Tadhg O'Shea guides Tuz to win the Dubawi Stakes at Meydan Racecourse in March. The eight year old is drawn in Gate 5 of the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. Pawan Singh / The National
Tadhg O'Shea guides Tuz to win the Dubawi Stakes at Meydan Racecourse in March. The eight year old is drawn in Gate 5 of the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. Pawan Singh / The National
Tadhg O'Shea guides Tuz to win the Dubawi Stakes at Meydan Racecourse in March. The eight year old is drawn in Gate 5 of the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. Pawan Singh / The National
Tadhg O'Shea guides Tuz to win the Dubawi Stakes at Meydan Racecourse in March. The eight year old is drawn in Gate 5 of the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. Pawan Singh / The Na

Dubai World Cup 2025: The National's top picks as Forever Young aims to make history


Amith Passela
  • English
  • Arabic

Live: Dubai World Cup blog

The stage is set for an extravagant, action-packed 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup. Up for grabs is a whopping $30.5 million across nine races highlighted by the Dubai World Cup as the grand finale.

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Kicking off the action is the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, the unofficial Dubai World Cup for the Purebred Arabians run over the 2,000-metre track and trip of the feature thoroughbred race.

Heading the 14-runner field is the reigning champion Tilal Al Khalediah. The seven year old has maintained his form well by winning four of his five starts since his triumph at Meydan just over 12 months ago.

He went down to stablemate Asfan Al Khalediah by a neck in his second last start before bouncing back in the Arabian showpiece at the Saudi Cup meeting on February 22.

The likely challenge for the Nasser Mutlaq Alkahtani Saudi star could come from Najeeb Al Zaman, First Classs and the couple of mares in the lineup – RB Malexis and RB Mary Lylah.

The first of the seven races for the Thoroughbreds – the Dubai Gold Cup, run over the 3,200m distance on turf – appears to be a close one that includes three Godolphin entries.

Charlie Appleby sends out Trawlerman while Saeed bin Suroor is double handed with and Passion And Glory.

Trawlerman was third in this race last year and since then the seven-year-old Golden Horn gelding has run an excellent second to Kyprios in the Group 1 Gold Cup and finished third behind the same horse in the Group 2 British Champions Long Distance Cup, both at Ascot. He should be a big player if fully tuned up for the task.

Tower Of London won the prize for Aidan O’Brien last year and the Ballydoyle trainer has arrived with his 2023 St Leger winner Continuous, who appears to be primed to retain the title for Ireland.

Returning to the track for the first time in over two months, the five year old finished third in the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup meeting. He should come from that run to reverse the result over Epic Poet who finished ahead of him in second in that race.

Raging Torrent and Mufasa should battle it out in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile while West Acre looks to have an excellent chance to complete a Meydan hat-trick in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint. Flood Zone looks good in the UAE Derby.

The Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen heads for an epic showdown between American raider Straight No Chaser and Bhupat Seemar’s champion sprinter Tuz.

Straight No Chaser arrives after a demolition job at the Saudi Cup meeting. The six year old by Speightster was an impressive winner of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint and is five out of eight.

Tuz is undefeated in all four starts this season since his success in the same race last year. The eight-year-old Oxbow gelding is drawn in Gate 5 and if he jumps out and grabs the inside rail, he will be hard to catch.

Romantic Warrior ran a cracking race in defeat to Forever Young in the $20 million Saudi Cup and his trainer Danny Shum has opted for the Group 1 Dubai Turf rather than a re-match against the Japanese star.

The Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic appears to be another cracker between Calandagan, Shin Emperor and Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance.

History can be made by Forever Young in the final race. If successful, Yoshito Yahagi’s Real Steel colt would become the first horse to win both the Saudi and Dubai Grand Slam to add to his record of winning the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby last year.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)

What is THAAD?

It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.

Production:

It was created in 2008.

Speed:

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.

Abilities:

THAAD is designed to take out  ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".

Purpose:

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.

Range:

THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.

Creators:

Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.

UAE and THAAD:

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai

Gulf Under 19

Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy

Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2

Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina

Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)

Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am

Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am

Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Company%20Profile
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Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare

Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.

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23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Updated: April 05, 2025, 5:59 AM`