The Dubai Golden Shaheen is one of the world’s premier horse races, known for its spectacular sprinting, significant prize money, and top-tier competition from across the globe.
This thrilling six-furlong (1,200 metres) dirt sprint at Meydan Racecourse, part of the Dubai World Cup night, attracts the fastest thoroughbred sprinters and the world’s most skilled jockeys.
Here at British Racecourses, we bring you an expert guide to the Golden Shaheen, highlighting why it has become a must-watch event for horse racing fans worldwide.
Contents
What is the Dubai Golden Shaheen?
Held annually as part of Dubai World Cup Night, the Golden Shaheen is a Group 1 horse race known for its international roster of elite sprinters and its impressive prize purse. Dubai World Cup night itself is a prestigious event, boasting some of the richest horse races globally, and the Golden Shaheen, run over six furlongs on dirt, is the pinnacle of sprint racing.
Since its inception, the Dubai Golden Shaheen has showcased powerful, lightning-fast performances, with horses needing not only top speed but also significant endurance to maintain their edge across Meydan’s challenging dirt track.
Dubai Golden Shaheen Previous Winners
Here are the previous winners of the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Kassbaan | 6 | John Carroll | Saeed bin Suroor | Maktoum Al Maktoum | 1:13.04 |
| 1997 | Atraf | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Kiaran McLaughlin | Hamdan Al Maktoum | 1:11.24 |
| 1998 | Mudallel | 5 | Willie Supple | Dhruba Selvaratnam | Ziad Galadari | 1:10.61 |
| 1999 | Ramp and Rave | 5 | Gary Stevens | Dhruba Selvaratnam | Ahmed Al Maktoum | 1:09.97 |
| 2000 | Big Jag | 7 | Alex Solis | Tim Pinfield | Julius Zolezzi | 1:08.10 |
| 2001 | Caller One | 4 | Corey Nakatani | James Chapman | C. Chapman, T. McArthur | 1:08.38 |
| 2002 | Caller One | 5 | Gary Stevens | James Chapman | C. Chapman, T. McArthur | 1:09.91 |
| 2003 | State City | 4 | Michael Hills | Paddy Rudkin | S M R M | 1:09.95 |
| 2004 | Our New Recruit | 5 | Alex Solis | John W. Sadler | CRK Stable | 1:10.30 |
| 2005 | Saratoga County | 4 | Javier Castellano | George Weaver | Evelyn Pollard | 1:11.21 |
| 2006 | Proud Tower Too | 4 | David Cohen | Sal Gonzalez | Tricar Stables | 1:09.86 |
| 2007 | Kelly's Landing | 6 | Frankie Dettori | Eddie Kenneally | Summerplace Farm | 1:10.34 |
| 2008 | Benny the Bull | 5 | Edgar Prado | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | IEAH Stables et al. | 1:08.70 |
| 2009 | Big City Man | 4 | Jose Verenzuela | Jerry Barton | Prince Sultan Mohammed Saud Al Kabeer | 1:08:93 |
| 2010 | Kinsale King | 5 | Garrett K. Gomez | Carl O'Callaghan | Super Horse Inc. | 1:10.85 |
| 2011 | Rocket Man | 6 | Felix Coetzee | Patrick Shaw | Alfredo L. A. Crabbia | 1:11.28 |
| 2012 | Krypton Factor | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Fawzi Abdulla Nass | Fawzi Abdulla Nass | 1:10.79 |
| 2013 | Reynaldothewizard | 7 | Richard Mullen | Satish Seemar | Zabeel Racing | 1:12.46 |
| 2014 | Sterling City | 5 | João Moreira | John Moore | Ling Chiu Shing and Gary Ling Kay Wai | 1:10.88 |
| 2015 | Secret Circle | 6 | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman | 1:10.64 |
| 2016 | Muarrab | 7 | Paul Hanagan | Musabah Al Muhairi | Hamdan Al Maktoum | 1:10.59 |
| 2017 | Mind Your Biscuits | 4 | Joel Rosario | Chad Summers | J Stables, Head Of Plains Partners LLC Et Al | 1:10.91 |
| 2018 | Mind Your Biscuits | 5 | Joel Rosario | Chad Summers | J Stables, Head Of Plains Partners LLC Et Al | 1:10.17 |
| 2019 | X Y Jet | 7 | Emisael Jaramillo | Jorge Navarro | Rockingham Ranch & Gelfenstein Farm | 1:10.75 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2021 | Zenden | 5 | Antonio Fresu | Carlos David | LLP Performance Horse | 1:09.01 |
| 2022 | Switzerland | 8 | Tadhg O'Shea | Bhupat Seemar | RRR Racing | 1:11.13 |
| 2023 | Sibelius | 5 | Ryan Moore | Jeremiah O'Dwyer | Jun Park & Delia Nash | 1:10.69 |
| 2024 | Tuz | 7 | Tadhg O'Shea | Bhupat Seemar | Dakki Stable | 1:10.19 |
Dubai Golden Shaheen Trainer Statistics
Here are the leading horse racing trainers in the Dubai Golden Shaheen:
| Trainer | R W P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| B Seemar | 7-2-3 | +25.00 | +13.77 |
| Chad Summers | 2-2-2 | +10.50 | +6.30 |
| Bob Baffert | 3-1-1 | +1.33 | +0.00 |
| Jorge Navarro | 3-1-3 | -0.12 | +0.70 |
