Laurel River to miss Saudi trip but Dubai World Cup defence still on

Laurel River has been ruled out of the Saudi Cup due to a small setback.

A stunning winner of the Dubai World Cup last year, a repeat victory closer to home at Meydan on April 5 is now his main aim.

Trainer Bhupat Seemar confirmed in a statement to the Dubai Racing Club that the Juddmonte-owned seven-year-old would miss the feature race in Saudi Arabia on Saturday week.

Seemar said: “He had a small setback in training and missed his intended workout for the Saudi Cup. We will keep him in Dubai and aim him at the Dubai World Cup.”

Having run over a mile or less during his time in America and his early days with Seemar, Laurel River was viewed as a doubtful stayer when lining up in the highlight of the Meydan Carnival last year.

However, under an ultra-positive ride from Tadgh O’Shea, he blitzed the field and won by eight and a half lengths.

That performance saw him share top spot in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024 alongside City Of Troy.

O’Shea tried to replicate those tactics on his recent comeback over a mile in the Group Three Firebreak Stakes at Meydan but having his first run for almost a year, he was caught close home.