Star Cast for the ‘Final Dubai World Cup

19th March 2009 With 15 of the world’s best Thoroughbred racehorses in training set to line-up a week on Saturday in the Emirates-sponsored US$6million Dubai World Cup; the worlds richest race is once again looking an intriguing contest. Led by USA-trained raider Albertus Maximus and local hero Asiatic Boy, the 14th running of the Dubai World Cup is set to be engraved in UAE history as it is the final meeting to be staged at the flagship Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, before racing is moved to the iconic horse racing city, Meydan. Albertus Maximus is owned by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, an owner-trainer partnership that tasted Dubai World Cup glory in 2007 with Invasor. Albertus Maximus was the recent winner of the Donn Handicap in Florida, a Grade One race that has been won in the past by Dubai World Cup heroes Cigar, Captain Steve and Invasor. Adnan Kazim, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations - Gulf, Middle East & Iran, said: “Emirates is once again proud to be the title sponsor of the Dubai World Cup, a race that constantly attracts the best racehorses from around the world to come to Dubai and compete on the world stage. Asiatic Boy, runner-up to Curlin in this race a year ago, has a strong chance of giving trainer Mike de Kock his first Dubai World Cup victory after winning the Al Maktoum Challenge third round, over the World Cup course and distance, in emphatic style in early March. Emirates sponsored stable Godolphin will be hoping for a good performance from My Indy, winner of the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge. In total, six countries will be represented in the Dubai World Cup with Casino Drive flying the flag for Japan and Brazil being represented by Gloria de Campaeo. Saudi Arabia will have its hopes on Joe Louis, trained by Jerry Barton and Paris Perfect from the Neil Bruss stable, with Muhannak, trained by Ralph Beckett, the sole contender from Great Britain. The Emirates-sponsored Dubai World Cup is the first race in a year of sponsored horse races around the world for the award winning global airline. Beginning at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, Emirates horse racing sponsorship travels to Sydney in April for the Australian Jockey Club Carnival at Royal Randwick. From Australia, Emirates partnership of great races travels around the globe, including the Emirates Singapore Derby, the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes in Newmarket before returning to Australia for the Emirates Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November closely followed by the Breeders Cup in the United States.