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 Jockey Mickael Barzalona aboard Calandagan after winning the Sheema Classic
Dubai Turf results Dubai Sheema Classic & Dubai Gold Cup results UAE Derby results Dubai Golden Shaheen & Al Quoz Sprint results Godolphin Mile results |
The $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) is the last of four scheduled turf races held on Dubai World Cup night. A compact field of 6 older horses went 2410 meters (about 1 1/2 miles), one complete circuit of the expansive turf oval at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai in this is Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualifier in the Turf division. Calandagan was sent off as the 1-5 favorite off wins in the QIPCO Champion (G1) and Japan Cup (G1). In to challenge him included 5-1 second choice West Wind Blows, winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), and 6-1 third choice Royal Power, winner of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
 Shortly after the horses broke from the gate for the Sheema Classic. |
Results Chart for the race from Emirates Racing Authority which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:
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Left: Calandagan heads to the winner's enclosure. Winning owner-breeder Princess Zahra Aga Khan said, "It was terrifying. They went slow but Mickael has been riding him like that for two years ago so we weren't terrified until the final turn. Now we're not any more. He has an amazing stride and he also has an amazing motor and a will to win. You can always tell with him, the last few strides, he puts his entire soul into it. It's amazing to watch."
Right: Calandagan returns after the race. Princess Zahra added, "I think we might go home for a while, because the rest of us are exhausted, let alone the horse. I think we might take a bit of a breather and then stay in Europe at the start of the summer, then we'll see. Ultimately if we end up going back to Japan at the end of the year – I mean it's a very long way off – all the races he's run in already are options. Francis and the team and I have to discuss it."
Left: The trophy presentation for the Sheema Classic. Winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said, "That was really hard," said Graffard. "It became such a tactical race and it's difficult because there's a lot of pressure that comes with running a horse like this. The difference now is that Mickael knows him so well."
Right: Calandagan behind the starting gate. Winning jockey Mickael Barzalona said, "He's an incredible horse, he's got his own attitude," said Barzalona. "I know him very well now and he always gives plenty in the end, I just need to trust him. That's all that jockeys dream about, to find this kind of incredible horse and I'm very glad and very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this team as well."
Second place finisher and beaten favorite West Wind Blows behind the starting gate before the race.
 Down the stretch in the Dubai Gold Cup |
The $1 million Al Tayer Motors Dubai Gold Cup (G2) is the longest race on World Cup night, contested at 3200 meters (about 2 miles) on the turf. Hong Kong Vase (G1) fourth place finisher Al Riffa was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 10 over 4-1 second choice Sons and Lovers, winner of the Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2), and 7-1 third choice Al Nayyir, winner of the Nad al Sheba Trophy (G3).
Jockey Silvestre de Sousa sent Sunway to the lead first time by pressed by Caballo De Mar and stalked by Al Nayyir. Into the stretch Sunway tired and faded to finish last allowing Caballo De Mar to inherit the lead. Fairyy Glen, midpack early under Mickael Barzalona, rallied to the lead at the 1/8 pole holding off Caballo De Mar the rest of the way to win by 1/2 a length in 3:22.36. It was a long 3 1/4 lengths back to Al Nayyir third, while favorite Al Riffa checked in 6th beaten 5 lengths.
Results Chart for the race from Emirates Racing Authority which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:
2ND RACE Meydan Racecourse - DUBAI GOLD CUP (Group 2)
10 Fairy Glen 22.40 9.40 7.20
4 Caballo de Mar 7.40 5.20
2 Al Nayyir 4.60
Running time - 3:22.36
$1.00 QUINELLA 4-10 45.10
$1.00 EXACTA 10-4 89.50
$1.00 TRIFECTA 10-4-2 741.50
$1.00 SUPERFECTA 10-4-2-5 3,729.50
Left: Fairy Glen in the winner's enclosure. Winning trainer Ed Crisford said, "It's fantastic. We ran her in the Balanchine here, which was a bit short for her but since that race she's really blossomed, done really well. She got invited to this race, she's never run over two miles before, we were a little bit sceptical about if she'd stay the extra two furlongs – she's won over 1 3/4 back in England – but I thought Mickael rode her really well, a sensible race and she finished very well. She goes on this sort of ground, she's run at Bath in heavy ground in the UK so she's well used to these conditions. I'm really pleased for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan to have a winner on the night."
Right: The trophy presentation for the Dubai Gold Cup. Winning jockey Mickael Barzalona said, "We tried to relax as quick as we could but actually they went a nice gallop and she was pretty happy. When they pressed the pace mid-bend I thought I had plenty in hand, I didn't know for how long so I waited a bit and when I asked her to pick up she picked up nicely."
Dubai World Cup Links:
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