Despite regional war and torrential rain this week, Meydan will stage the 30th Dubai World Cup extravaganza on Saturday.

After Dubai Future missed his entire eight-year-old campaign in 2024, the Godolphin homebred’s racing career appeared to be receding into the past.

Before Panthalassa capped the day in the Saudi Cup (G1), Japan scored two lucrative wins on turf with Bathrat Leon and Silver Sonic, and British raider Mostahdaf romped in the Neom Turf Cup (G3).

Godolphin celebrated a first win in the £600,000 Bahrain International Trophy (G3) on Friday, as Dubai Future overtook his Saeed bin Suroor stablemate Passion and Glory at Sakhir Racecourse.

With a £600,000 purse both reflecting and reinforcing its status as a rising international fixture, Friday’s fourth running of the Bahrain International Trophy (G3) has attracted a quartet from Godolphin, along with classy Irish mare Insinuendo and a new French recruit for the home team in Dilawar.

Another sensational Royal Ascot is in the books. With sunny skies making for good-to-firm going, the tricky soft-ground variable was eliminated, and the results were generally logical.

The rich Saudi Cup program includes three turf stakes, all upgraded to international Group 3 status for Saturday. The 1351 Turf Sprint caters to the speed brigade, the Neom Turf Cup suits the middle-distance types, and the Red Sea Turf H. is a prize for stayers.