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Some great efforts highlight the race history of the Dubai Turf run at Meydan on Saturday.
Elvstroem won a famous race leading all the way in 2005 under Nash Rawiller. The 2019 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan on Saturday can produce a quality field.
2019 DUBAI TURF - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Dubai Turf is a Group 1 middle distance race for four year olds and up conducted by the Dubai Racing Club at Meydan.
The Dubai Turf was first run in 1996 won by Key Of Luck. It was previously known as the Dubai Duty Free until 2014.
The Dubai Turf was initially run on dirt at 2000m but when it moved to turf in 2000, it was 1777m.
The race became a Group 1 in 2002 and when moved to Meydan it went to 1800m.
It is run on Dubai World Cup night as the feature turf middle distance race on the program.
No horse has won it multiple times but Gary Stevens and Ryan Moore have most jockey wins at two.
Leading trainer is Saeed bin Suroor with six victories.
The 2001 edition was a famous clash of three of the best on turf around this trip to be racing each other. Jim And Tonic prevailed over Fairy King Prawn and Sunline.
The latter two had fought out a gigantic clash at Sha Tin in December.
In 2005 Australian stallion Elvstroem headed to Nad Al Sheba after defeat in the Australian Cup. Nash Rawiller took him to the front and he controlled the race.
Right there to be challenged at the 400m, he sprinted too fast and won with such ease.
Last year Benbatl won his first international G1 winning the Dubai Turf with ease. He’d then win a G1 in Germany before heading to Australia and winning the Caulfield Stakes. He’d then run bravely to Winx in her fourth Cox Plate victory.
The Dubai Turf is worth US$6million in 2019.
The winners include Benbatl (2018), Real Steel (2016), Solow (2015), Cityscape (2012), Presvis (2011), Jay Peg (2008), Admire Moon (2007), Elvstroem (2005), Jim And Tonic (2001), Annus Mirabilis (1998) and Tamayaz (1997).
The 2018 Dubai Turf was won by Benbatl from Vivlos and Deirdre.