Dubai Sheema Classic
The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres (approximately 1 1⁄2 miles; 2410 metres since 2010) on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in March.
Group 1 race | |
Location | Meydan Racecourse Dubai |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1998 |
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Sponsor | Longines |
Website | emiratesracing.com |
Race information | |
Distance | 2,410 metres (1 1⁄2 miles) (2,400 metres prior to 2010) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | For Southern Hemisphere 3 year olds and Northern Hemisphere four year olds |
Weight | 3YO 54.5kg, NH & SH 4YO+ 57kg |
Purse | US$6,000,000 |
The race was first run in 1998, and it was initially titled the Dubai Turf Classic. The present name was introduced two years later. The event attained Group 1 status in 2002. Prior to 2010 it was run at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.
The Dubai Sheema Classic currently offers a purse of US $6 Million making it and the Dubai Turf race the two of the most valuable turf races in the world.
Records
Speed record: (at current distance of 2,410 metres and Meydan Racecourse)
- 2:26.97 - Postponed (2016)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - William Buick (2010, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 2 - Saeed bin Suroor (1998, 2003)
- 2 - John Gosden (2010, 2017)
- 2 - Charlie Appleby (2018, 2019)
Most wins by an owner:
- 6 - Godolphin (1998, 2003, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Winners
Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Stowaway | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 2:29.01 |
1999 | Fruits of Love | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Mark Johnston | Michael Doyle | 2:28.45 |
2000 | Fantastic Light | 4 | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | Maktoum Al Maktoum | 2:27.70 |
2001 | Stay Gold | 7 | Yutaka Take | Yasuo Ikee | Shadai Racehorse | 2:28.23 |
2002 | Nayef | 4 | Richard Hills | Marcus Tregoning | Hamdan Al Maktoum | 2:29.64 |
2003 | Sulamani | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 2:27.67 |
2004 | Polish Summer | 7 | Gary Stevens | André Fabre | Khalid Abdullah | 2:31.09 |
2005 | Phoenix Reach | 5 | Martin Dwyer | Andrew Balding | Winterbeck Manor Stud | 2:30.54 |
2006 | Heart's Cry | 5 | Christophe Lemaire | Kojiro Hashiguchi | Shadai Racehorse | 2:31.89 |
2007 | Vengeance of Rain | 6 | Anthony Delpech | David E. Ferraris | R. G. Chow Hon Man | 2:31.03 |
2008 | Sun Classique | 5 | Kevin Shea | Mike de Kock | L. Cohen / W. V. Rippon | 2:27.45 |
2009 | Eastern Anthem | 5 | Ahmed Ajtebi | Mubarak bin Shafya | Hamdan Al Maktoum | 2:31:84 |
2010 | Dar Re Mi | 5 | William Buick | John H. M. Gosden | Lord Lloyd-Webber | 2:31:84 |
2011 | Rewilding | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Mahmood Al Zarooni | Godolphin Racing | 2:29.01 |
2012 | Cirrus des Aigles | 6 | Olivier Peslier | Corine Barande-Barbe | Dupouy/Niel | 2:31.30 |
2013 | St Nicholas Abbey | 6 | Joseph O'Brien | Aidan O'Brien | Smith / Magnier / Tabor | 2:27.70 |
2014 | Gentildonna | 5 | Ryan Moore | Sei Ishizaka | Sunday Racing | 2:27.25 |
2015 | Dolniya | 4 | Christophe Soumillon | Alain de Royer-Dupre | Aga Khan IV | 2:28.29 |
2016 | Postponed | 5 | Andrea Atzeni | Roger Varian | Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum | 2:26.97 |
2017 | Jack Hobbs | 5 | William Buick | John Gosden | Godolphin Racing | 2:32.39 |
2018 | Hawkbill | 5 | William Buick | Charlie Appleby | Godolphin Racing | 2:29.49 |
2019 | Old Persian | 4 | William Buick | Charlie Appleby | Godolphin Racing | 2:27.17 |