Ombudsman authoritative in Dubai Turf

Godolphin’s Ombudsman was far and away the class of the field in Saturday’s $5 million Dubai Turf (G1), and even the rain during the week couldn’t dampen his explosive acceleration at Meydan.

Hero of last summer’s Prince of Wales’s (G1) at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International (G1), Ombudsman concluded the season with a runner-up effort in the Champion (G1). The winner of the Champion was none other than Calandagan, the world’s top-rated racehorse of 2025. Ombudsman paid him a compliment in the Dubai Turf, one race before Calandagan himself returned triumphant in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).

 Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Ombudsman was reserved just about midpack by regular pilot William Buick. Setting the pace was Japanese shipper Gaia Force, who broke like a shot and opted to get on with it.

Ombudsman was on hold until straightening for home, when Buick gave him the cue. The odds-on favorite responded instantly to take control.

Quddwah offered a determined bid up the rail, in hopes of emulating his dam, Sajjhaa,  who won this race formerly known as the Dubai Duty Free in 2013. While he outkicked the weakening Gaia Force, Quddwah could not match the winner’s burst.

Ombudsman crossed the wire two lengths in front. Clocking about nine furlongs in 1:47.46, the Irish-bred secured a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge program. It’s doubtful whether he’d shorten up even more in trip around a circuit like Keeneland.

Andreas Vesalius finished with a flourish for third, trailed by Make Me King, Dividend, Gaia Force, 2024 winner Facteur Cheval, Tumbler, Fort George, Folk Festival, and Elnajmm.

Ombudsman’s resume now reads 10-7-3-0, including a near-miss in last summer’s Eclipse (G1) at Sandown. His first loss came over the same course and distance in the Brigadier Gerard (G3), his 2025 reappearance on a rain-affected track, but he was ready for this return. 

“It's a great sense of relief,” John Gosden said. “It's not easy coming out of a winter in England, bringing a horse in ready to run. I think he'll come on for the race, he was probably coming in here at 90%, but it was enough to get the job done. 

“I thought William was wise, he said I'll give the ground away, go wide, lose the ground there, but I want a clear run in the straight. Absolutely thrilled with him.”

“Congratulations, Dubai,” Buick said, alluding to the context of successfully staging the 30th Dubai World Cup night amid a regional war. “We have some beautiful racing, it's a pleasure to be part of, and Ombudsman showed there, first run of the year, what he can do. It was how we hoped it would happen, very smooth and, look, he's going to have a very exciting year ahead.

“It’s an honor for me to ride for Godolphin and His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed). Dubai World Cup night is the biggest night in horse racing, so to represent His Highness on his best horses and to have winners is a dream come true."

“I was here for the first one,” Gosden added of the 1996 Dubai World Cup. “Allen Paulson flying in Cigar, Bill Mott, Jerry Bailey. It's been a great run through and some credit to put this on. It's quite thrilling to be here tonight.

“We'll see how he get on the rest of the year, he'll got to Royal Ascot now for the Prince of Wales's, and from there we'll know where we go.”

By outstanding sire Night of Thunder, who stands under the Darley banner at Kildangan Stud, Ombudsman was bred by J. Hanly. The 340,000 guineas Tattersalls October yearling is out of the Dansili mare Syndicate.