Magnitude wins Dubai Gold Cup after $12M race goes ahead despite the war in Iran

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Jockey Jose Ortiz, aboard Magnitude, celebrates winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2000m (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Jockey Jose Ortiz, second right, holds the trophy after riding Magnitude to win the $12 million Dubai World Cup over 2000m (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. At left is owner Ron Winchell, and assistant trainer Scott Blasi. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) — Jockey Jose Ortiz, aboard Magnitude, celebrates winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2000m (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

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2:43 PM on Saturday, March 28

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Magnitude beat race favorite Forever Young to win the 30th Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday in the first major outdoors sporting event in the United Arab Emirates since the outbreak of the Iran War.

The 4-year-old American horse, ridden by Jose Ortiz and trained by Steve Asmussen, successfully resisted a determined effort from Japan's Forever Young with Ryusei Sakai on board, to win the almost $7 million first prize.

“When I looked to my side passing the 600 meters I saw Forever Young and I knew it was time to go,” Ortiz said “I knew Forever Young was going to be the horse to beat so I asked (Magnitude) to run and he was there for me.

“We knew we had a very good horse but obviously Forever Young was the best horse in the world and we had to respect that. But we knew we had a good enough horse to win the race and he showed up today.”

Meydaan was third, followed by Imperial Emperor, both Irish horses.

There was a total of €12 million in prize money for the 9-horse race.

It was Asmussen’s second win in the race after Curlin’s success in 2008. He has also won the Preakness twice and the Belmont once.

Magnitude jumped fast and went straight to the lead, hugging the rail. The Not This time four-year-old led by about a length from Forever Young until the field turned for home when it opened a wider margin.

Forever Young which was Japan Horse of the Year last year finished strongly and closed the gap to a length at the line.

The race went ahead despite the cancelation of other major sporting events in the region since the United States and Israel launched their initial attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

Formula 1 Grand Prix races scheduled for April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were both called off, while UEFA called off a soccer game between Argentina and Spain known as the Finalissima that was originally scheduled to be played in Qatar on Friday.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports