First round of Dubai World Cup Carnival hopefuls settling in at Meydan

First round of Dubai World Cup Carnival hopefuls settling

in at Meydan

The first international contenders have arrived at Meydan

Racecourse ahead of the 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival, which begins on January 9.

There are 26 international Group 1 winners among the acceptances for the

three-month-long festival of racing, which concludes with the March 29 Dubai World Cup and carries combined prize money of more than $37 million.

Newmarket-based Italian handler, Marco Botti, brings an extended string to

contest the Dubai World Cup Carnival this year. His runners include last

season's Dubai City of Gold winner Jakkalberry, this year's Melbourne Cup fifth Dandino and recent

Prix Royal Oak winner Tac De

Boistron. Botti's string is also strengthened by the new additions of Australian

Group 1 winner Linton, who comes to Dubai following his Hong Kong Mile run, and

four other Brazilian prospects belonging to Dubai World Cup-winning owner

Stefan Friborg's Estrela Energia.

Six from Andrew Balding's Park House Stables will make the trip, with Mackinnon Stakes victor Side Glance chief among them. Former international

footballer Michael Owen's Brown Panther also travels to Dubai following his

Melbourne Cup run for trainer Tom Dascomb, while Meydan stalwart Mike de Kock

comes armed with a string bristling with Group 1 winners.

Among the new recruits for South Africa's four-time champion trainer are Durban July winner

Heavy Metal, South Africa's champion three-year-old colt Vercingetorix, 2012 Champions Cup winner Master Plan and champion miler

Variety Club.

De Kock, who claimed the Godolphin Mile with Soft Falling Rain last term, has a

good record with former Aidan O'Brien-trained horses and two more are added to

the ranks this year. Jersey Stakes winner Gale Force Ten and International

Stakes scorer Flying the Flag join the likes of David Livingston and Daddy Long

Legs, who already bolster de Kock's string. His globe-trotting Soft Falling

Rain will be back, as will Al Quoz Sprint hero Shea Shea. The Apache, the 2013 Dubai Duty Free runner-up, also contests

the new season.

Ed Dunlop's tough galloper Red Cadeaux, the 2013 Dubai World Cup runner-up, has

been accepted for another trip to Dubai. He will be joined by three-time

Canadian International winner Joshua Tree as well as Red Avenger.

Dunaden, last see finishing third in the 2013 Hong Kong Vase, has also been

accepted alongside 2012 Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and French One

Thousand Guineas heroine Flotilla for trainer Mikel Delzangles.

Richard Hannon Jr., who takes over the training reins from his father, English

champion trainer Richard Hannon Sr. in January, brings four

including 2013 Topkapi Trophy winner Producer, while Charlie Hills has entered Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Cable Bay.

The full list may be found by clicking

here. Please note this is a working list and is subject to change.

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