Nick Seddon reports
Lord North will bid to make history by becoming the first three-time winner of the G1 Dubai Turf (sponsored by DP World) on Saturday afternoon.
The seven year old dead-heated with the Japanese challenger Panthalassa in a thrilling renewal of this race 12 months ago and while that rival goes for the World Cup itself this time around, the other defending champion will face a formidable field of 15 rivals.
Lord North went one place better than 12 months ago when winning his prep race at Lingfield last month – the G3 Winter Derby – and joint-trainer John Gosden has been pleased with him since he touched down last weekend.
He said: “The horses seem happy and well and the humidity has dropped, which is very important. When I arrived at the airport it was steaming like a sauna, but the humidity has dropped off which is great.
Lord North’s jockey Frankie Dettori, who worked him on the turf on Thursday morning, added: “I love Lord North to bits. He has his problems but he always turns up at the right time! I rode him this morning and he seems in good form.”
Leading the Japanese challenge this time around are last season’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Do Deuce (pictured above) and the Grade 1 scorer Serifos. They are joined by Danon Beluga and Vin De Garde, who only finished a nose away from a triple dead heat with Lord North and Panthalassa in the 2022 running.
Yasuo Tomomichi – who sent the mare Vivlos out to finish first and then twice second in this race between 2017 and 2019 – trains Do Deuce.
Speaking after Do Deuce had cantered on Thursday, Tomomichi said: “It was a good work and he looked as though he could have gone even faster. I think a one-turn 1,800m, especially counterclockwise, is going to prove the ideal circumstance for this horse.
“He has drawn gate 13, which is also what he had when he won the Derby last year so I think that is auspicious. However, it is only one turn, so I do not think the draw is important. It would mean a lot to win this race again.”
Godolphin bring a three-pronged attack on the Group 1 contest for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, sending out Master Of The Seas, Nations Pride and Real World. The first-named is trained by Charlie Appleby, who has yet to win this race and feels that Master Of Seas has every chance of changing that.
Appleby said: “He’s fragile in mind and body. His mind can sometimes be his biggest challenge but he was unlucky last time out and he’s come out of the race well. He’s a horse who was second in a Guineas so we know he’s got the ability.
“He’s got half a sensible draw [in stall 10] and James [Doyle] is riding him for the first time for a while. He knows him from home though and he should be putting up a good performance. He sees that trip out well and he’s got a turn of foot.”
In contrast to Appleby’s history in the Turf, Saeed Bin Suroor has won a record six editions of this race, and is confident of a bold show from Real World, twice Baaeed’s nearest pursuer last summer in Britain.
“He needed the race last time in the Jebel Hatta, it was first run since June last year and he was only 80 to 85 per cent fit” said Bin Suroor. “Things did not go his way early in the race on Super Saturday, but we knew he would improve from then to now.
“He worked very well on Sunday and we believe he will run a much better race in the Dubai Turf; but he will need to as it is a very good race. Oisin Murphy rides and he is one of the best jockeys in the world.”
This year’s Dubai Turf truly is a worldwide affair, with each of Sir Busker, Shelir and El Drama joining Lord North in representing British-based trainers.
Coolmore’s 2020 Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Order Of Australia goes for Ireland, Junko represents ace French handler Andre Fabre and Alfareeq is trained locally by Musabbeh Al Mheiri.
Hong Kong and Canada also get in on the act through Glorious Dragon and Shirl’s Speight respectively. The latter was ridden by top jockey Antonio Fresu earlier this week, who commented: “He is a Grade 1 winner and another good horse that I am pleased to ride.
“He was very strong in finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and appears to have carried that form to Dubai. He has been working well in the morning and just seems to love the track.”