Calandagan to Begin 2026 Season in Dubai Sheema Classic

Reigning Longines World's Best Racehorse Calandagan (IRE) is scheduled to open his 2026 campaign in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, where he'll try to add to a streak that saw him close out 2025 with four group/grade 1 victories in three different countries. The Dubai Sheema Classic, a 2,410-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) test for older horses, is one of four group 1 or group 2 stakes scheduled as part of Saturday's Dubai World Cup day undercard. READ: Forever Young Seeks Redemption in Dubai World Cup READ: Kentucky Derby Bids on Offer in Dubai and Japan An Irish-bred 5-year-old Gleneagles (IRE) gelding, Calandagan also will be looking to take care of some unfinished business Saturday as a year ago in his first trip to Dubai he finished second to Japan's Danon Decile (JPN) in this race. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Calandagan will be making his first start since a narrow Japan Cup (G1T) victory Nov. 30 at Tokyo Racecourse. Mickael Barzalona will ride. Also making his seasonal debut after closing out 2025 with a grade 1 win is Ethical Diamond (IRE), who won a jumps race last season in Ireland for trainer Willie Mullins before pulling off an upset victory in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T)—setting a Del Mar course record in the process when completing 1 1/2 miles in 2:25.45 on firm turf. That effort is his most recent start, but Mullins doesn't mind racing Ethical Diamond off a layoff. "I see he's had the longest break of any of the horses in the field without a run, but I had always wanted to give him a break after America," he said. "It's the start of a long year for him, but we've tried to get him as fit as we can at home." The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, granting the winner an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland. Al Riffa Looks Formidable in Dubai Gold Cup Ten of the world's top distance horses are expected to contest the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup (G2T) at 3,200 meters (about 2 miles) with last year's Irish St. Leger Stakes (G1) winner Al Riffa (FR) expected to go off as favorite in his 6-year-old season debut. Trained by Joseph O'Brien for owner Australian Bloodstock Syndicate, Al Riffa is a three-time group 1 winner in Ireland and Germany. Last year's winner, Dubai Future (GB), is back for owner/breeder Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Veteran Khaadem Aims for Al Quoz Sprint Upset At the other end of the distance spectrum, 13 3-year-olds and older are entered for the $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1T) over a straight 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs). The elder statesman of the group is 10-year-old Khaadem (IRE) for owner Mrs. Fitri Hay and trainer Charles Hills. Last year Khaadem landed three graded stakes placings in the United States in as many starts there, including a win in the Woodford Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland and a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T). While Khaadem figures to be popular with fans, the race's likely favorite will be two-time group 1 winner Lazzat (FR), who enters off a runner-up finish to reopposing Reef Runner in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) Feb. 14 in Saudi Arabia for trainer Jerome Reynier. Ombudsman Opens in Dubai Turf After capturing a pair of group 1 victories last year and finishing that season in October with a runner-up finish to Calandagan in the Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot, Godolphin's Ombudsman (IRE) is scheduled to begin his 5-year-old season in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1T). Co-trainer John Gosden said after talking with Sheikh Mohammed last year, this race has been the target. He expects an improved Ombudsman this season. "He's bigger and stronger now," Gosden said of the Irish-bred son of Night of Thunder (IRE). "He's gotten bigger and better with age, as I suppose most of them do if given the opportunity. We're certainly pleased with the way he's developed. "He's more professional now even though he does like to look about and see everything. He's a very inquisitive horse." One of the expected 10 rivals for Ombudsman will be Team Valor International and Gary Barber's Facteur Cheval (IRE), who won this race in 2024 for Reynier. The Irish-bred Ribchester (IRE) gelding enters off a runner-up finish in the Neom Turf Cup (G1T) Feb. 14 in Saudi Arabia. As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, the Dubai Turf will award the winner an automatic, fees-paid spot in the starting gate for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Keeneland.