The big horses delivered in the biggest turf stakes offered on the Dubai World Cup undercard March 28 at Meydan Racecourse as reigning Longines World's Best Racehorse Calandagan rallied to victory in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T), following the lead of Ombudsman, who did the same in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1T).
Calandagan Secures Fifth Straight G1
In his seasonal debut, Calandagan took his time before flashing his best, entering the stretch of the 2,410-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) Sheema Classic fifth of six before unleashing a powerful kick that reeled in all his rivals, including West Wind Blows, who had opened up about 3 lengths on the field in early stretch.
In opening his 5-year-old campaign with this three-quarter-length win, the Aga Khan Studs' Gleneagles gelding landed his fifth straight group 1 or grade 1 win, with those victories coming in France, Great Britain, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Owner Princess Zahra Aga Khan noted that she would have been good with a bit less drama.
Asked how much she enjoyed watching the race unfold, Princess Zahra said: "No, not a bit of it! It was terrifying. They went slow but (jockey Mickael Barzalona) has been riding him like that for two years ago so we weren't terrified until the final turn. Now we're not any more.
"He has an amazing stride and he also has an amazing motor and a will to win. You can always tell with him, the last few strides, he puts his entire soul into it. It's amazing to watch."
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard enjoyed watching Calandagan improve from his runner-up finish in this race a year ago. He noted that a big key is that Barzalona's understanding of the gelding has improved.
"He's an incredible horse, he's got his own attitude," Barzalona said. "I know him very well now and he always gives plenty in the end, I just need to trust him.
"That's all that jockeys dream about, to find this kind of incredible horse and I'm very glad and very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this team as well."
While runner-up West Wind Blows has not won a group 1 or grade 1 race, Saturday marked his fourth group 1 placing. Reigning Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) winner Ethical Diamond finished fifth.
As the Sheema Classic is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race, Calandagan is awarded a fees-paid berth in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Keeneland.
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Ombudsman Impresses in Dubai Turf
Also making his seasonal debut Saturday on the Dubai World Cup undercard was Ombudsman, who made his first start since a runner-up finish to Calandagan in last year's Champion Stakes (G1) Oct. 18 at Ascot Racecourse. He smoothly rolled into his 5-year-old season by cruising past rivals in the stretch for a 2-length win to nail down the third group 1 score of his career.
"It's a great sense of relief. It's not easy coming out of a winter in England, bringing a horse in ready to run," said John Gosden, who trains Ombudsman with his son Thady. "I think he'll come on for the race, he was probably coming in here at 90%, but it was enough to get the job done. I thought William was wise, he said, 'I'll give the ground away, go wide, lose the ground there, but I want a clear run in the straight.' Absolutely thrilled with him."
The 5-year-old son of Night of Thunder looked within himself as he rallied near the center of the course under William Buick to post victory over group 2 winner Quddwah. Andreas Vesalius finished third. The two lower placers each earned their first group 1 placing.
Buick confidently kept Ombudsman out of trouble throughout, and the winner seized control in a blink once asked with about 300 meters remaining.
"Congratulations Dubai. We have some beautiful racing, it's a pleasure to be part of and Ombudsman showed there, first run of the year, what he can do. It was how we hoped it would happen, very smooth and, look, he's going to have a very exciting year ahead," Buick said. "It's an honor for me to ride for Godolphin and His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed). Dubai World Cup night is the biggest night in horse racing, so to represent His Highness on his best horses and to have winners is a dream come true."
With the win, Ombudsman earns a fees-paid trip to the 2026 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) as the Dubai Turf is also a Breeders' Cup Challenge race.
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Native Approach Posts Home Win in Al Quoz Sprint
Locally based Native Approach displayed determination in securing an upset victory in the $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1T).
After breaking well and securing the early lead in the 1,200-meter (about 6-furlong) test on the straightaway course, Native Approach was headed by Japan's Lugal in the stretch, but dug in to reclaim the lead and the victory under jockey Connor Beasley.
"I just got him in a nice rhythm," Beasley said. "I let him slip away from the 400 meters and once the Japanese horse came to me, he was very determined."
Native Approach prevailed by a neck with World Pool favorite Lazzat finishing third.
On Feb. 28, Native Approach landed the first group stakes win of his career when he captured the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3T) over the same route and course as the Al Quoz Sprint. Beasley was aboard for that race as well.
Trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash for owner Hamdan Harmash, the 5-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding was bred in Great Britain by Godolphin, Native Approach is out of the stakes-winning Shamardal mare Sperry (IRE), who has produced three winners from as many starters including group 3 winner Discovery Island.
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Fairy Glen Defeats Males in Gold Cup
After landing the first group stakes of her career last month over other females at about 1 1/8 miles, Fairy Glen successfully stretched out in distance and defeated males in winning the 3,200-meter (about 2-mile) Dubai Gold Cup (G2T).
Fairy Glen, a 5-year-old French-bred daughter of Farhh, secured the most lucrative win of her career in Saturday's $1 million race when she edged runner-up Caballo de Mar by a half-length. Al Nayyir finished third.
Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Fairy Glen was bred by Godolphin. Godolphin also is the breeder of this year's Godolphin Mile (G2) winner Banishing.
As Sunway and Silvestre De Sousa opened some 25 lengths on the field early and led the field into the stretch before fading, jockey Mickael Barzalona patiently handled Fairy Glen, who entered off a victory on the course in the Feb. 20 Balanchine (G2).
"We tried to relax as quick as we could but actually they went a nice gallop and she was pretty happy," Barzalona said. "When they pressed the pace midbend I thought I had plenty in hand, I didn't know for how long so I waited a bit and when I asked her to pick up she picked up nicely."
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