Laurel River will miss the opportunity to defend the Dubai World Cup as connections say they are unable to get him fit enough for the race on April 5.
The Racing Post reports that the Juddmonte seven-year-old shared the Horse of the Year award with City Of Troy last season after romping home to an eight-and-a-half length triumph in the race last March.
Runaway 2024 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River won’t defend his title next month (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Yet he was not seen again in 2024 and was surprisingly turned over at odds of 4-11 on his comeback this year in a Group 3 at Meydan in January.
The son of Into Mischief was then forced to miss the Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race, having endured a setback and trainer Bhupat Seemar said he would not be ready for Dubai.
The trainer said: “Laurel River is doing very good but after his last gallop we realise that there won’t be enough time to get him fit for a race of this calibre.
“Juddmonte decided to give him the time and he can come back for the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup in 2026.”
Saudi Cup winner Forever Young is 5-6 favourite to follow up in the Dubai World Cup.
