UAE Derby
The race attracted a field of twelve runners: ten from the United Kingdom, one from Ireland and one from South Africa. There were no challengers from continental Europe. The Godolphin stable fielded three runners: Sulamani, the winner of the Prix du Jockey Club and the Dubai Sheema Classic, Leadership the winner of the Gran Premio di Milano and Grandera the winner of the Singapore Airlines International Cup, Prince of Wales's Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes. The other British trained runners included Nayef (Champion Stakes, Dubai Sheema Classic, International Stakes, Prince of Wales's Stakes), Kris Kin (Epsom Derby), Falbrav (Japan Cup, Eclipse Stakes), Warrsan (Coronation Cup) and the St Leger Stakes winners Millenary and Bollin Eric. The South African trainer Mike de Kock sent Victory Moon, a horse who had been campaigned successfully in Dubai, winning the UAE Derby. The only Irish runner was Alamshar who had finished third to Kris Kin in the Epom Derby before defeating Dalakhani in the Irish Derby at the Curragh. Nayef headed the betting at odds of 3/1 ahead of Kris Kin (7/2), Sulamani (9/2) and Alamshar (13/2).