Preview – 2024 Dubai World Cup: Kabirkhan, Ushba Tesoro And Senor Buscador, Who Will Take Home The Prize?

One of the horses lining up, Kabirkhan, the 4YO son of California Chrome, has captured the attention of the racing world with his meteoric rise to fame. Kabirkhan only burst onto the international scene in January of this year when he won his UAE debut, a well-contested handicap. Despite his humble origins, he is now one of the clear favorites for the Dubai World Cup.

A planeload of supporters are expected to arrive from Kazakistan to cheer him onwards. 

Also lining up will be 2023 Dubai World Cup defending champion Ushba Tesoro, keen to avenge his Saudi Cup loss from stall five for the US$12 million contest.

“The gate doesn’t matter for him as he will race from behind anyway. He has recovered well from the Saudi Cup and is in good form,” Takagi says.

The son of Orfevre is set to retire at the end of this year.

“We are planning to race him in the Group One Champions Cup in December, and his swansong will be the Gr.1 Tokyo Daishoten [2000m].”

“After Dubai, our focus will switch to the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Classic [2000m] at Del Mar this autumn,” Takagi adds.

Few are the horses that find their level in turf conditions races before developing into Gr.1 international superstars on dirt.

Ushba Tesoro’s dramatic journey looks set to continue for the rest of 2024.

Another horse to watch out for is the in-form 2024 Saudi Cup winner, Senor Buscador, a 6YOson of Mineshaft, ridden by Junior Alvarado. Alvarado is hoping to become the first jockey to win both the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup in the same year. He believes that Senor Buscador has all the tools needed to help him create history and is confident that the horse will handle the dirt completely fine.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to ride in Dubai, so I don’t know how different the surface is compared to Saudi, but from watching race replays, I think Senor Buscador will handle the dirt completely fine,” Alvarado said.

“If anything, the track will favour us because of the nice long straight as he’s a big horse that keeps coming and coming.” 

Japan has also brought a strong representation for the 2000m showdown with Christophe Lemaire back aboard Derma Sotogake, a dazzling winner of the UAE Derby at this meeting last year and subsequently the runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The horse has drawn stall eight, which Lemaire describes as "a very good draw in the middle which allows me to go forward into the first bend without burning up too much gas."

Frankie Dettori is also back aboard Bob Baffert's rising star Newgate, a recent winner under the legendary rider in the Gr.1 Santa Anita Handicap. Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes was on hand as he watched the horse prepare for the big race.

With so many talented horses and jockeys competing, the Dubai World Cup promises to be an exciting and memorable event. Fans from all over the world are expected to tune in to witness the race, and many are eagerly anticipating the results.