Wathnan Racing’s Kentucky-bred Hit Show ran down Mixto late to win the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan on Saturday, April 5. With the impressive rallying victory, Hit Show earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1.

“Only at the 100m did I think I could win,” said winning rider Florent Geroux. “When I passed a lot of horses. Forever Young (JPN) was my target and he was not traveling at all. I tried to find another horse to follow. From there, my horse was game. For some reason, he just runs for me all the time. He is amazing.”

Winning trainer Brad Cox said of the lucrative score, “I still can’t quite believe it, it’s unbelievable. I would have loved to be there but just with so much going on with these three-year-olds and trying to get to the (Kentucky) Derby, I couldn’t make it. However, he was in good hands with the people I sent over with him. It’s a great accomplishment and we have a great team that allows us to spread ourselves out and travel when the opportunities are there.

“He ran a great race in California, and it set him up well,” Cox added. “The mile-and-a-quarter is his trip. He ran well in the Kentucky Derby and out to a mile-and-a-half in the Belmont but he hasn’t got out in trip properly until his last two starts. We always knew that ground was his thing. The further the better. He’s a classy horse. He’s shipped all over and now he’s a Dubai World Cup winner.”

Consistency Key for Hit Show

Bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West Stables, Hit Show is a son of Candy Ride (ARG) out of the Tapit mare Actress. With his Duba World Cup triumph, Hit Show improved his record to 18-9-1-1 with total earnings of nearly $8.5 million. In his previous start, Hit Show finished third in the Santa Anita H. (G1). He annexed the Louisiana S. (G3) at Fair Grounds in his seasonal debut in January.

In 2024, Hit Show notched graded victories in the Fayette S. (G2), the Lukas Classic S. (G2), and the West Virginia Governor’s S. (G3). He won the Withers S. (G3) in 2023 and finished second in that year’s Wood Memorial S. (G2).