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Hit Show produced a stunning late surge to claim the US$12 million Gr.1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan, swooping past rivals in the closing stages under a perfectly timed ride from Florent Geroux.
The Brad Cox-trained 5YO, settled in mid-division early, threaded his way through traffic to deny Mixto and favourite Forever Young in a dramatic finish.
"Only at the 100m did I think I could win!" said Geroux. "Forever Young was my target, and he was not travelling at all. I tried to find another horse to follow, from there my horse was game. I'll be honest, I was running for a place, and he gave me more."
Cox added: "I still can't quite believe it. The mile and a quarter is his trip. We always knew that ground was his thing, the further the better. He's a classy horse; he's shipped all over and now he's a Dubai World Cup winner."
Mixto, ridden by Frankie Dettori, put up a valiant effort to finish second. "There's good prize money for second!" Dettori quipped. "He ran superb. I had the perfect trip. It's just a shame he got beaten on the line."
Forever Young, attempting the Saudi Cup/Dubai World Cup double, never travelled comfortably under Ryusei Sakai, who admitted: "He wasn't traveling at all. It was tough and we did our best."
The powerhouse Japanese contingent dominated the supporting card, with Danon Decile delivering an emphatic victory in the US$6 million Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
The striking chestnut, winner of last year's Japanese Derby, powered clear under Keita Tosaki to beat French challenger Calandagan, with Italy's Durezza taking third ahead of defending champion Rebel's Romance.
"He's a very, very good horse," said Tosaki. "There was huge pressure on me so it's fantastic to win this race. For the people watching at home in Japan so late, I am so happy."
In a heart-stopping finish to the US$5 million Gr.1 Dubai Turf, Soul Rush denied global superstar Romantic Warrior by the narrowest of margins, leading in only the final stride. Jockey Cristian Demuro had to endure an agonising wait before the judge confirmed his victory.
"Last year, I was beaten by a nose. This year, I won by a nose. The luck was with me today," said Demuro. "It's as good a performance as he's ever produced, he beat the best horse in the world today."
Japan's dominance in the US$1 million Gr.2 UAE Derby continued as Admire Daytona scraped home by a short-head from Heart Of Honor under Christophe Lemaire, securing a place in the Kentucky Derby.
"Honestly, I thought I'd won but it was very tight, so you never get too happy, too early," said Lemaire. "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. I think they like the Meydan dirt track too. For sure he can go to Kentucky."
Trainer Jamie Osborne, who saddled runner-up Heart Of Honor, ridden by his daughter Saffie, reflected: "He's put up a lifetime best and you always have to be pleased when that happens. But this is a tough one to swallow."
Local 3YO Dark Saffron caused a monumental upset in the US$2 million Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with a brilliant front-running performance under Connor Beasley.
Despite playing up in the stalls, the Ahmad bin Harmash-trained sprinter bounced out quickly from the outside gate and never relinquished control, holding off Nakatomi and defending champion Tuz.
"He's one of them, he's just kept improving," said Beasley. "He's got speed to burn and to do what he's just done is incredible. It's just a big relief. This is what it's all about."
Defending champion Tuz finished third, with his trainer Bhupat Seemar sporting in defeat: "This is horse racing, and these things happen. Tactically they got the race on us. He's the best sprinter in the world, so I'm very proud."
British-trained mare Believing finally secured her first Group One victory in a blistering US$1.5 million Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint, catching long-time leader Win Carnelian in the final strides under William Buick.
"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. The filly was very tough. She really deserved to get that Group One."
Assistant trainer Henry Morshead, representing George Boughey who was at home awaiting the birth of his first child, added: "Her preparation for this has been very strong. 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."
American Grade One winner Raging Torrent provided legendary jockey Frankie Dettori his eighth success in the US$1 million Gr.2 Godolphin Mile, comfortably holding off France's King Gold and Japan's Kazu Petrin.
"He's such a lovely horse and he did the rest," said Dettori. "You need the horse to lead like he did, he was quick away and I was able to do my own fractions. Eight Godolphin Miles, that's a hell of a record. I think it's fair to say I grew up here."
Trainer Doug O'Neill added: "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."
Saeed bin Suroor returned to World Cup night glory as his fragile stayer Dubai Future dominated the US$1 million Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup under Silvestre de Sousa. The 9YO veteran, making just his second start following a 427-day absence, surged clear in the straight.
"He has improved this year, even though I know he's 9YO," said Bin Suroor. "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."
De Sousa added: "Congratulations to Saeed, he got him spot on today and this sets the horse up for the season. 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."
First Classs completed a remarkable comeback to win his second US$1 million Gr.1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, becoming the first Arabian to reclaim the crown having triumphed in 2022. Now trained by Doug Watson, the striking 8YO grey overcame a wide draw under Beasley.
"Big credit goes to Doug Watson and his team because it's only the third time I've ever sat on this horse," said Beasley. "He jumped pretty smart and got a lovely position going down the back there. He was very determined and gritty all the way to the line."
Watson was emotional after the victory: "Amazing, I'm so happy for Deb (owner Deborah Mihaloff). I'm so happy for the team. I'm so happy for the horse. He's tough as they come and we've been second in this a couple of times, this is fantastic. 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."
The spectacular evening showcased global talent across nine prestigious races, with Japanese raiders particularly dominant alongside breakthrough performances from locally-trained outsiders, cementing Dubai World Cup night as one of racing's premier international events.