Ombudsman stamps authority on G1 Dubai Turf

Ombudsman secured a third top-level victory and kicked off a potentially momentous five-year-old campaign with an assured performance in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Night, Saturday, 28 March. 

The Night Of Thunder entire had already established himself as one of the world’s top horses during an exceptional 2025 for John & Thady Gosden that included dominant wins in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte International. 

Having his first start over nine furlongs, Ombudsman broke on terms and tacked over to race in sixth towards the outside of the field as Japanese challenger Gaia Force made the running from Elnajmm and Fort George. 

William Buick angled out with two furlongs left and Ombudsman took control of the race in a matter of strides, reeling in Gaia Force approaching the final furlong before powering clear to score by an easy two lengths over Quddwah. 

John Gosden said: “It's a great sense of relief. It's not easy coming out of a winter in England, bringing a horse in ready to run. I think he'll come on for the race, he was probably coming in here at 90 per cent, but it was enough to get the job done. I thought William was wise, he said ‘I'll give the ground away, go wide, lose the ground there but I want a clear run in the straight.’ I’m absolutely thrilled with him. 

“I was here for the first Dubai World Cup, Allen Paulson flying in Cigar, Bill Mott, Jerry Bailey. It's been a great run through and some credit to put this on. It's quite thrilling to be here tonight. 

“Ombudsman will go to Royal Ascot now for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and we will know where we go from there." 

William Buick added: “Congratulations Dubai. We have some beautiful racing, it's a pleasure to be part of, and Ombudsman showed there, first run of the year, what he can do. It was how we hoped it would happen, very smooth and he is going to have a very exciting year ahead. 

“It's an honour for me to ride for Godolphin and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Dubai World Cup night is the biggest night in horse racing, so to represent His Highness on his best horses and to have winners is a dream come true."