Japan star Rey de Oro to contest Group 1 Sheema Classic in Dubai
The son of top stallion King Kamehameha is owned by U Carrot Farm and trained by iconic 11-time national champion conditioner Kazuo Fujisawa, who was eighth in the 2009 Group 1 Dubai World Cup with second choice Casino Drive.
Rey de Oro was unanimously voted as champion sophomore of 2017 in his native country, following a season capped by a valiant second in the prestigious Group 1Japan Cup in late November behind Cheval Grand. In that effort, he defeated popular seven-time Group I winner Kitasan Black, who returned to land the Group 1 Arima Kinen a month later.
On the other side of the world, the third-rated horse in the world, Cracksman, is being considered for the Dubai Sheema Classic, as well, according to Racing Post reports. Owned by Anthony Oppenheimer, the son of the great Frankel is trained by two-time race winner John Gosden, who landed last year’s edition with Godolphin’s Jack Hobbs.