Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced March 5 that it raised the travel warning to Level 3 for six countries that are Gulf Cooperation Council nations, including the United Arab Emirates, and urged Japanese nationals to avoid all travel to those countries regardless of the purpose.
More than 20 Japanese-trained runners had accepted the invitation to the Dubai World Cup (G1) and its undercard races at Meydan Racecourse March 28. Six of them, including Forever Young, flew from Saudi Arabia to Dubai Feb. 17.
For the rest of them, quarantine prior to shipping is scheduled to start March 11 and the flight to Dubai is arranged for March 18. However, connections of some notable runners have declared to withdraw from the trip to Dubai.
As of March 7, the list of withdrawals includes Masquerade Ball, who was narrowly beaten by Calandagan in the Nov. 30 Japan Cup (G1T) and an intended runner for the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T), and Jantar Mantar, Japan Racing Association champion miler in 2025 and an intended runner for the Dubai Turf (G1T).
Dubai World Cup prospects, such as Wilson Tesoro, who finished second in the Feb. 22 February Stakes (G1), Diktaean, and Mikki Fight, who finished first and second, respectively, in the Dec. 29 Tokyo Daishoten (G1), are ruled out of the trip to Dubai.
It is confirmed that Forever Young and the other five Japanese horses are safe and sound at Meydan Racecourse.
In an email to BloodHorse, the JRA said it has nine staff members in Dubai, and should they "wish to return to Japan, we will fully support their repatriation."
