In one of the most dramatic finishes on Dubai World Cup night, Japan’s Soul Rush delivered a seismic shock in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1), mowing down Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior in the final strides to claim a famous victory at Meydan.
Ridden with perfect timing by Italian ace Cristian Demuro, Soul Rush surged late to deny the Romantic Warrior, widely regarded as the world’s premier turf horse with ten Group 1 victories across four countries: Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and Dubai.
The seven-year-old son of Rulership was gaining revenge for a narrow defeat to Romantic Warrior in a Tokyo Group 1 last June to confirm his class on the international stage with a performance of guts and precision.Coming into the race, Romantic Warrior was the huge favourite despite enduring a tough campaign, including a taxing runner-up finish behind Forever Young in the $20 million Saudi Cup last month.
Soul Rush, meanwhile, had quietly built an impressive resume, finishing second in the prestigious Hong Kong Mile in December and arriving in Dubai spot-on after a prep run in Japan.
The victory marks the fifth time Japan has lifted the Dubai Turf trophy, joining the ranks of Admire Moon (2007), Just A Way (2014), Real Steel (2016), and Almond Eye (2019). For Demuro, the win was a second triumph at Meydan following the 2022 Dubai Sheema Classic – aboard Shahryar.
While Romantic Warrior lost little in defeat, it was Soul Rush who stole the spotlight – and with it, one of the most coveted prizes on the Dubai World Cup night.
