Age proves just a number for Dubai Future in Dubai Gold Cup

Evergreen veteran Dubai Future showed no sign of age catching up with him as he posted an emphatic victory in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday’s Dubai World Cup Night meeting at Meydan.

Having missed the whole of 2024, the nine-year-old continued a perfect start to his season as he followed up his G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy win with another taking display in the staying highlight.

Dubai Future’s victory came four days after his ninth birthday, making him the joint second-oldest Godolphin winner alongside last year’s G1 Australian Cup hero Cascadian. Baccarat, who won a Meydan handicap at the age of nine and nine days, is currently the oldest winner in the royal blue silks.

Dubai Future could yet scale greater heights, with the newly upgraded G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier in France a likely next stop for the son of Dubawi.

Rebel’s Romance also ran a gallant race at Meydan as he finished fourth behind younger rivals Danon Decile, Calandagan and Durezza in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Keeneland’s Spring Meet commenced 48 hours later than intended due to storms in Kentucky, with Verity and Paris Lily both getting on the scoresheet on Sunday’s opening card.

Verity took the step up to Graded Stakes company in her stride with a dominant win in the G2 Beaumont Stakes. Matareya took the same race in 2022 before graduating to G1 honours, and Verity could also make her presence felt at the highest level.

Cualificar laid down an early marker for this year’s Prix du Jockey Club with a brave win in the G3 Prix La Force at Longchamp’s first meeting of the year on Sunday.

Several more three-year-olds will be hoping to advance their Classic claims over the coming weeks, with this weekend’s fixture at Newbury kickstarting the trials season in the UK and East Avenue lining up in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on Tuesday.