Imperial Emperor aiming to rule in World Cup
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 8 Feb 2026
Imperial Emperor is being primed for a second tilt at the Dubai World Cup following further Group One success at Meydan.
The six-year-old was bought for £60,000 from Godolphin in 2024 and has since gone on to collect in excess of £1 million in the Middle East.
The Deva Racing-owned gelding disappointed in the Dubai showpiece last season when coming home last of the 11 runners when he returned lame but Group One glory in the Al Maktoum Challenge last month has got connections excited again.
Ryan Tongue, managing director of Deva Racing, said: “He’s an exciting horse. He’s been brilliant and for the dream we’ve had he’s been fantastic.
“We were so disappointed last year with his run in the race. To be fair we didn’t think when we bought him that he was going to take us to the World Cup so we were just delighted to be there.
“He was disappointing but we found he had a slight knock after but he was fine the following day and he has come back even better this year.”
He picked up just short of £447,000 for his victory in the Al Maktoum Challenge and Tongue felt that race has served as perfect preparation.
He said: “The race just planned out really well for us. The draw where we were in stall eight did suit us because we don’t like a bit of kickback on the inside and we can always go around them.
“I think a few horses had a difficult passage through and we just had a plain sailing passage but the way he quickened down past the bend, down the straight was very impressive and Richie Mullen gets on so well with him. He was second in that race last year.
“He’s been an unbelievable horse, for Dubai anyway. Group Two mile in December, Group One last time and hopefully he’ll go and bag another Group Two and hopefully the Group One in March.”
But hopes of a European turf campaign have been dashed and Tongue added: “He’ll stay out there. He’s our Dubai hero really.”
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