The best of Europe and Asia are set to clash in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday at Meydan in a race won by the brilliant Equinox in 2023. The former are represented chiefly by Derby hero Auguste Rodin, now a five-time Group 1 winner after further successes in the Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf, the last of those under an inspired ride by Ryan Moore who continues steering duties here. His stablemate Point Lonsdale may well be in the race to set up the pace.
However, he is generally only second in the market behind last year’s Japanese Oaks winner Liberty Island. Trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, she has won five of her seven career starts, sweeping to a six-length success for her native Classic success which came in the middle of four successive Group 1 victories. She had also claimed the Japanese 1,000 Guineas before winning the Shuka Sho, then finished a thankless second to Equinox in the Japan Cup.
John Gosden has won this twice in the last six years, both more recently than Aidan O’Brien, and he and son Thady will hope that Emily Upjohn can put her best foot forward on her first start outside of the UK. She was a comfortable winner of the Group 1 Coronation Cup last season, beating Westover, who finished a clear second in this race in 2023.
Both Stars On Earth and Justin Palace, who have also made the frame behind Equinox in Group 1 company, are set to represent Japan in the race too, as is former winner Shahryar, though the son of Deep Impact has not been in quite the same form since taking this in 2022.
France and Germany also have their chances. Junko took the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase on his first sojourn outside of Europe in December, with Simca Mille and Sisfahan other top level winners in the past for either nation.
Home hopes of victory reside with owners rather than trainers, with Rebel’s Romance running for Godolphin under the care of Charlie Appleby. The six-year-old won the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf during a stellar run of form, while Spirit Dancer is the last of the British-trained hopefuls. He has already provided part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson with big race glory in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia though is yet to win a Group 1.