'The Dubai Sheema Classic could be like an Arc this year' - Giavellotto set to race in seventh country of his globetrotting career

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Marco Botti’s stable star Giavellotto is to get his 2026 campaign off to an earlier start than usual by paying a first visit to Qatar next month and a potential clash with Rebel’s Romance in the $2.5 million Emir’s Trophy.

The seven-year-old globetrotter, who was last seen just failing to defend his Hong Kong Vase crown at Sha Tin last month, kicked off 2025 in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, but Botti thinks that race could "be like an Arc" this time around with the likes of Champion Stakes one-two Calandagan and Ombudsman in the mix.

Botti has enjoyed success at the Emir’s Sword meeting before and his big gun is set for a clash on February 14 with Godolphin’s flagbearer and previous year’s winner Rebel's Romance in the mile-and-a-half feature, which was moved from Al Rayyan to Al Uqda racecourse at the last minute 12 months ago.

Before his Hong Kong near-miss behind Sosie, Giavelloto was also partnered by Andrea Atzeni when running a great race to be fourth to Daryz in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. 

Botti said: “The plan is very much to take him to Qatar for the Emir’s Trophy. We're finalising the jockey arrangements at the moment. Oisin Murphy has ridden him regularly in the past, but this year it is on the same day as the Saudi Cup, so we’ll have to see if he’s available. Andrea could be an option, although he would have to get clearance from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. We’ll know more in ten days or so.”

Sosie (Maxime Guyon) beats Giavellotto to win the Hong Kong VaseCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Giavellotto has competed in Britain, Ireland, France, the UAE, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, but Qatar will represent new ground even for him.

Botti said: “He's not been to Qatar before, but he enjoys going right-handed and quick ground should suit him very well. At the end of 2024 we ran him in the Irish St Leger and then Hong Kong, after which the owners wanted to go for the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.

“This time we have nominated him for Dubai but the priority is Qatar. It looks a tough race with Rebel’s Romance in opposition, but the Dubai Sheema Classic could be like an Arc this year with Calandagan and Ombudsman likely to go there.”

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