2025 Dubai World Cup prospectus: Forever Young, Romantic Warrior part ways

Globetrotters extraordinaire Forever Young and Romantic Warrior, who served up a Saudi Cup (G1) thriller last time out, will return to action on Dubai World Cup (G1) night April 5. 

But as expected, the duo are going their separate ways and setting their sights on different targets. While Forever Young captains Team Japan in the World Cup itself, Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior reverts to his trademark surface for the Dubai Turf (G1).

Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) champion Straight No Chaser is the most accomplished of the U.S. party, while two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) star Rebel’s Romexamineance tops a select Godolphin squad.  

Gotham (G3) hero Flood Zone is the lone U.S. runner in the UAE Derby (G2). Now serving as the culmination of the rebranded Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby, the UAE Derby retains the 100-50-25-15-10 points structure for the top five finishers. Two Kentucky Derby invitations are available via this route, so a placing can secure a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs, if connections are inclined to accept. 

Let’s take a look at the early probables furnished by the Dubai Racing Club, pending the final declarations on March 31.

$12 million Dubai World Cup (G1)

Forever Young will be heavily favored over several familiar rivals, including Japanese compatriots Ushba Tesoro (the 2023 World Cup hero), Wilson Tesoro, and Ramjet. Not only has he beaten them at home, but Forever Young just confirmed his superiority in the Saudi Cup, where Ushba Tesoro was third, Wilson Tesoro fourth, and Ramjet sixth. 

Also exiting the Saudi Cup are Kenny McPeek’s Rattle N Roll, who charged home belatedly in fifth, and Dubai-based Walk of Stars, an early pace factor who faded to 12th of 14. 

Returning to Meydan gives Walk of Stars a chance at redemption, since he’d won two straight here for Bhupat Seemar, the trainer of 2024 World Cup revelation Laurel River. Stablemate Imperial Emperor, second to Walk of Stars in the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1), came back to dominate the Al Maktoum Classic (G2) at this about 1 1/4-mile trip.

Rattle N Roll is one of five U.S.-trained contenders, along with Hit Show and Katonah, third and sixth, respectively, in the Santa Anita H. (G1); Mixto, most recently fourth in the Pegasus World Cup (G1); and comebacker Il Miracolo, unraced since trailing Mixto in last year’s Pacific Classic (G1).

$6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1)

Defending champion Rebel’s Romance enters in winning form, off another title defense in Qatar’s H H The Amir Trophy (G3). But Charlie Appleby’s globetrotter could have a real fight on his hands in this about 1 1/2-mile turf test. French invader Calandagan, who pushed City of Troy to a course record in last summer’s Juddmonte International (G1), returns to his optimal trip for the first time since his Royal Ascot heroics. 

Forever Young’s stablemate Shin Emperor, fresh off a coup in Saudi’s Neom Turf Cup (G2), is among a typically formidable Japanese contingent in this race. Durezza was last seen dead-heating with Shin Emperor for runner-up honors in the Japan Cup (G1), where dual classic-winning filly Cervinia was fourth. Although Cervinia disappointed in her comeback, fellow Japanese champion Danon Decile resumed with a smooth score at Nakayama. British shipper Giavellotto kicks off his campaign here, but Al Riffa, Deira Mile, The Foxes, Calif, and Sovereign Spirit have all seen action in the Middle East. 

$5 million Dubai Turf (G1)

Like Forever Young, Romantic Warrior will be prohibitively odds-on in the Dubai Turf. The world’s richest horse has won eight in a row on turf, capped by a new Meydan record over this about 1 1/8-mile distance in the Jebel Hatta (G1) prior to his Saudi dirt venture. 

Reigning Dubai Turf titleholder Facteur Cheval will be even happier to switch surfaces after his seventh in the Saudi Cup. But beyond having to tangle with Romantic Warrior again, the French veteran will also face an arguably deeper Japanese brigade featuring champions Liberty Island and Soul Rush along with Brede Weg. Liberty Island was runner-up to Romantic Warrior in his Hong Kong Cup (G1) three-peat. Japan’s fourth hope, Meisho Tabaru, has more to find. 

Godolphin globetrotter Nations Pride and Holloway Boy just furnished the exacta in the course-and-distance Singspiel (G2). Ghostwriter sports a dark horse vibe in his four-year-old debut, but fellow British traveler Maljoom is looking a bit more exposed by now. Bahrain’s Goemon arrives on the back of a terrific winter campaign. Point Lynas is likelier to stay home for Saturday’s Doncaster Mile, according to Thoroughbred Daily News.

