One of American’s finest thoroughbreds – Curlin – last year’s Breeder’s Cup winner will make his first start of 2008 in the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse Dubai Cup on March 29th, stated his majority owner Jess Jackson.

“We feel the best thing to do for Curlin is to take him to Dubai and point him to the (Dubai) World Cup,” Jackson said during a February 3rd release. “We weighed the pros and cons of taking him overseas or kicking off 2008 in the United States. So as long as he’s fit and healthy, it comes down to the fact that Curlin has earned the chance to compete in the Dubai World Cup and has the opportunity to continue making history as an international champion”.

Curlin has been trained by Steve Asmussen; and it finished his three year old season with earnings of $5.102.800 from a record of 6-1-2 from nine starts. Asmussen said that the idea is to put Curlin to compete in a race for $175,000 for 2,000 meters, which is the same distance as in the World Cup. Hopefully this will prepare him for the big race. “I love the month between (the prep and the World Cup), the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic,” Asmussen said. “The quarantine stuff will be out of the way, and he will have a month to get ready.

The horse likes to know where he’s at. The second time he ran at Belmont was better than the first; the second time he ran at Monmouth was better than the first. And I believe if it’s in black and white like that, it’s true.”The plan is to have everything ready and to arrive in Dubai on February the 16th. Trainer Asmussen also wants Curlin to have another workout at Fair Grounds. The plans for the colt after the World Cup will not be di closed until after the trip.

“I deeply care about improving the state of thoroughbred racing as well as the horse industry in general,” Jackson said. “We, as the owners of Curlin, are trying to do our part to help. Fellow owners and I have joined others in the industry in a broad-based nationwide effort to elevate the industry in a variety of ways, and this campaign is one of the more visible.”

The American highest rated colt Curlin has lately made another impressive win at the world’s richest race in Dubai. The young offspring which was sired by Smart Strike and female Sherriff’s Deputy; both of Canadian descent was foaled in March 2004. This four-year old colt is property of the Midnight Cry Stables, Stonestreet Farm.

After coming from a major win at the Breeders’ Cup at the end of 2007; Curlin surprised the racing world with an easy victory last Saturday at the Nad Al Sheba race tracks in Dubai. The colt was ridden by Robby Albarado and trained by the famous, long-time people’s favourite Steve Asmussen whose training was giving most of the credit for the triumph achieved by Curlin besides the incredible skills and potency shown by the horse.

Albarado stated “This is such an amazing horse and I am honoured to ride such a great creature.” “I am just the pilot. They do the work and I just turn up and get all the glory, all I do is just hang on to him.

Curlin’s trainer Asmussen stated “it is a dream come true” for his professional career and a personal achievement to be part of the winner’s current success and affirms the colt has not yet reached its entire potential. Asmussen who is a clear visionary believes the North American tracks will see much more of Curlin this year; but for now it was time to come back home and take a well-deserved rest especially after the 22-hour returning flight.

Amongst Curlin’s eleven rivals were Asiatic Boy (second place) trained by Mike de Kock and American horse Well Armed (third place) trained by Irishman Eoin Harty. In fourth place we have A.P. Arrow then Greg Hunter, Lucky Find and let’s not forget Jalil from the Godolphin stables which was a real disappointment due to the weak performance followed by Gloria De Campeao, Premium Tap, Sway Yed, Kocab and the Japanese Vermilion.

Curlin’s sensational ran started well from the beginning while Well Armed led the race in first place and Asiatic Boy in second position for most of the 1 ¼ mile then Albarado made his move and the bright brown colour colt cruised through the remaining of the race length establishing a new World Cup record. There was no doubt which was the best horse.

With this new win Curlin’s career earnings summed up $8,807,800 approximately and it moves into third position in the North American horse racing list just behind Cigar and Skip Away. Some of Curlin’s major racing wins have been: Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Jockey Club Gold Cup all in 2007; the American Classics Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup (2007), American Horse of the Year Award – 2007 and the 2008 Dubai World Cup considered the best accomplishment up to now.