Magnitude makes all for World Cup glory

Steve Asmussen’s Magnitude won the 30th Dubai World Cup to give the trainer a second win in the race after Curlin won in 2008.

All eyes were on Japan’s Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Forever Young before the race, having added to his Del Mar success when defending his Saudi Cup crown last month.

However in Magnitude, America also had a horse arriving in Meydan in peak condition having taken the same two prep races that Asmussen’s Gun Runner did prior to finishing second to Arrogate in 2017.

Always to the fore in the hands of Jose Ortiz, the four-year-old never surrendered his position and although Forever Young fought hard to reel in his rival, Magnitude simply drew further clear as the winning post approached and the chasing pack wilted.

Forever Young would go one place better than 12 months ago for second, with Simon and Ed Crisford’s Meydann sticking on for the bronze medal.

While Asmussen was winning a second Dubai World Cup, it was a first for his jockey, who said: “I’m very happy and we knew we had a very good horse, but Forever Young is one of the best horses in the world and we had to respect that.

“It wasn’t really the plan to go to the front and we were leaving all options open. If he jumped well then we would go to the lead, but if somebody else jumped better than him then maybe just sit off the speed. The good thing is he is tactically versatile and he doesn’t have a running style.

“He broke well and he put me on the lead and I was very happy to be there.

“He felt great and when I looked to my side passing 600 metres and I saw Forever Young, I knew it was time to go and he was going to be the horse to beat. I asked him to run and he was there for me.

“To win the Dubai World Cup is a dream come true. I’m very happy to be here, I’m very happy for Steve who is back home and very happy for my family who I wish were here today.”

For owner Ron Winchell it was long-awaited compensation for Gun Runner’s reversal and he said: “This is indescribable, especially after Gun Runner finishing second.

“We knew coming back here we were packed with a very big horse, but it was a big effort and it payed off.

“We knew it would be a tough job to beat one of the world’s best racehorses (Forever Young), so to get that job done is unbelievable.”