Dishing the Dirt - Edition #10

Forever Young

THE SAUDI CUP WINNER ENDURES DEFEAT

Forever Young, impressive winner of the 2025 9f Saudi Cup took a huge defeat back in Dubai in the 10f UAE World Cup. Major upset by the Brad Cox 80-1 longshot Hit Show. Candy Ride's boy strikes late in the game again, even beating out Gun Runner for the big trophy when he attempted it back in 2017.

Hit Show and Forever Young will meet back up again in November for the Breeder's Cup Classic along with a set of fresh new 3 year olds in the gate. Missing will be Ushba Tesoro this time around. They finally retired him.

With the 39 starts, Ushba Tesoro wins the trophy for the highest paid Japanese Thoroughbred of all time. The quirky horse who was always decked out in bright neon yellow, raked in an astonishing $18,800,000 over the span of his long career.

Ushba's very first race was back on 8/25/2019.

It took him 7 tries before he broke his maiden on 4/26/2020.

After that, another eight unsuccessful performances before posting a second win - over one year later.

It took all that time for his connections to finally figure out that this guy refused to run in the heat. No more Summer events for Ushba. What a cool horse he was on that track.

Forever Young may have always had the respect over this guy at the betting windows, but at least Ushba Tesoro can boast that he took home that 2023 UAE World Cup Trophy and was not outsmarted by two American longshots!

Wishing him health and longevity in his new career of rest.

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JAMIE OSBORNE

It isn't too often when this sport brings a tear to your eye and most times that is usually reserved for when you receive word of a tragedy. Sometimes it comes when a certain horse enters a gate and he sparks something in you.

That may have happened with Heart of Honor because of Honor A.P. in the UAE Derby, but it also struck a cord with his trainer as well.

Way back in 2014, directly after his horse, Toast of New York, took second place in a gallant effort behind Shared Belief in the Pacific Classic, Mr. Osborne was interviewed about the defeat in the race. You could see the disappointment in his face, but the way he talked and the way he carried himself was magnificent. It was one of the most endearing moments and his words were so genuine for a man who had just traveled so far to watch his horse compete, only to come up short of the win.

Something I will never forget. I loved him from that moment on. Horsemen like that just do not exist on this side of the world.

I'll find that interview and post it in the thread. I wish him all the success in the world if he were to take a chance in our Triple Crown.

Here is a video of Jamie Osborne as he watched his horse, Heart of Honor, fighting gallantly down that stretch against Admire Daytona in the UAE Derby this past weekend - only to come up short just like Toast of New York in the Pacific Classic. This is what pure disappointment looks like. He really wanted his horse to win. I really wish they both took that trophy home.

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"RACE FOR THE CROWN"

Premiering on Netflix on April 22nd, a new series that follows owners and jockeys over the course of the racing season will be a huge welcome for racing enthusiasts. This 6-episode "behind the scenes" documentary is such a fantastic chance to get a glimpse into their thoughts, tactics, wins and losses.

It would have been perfection if it was geared more towards the trainers as opposed to the owners but who's complaining?! Although, we are sure to get that cringe worthy feeling when Repole shows up on screen.

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CONGRATS! IT'S A GIRL!

Two new baby girls have unveiled themselves to the world recently.

The first is a shocker but we'll see how things progress when this new filly is old enough to go out all by herself to the nearest race track.

She is the offspring of Justify and Together Forever (Galileo).

This set of parents should spark some memory because it wasn't too long ago when both were making the headlines with their over-achieving first born son.

The new girl is a FULL SISTER to the incomparable, Horse of the Year, CITY OF TROY. She has some mighty big shoes to fill.

Then we have yet another important addition to the stables overseas.

This time with World Champion, Equinox and Japan's brilliant white superstar, Sodashi. Looks like the little two-month old takes after her father's good looks!

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SPEAKING OF OVERSEAS

One of the more recent additions to the Chefs-de-Course list, Dubawi, who is a very rare Intermediate and Solid Chef, continues along with his dominance as a leading and unstoppable Stallion for Dalham Hall Stud - Darley.

This sire had recorded 60 Group 1 winners by the end of this past January and was awarded the BBA Silver Cigar Box as the leading British-based stallion by earnings for a record-extending TENTH TIME.

He also took the British EBF Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup as well. No wonder he still commands £350,000 ($383,285) for a quick romp in the hay.

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IN MEMORY

FEROCIOUS (2022 - 2025) Began his career with one of the best debuts of the crop. Gone too soon.

MISS MACY SUE (2003 - 2025) Dam of Liam's Map and Not This Time. She won 11 races in her career including back to back wins in the Saylorville Stakes.

MICHAEL O'SULLIVAN (2000 - 2025) Young Irish Jockey who lost his life from injuries sustained after a spill on the track at Thurles.

BOOK'EM (2022-2025) Promising young filly trained by Bret Calhoun who had 4 races at Churchill Downs as a 2 year old just beginning her career. She won three of those races and placed in the other.

VICTORY AVENUE (2021 - 2025) The son of Arrogate only competed two times before tragedy struck. This guy had a very bright future ahead of him. Another, gone too soon.