Sixteen Irish trained among World Cup entries

While the final fields have yet to be confirmed, Ireland looks set to be strongly represented in Dubai this Saturday March 29th, with 16 Irish-trained entries, trained by six Irish trainers aiming to chase a slice of the US$27,250,000 on offer on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse.

It will be a truly international affair with competitors from Japan, Britain, Hong Kong, France, Qatar, and South Africa all in action. However, despite such competition the Irish contingent will be to the fore of many of the night’s feature contests.

Aidan O’Brien’s 2013 Epsom Derby-winner Ruler Of The World heads the field in the night’s feature contest, the world’s richest race, the US$10 million Dubai World Cup while Breeders’ Cup Turf-winner Magician will line up in the US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic.

Edward Lynam has brought two of his top sprinters over in the shape of Sole Power and Balmont Mast, both of whom went very close in the respective contests last year and similar efforts can be expected this year on their favoured fast surface.

David Marnane and Michael Halford have enjoyed a wonderful season already in Dubai this year, having combined to win in excess of €400,000 in prize money in the build-up to Dubai World Cup night. They will be keen to add to that haul on the night with the likes of Elleval and Russian Soul who have both already won in Dubai this year.

Champion Irish National Hunt Trainer Willie Mullins, fresh from a successful Cheltenham Festival, now looks to the flat with his Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Simenon likely to be towards the head of the market in the Dubai Gold Cup, which features four other runners from Ireland including the high-class John Oxx-trained Saddler’s Rock.

Irish-Trained Entries

* Dubai World Cup – US$10,000,000

Ruler Of The World – Aidan O’Brien – Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith

* Dubai Sheema Classic – US$5,000,000

Festive Cheer – Aidan O’Brien – Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier

Magician – Aidan O’Brien – Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier

* Godolphin Mile – US$1,000,000

Elleval – David Marnane – Damian Lavelle

Eastern Rules – Michael Halford – S.Hales

* Dubai Golden Shaheen – US$2,000,000

Balmont Mast – Derek Iceton – Edward Lynam

Jamesie – David Marnane – Damian Lavelle

Russian Soul – Michael Halford – Mrs A G Kavanagh

* Al Quoz Sprint – US$1,000,000

Sole Power – Edward Lynam – Mrs S.Power

* Dubai Gold Cup – US$1,000,000

Simenon – W.P.Mullins – Wicklow Bloodstock Limited

Ernest Hemingway – Aidan O’Brien – Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith

Dabadiyan – Michael Halford – H H Aga Khan

Certerach – Michael Halford – Paul Rooney

Saddler’s Rock – John Oxx – Michael O’Flynn

* UAE Derby – US$2,000,000

Giovanni Boldini – Aidan O’Brien – Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith

Sir John Hawkins – Aidan O’Brien – Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier