Representatives of 17 different countries totaling 80 international runners have confirmed their participation at the 2001 Dubai World Cup meeting at Nad Al Sheba on March 24. The Dubai World Cup Committee has released the confirmed international runners, the high number ensuring the program retains its place at the head of international horse racing. The $6-million group I Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates and the opening leg of the 2001 Emirates World Series Racing Championships, is likely to attract 14 runners, 11 of these from abroad with two Godolphin representatives and State Shinto, prepared by the Dubai-based Australian John Sadler running for the United Arab Emirates. "The Dubai World Cup has attracted a quality field of international runners and justifies the massive promotional and marketing campaign we undertook between last year and now," said Les Benton, chairman of the Dubai World Cup Committee. "The confirmed runners that we have received from abroad shows how international the Dubai World Cup meeting is. A total of 80 horses coming from abroad to one race meeting was unheard of in the history of horse racing until now, and that is proof of the event's standing throughout the world."From South America and Oceania in the Southern Hemisphere to Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East in the Northern Hemisphere, horses will converge on Dubai in search of a piece of the US$15.25million on offer. Great Britain is the country most represented with 20 runners, followed by the United States with 15. The champion mare Sunline heads the list from Oceania, the two best horses in Hong Kong, Daliapour and Fairy King Prawn, are heading to Dubai as is the star European filly Petrushka and the high class Captain Steve from America. Bobby Frankel-trained Aptitude is also among the confirmed starters."We are very pleased, not only with the quantity of horses we are hosting, but also the quality of them," Benton said. "All but a few of the major racing centers will be represented and we believe that this will be the first time three-year-olds trained in the Southern Hemisphere will be opposing their age group trained in the Northern Hemisphere."The UAE Derby became one of the strongest three-year-old races run last year and this year looks to be no different with horses such as Street Cry, Count Dubois, Lady Lahar, No Excuse Needed and the South American star Tapatio engaged it promises to be the same again in 2001
The final declarations for all races at the Dubai World Cup meeting will be taken at 9am on Wednesday March 21. Further updates to this international list will be provided should there be any. Countries represented at the Dubai World Cup Meeting: Argentina 1
Australia 2
Brazil 3
France 9
Germany 4
Great Britain 20
Hong Kong 3
Ireland 3
Italy 1
Japan 6
Macau 2
New Zealand 1
Qatar 3
Saudi Arabia 6
Singapore 1
United States 15Complete List of Confirmed World Cup Card Starters)
