Rebel’s Romance emerged a clear-cut winner to maintain an excellent run for Godolphin in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

In what developed into a tactical contest in which very few horses were involved, the hardy 6-year-old handed Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s operation its fourth victory in the 1 1/2-mile turf classic since 2017, with Jack Hobbs, Hawkbill and Old Persian striking in consecutive years.

It was a record fifth win in the race for jockey William Buick, who was able to keep it pretty simple. Point Lonsdale bounced into the lead from the outset and dictated a steady pace as Buick tailed him in second, with Shahryar following at a respectable distance.

With 600 meters remaining, that trio had a sizable advantage from the chasing pack and Rebel’s Romance appeared to be traveling the best, swiftly kicking clear over the final 300 meters and ultimately passing the post two lengths in front.

Shahryar clung on for second with keenly anticipated fellow Japanese challenger Liberty Island doing best of the closers in third. Derby winner Auguste Rodin was always to the rear and finished last.

Rebel’s Romance, a winner of the UAE Derby at this fixture in 2021 as well as the following year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, had been returning to an approximation of his best for trainer Charlie Appleby in the last few months and had warmed up for his Meydan challenge by winning a Group 3 race in Qatar. He won in a time of 2:26.72.

“He showed in Qatar what a versatile horse he is,” said Buick. “His best form has usually been when he’s held up but in Qatar I tried something new. I was keen today to adopt a similar tactic and I got a lovely slipstream from the leader.

“He’s a very good horse on his day and he showed that today. I’m absolutely delighted; he’s a great horse and I’m so glad he’s back to his best.”

Reflecting on the importance of Godolphin registering a win on the biggest night day of the year in Dubai racing, Buick said: “You know His Highness wants to see the best horses come to Dubai and the best horses are here. These races are incredibly hard to win so of course I’m incredibly happy.

“It’s great for the team, great for everybody. It’s great to be here and it’s great to ride a winner. It’s an amazing training performance and a great job by the whole team. I’m in the fortunate position to be able to ride these horses.”

Appleby had been out of luck with three earlier runners, with Star Of Mystery doing best when chasing home California Spangle in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1).

“It was our last roll of the dice for today,” said Appleby. “We went into the race as a long shot which shows the depth of the race. We had a bumpy road last year, went to Kempton to bring up his confidence and then Qatar to bring him back to where we wanted him to be.

“Full credit to the team, especially the logistical team as he went back to the UK from Qatar and then out here. The plan was to go forward and William knows the track and horse very well. Most importantly, delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the entire team at Godolphin.”

Doug O’Neill wins 2nd Godolphin Mile

In a thrilling finish to the Godolphin Mile (G2), it was the Doug O’Neill trainee Two Rivers Over who enjoyed the last laugh.

The American raider knuckled down to chase a resolute Walk Of Stars on the rail and defending champion Isolate in the closing stages to provide a second winner for O’Neill in the mile event and a maiden winner on World Cup night for his pilot Edwin Maldonado. O’Neill had previously won the 2007 Godolphin Mile with Spring at Last.

There were no surprises in the early part of the race as Tadhg O’Shea, aboard Bhupat Seemar-trained Walk Of Stars, pressed forward to grab the fence.

Highly touted Saudi Crown was, surprisingly, kept three wide despite a good beginning with Isolate finding the overall lead comfortably albeit away from the plastic. The winner was nursed into a handy early spot in the vanguard just off the pace.

Rounding for home, a flat-footed Saudi Crown began to give way as the front two, eventual runner-up and third, began to put distance between themselves and the field. It was not until the last half furlong that Two Rivers Over began diminishing the leaders’ advantage, eventually getting up to score by a cozy half length.

There was little involvement from the rest at the finish with Southern Artist staying on best to grab a distant fourth on the line, just ahead of Desert Wisdom.

Two Rivers Over, who paid $31.90 to win in the World Pool, stopped the timer in 1:37.47 for a mile on dirt rated fast.

“I am extremely happy about how it’s worked out for us and it’s amazing that we have won the Godolphin Mile in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” said Leandro Mora, who supervises trainer Doug O’Neill’s travelling challenge in the United Arab Emirates.

“I actually asked Edwin to stay closer to the pace but it did not work out that way. He knew he was in a little bit of trouble but the horse responded for him.”

Maldonado has known plenty of injury ups and downs during his career in Southern California and produced a ride of rare quality here.

“He is not a horse that takes the kickback well so I was hoping he would be close in the run and he was,” said Maldonado. “When he came into the stretch I was confident I would get there because I had him in the clear, outside of kickback. He’s very genuine. He gave me everything.”

Co-owner Todd Cady was understandably emotional after welcoming Two Rivers Over back to the number one spot.

Cady said: “What an experience! We were happy to be a part of the occasion but we knew it would be hard to win with the likes of Saudi Crown and Isolate in the field. He was so tough and classy in the finish.

“What a job by Edwin (jockey, Maldonado) and Doug (O’Neill, trainer) and Leandro (Mora, assistant trainer). We are so thrilled.”

