One of the important features of regular international racing is that it paves the way for an accurate guide to the relative merits of racehorses from virtually every country in the world.

But, there are always grey areas, and Frank Gabriel, senior official at the Dubai World Cup since 2005, believes Meydan provides much of the missing information so important when compiling world ratings at the end of the year.

“Meydan and the World Cup meeting play a key role in international racing,” Gabriel said.

“The World Cup night itself provides a series of world class races, over different distances, on dirt and turf.

“It is the direct competition between horses from those different countries that allows racing to make comparisons and compile accurate ratings,” he pointed out.

There is no doubt the world ratings published at the end of the calendar year are now more reliable than ever, given the access to video and statistical form data by a large, varied panel of international handicappers, who study it on a daily basis.

Gabriel sees Dubai providing a unique chance to assess horses outside their comfort zone, and on foreign soil.

“American sprinters competing on turf at the highest level....they don’t get many opportunities,” he pointed out.

Gabriel speaks highly of the overall depth and quality of this year’s World Cup card while also acknowledging that there are no ‘super’ horses this time around.

“Japan and the States have sent good quality, we have an Australian in the sprint, and we are thrilled that Andre Fabre has supported us with such a strong entry. Bob Baffert, of course....”

As Gabriel reels off the big names, it goes without saying the enormous focus placed on this fixture by Godolphin and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, whose brainchild the World Cup was in the first place.

American-born Frank Gabriel started as a racing official at tiny track Timonium Fairgrounds, Maryland, back in 1974. 

Gabriel, 63, made his name and reputation at Arlington Park, Chicago, before coming to Dubai. He has been at the forefront of local racing, at Nad Al Sheba and Meydan, since 2005.

Asked for his favourite World Cup moment, he came up with three: “I was here (working for Arlington) when Cigar won the first World Cup.

“The closing of Nad Al Sheba and the opening of Meydan....and the finish to the very first World Cup at Meydan — that was breathtaking,” he said.