The increasing popularity of the Dubai World Cup programme throughout the
world was again evident when first nominations for the world's richest
racemeeting closed on November 13.
Dubai World Cup Committee Chairman, Mr Les Benton, expressed his delight
at both the quality and quantity of the first nomination pointing to the
increases in many areas in comparisons to previous years.
Champions from around the world are included in the first nomination,
among them AZERI and VOLPONI from the United States as well as Australian
superstar NORTHERLY.
Since the first nomination system opened to all races on the programme in
2001, each year has seen a continual increase and that has carried through
to 2003 with the 810 first nominations being approximately 11% higher than
for the corresponding stage last year and an increase of approximately 18%
on the figure for the 2001 meeting.
The quality and the quantity of the first nomination for the 2003 Dubai
World Cup meeting emphasises the increasing popularity of the programme
throughout the world, said Mr Benton.
The Dubai World Cup has become the Olympic Games of horse racing and with
23 individual countries having representation in the first nomination it
certainly appears that the depth and quality of the international presence
at the meeting will be of its usual high standard.
The US$6,000,000 Group I Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline,
received a total of 114 nominations, a 22% increase on that returned 12
months ago, a trend that is seen across all Group I events on the
programme.
The nomination for the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by
Dubai Duty Free is up 10%, the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News has risen 19% and the there
is a 13% increase for
the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Ports, Customs &
Free Zone Corporation.
The nomination from the United States is particularly strong, AZERI,
favoured for 2002 Horse of the Year honours in America, is included
alongside VOLPONI and MEDAGLIA D'ORO, first and second in the 2002 Breeders'
Cup Classic, as well as the 2002 Belmont Stakes winner SARAVA.
NAYEF, WHERE OR WHEN and the outstanding French filly AQUARELLISTE
headline an impressive nomination from Europe, South Africa's representation is
headed by the champion filly IPI TOMBE and from Australasia there is the
Caulfield Cup and dual W.S. Cox Plate winner NORTHERLY, DEFIER, LONHRO as
well as Victoria Derby winner HELENUS.
The quantity of the Dubai World Cup first nomination is pleasing however
it is the quality that is most impressive, said Mr Benton, A number of
connections have already declared their intentions to come and we will be
pleased to welcome them.
Last year was the first time the Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Sheema Classic
and the Dubai Golden Shaheen were run at Group I level and looking at the
strength of nomination in all of these events they are firmly established
throughout the world as races of the highest quality.
The quality of the first nomination is also evident with the very best
that remain in training for 2003 and we will be doing our utmost to ensure that
those that are able to compete do so at Nad Al Sheba on March 29, 2003.
The Japan Cup and the Hong Kong International events are still to be run
and we will be watching these closely to ensure that horses that compete
well there are enticed to Dubai next year.
I would also like to pay tribute to all of our agents around the world
who have worked tirelessly to secure these first nominations and the quality
of the horses entered is a tribute and reward to their efforts, said Mr
Benton.
A full list of nominations for all races on Dubai World Cup Day can be
found at the Dubai World Cup website, www.dubaiworldcup.com
For further information please contact Martin Talty at the Dubai World Cup
on 3322277 or (050) 6552-686.
Breakdown of Dubai World Cup first entry
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