On an evening where many were hoping that the retiring Frankie Dettori would be the star, it was Japanese champion jockey Yuga Kawada who stole the thunder with a flawless, no-nonsense ride aboard Ushba Tesoro to win the 27th edition of the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1).
It was a performance that the legendary Italian himself would surely have been very proud of as it continued Japan’s domination of the big race meeting at Meydan.
Even as hopes of finally winning the Dubai showpiece must have briefly flashed through James Doyle’s mind when Algiers led approaching the final, there was never any doubt that Ushba Tesoro would deny him that glory, the moment he changed gears on the wide outside of the 15-strong field.
As the Meydan audience went wild and roared to their heart’s content, Ushba Tesoro and Kawada reined in Algiers to cross the finish line two and three-quarters lengths clear with 2021 Saudi Cup victor Emblem Road a short head back in third.
Ushba Tesoro was only the second Japanese-trained horse to win the Dubai World Cup following Victoire Pisa in 2011 and the 37-year-old Kawada said he was proud to have delivered on the biggest stage.