$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1)

The about six-furlong dirt sprint pits U.S. champion Straight No Chaser against local kingpin Tuz. The defending champion in this spot, Tuz made history by sweeping all of the prep races during this season’s Dubai Carnival. 

Adding to the U.S. strength are Nakatomi, a troubled third in last year’s edition, and Super Chow. Japan’s quartet comprises Remake (who also had trouble when fourth here in 2024), sophomore American Stage, Jasper Krone, and Kurojishi Joe. Rounding out the likely cast are locals Eastern World, El Nasseeb, Colour Up, Drew’s Gold, and Royal Commando. 

$1 million UAE Derby (G2)

Flood Zone will make his two-turn debut against several locals with experience at this about 1 3/16-mile trip. Galactic Star and Heart of Honor, the top two from the Al Bastakiya, are joined by the wide-trip fourth Undefeated; also-rans Royal Favour (who’s since won over course and distance) and Rafid; and UAE Oaks (G3) winner Queen Azteca. 

Four from Japan aspire to be the next Forever Young, although none has his cachet at this stage. Shin Forever was the Saudi Derby (G3) runner-up, while Don in the Mood, Admire Daytona, and Dragon were the respective third, fourth, and fifth in the Hyacinth S. on the Japan Road. Hyacinth winner Luxor Cafe aims to clinch the Japan Road ticket in this Saturday’s Fukuryu S. at Nakayama.

$1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1)

Star of Mystery, runner-up here a year ago to course record-setting California Spangle, returns as a four-year-old for Appleby. The Godolphin homebred was last seen finishing a close fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) over a frenetic five furlongs at Del Mar, and the extra furlong down the Meydan straightaway suits her better. Romantic Style, a course-and-distance winner in her latest, could give Godolphin a one-two punch. 

South African celebrity Isivunguvungu, a hampered seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, officially represents the U.S. The Graham Motion trainee was a more characteristic third at Tampa Bay Downs last time out. 

Believing, scratched at the gate of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, subsequently sold for nearly $4 million to Coolmore, and she remains in the care of George Boughey. Fellow British shippers Audience and Regional likewise resume from layoffs, but Mitbaahy and Quinault have placed in their tighteners.

Three-year-old West Acre has established himself as the top speedster of the Carnival at about five furlongs, while the rejuvenated Marbaan is excelling at about seven furlongs. 

Hong Kong’s Howdeepisyourlove escapes from the orbit of Ka Ying Rising, after finishing third to the latest sprint marvel in a pair of Group 1s at Sha Tin. Also coming in from the Far East are the Japanese trio of Win Carnelian, Danon McKinley, and Puro Magic.

$1 million Godolphin Mile (G2)

Raging Torrent, Steal Sunshine, and Little Vic bring a robust U.S. presence to the metric mile on dirt. That angle intensifies if you include the formerly U.S.-trained Mufasa and Cagliostro. While Mufasa makes his local debut for Seemar, Cagliostro has competed in two local preps.

Judging by how the Nicolas Caullery duo of King Gold and Fort Payne improbably jumped up to take those preps, it’s worth looking at the fresh-faced French contender, No Lunch. Japan’s Peptide Nile and Kazu Petrin along with Hong Kong dirt specialist Sword Point add to the international intrigue. 

Carnival regulars Meshtri, Qareeb, Mendelssohn Bay, and Oasis Boy, plus Jebel Ali aficionado Sadaaty, round out the projected field. 

$1 million Dubai Gold Cup (G2)

Aidan O’Brien’s single contender on the entire card, Continuous, aims to move forward off his third to Byzantine Dream and Epic Poet in the Red Sea Turf H. (G3) on Saudi Cup night. Al Nayyir likewise forecasts improvement from that tune-up, much as he did last year when he came right back to finish second in this race.

Trawlerman, third here in his 2024 seasonal reappearance, follows the same itinerary once again. The John and Thady Gosden veteran was dethroned by the mighty Kyprios in the British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2) when last seen in October. Accomplished mare Term of Endearment similarly launches her campaign here, but for a new trainer. Formerly with Henry de Bromhead, she switched to William Haggas after selling for about $1.7 million at Tattersalls.

Classy French stayers Double Major and Sevenna’s Knight had the benefit of warm-ups at home. Germany’s Straight turned in a sneakily-good prep on Saudi Cup night, but Trafalgar Square flamed out in his. Saeed bin Suroor’s nine-year-olds Dubai Future and Passion and Glory stamped themselves as contenders with fine efforts over the course. 

Stay tuned for more coverage next week!