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25 Mar 2026
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25 Mar 2026
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John Gosden has explained that Ombudsman’s appearance in the Dubai Turf on Saturday is the culmination of a plan formulated with Sheikh Mohammed in October.
The five-year-old is expected to go off at short odds in the nine-furlong contest, after emerging as one of the best middle distance horses around last season.
He won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, was second to Delacroix in the Eclipse, won the Juddmonte International at York and was second to Calandagan on Champions Day.
“It’s been the plan since last year,” said Gosden. “After York and Ascot we thought we’d freshen up, come here.
“It is the 30th year here and I think it’s important to come and it’s been very much the plan, (one) I discussed with Sheikh Mohammed (owner) back in October at the yearling sales in Newmarket, so we made this the target.
“He’s bigger and stronger now and he’s a horse who’s got better with age.
“I suppose if you give them the chance, most of them will. But certainly his physique has developed, and he’s a more professional horse.
“He’s still edgy, he likes to look at everything. He’s got a very inquisitive mind. He likes to play and any excuse to play about, he goes for it.”
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