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| Staff Writer |
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The recent weekend's racing events across three continents have caused a significant shift in the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary's Global Rankings for horses. The Meydan World Cup card in Dubai was no exception, as it featured some remarkable performances, particularly in the US$12 million feature race where Laurel River achieved a dramatic victory under the floodlights.
Despite being the widest drawn in the 12-runner field, the Juddmonte homebred son of Into Mischief remained prominent throughout the race, and then surged ahead at the home turn, leaving the rest of the field way behind in an outstanding 8½-length victory. As a result, Laurel River has made an incredible leap from #196 to #5 in the world rankings, with a whopping 516pt addition to its portfolio.
Meanwhile, Ushba Tesoro and Senor Buscador were left behind in a private battle for minor honours. This time, the Japanese contender came off best of the late-running pair, who both produced creditable efforts.
Laurel River is a lightly-raced 6YO with only ten career starts, six of which he has now won, none of which had ever come at more than a mile. Initially, his connections had considered running him in the Godolphin Mile earlier on the World Cup card before finally deciding to go for broke in the feature race.
"I'm still coming to terms with what's happened," said his trainer Bhupat Seemar. "I think it'll probably sink in in another day or two. It's absolutely amazing. Tadhg said this morning 'we're drawn 12, I'm not going to be two-minded about it, I'm going to go forward.'
"He's got so much natural pace. He comes out of the gate and this is why we ran him over six furlongs. I expected to see all the closers flying at him but he kept going."
One interesting fact in favor of Laurel River is that he has won three races at Del Mar, the Breeders' Cup venue this year. He won the Gr.2 Pat O'Brien over seven furlongs in August 2022 under former trainer Bob Baffert. Among those who he beat that day was Senor Buscador, the Saudi Cup winner who finished third.
Trainer Bhupat Seemar and jockey Tadhg O'Shea had a night to remember, thanks to Laurel River and ex-Russian-trained Tuz (#35 from #210, +283pt). The duo had won earlier on the card via Tuz's 6½-length triumph in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Although it wasn't the best edition of the Gr.1 contest, Tuz's success was still a surprise after finishing down-the-field in Saudi Arabia on his previous outing. However, he had won a Gr.3 event by 8½ lengths over the Meydan course and distance in January. He seems to have improved about a stone as a 7YO.
The Dubai Sheema Classic was expected to be a match between dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin and Japan's star filly Liberty Island. Rebel's Romance, a Godolphin 6YO, won the US$6m contest, benefitting from a canny ride by Britain's champion jockey William Buick, who sat close to a tepid pace and got first run on his rivals.
After a disappointing 2023, Rebel's Romance is back to his best, having won in Qatar on his previous start. He moves up to world #7, while Facteur Cheval re-enters the rankings at #25 after a hard-fought verdict from Namur in the Dubai Turf. Meanwhile, California Spangle (#10 from #27, +131pt) climbs into the Top Ten after becoming the first Hong Kong-trained winner in Dubai for a decade in the Al Quoz Sprint.
Auguste Rodin, who remains at #6, produced an unfathomable performance, which has become somewhat of a trademark in the Sheema Classic, causing trainer Aidan O'Brien to suffer a major setback. Tower Of London (#82 from #309, +213pt), on the other hand, looked like a potential staying champion when adding to his Saudi laurels in the Dubai Gold Cup. Post-race comments suggested he would cut back in trip for the Gr.2 Hardwicke Stakes over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot instead of stepping up in Gold Cup territory.