Dubai World Cup Diaries: Chrome Shines

The Dubai World Cup is a spectacle like nothing else on Earth. Between the world-class entertainment, the breathtaking venue, and the unparalleled racing action, there was something for everyone to love on Dubai World Cup Day on Saturday afternoon. Since the main event for American audiences on Saturday was the $10 million Dubai World Cup, I’m going to focus this photoblog on the big race and the scene surrounding it.

And what a scene it was! Even though the Dubai World Cup races weren’t scheduled to start until 3:45 in the afternoon (night racing makes a lot of sense when you’re right on the edge of the desert) I decided to get on the earliest media bus to the track on Saturday since I didn’t want to miss a moment of what promised to be an incredible day. I’m so glad that I made that call, too: not only because I wanted to see the sights, but I also felt a strong urge to hit up the track gift shop.

I may need a horse racing hat intervention. Seriously: that’s not even all of the hats I bought on this trip. Help me. 
After making sure that I had an assortment of the finest lids that Dubai had to offer, I headed out into the afternoon sunshine to check out what entertainment options were on hand for fans arriving at Meydan Racecourse for Dubai World Cup day. 
I saw this man, who manipulated a crystal orb like he was David Bowie in “Labyrinth.” 

There were men and women who spun in what looked like giant hula-hoops, and acrobats and contortionists who climbed to incredible heights while balanced on unicycles.

Amazing entertainment for fans at @DRC_Meydan for #DubaiWorldCup day! #DWC16 pic.twitter.com/UX1MKr364M
— Americas Best Racing (@ABRLive) March 26, 2016

I also took some time out to check out some of the sensational style on display at Meydan. Horse racing fans from all over the globe had assembled in Dubai for World Cup Day, and all were wearing their absolute finest for the richest horse race on Earth. 

There was a lot of hometown pride apparent, too; from this man, images of the UAE flag, the Dubai World Cup, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum were evident throughout the day of racing.

And their patriotism was rewarded when Sheikh Mohammed, ruler of Dubai, strolled throughout the facility, often stopping to talk to his subjects and greet children.

I, however, was very busy being distracted by the various trophies up for grabs on World Cup Day. While I would be more than happy to stuff any of them in my luggage, my favorites were the United Arabic Emirates Derby trophy (has a horse on top of it), the Dubai Golden Shaheen trophy (has a falcon on top of it!), and the Dubai World Cup trophy (is approximately four feet tall, made of solid gold, and has palm trees, the Earth, *and* horses on top of it).

Before the Dubai World Cup, I also got a chance to catch up with some of my fellow racing media present at the event. I ran into Acacia Courtney from Horse Racing Radio Network hanging out with Horse Player Now’s Candice Hare:

I saw broadcaster extraordinaire Zoe Cadman slaying as the post-race jockey interviewer, a job done on horseback:

The Blood-Horse’s Claire Novak and I got in a selfie in front of the World Cup trophy: 

.@BH_CNovak and I got a chance to get up close and personal with the #DubaiWorldCup trophy today!! #DWC16 pic.twitter.com/nJzPXrRRoH
— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) March 26, 2016

And I got a chance to hang out with Horse Racing Radio Network’s Acacia Courtney and TVG’s Ren Carothers:

#TeamAmerica is excited for #DubaiWorldCup! pic.twitter.com/BikyDyJouI
— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) March 26, 2016

By that time, the hour of the World Cup was drawing near. Before the most important races of the day commenced, a massive fireworks display lit up the night, welcoming one and all to horse racing’s World Cup.

Opening ceremonies underway at @DRC_Meydan for #DubaiWorldCup day! pic.twitter.com/DSmjLNf3bV
— Americas Best Racing (@ABRLive) March 26, 2016

Once the ceremony was over, the racing began; and before I knew it, the World Cup was upon us. I hustled to the paddock to secure a good spot to see the contenders as they came in, and I managed to see each of the American contenders in the minutes before they vied for global glory in the World Cup. 
Keen Ice was the first of all the Thoroughbreds to emerge from the saddling enclosure and into the walking ring:

Mshawish, who had looked so great training all week, was the next to make an appearance:

The elusive but lovely Frosted, who trained at his owner Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum’s private facility since his arrival in Dubai, looked splendid when I finally laid eyes on him.

