Frankie Dettori and John Gosden, old acquaintances, had a joyous reunion at Meydan in Dubai on Wednesday morning. Dettori, who recently bid farewell to his racing career in Britain on Champions Day at Ascot, has since relocated to California and is relishing victories at Santa Anita and other racing venues.
Having shared a longstanding partnership, Frankie Dettori and John Gosden have enjoyed numerous triumphs together over the years. Among their notable achievements, the remarkable Lord North stands out. Now at the age of eight, Lord North will be vying for an impressive fourth win in the Dubai Turf on Saturday. In preparation for the momentous occasion, Dettori took the reins and guided Lord North during a training session on the track.
Gosden observed the proceedings with keen interest and expressed satisfaction with both his horse and jockey.
"Frankie appears to be in excellent shape," he remarked. "He's riding with a level of fitness and agility that surpasses anything I've witnessed before."
On World Cup night, John Gosden and his son Thady will have a total of four contenders participating. Alongside Lord North in the Turf, Nashwa, ridden by Hollie Doyle, will join the race. In addition, Trawlerman, piloted by Kieran Shoemark, will compete in the Gold Cup, while Emily Upjohn, also ridden by Shoemark, will take part in the Sheema Classic.
The non-participation of a well-known Japanese superstar in the Sheema Classic is advantageous for all contenders, and Gosden acknowledges that luck will play a crucial role for his runners.
"We're counting on favourable circumstances during the race, especially in the Sheema Classic where the absence of Equinox works in our favour," he stated, emphasizing the importance of fortuitous outcomes during the event.