Nations Pride is the star turn on the seventh night of Dubai World Cup Carnival action at Meydan Racecourse, which features runners from 10 different countries and kicks off at 16h00 today.
Nations Pride defends his perfect Meydan record in the Gr3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, race six, over 2000m turf. The winner of the inaugural Jumeirah Derby here in 2022, he went on to Gr1 success in the Saratoga Derby in New York and followed that with success in the Gr3 Jockey Club Derby at Aqueduct.
“Nations Pride has been pleasing us at home and coming back to a mile and a quarter should suit, said trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won this race six times, including with Royal Fleet 12 months ago. “There will be some improvement to come for whatever he does on his seasonal return, as we hope that he has another international campaign ahead of him this year. Depending on how he goes here, we will consider potentially looking at the Jebel Hatta or the Dubai Turf.”
Appleby also runs Ottoman Fleet, third in the G2 Singspiel Stakes last time out. “Returning to this distance looks as though it might benefit Ottoman Fleet based on his two runs so far this year,” he continued. “He goes into the race a fit horse with solid form around him, so he should be a major player.”
Appleby also has a strong hand in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, over 2810m on turf, race five. The $200,000 contest, a prep race for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at the Dubai World Cup meeting, has been won nine times by Godolphin, with four wins for Appleby and four for Saeed Bin Suroor. They run two each on Friday; Bin Suroor sending out Global Heat and Brilliant Light, while Appleby fields Siskany and Kemari.
