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Calandagan given green light to run in Sheema Classic
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Calandagan has been given the go ahead to run in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan next week.
Officially rated the best horse in the world following a Japan Cup victory to add to his incredible success in Europe, his participation had been in some doubt due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Given his owners, the Aga Khan Studs, already have staff in Dubai looking after their other World Cup night runner Rayevka, his connections believe they have sufficient information available to make an informed decision.
Nemone Routh, racing manager for the family, said: “We’ve been very happy with Calandagan.
“This race has always been his target as we weren’t keen on sending him to Hong Kong. He had an entry, but we didn’t think it was the right race as it would have been a difficult start to the year to go out there.
“If we didn’t run in Dubai then we’d have been looking at races in the summer. He’s in great form and we already have a filly out there with staff. We’ve been keeping in close contact with them.
“We’ve assessed the whole situation, worked the horse again this morning and he’s in great form so we’ve taken the decision to send him and run him next weekend.”
This year’s World Cup night will have a slightly different feel to it with Aidan O’Brien not having a runner, reduced American and Japanese runners and a much smaller than usual cohort from the UK due to the disruption.
Meanwhile, Saeed bin Suroor insists it is “business as usual” out in Dubai just over a week away from World Cup night.
“We’re looking forward to next Saturday,” Bin Suroor told the Press Association. “We’ll be running Dubai Future in the Gold Cup, I took him for some work to Meydan the other day with Passion And Glory and he worked well so we’re looking for a good run.
“We’re just carrying on as normal. It is not like you see in the media, it’s much calmer, as you would say it’s business as usual.
“Everything is open, the malls, the restaurants, the streets are busy. Life is normal here in the UAE.
“Hopefully it is over soon. Shortly after World Cup night I will be back in Newmarket.”
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