| Jeremiah O'Dwyer | 2-1-1 | +7.00 | +3.80 |
| M Al Mheiri | 2-1-1 | +5.00 | +2.60 |
| John Moore | 2-1-1 | +1.25 | +0.35 |
| Carlos A David | 1-1-1 | +40.00 | +24.00 |
| Doug Watson | 12-0-1 | -12.00 | -10.70 |
| Fawzi Abdulla Nass | 5-0-0 | -5.00 | -5.00 |
Dubai Golden Shaheen Jockey Statistics
Here are the leading horse racing jockeys in Dubai’s Golden Shaheen:
| Jockey | R W P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tadhg O'Shea | 4-2-3 | +28.00 | +16.77 |
| Joel Rosario | 4-2-2 | +8.50 | +4.30 |
| Ryan Moore | 5-1-3 | +4.00 | +4.70 |
| Joao Moreira | 4-1-1 | -0.75 | -1.65 |
| Paul Hanagan | 3-1-1 | +4.00 | +1.60 |
| Emisael Jaramillo | 3-1-3 | -0.12 | +0.70 |
| Antonio Fresu | 2-1-1 | +39.00 | +23.00 |
| Victor Espinoza | 1-1-1 | +3.33 | +2.00 |
| Pat Dobbs | 8-0-1 | -8.00 | -6.70 |
| Frankie Dettori | 5-0-0 | -5.00 | -5.00 |
Why is the Dubai Golden Shaheen So Important?
The Dubai Golden Shaheen combines prestige with a huge prize purse, making it one of the most sought-after sprint races worldwide. Its inclusion as part of Dubai World Cup night, an event filled with high-stakes races, only amplifies its importance.
- International Competitors: The Golden Shaheen is not limited to local competitors; horses from across the globe converge here to vie for the title, making it one of the most competitive events on the global racing calendar.
- Elite Thoroughbred Sprinters: Only top sprinters are eligible, meaning spectators witness the very best in the world, typically horses known for remarkable speed and endurance.
- Significant Prize Money: Being one of the richest sprint races, it draws owners, trainers, and jockeys from around the world.
- Group 1 Status: As a Group 1 race, it is among the highest classification in horse racing, similar to the Nunthorpe Stakes in the UK, which heightens its allure.
The Track: Meydan Racecourse’s Dirt Surface
Meydan Racecourse is a state-of-the-art facility featuring a challenging dirt track. Dirt surfaces, particularly those as well-maintained as Meydan’s, tend to favour powerful, forward-running horses with the ability to maintain high speeds over a longer distance. This unique track, combined with its premium facilities, has made Meydan one of the leading racing venues globally.
British trainers and jockeys must adapt to the unfamiliar terrain, adding another layer of intrigue for British fans watching at home. In recent years, the dirt track has seen successful UK-based horses, showing that British stables are increasingly rising to this challenge.
FAQs about the Dubai Golden Shaheen
1. What distance is the Dubai Golden Shaheen?
The race is run over 1,200 metres, or six furlongs, making it a high-speed sprint rather than a stamina-based race.
2. What kind of horses compete in the Dubai Golden Shaheen?
Only top-tier thoroughbred sprinters, known for their speed and endurance, are eligible to compete in this elite race. The horses come from around the world, including the UK, USA, and Japan.
3. When does the Dubai Golden Shaheen take place?
The Golden Shaheen is held annually on Dubai World Cup night, usually in March.
4. How much is the prize purse for the Dubai Golden Shaheen?
As one of the richest sprint races globally, the prize money is substantial, although it varies slightly from year to year.
5. What type of surface is the Dubai Golden Shaheen run on?
The race is run on dirt, which can be advantageous to horses accustomed to high-speed sprints on similar surfaces.
6. How can I watch the Dubai Golden Shaheen from the UK?
The race is typically broadcast live on various international racing channels and streaming services, ensuring that UK fans don’t miss the action.
Summary
At British Racecourses, we believe the Dubai Golden Shaheen is a true showcase of the best in international sprinting. As a high-profile race with elite thoroughbred sprinters, world-renowned jockeys, and top-notch trainers, the Golden Shaheen highlights the power, speed, and strategic skill that makes horse racing so thrilling.
The Golden Shaheen offers UK racing fans a thrilling spectacle and a chance to see homegrown talent compete internationally. Whether you’re a racing aficionado or new to the sport, the Dubai Golden Shaheen should be on your watch list each year as part of Dubai World Cup night – a thrilling experience that brings together the best in horse racing.
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