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Famous stayers line the race history of the Dubai Sheema Classic run at Meydan on Saturday.

St Nicholas Abbey was a brilliant warrior for Aidan O’Brien and he won in 2013. Will the 2019 Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m) at Meydan on Saturday provide more of these elite horses?

2019 DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 race for stayers conducted by the Dubai Racing Club at Meydan.

The Dubai Sheema Classic was first run in 1998 won by Stowaway. It was previously known as the Dubai Turf Classic until 2000.

The Dubai Sheema Classic has always been at a mile and a half.

The race became a Group 1 in 2002 and when moved to Meydan from Nad Al Sheba.

It is run on Dubai World Cup night as the G1 featured turf staying race on the program.

No horse has won it multiple times but Frankie Dettori was joined by William Buick with most jockey wins at three.

Leading trainers are Saeed bin Suroor and John Gosden with two victories.

It has been very much a race for those with strong European form lines with elite stayers like Postponed, St Nicholas Abbey, Cirrus des Aigles, Rewilding and Fantastic Light to the fore.

However the Asian horses haven’t done badly either with Stay Gold, Heart’s Cry, Vengeance Of Rain and Gentildonna all winning.

After racing in Australia initially, Vengeance Of Rain went to Hong Kong and became a top stayer in those parts. In 2007 he ventured to World Cup night and defeated a solid field of stayers.

The Dubai Sheema Classic is worth US$6million in 2019.

The winners include Postponed (2016), Gentildonna (2014), St Nicholas Abbey (2013), Cirrus des Aigles (2012), Rewilding (2011), Dar Re Mi (2010), Sun Classique (2008), Vengeance Of Rain (2007), Heart’s Cry (2006), Phoenix Reach (2005), Nayef (2002) and Fantastic Light (2000).

The 2018 Dubai Sheema Classic was won by Hawkbill from Poet’s Word and Cloth Of Stars.