of $30.5 million and a star-studded line-up of horses, jockeys and trainers from all over the world.
The racetrack is opened at 8:30 a.m. for the Dubai Gold Cup and Dubai World Cup races. The World Cup has been held annually since 1996 and offers nine races — eight Thoroughbred and one Purebred Arabian.
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The Dubai World Cup is contested at the Meydan Racecourse in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and is operated through the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA). ERA Chairman is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs of the UAE.
Held every year on the last Saturday in March, the Dubai World Cup is part of the Dubai World Cup Night of races. The race has carried a purse of $12 million since 2019, and has since regained its position as the world’s richest horse race. The record was previously held by the Pegasus World Cup in 2017 and 2018.
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Eight of the 15 entries for the race are from Japan, but U.S runner Country Grammer is trying for the second consecutive year to win the Dubai World Cup. Country Grammer placed second for the second straight year in the $20 million Saudi Cup last month, beaten by Japan’s Panthalassa by three-quarters of a length.
Aside from Country Granner, other U.S. runners headlining the entries are Life Is Good, Midnight Bourbon, and Hot Rod Charlie.
The first winner of the Dubai Gold Cup was Thoroughbred Cigar (April 18, 1990 – Oct. 7, 2014), owned by Allen E. Paulson.