One of my perennial favorites, Hoppertunity, came out with his golden-bay coat gleaming:

Finally, the last and most universally anticipated American horse emerged from the saddling paddock and into the walking ring: California Chrome. 

The crowd strained forward to get a closer look at him, but California Chrome and his human leaders Raul and Dihigi calmly marched around the paddock, waiting for their signal to move to the racetrack. 

Moments later, the Dubai World Cup jockeys appeared in the walking ring to meet up with their horses and receive last-minute instructions from trainers.

Finally, the call for riders up sounded, and the jockeys united with their mounts to head out to the track for the richest horse race on the planet. 

As the horses warmed up for the race of their lives on the track, I sprinted for my position on the rail of the dirt course to make sure that I was in my spot and had my cameras at their correct settings with plenty of time before the starting gates opened for the World Cup. 
After a few more minutes that felt like decades due to my nerves, the World Cup runners were warmed up and loaded into the barriers. With a clang of bells and a roar from the crowd, the gates flew open and 12 elite Thoroughbreds and their jockeys exploded onto the dirt course for the race of their lives. 

As the horses thundered past me for the first time, I kept my lens trained on California Chrome. Although he was running with ease, my heart was in my throat because the 2016 Dubai World Cup was looking eerily similar to his same race last year when he finished second. 

As the horses raced down the back, I kept my camera focused on the big video board in the infield that showed the racing action. Chrome was running with ease, but I was still anxious. I couldn’t help it: my heart wanted the gallant copper-bright chestnut to win.

When I heard the crowd noise as the horses headed into the home stretch, I knew I was watching a special performance.

What I didn’t realize was how special this win truly was. Somewhere in the stretch on the run for the finish line, California Chrome’s saddle slipped back. And not just a little bit: I have never seen a saddle so far back on a horse in my life.

The girth (the belt-like piece of equipment that holds that saddle in place) is supposed to be secured just behind a horse’s forelegs; here, you can see that California Chrome’s has slipped back nearly to his hindquarters. 

I have no idea how Victor Espinoza managed to stay on California Chrome’s back with the saddle like that. Further, I have no idea how he went on to ride a tough, grueling race and win against the best racehorses in the world despite having a jockey’s greatest tool – their balance in the saddle – removed from the equation. For a rider to simply stay on board in this situation takes an almost unimaginable act of athleticism. To persevere and win in these circumstances is nearly superhuman. My hat is off to Victor Espinoza. 
I wasn’t alone in my admiration: when California Chrome and Victor returned to the winner’s circle, fans and admirers surrounded them. Phones raised in the air to record every second California Chrome’s victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

As California Chrome and Victor Espinoza entered the winner’s circle, they were met by trainer Art Sherman and his family. I was nearly moved to tears by the gleeful reunion after Chrome’s win.

Moments later, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum himself arrived in splendid saffron robes and walked straight over to California Chrome to give the new Dubai World Cup winner a pat before posing with his daughter for the assembled photographers. 

Then it was time for the trophy presentation. California Chrome’s majority owner Perry Martin was first, accepting California Chrome’s massive Dubai World Cup trophy on behalf of the ownership group.

Then trainer Art Sherman, with his son and assistant trainer Alan, stepped up to receive their trophy of a solid gold riding crop.

Jockey Victor Espinoza then received his well-earned reward for the incredible ride he put in to win the World Cup:

All the while, fans from America looked on from the stands and cheered their support for the hometown horse who has captured the world’s heart.

As fireworks rose above the trophy presentation platform, the 2016 Dubai World Cup drew to a close. Though the big show may be over for this year, I think this is one World Cup that will live on in people’s memories for quite some time. Thank you so much for joining me on this unforgettable experience, and let me know what your favorite part of World Cup week was in the comments!