Japan mob-handed in the quest for a second $12m Dubai World Cup

A quality field of 14 horses, including defending champion Country Grammer and an eight-strong raiding party from Japan, will contest next Saturday’s 27th edition of the $12 million Dubai World Cup, Sponsored by Emirates.

Trained by American Hall of Fame handler Bob Baffert’, Country Grammer bids to become only the second dual winner of the 2,000-metre dirt contest after Saeed bin Suroor’s Thunder Snow who triumphed in 2018 and 2019.

The Japanese contingent, which boasts some of the best dirt horses in the world, is led by recent $20 million Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa and also includes Japan Cup winner Vela Azul, 2022 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride, Café Pharoah, TO Keynes, Geoglyph and Jun Light Bolt.

Japan last took home the glittering World Cup trophy when Victoire Pisa triumphed in an electrifying six-horse blanked finish between Transend, Monterosso, Cape Blanco, and Gio Ponti.

Reigning UAE champion trainer Bhupat Seemar flies the flag for the hosts with a pair of challengers in Remorse, who was fourth last year to Country Grammer and the ultra-progressive Bendoog.

The lone European contender is Algiers, the impressive winner of G2 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 and 2, who is trained by the father-son combination of Simon and Ed Crisford.