Speaking from California, trainer Doug O’Neill said: “I am so proud of this horse. The owners are the ones who picked him out to claim. They have been super-patient and supportive. He’s a young four-year-old on the rise.”

Al Quoz Sprint: California Spangle wins in track-record time

A decade-long drought for Hong Kong at the Dubai World Cup meeting ended emphatically on Saturday as California Spangle, the only horse to defeat the world’s highest-earning thoroughbred Golden Sixty in the last two years, showcased his bountiful speed and characteristic toughness to land an emotional Al Quoz Sprint win in track record time.

Ten years since a memorable night when Amber Sky landed the Al Quoz Sprint and Sterling City led home a Sha Tin quinella in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, the Tony Cruz-trained California Spangle flew the Bauhinia flag at Meydan once more under a perfectly timed Brenton Avdulla ride.

Anticipating the start to the millisecond, Avdulla was able to send California Spangle towards his customary forward position without expending too much energy early. While Ponntos set a strong tempo in front, the expected pressure did not eventuate which played into California Spangle’s hands.

Racing to the lead near the quarter-mile mark, the 6-year-old gave a strong kick and kept on finding before holding off the late surge of 3-year-old filly Star Of Mystery under Frankie Dettori to score by 3/4 length. Diligent Harry finished a further 3/4 length away in third.

California Spangle stopped the clock in 1:07.50, lowering the 1200-metre track record of 1:07.61 set by Wildman Jack in the 2020 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3). He paid $6.10 to win through the World Pool.

While all plaudits were deservedly with the winner, who scored his third Group 1 victory here after successes in the 2022 Hong Kong Mile and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, another question was immediately posed post-race: what might have been for Hong Kong champion Golden Sixty on the world stage?

Restricted from travelling at the peak of his career due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden Sixty has never raced away from Sha Tin. California Spangle’s victory again demonstrates his exceptional ability, serving as a reminder of how much healthier international racing is when Hong Kong horses are travelling abroad.

Winning trainer Tony Cruz said, “I knew it would happen sooner or later. I got this opportunity and I came with a lot of confidence that we would win this race today.

“The family – the ‘California family’ – is here today. Howard Liang, whose horses usually are named California, passed away recently so I would like to dedicate this win to him. We are over the moon with this, the owner’s wish was always to win these big races. I wish he was here tonight but his whole family is here and we’re going to celebrate together.

“If you look back through his history, California Spangle on his debut, he ran a record time in Hong Kong and he ran a record time at 1200m. I believe when he hits the front, nobody can catch him.

“I think we’ll go into sprint races back in Hong Kong, that’s the end of April (the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (G1)). We’ll take on Lucky Sweynesse. He’s always been a sprinter-miler and I believe he’s more a sprinter than a miler. You have to go for those longer races in Hong Kong earlier in their career but I think we know where he is best now.”

Asked about Royal Ascot, he said: “It’s a possibility. I’ve got to try to work it out.”

Owner representative Chester Liang said: “The horse means a lot to my family and I and I’m really happy that we were able to win. Tony said if he won last time in Hong Kong, then we’d come. He did, we decided the horse was in good form, so we came. This was my dad’s favourite horse, so he always means a lot. He is probably looking down on us.”

Of second-place Star Of Mystery, trainer Charlie Appleby said, “Delighted. Frankie (Dettori, jockey) said he just got to his (California Spangle’s) quarters and she went again. But she’s a three-year-old against battle-hardened sprinters. As to what we’ll do with her; it’s whether we go to the King’s Stand ((G1), at Royal Ascot) or give her a proper break. The race I’d like to work back from is the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint; I think that will suit her really well.”

Dubai Gold Cup: Turn of foot carries Tower of London to victory

In a scintillating display of speed and tactical prowess, Tower Of London,  under the supreme guidance of Ryan Moore, triumphed in the Dubai Gold Cup (G2).

However, the race was not devoid of pre-race drama as dual St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov was sensationally withdrawn at the gates on veterinary advice, much to the dismay of connections and spectators alike.

Facing a slowly run affair, Libyan Glass dictated the pace on the far side while Kieran Shoemark on Trawlerman opted for a solitary trip in the middle of the track.

With pace at a premium, jockeys maintained a strategic, collective silence until the pivotal home stretch when Siskany, a specialist on the course, initiated the first move – only to falter in sustaining the momentum.

As they headed for the final two furlongs, Al Nayyir made giant strides to threaten the favourites before Tower Of London, racing right out in the centre of the track, showcased an astonishing burst of acceleration. He raced past his rivals to score by two lengths going away.

Tower of London finished the two miles on good turf in 3:17.29, and paid $6.00 in the World Pool.

Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “You would have to be very impressed with that. He has become a very classy horse. He is very pacey. He quickens so well. Ryan said there wasn’t much pace on, but he was happy to wait with him like he did in Saudi last month. He settles well, then quickens. And he loves that fast ground on a flat track. I am not sure what the plan will be for him. I don’t know if he would get the trip in an Ascot Gold Cup. He might, though. Ryan said he could drop back to a mile and a half, too, so we have options with him. Races like the Coronation Cup or the Hardwicke Stakes we could think about. Ryan was very confident beforehand. We felt him and Auguste Rodin were our best chances of the day and it is great to start with a win.”

