O'Brien decides to miss Dubai World Cup with powerful team amid travel concerns

Aidan O'Brien will not be represented at this year's Dubai World Cup fixture over global travel concerns surrounding the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Ballydoyle trainer looked set to have a strong hand at the $35 million meeting, which takes place behind closed doors on March 28, including Investec Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck, globetrotting star mare Magic Wand and dual-Group 1-winning miler Circus Maximus.

Only necessary personnel will be allowed to attend Meydan's flagship meeting in accordance with current government protocols in the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking on Thursday, O'Brien said: "With such concerns over international travel we are really disappointed not to be able to go to the Dubai World Cup.

"We were really looking forward to the meeting and felt that we had a very strong team representing us this year."

Kew Gardens (left): denies Stradivarius in a gripping Long Distance Cup tussleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Kew Gardens, who lowered the colours of Stradivarius on Qipco British Champions Day last October, will miss his engagement in the Dubai Gold Cup, while smart sprinter Sergei Prokofiev is an absentee from the Al Quoz Sprint.

Irish Oaks and Prix de l'Opera runner-up Fleeting, as well as Breeders' Cup sixth Mount Everest, held entries alongside Anthony Van Dyck for the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

New World Tapestry also held an entry for the Group 2 UAE Derby, which O'Brien has won in recent years with Mendelssohn, Lines Of Battle and Daddy Long Legs.

It is also understood the sole other Irish entrant on the Meydan card, Speak In Colours, will not be making the journey to Meydan.

Lord North (blue): will represent John Gosden at Meydan next weekendCredit: Edward Whitaker

Meanwhile, John Gosden has confirmed impressive Cambridgeshire Handicap winner Lord North will take his place in the $6 million Dubai Turf on March 28.

However, Classic-winning filly Star Catcher will not be joining her 112-rated Listed-winning stablemate.

Gosden told the Racing Post: "Star Catcher and Lord North worked nicely this morning [Thursday] but due to visa issues and possible delays the filly won’t now be travelling out for the Sheema Classic.

"Lord North runs and Frankie [Dettori] rides as far as I’m aware."

One of nine prizes up for grabs, the $12m Dubai World Cup field is headed by ante-post favourite Benbatl, who convincingly won on his dirt debut at Meydan last month before finishing a respectable third in the inaugural Saudi Cup.

Frankie Dettori has won the Dubai World Cup three times, most recently on Electrocutionist (pictuted, left) in 2006Credit: Edward Whitaker

However, as well as equine stars the race will now also boast the riding talents of Dettori and William Buick, after it was announced three prominent US jockeys – Irad Ortiz jr, Luis Saez and Tyler Gaffalione – will not travel to the UAE in light of the ongoing global crisis.

Trainer Bob Baffert has said Buick will ride Mucho Gusto – the general 4-1 second favourite – with Ortiz not travelling, while Mark Casse has revealed Dettori will ride 20-1 shot Sir Winston with Gaffalione out.

Mucho Gusto finished one place behind Benbatl in fourth in the Saudi Cup, a month on from his convincing Pegasus World Cup win.

Dettori is a three-time Dubai World Cup winner after victories with Dubai Millenium (2000), Moon Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006), all for Saeed bin Suroor.

Buick's only win in the race also came riding for Bin Suroor on Prince Bishop in 2015, while the 31-year-old stole the headlines last year with a treble on the card, winning on Cross Counter, Blue Point and Old Persian.

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