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 Florent Geroux celebrates aboard Hit Show after winning the Dubai World Cup.
Dubai World Cup results |
The $12 million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (G1) celebrates its 29th renewal this year. New for 2025, this is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualifier in the Classic division. Conditions were sweltering in the Emirates, with the race card delayed by 1 hour to avoid the forecasted heat. The daytime high under clear skies was 40 C (104 F), the main track rated fast and the turf rated "good", with temperatures dropping down to 30 C (86 F) for the World Cup at 9:30pm. A field of 9 went to post with Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) third place finisher Forever Young sent off as the 1-2 favorite off wins in the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) and Saudi Cup (G1). In to challenge him included 4-1 second choice Imperial Emperor, winner of the Al Maktoum Classic (G2), the main local prep, and 9-1 third choice Walk of Stars, winner of the Al Maktoum Challenge before disappointing 12th in the Saudi Cup.
 Hit Show rallies three wide in the stretch |
Jockey Mickael Barzalona sent Walk of Stars to the lead first time by and was pressed by 29-1 Mixto and stalked by Forever Young and 54-1 longest shot Il Miracolo. Turning for home, Walk of Stars tired allowing Mixto to inherit a clear lead under Frankie Dettori. However, 41-1 Hit Show, midpack early under Florent Geroux, closed with a rush to prevail by 1/2 a length in 2:03.50. It was another length back to favorite Forever Young third.
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9th RACE Meydan Racecourse - DUBAI WORLD CUP (Group 1) 2 Hit Show 84.60 18.20 6 Mixto 12.30 1 Forever Young 2.10 Running time - 2:03.50 $2.00 QUINELLA 2-1 963.60 $2.00 EXACTA 2-6 863.40 $2.00 TRIFECTA 2-6-1 3,000.00 $2.00 SUPERFECTA 2-6-1-10 24,723.00
Results Chart for the race from Emirates Racing Authority which includes a link to the video replay.
Hit Show in the winner's enclosure. Winning jockey Florent Geroux said, "Only at the 100 meters did I think I could win! When I passed a lot of horses. Forever Young was my target and he was not traveling at all. I tried to find another horse to follow, from there my horse was game. For some reason, he just runs for me all the time' he is amazing."
Right: Hit Show heads back to the barn with his winner's blanket.
The trophy celebration. Winning trainer Brad Cox said, "I still can't quite believe it, it's unbelievable. I would have loved to be there but just with so much going on with these 3-year-olds and trying to get to the (Kentucky) Derby, I couldn't make it. However, he was in good hands with the people I sent over with him. It's a great accomplishment and we have a great team that allows us to spread ourselves out and travel when the opportunities are there."
Right: The connections celebrate as Hit Show heads to the winner's circle. Geroux added, "I'll be honest with you, I was running for a place and he gave me more. I can't quite believe it. I'll take it though! Gun Runner (second to Arrogate in 2017) was such a great horse and he couldn't do it, it was a very tough beat, but Hit Show has done it."
Left: Hit Show heads out to the track before the race.
Right: Hit Show circles after the race. Cox added, "He ran a great race in California and it set him up well. The mile and a quarter is his trip, he ran well in the Kentucky Derby and out to a mile and a half in the Belmont (G1), but he hasn't got out in trip properly until his last two starts. 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."
Left: Second place finisher Mixto heads out to the track. Jockey Frankie Dettori said, "He ran superb. He was a genuine outsider. I knew he was underrated because he's a good old warrior who loves the distance and he loves an outside post. I had the perfect trip. I couldn't complain. It's just a shame he got beaten on the line." Trainer Doug O'Neill added, "I thought Mixto ran lights out and Frankie is just a legend for so many reasons. He had him in a great spot without having to use much of him. I thought he had enough in the end but he got outrun late. He ran super. I'm very proud of everybody."
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Forever Young heads back to the barn after the race. Jockey Ryusei Sakai said, "We had to win this race and I am disappointed. He ran a great race in Saudi and I expected him to win if he ran his race but it was a tough race as he was the horse to beat. It was tough and we did our best. He wasn't traveling at all. It wasn't an easy race and hard to keep winning." Trainer Yoshito Yahagi added, "We were the away team and Forever Young got worked up because of it. That's no excuse though."
First time by in the 2025 Dubai World Cup. Mickael Barzalona aboard pacesetter Walk of Stars said, "He ran very well but I would have preferred to have been able to control the race for longer. I got pressure from my outside earlier than I wanted but that's racing."
Dubai World Cup Links:
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