The draw for the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan has set the stage for a tactical chess match over 2,000 metres of dirt. From Magnitude in stall 1 to Tumbarumba on the outside, every runner’s position carries strategic weight, with trainers and jockeys already weighing how to navigate pace, positioning, and rivalries in the compact nine-horse field.
Connections were quick to weigh in on the opportunities and challenges presented by their draws. From Scott Blasi mapping a forward plan for Magnitude to Simon Crisford assessing how to protect Meydaan from being shuffled back, the tone is clear: every stall, every stride, and every decision could define the outcome on Saturday night.
Here’s what the connections said:
1 Magnitude
Scott Blasi, assistant trainer: “It’s a short field, and I think [gate] 1 of 9, with our pace, gives us a lot of options. I think he likes to be forwardly placed, and we’ve won a lot of big races from the one hole.”
Simon & Ed Crisfor (right) with Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi at Meydaan.Photo Dubai Racing Club
2 Meydaan
Simon Crisford, joint-trainer: “I think we would have preferred to be a little bit further out. But we don’t really want him to get shuffled back. The pace will be more intense in this race than on Super Saturday. But happy enough. “
3 Walk Of Stars
Bhupat Seemar, trainer: “It’s a perfect draw. He’s got a lot of speed, and from stall three he can dominate and display his natural speed.”
Trainer Jamie Osborne celebrates a win at Meydan.Photo Dubai Racing Club
4 Heart Of Honor
Jamie Osborne, trainer: “Walk Of Stars is inside us; he’ll go fast, we won’t! I was thinking beforehand I’d like to be a bit wider, but on balance I think it’s okay. I wouldn’t want to be one or two, trapped down the rail. But we might well end up on the rail because of the pace inside us.”
5 Hit Show
Florent Geroux, jockey: “ Hit Show is adapted brilliantly to the pace and track at Meydan last year. It doesn’t matter for him really where he was drawn, he settles quickly and can handle any position the race throws at him.”
Yoshito Yahagi puts his faith in Ryusei Sakai aboard favourite Forever Young for the 2026 Dubai World
6 Forever Young
Yoshito Yahagi, trainer: “I wanted a middle-to-outer draw, so I’m pleased with the result. In a compact field like this, position can sometimes make a difference, but Forever Young is a horse that jumps well and settles quickly. We’re confident he can get into the right spot and show his best over the ten-furlong trip.”
7 Imperial Emperor
Bhupat Seemar, trainer: “It’s perfect in seven. Forever Young is on the inside of him, and he is going to be the favourite. He’s the right horse to follow. Tadhg can just jump and follow him, hopefully all the way to the line, and hopefully we can be a head or a length in front.”
8 Tap Leader
Doug Watson, trainer: “We wanted to be on the outside. A couple of times, he got in the middle of it, and we had to check him a couple of times in his last race. From stall eight, he should be able to keep his momentum up for the entire race.”
9 Tumbarumba
Hamad Al Jehani, trainer: “Very happy. It’s not a big field with only nine horses. Stall 9 gives us options; we can choose the best place for our horse during the race. Hopefully it will be useful.”
Source: Khaleej Times