Al Riffa And Caballo De Mar Face Each Other In Dubai Gold Cup

Gold Cup Offers One Million Dollar Prize

Al Riffa, rated 119 and trained by Joseph O’Brien, heads a 10-runner field for the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan, entering as the highest-rated horse in the line-up following a Group One triumph over 2,800 metres at the Curragh last September. Drawn in stall nine, the 6YO Wootton Bassett horse is set to renew rivalry with Caballo de Mar, trained by George Scott, who comes out of stall eight and whose Gr.1 Prix du Cadran victory over 4,000 metres at Paris Longchamp last October marked him out as one of Europe’s premier staying performers. With US$1,000,000 on offer over 3,200 metres of Meydan turf, this stands as one of the most significant staying contests run anywhere in the world.

Irish Challengers Seek Dubai Gold Cup Glory

O’Brien saddles a two-pronged challenge, with Sons and Lovers complementing the stable’s chief hope. The 5YO Study of Man gelding draws favourably in stall two and arrives in fine heart, having beaten Tabletalk (IRE) by ½ a length in a Group Two over 3,000 metres at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in February. The booking of Ryan Moore underlines the confidence O’Brien’s team place in his chances over the 3,200-metre trip.

Al Riffa boasts outstanding credentials in pattern company, winning a Group Two at the Curragh in July by 5 lengths from Shackleton (IRE) before that Group One success in September, accounting for Amiloc (GB) by 4 lengths. Connections then sent him to Flemington for the Melbourne Cup in November, where he finished seventh of 24 behind Half Yours (AUS) over 3,200 metres, demonstrating that the marathon trip holds no fears. Dylan McMonagle retains the ride.

Carnival Contenders Chase Familiar Meydan Course Form

Al Nayyir, trained by Tom Clover, brings strong recent course form to bear, having beaten Sunway (FR) by ½ a length in a Group Three over 2,810 metres at this venue in February. The 8YO Dubawi gelding, rated 114, draws widest of all in stall 10, though over 3,200 metres the wide draw is less of a concern than it would be at a shorter trip. He had previously run creditably at York in August, finishing third, 5½ lengths behind Trawlerman (IRE) in a Group Two. Rossa Ryan retains the ride.

Dubai Future, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, is amongst the most experienced horses in the field and benefits from the prime draw of stall one, which could prove a significant advantage for a horse with such strong course and distance form. The 10YO Dubawi gelding won the Group Two over 3,200 metres here last April, beating Double Major (IRE) by 2¼ lengths, and ran third of eight, 14 lengths behind Trawlerman (IRE) in the Group One at Royal Ascot in June before placing sixth at Goodwood and York. Kieran Shoemark takes the ride.

French Contingent Adds Spice To The Mix

Sunway, trained by David Menuisier, draws centrally in stall six and makes his second appearance at this track in the current campaign having gone down by just ½ a length to Al Nayyir in that February Group Three. Before that, the 5YO Galiway gelding had won at the same venue in January, landing a Group Three by ½ a length from Epic Poet (IRE). Silvestre De Sousa continues aboard and Sunway’s consistent course form makes him a genuine contender.

Epic Poet, trained by David O’Meara, breaks from stall four and finished fifth, beaten 3½ lengths by Sons and Lovers, in the Group Two at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in February after his runner-up effort to Sunway at this track in January. Daniel Tudhope retains the ride on the 7YO Lope de Vega gelding. Burdett Road, trained by James Owen, occupies stall seven and heads here on the back of a third-place finish, 7¾ lengths behind Rebel’s Romance (IRE), in a Group Two over 2,410 metres at this venue in February. Luke Morris retains the partnership on the 6YO Muhaarar gelding.

Local Interest And Outsiders Complete The Field

Fairy Glen, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, draws in stall five and showed genuine class when winning a Group Two over 1,800 metres at this venue in February, beating Riyabovka (FR) by ¾ of a length under Mickael Barzalona. The 5YO Farhh mare carries the mares’ allowance of 2kg and steps up considerably in trip, having not previously raced beyond 2,800 metres, making stamina the central question around her participation.

Caballo de Mar arrived here following a below-par effort when last of seven at Saint-Cloud in October, beaten 9¾ lengths by Arrow Eagle (FR). Yet it would be premature to dismiss Scott’s 5YO given the remarkable nature of his Gr.1 Prix du Cadran success at Paris Longchamp just a fortnight earlier, when he beat Coltrane (IRE) by 1¾ lengths over 4,000 metres. William Buick takes the mount and a return close to that best would see Caballo de Mar posing a serious threat to the leading contenders. Ruling Dynasty, trained by Ismail Mohammed, completes the field from stall three. The 7YO Night of Thunder gelding, rated 104, finished fourth of eight, 10¼ lengths behind Rebel’s Romance (IRE) at this venue recently, and while he faces a stiff task at this level, Hamed Al Busaidi’s mount adds a welcome local dimension to a race dominated by European visitors.

Dubai Gold Cup 2026 Contenders

1. Al Riffa (T: Joseph O’Brien / J: Dylan McMonagle)
2. Al Nayyir (T: Tom Clover / J: Rossa Ryan)
3. Dubai Future (T: Saeed bin Suroor / J: Kieran Shoemark)
4. Caballo de Mar (T: George Scott / J: William Buick)
5. Sons and Lovers (T: Joseph O’Brien / J: Ryan Moore)
6. Sunway (T: David Menuisier / J: Silvestre De Sousa)
7. Epic Poet (T: David O’Meara / J: Daniel Tudhope)
8. Burdett Road (T: James Owen / J: Luke Morris)
9. Ruling Dynasty (T: Ismail Mohammed / J: Hamed Al Busaidi)
10. Fairy Glen (T: Simon and Ed Crisford / J: Mickael Barzalona)