The Quiet Architect’s Three-Pronged Attack
Al-Jehani Ready To Light Up World Cup Night
On the 30th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup, Hamad Al-Jehani arrives at Meydan Racecourse not as a spectator, not as a hopeful, but as a genuine force across three of the evening’s most prestigious contests.
The numbers tell their own story. Six winners from thirty-nine runners in the 2025/26 UAE season at a strike rate of 15.4% – with five seconds and eight thirds underlining a yard that consistently delivers. Total prize money of US$831,000 (AED3,052,000) and counting. For a trainer only in his second Dubai winter, these are the statistics of a stable operating with quiet precision and growing confidence.
Wathnan Racing, the operation of HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, arrives as defending Dubai World Cup owner following Hit Show’s stunning 2025 triumph. This year, Al-Jehani saddles three runners for Wathnan across the card, each with a compelling case. They also expect to have the defending champion, Hit Show, in the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup, Lazzat in the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint and RB Mary Lylah in the Purebred Arabian race, Dubai Kahayla Classic.
Tumbarumba, a seasoned dirt performer rated 114 on the surface with 7 wins from 28 starts, steps into the Dubai World Cup itself off a career-best third in the Saudi Cup. Make Me King, a grey gelding rated 111 on turf with 7 wins from 27 starts, carries enormous personal significance for Al-Jehani: the horse who gave him his first British winner now steps into Group One company in the Dubai Turf. And David of Athens, unbeaten in all 4 starts on dirt and rated 105, brings irresistible momentum into the Godolphin Mile following back-to-back wins at Jebel Ali.
Three Horses. Three Races. One Iconic Night.
We sat down with Al-Jehani ahead of World Cup night to discuss each of his runners and what this 30th anniversary occasion means to him and to Wathnan Racing.
Tumbarumba – Dubai World Cup
Q: Tumbarumba ran a huge race in the Saudi Cup when finishing third behind Forever Young. How pleased were you with that performance and how has he come out of the race?
A: Tumbarumba has been a super horse since joining our team here in Dubai. Brian Lynch trains him when he’s in the US and he has always shown a high level of form. I was delighted that Wathnan’s American Racing adviser, Case Clay, thought to campaign him here.
He ran very well in the Group One at Meydan in January before producing what was definitely a career-best performance in the Saudi Cup, when finishing third behind Forever Young. He’s come out of the race very well. He travelled back from Saudi Arabia fresh and he’s been taking his training nicely since.
Q: What would it mean to saddle a runner in the Dubai World Cup?
A: It’s a great honour to have a runner in the Dubai World Cup. I would like to thank Wathnan Racing for the opportunity and for entrusting me with horses of this calibre to train; I am very grateful. To be part of such a prestigious race is very exciting for the whole team.
Q: He steps up to ten furlongs in the Dubai World Cup. Do you think that extra furlong will suit him?
A: Yes, we think it will definitely suit him. He’s done everything right since arriving here and he continues to go the right way. So, we’re very happy with him at the moment.
Q: Forever Young looks set to be a major contender again. How do you see the race shaping up?
A: Obviously Forever Young will be the horse to beat, but we like our lad a lot. Just having a runner in the race is exciting in itself, but we do feel he has a very live chance if things go his way.
Make Me King – Dubai Turf
Q: Make Me King heads to the Dubai Turf after an impressive win in Qatar. Did that feel like a career-best performance from him?
A: Yes, it probably was a career-best performance. He won very well in Qatar against some nice horses, and he’s come back from that race in great shape. He seems to take the training in Dubai very well and we’ve been very happy with him since.
Q: This will be his first time stepping up into Group One company. Do you feel he has earned his chance at that level?
A: Absolutely. We feel he has earned his place in the race and deserves to have a go at this level after the way he performed in Qatar.
Q: He’s been an important horse for the team, hasn’t he?
A: Yes, he holds a very special place for us. He was our first winner in the UK and also our first stakes winner in Europe. So, he’s been a very important horse for the team. We’ve had him for a couple of years now and know him well, and we’re very much looking forward to running him on World Cup night.
David Of Athens – Godolphin Mile
Q: David Of Athens goes into the Godolphin Mile after two wins at Jebel Ali, including the Jebel Ali Mile. How pleased have you been with his progress?
A: We’ve been very pleased with him. He comes into the race in great form after those two wins at Jebel Ali and he seems to have been on an upward trajectory throughout his time here in Dubai.
Q: He also ran well at Meydan earlier in the season when finishing fourth in a Group Two.
A: Yes, his Meydan form has been good as well. He ran a very solid race in that Group Two in December before going on to win twice at Jebel Ali, so he arrives in excellent form.
Q: What sort of horse is he around the yard?
A: He’s a very straightforward horse. He just eats, sleeps and trains. He’s very easy and a pleasure to deal with, and very consistent too. Hopefully he can run a big race.