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Dubai World Cup attracts 271 nominees The list of nominees for the Group 1 Dubai World Cup features an international cast of some of racing's current and rising stars, as well as a number of trainers who have previously won the world's richest race. This will be the 17th renewal of the famed event and will be held on March 31 as part of the overall nine-race program that serves as the world's richest day in racing valued at $27.25 million. The $10 million, 2,000 meter Tapeta contest has attracted an impressive roster of 271 horses, representing 12 countries in which the contenders are being trained. Eight of the 11 trainers to have won the Dubai World Cup are represented by nominees. Horseman Saeed bin Suroor, who holds the record with five Dubai World Cup wins, has six nominees. Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert has nine horses eligible to the race, led by Breeders' Cup Classic runner up Game on Dude. The remaining Dubai World Cup-winning trainers include Richard Mandella with two nominees, and Bill Mott, Dale Romans, Eoin Harty, Katsuhiko Sumii (last year's winner) and Kiaran McLaughlin, all with one each. The all-star list of nominees include three horses that earned Eclipse Awards last week: Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom (champion three-year-old male), four-time Grade 1 victor Acclamation (champion older male) and Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic queen Royal Delta (champion three-year-old filly). Other notable winners include Cirrus des Aigles (Champion Stakes), So You Think (three Group 1 wins in 2011), Blue Bunting (One Thousand Guineas, Irish Oaks), Ruler on Ice (Belmont Stakes) and Shackleford (Preakness Stakes). There is also a number of 2011 Dubai World Cup program veterans in Transcend (second Dubai World Cup), Gitano Hernando (sixth Dubai World Cup), River Jetez (second Dubai Duty Free), Wigmore Hall (third Dubai Duty Free) and Master of Hounds (second UAE Derby). "The Dubai Racing Club and the Dubai World Cup are committed to the era of international racing," said Martin Talty, International Manager of the Dubai Racing Club. "Evident from the increased number of entries we received, it is clear that the world's owners and trainers appreciate our international season and events. Meydan is the proud home of the Dubai World Cup race meeting and Dubai World Cup Carnival, where truly some of the most international race meetings in the world take place." The Group 1, $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, one of the chief supporting races on the 2012 Dubai World Cup card, has attracted 254 nominations from 14 countries. This will be the 15th running of the 2,410 meter-contest (first run in 1998) that annually attracts some of the world's greatest turf stayers. Last year trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni registered his first win in the Dubai Sheema Classic and will be seeking to defend his title with 14 entries. They are led by French Navy, Dubai Prince and Casamento. Fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, the only trainer to win the event twice (Stowaway 1998 and Sulamani 2003), has 13 entries, led by recent Meydan winner Prince Bishop, Cavalryman, Campanologist and Holberg. European champion and Breeders' Cup Turf hero St Nicholas Abbey will be seeking to add Dubai to his list of international wins. Trained by Ireland's Aidan O'Brien, he is joined by stablemates Treasure Beach and Await the Dawn in the entries. Numerous entries have come from the United States (18), Great Britain (14) and Japan (11). France is represented by five nominees, notably Group 1 Melbourne Cup and Group 1 Hong Kong Vase victor Dunaden. There are also entries from 2011 Dubai World Cup night runners bidding to return for another round in Monterosso (third Dubai World Cup), Redwood (second Dubai Sheema Classic), Chinchon (fifth Dubai Sheema Classic) and Zanzamar (fourth UAE Derby).
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