Magnitude Upsets Forever Young in Dubai World Cup; Wonder Dean Wins UAE Derby
In one of the biggest upsets in recent Dubai World Cup history, Magnitude led wire-to-wire and bravely held off the world’s top-ranked dirt horse, Forever Young, by one length to win the 30th Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse.
The Not This Time colt, owned by Ron Winchell and trained by Steve Asmussen, was ridden to victory by jockey Jose Ortiz in the 2,000-meter (about 1¼ miles) Group 1 event on dirt.For Asmussen, it marked another milestone in the desert — he previously saddled Curlin to win the 2008 World Cup. For Winchell, the victory provided sweet redemption after his star Gun Runner was beaten in the stretch by Arrogate in the 2017 Dubai World Cup.Ortiz, who was emotional after the win, said there was no set plan to go to the lead, but Magnitude broke sharply and dictated the pace.
“He put me on the lead. I was happy to be there,” Ortiz said. When Forever Young loomed alongside at the 600-meter mark, Magnitude responded gamely and held on under pressure.Forever Young, the winner of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the $20 million Saudi Cup, finished a strong second. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi noted that the Meydan dirt surface “doesn’t seem to suit”
his horse. Meydaan (a Frankel gelding) finished third, while last year’s Dubai World Cup winner, Hit Show, ran fifth.
Wonder Dean Wins UAE Derby, Earns Kentucky Derby Berth
In the $1 million UAE Derby Sponsored by Jumeirah, Japan’s Wonder Dean delivered a decisive stretch run to defeat favorite Six Speed by 2½ lengths, earning 100 points on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby and an automatic invitation to the May 2 Kentucky Derby.Ridden by Cristian Demuro and trained by Daisuke Takayanagi, the Dee Majesty colt had only a maiden win on his résumé before breaking through in Dubai. Demuro was confident after a good break and said Wonder Dean handled the 1,800-meter (about 1⅛ miles) distance comfortably.Connections of both Wonder Dean and Six Speed confirmed they intend to ship to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. This continues the strong recent trend of Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders performing well in Dubai (following Derma Sotogake, Forever Young, and Admire Daytona).Pyromancer finished third for Godolphin.The results add significant international flavor to the 2026 Kentucky Derby field, with multiple horses from the Japan and Euro/Mideast roads now confirmed or highly likely to head to Louisville.Magnitude’s Dubai World Cup victory also earned him a “Win and You’re In” berth into the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.Would you like a shorter version or any specific sections expanded (such as more quotes or future implications)?
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