“It was a great run,” Christophe Soumillon, jockey riding second-place Al Nayyir, said. “I was a bit disappointed last time in Saudi but the track was probably too firm and he was hanging left a lot. Today, he was travelling really easy. He started well and we had a much better draw. I thought in the last 300 metres I was going to win it but Tower Of London is a great horse and he came really fast at the end.”

Eldar Eldarov was scratched at the gates on veterinary advice. Representing owners KHK Racing, Chris Wall said: “The horse next door kicked the stalls and Eldar Eldarov anticipated the start. He jumped up and banged his head and is a bit concussed. He’s gone to the hospital and we’ll wait and see how it unwinds for him.”

Dubai Golden Shaheen: Tuz races clear for 6 1/2-length triumph

Twelve months after Switzerland was just touched off in defense of his title in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), Tuz provided trainer Bhupat Seemar sweet revenge, storming home at the fence to defeat Japan’s Don Frankie by a record six and a half-length margin.

Another Dubai World Cup night runner to have begun his career in Russia, taking his first three career starts by wide margins at Pyatigorsk Hippodrome, the $7,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland September in 2018 was making his fourth straight appearance on the big night, having run unplaced in the Godolphin Mile (G2) in 2021 and 2022 and seventh to Sibelius in last year’s Golden Shaheen.

His most recent start, a distant 10th to Remake in last month’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3), wasn’t exactly the lead-up connections wanted, but Saturday’s was a result that was never truly in doubt.

Quickly away from gate 2, the hulking Tuz had company to his outside in the form of Japan’s 1,305-pound monster Don Frankie, with Colour Up also close in tow. Appearing hesitant to take the run at the rail in the straight as Don Frankie set the pace one off the inside, Tuz finally acquiesced, pushing through to wrest command 200 meters from home before powering away for an impressive score.

Nakatomi, last into the straight, ran on late for third ahead of Remake in fourth. Sibelius looked to be making hard work of it a long way from home and finished 11th of the 14 runners.

“He’s got so much natural speed; his weapon is his speed,” said winning trainer Bhupat Seemar. “He’s always been a fast horse and it’s like Switzerland, he ran poorly in Saudi and then won the Shaheen. Sprinters mature and they know what to do. I had some confidence.”

Winning jockey Tadhg O’Shea said: “He’s very fast. We had a great gate number (two) but we were getting pressured a long way out. He had to be good and tough. There wasn’t much room to maneuver down the inside, but I had a good, willing partner. He’s a big horse. When he straightened up, he went through the eye of a needle. I was a length down off Cristian (Demuro) on the home turn. I gave (Tuz) a squeeze and the response was immediate.

“He’s a high-class horse and when he gets a rail to shoot at, he’s very, very, very good.”

Facteur Cheval triumphs for France in Dubai Turf

Facteur Cheval sprang something of a surprise victory for France in the Dubai Turf (G1), gaining a short-head verdict from the Japanese challenger Namur.

Trained by Jerome Reynier near Marseille, Facteur Cheval carried the colors of the American-based syndicate Team Valor and Gary Barber with Maxime Guyon in the saddle, winning the race for the second time after Solow in 2015.

Danon Beluga, runner-up a year ago, finished off well again for third.

“He’s a great champion. We didn’t know how he would handle the faster ground because he has more used to racing on soft and heavy surfaces but you can see how well he did,” jockey Guyon said of the winner.

“He gave me a really great turn of foot and really wanted to fight to the line. I didn’t want to go too early because he’s been running over 1,600 meters and was stepping up in trip slightly, for all that I think he’ll stay 2,000 meters.

“I always had this thought at the back of my mind that it was his first run of the year and it was further than he’s been running over. But I never felt like he would crack,” Guyon added.

Facteur Cheval settled in midfield under Guyon and was pulled out to lead passing the furlong marker. Namur launched his bid from further back and the pair were locked together for the final 100 meters. Facteur Cheval just got the bob in.

“It’s just amazing, I have no words. You know 16 years ago we were here with (Darley) Flying Start and that was at Nad Al Sheba. I see a horse here that has been prepared the best way possible by Gregory (Davignon, work rider) and it’s just amazing, I can’t believe it,” trainer Reynier beamed.

“I said to Maxime I’ve never seen this horse go backwards at the finish, he is always going forward and giving his best. I had no doubts about the distance and Maxime has given him a perfect ride, he had Lord North to follow and he switched off during the race.

“He switched him to the outside and then waited long enough to save something for the end and that’s just amazing. I am so happy for all my team,” added Reynier.

“It depends how he recovers but he can stay here and take it easy. He’s adapted very well here and seems very happy so maybe we could try Hong Kong next for the QE II Cup at the end of April.”

Three times a winner of the race, Lord North presented with every chance as the tempo quickened at the top of the home straight but could only finish eighth.

The clock stopped at 1 minute 45.91 seconds, making it the third-fastest edition of the race in the last decade.