Dubai Sheema Classic | Race Profile
Race Events > Dubai World Cup > Sheema Classic
Dubai Sheema Classic
2018 Sheema Classic Horses
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20:10, TB - Group I, 2410M(a12F) - Turf, USD 6,000,000 |
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| Official Rating | Horse | Weight | Age | Trainer |
| 125 | CLOTH OF STARS (IRE) | 57 | 5 yrs | A Fabre |
| 122 | SATONO CROWN (JPN) | 57 | 6 yrs | N Hori |
| 119 | POET'S WORD (IRE) | 57 | 5 yrs | Sir M Stoute |
| 119 | IDAHO (IRE) | 57 | 5 yrs | A O'Brien |
| 118 | HAWKBILL (USA) | 57 | 5 yrs | C Appleby |
| 114 | DESERT ENCOUNTER (IRE) | 57 | 6 yrs | D Simcock |
| 121 | REY DE ORO (JPN) | 56.5 | 4 yrs | K Fujisawa |
| 116 | BEST SOLUTION (IRE) | 56.5 | 4 yrs | S bin Suroor |
| 114 | KHALIDI (GB) | 56.5 | 4 yrs | C Cox |
| 113 | MOZU KATCHAN (JPN) | 54.5 | 4 yrs | I Sameshima |
Sheema Classic Information
The Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) inaugurated in 1996 and is a major turf race the end of March on Dubai World Cup night. Contested at 2,400 meters (1 ½ miles), the race has been at Meydan Racecourse since 2010 and is one of the richest turf races in the world with a purse of $6 million.
Previously, the race was run at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai, UAE.
In 2016, Postponed set the Sheema Classic speed record of 2:26.97, but could not repeat as champion in 2017 when he finished third.
The field is always strong for this high-profile and rich turf race, and handicapping the horses from many countries and races takes a keen understanding of competition, distance, speed and course.
Entries will come from the end of February 1 ¼ mile Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1), and the previous December 1 ½ mile Hong Kong Vase (G1). Take a look through the previous November 1 ½ mile Japan Gold Cup (G1) and 1 3/8 mile Kyoto Kinen (G2) for other potential contenders.
The 1 ½ mile Dubai City of Gold (G2) in early March will provide the most recent turf test for those qualifying to run in the Sheema Classic. Postponed finished 2nd in that race in 2016 before winning the Sheema Classic less than a month later while Prize Money followed up his 2017 City of Gold win with a 4th place finish in the Sheema Classic.
The Meydan Classic (1600 meters) is a shorter turf test in early March, but Jack Hobbs parlayed that victory into a 2017 Sheema Classic win as he relished the softer turf track and was able to stretch out to more distance and win. The competitiveness of the field, along with type of turf course and ability to get the extra distance in the Sheema Classic makes it a unique handicap as horses from around the world come to compete on World Cup night.