The $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) is March 30 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The race is for 4-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles on dirt. usracing.com is publishing profiles of the contenders.
KABIRKHAN
Kabirkhan
His sire, California Chrome, is a Hall of Famer and two-time Horse of the Year who won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Dubai World Cup. The California-bred chestnut became a cult figure during the 2014 Triple Crown, idolized by fans called Chromies.
With a father like that, Kabirkhan has a lot to live up to, and he’s done almost everything right. He’s won 10 of 11 career races, including the 1 3/16-mile Al Maktoum Challenge on Jan. 26, which gave him an automatic berth in the Dubai World Cup.
The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred’s background is beyond unique. His owners are from Kazakhstan, where he was 3-for-3 before going 5-for-6 last year in Russia. This winter he won both his races at Meydan Racecourse. Facing a standout international field there will be a big class jump for the $12,000 bargain buy at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
“He’s just a really nice horse,” trainer Doug Watson said after the 4¾-length runaway in the Al Maktoum. “We knew he was good, but we didn’t know if he could compete in the races on this track. It’s not easy to come back in two weeks and run quite like he did there — real nice time [1:57.72] and to do it so nicely and so easily in the end.
“He might be the best mile-and-a-quarter horse I’ve ever trained.”
His owners were among 30 Kazakhstanis who cheered and waved their country’s light blue and yellow flag in the winner’s circle. No matter what Kabirkhan does in the World Cup, he’s a terrific story.
Betting advice: The race’s sentimental favorite will be a generous price, and at least you know he loves the track. And how can you not root for him? Make a $2 win bet and dream along with his fans.
It became known that the Kazakh horse Kabirkhan will take part in the World Championships, which will be held in Dubai on March 30.
Last year, a Kazakh stallion won the million-dollar race. After the triumph, the world media began to write about Kabirkhan. pic.twitter.com/TKc9Lyasoj— ☆꧁ 🧚♂️ Larissa 🧚♂️꧂☆ (@LarisaMitt25230) March 24, 2024
2024 Dubai World Cup Contender: Karbikhan
Post position: 2
Jockey: Patrick Dobbs
Trainer: Doug Watson
Owner: Tlek Mukanbetkaliyev
Age: 4
Career record: 11-10-1-0
Career earnings: $1,101,027
Most recent race: Al Maktoum Challenge, Jan. 26, (1st)
Top Equibase speed figure: NA
Pedigree: California Chrome-Little Emily, by Castledale
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Stalker/closer
Notes: Like California Chrome, Kabirkhan is a chestnut with a white blaze … Trainer Doug Watson, an Ohio native, is a longtime expatriate in the United Arab Emirates … Bloodstock agent Nadir Khassanov bought Kabirkhan at Keeneland. “We equestrians from Kazakhstan have long dreamed of getting to Dubai,” he told the Racing Post. “Then a magnificent horse like Kabirkhan showed up and we decided to try it.”