'Huge achievement' for Tadhg O’Shea as he prepares for first Dubai World Cup ride

Tadhg O’Shea has been riding for more than 20 years in the UAE. He is the all-time leading jockey with 665 winners and is on course to win an unprecedented 10th jockeys' championship title.

The Irishman will add another feather to his cap when he partners the Bhupat Seemar-trained Remorse in the Dh12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.

It will be his first outing in the Dubai World Cup – the showpiece racing event that he has been watching from outside the racetrack for two decades.

“Remorse is going to be a very special ride for me because I have been in Dubai for more than 20 years and never ridden in the Dubai World Cup,” he told The National.

“I was due to ride War Story in 2020 but unfortunately the Dubai World Cup was cancelled due to Covid.

“So this would be my very first ride in the Dubai World Cup. It’s an amazing race and a very tough competition but I’m privileged to be in the race which I think is the best in the world.”

O’Shea, 39, described his first ride in the 26th edition of the race as a “huge achievement”.

“I have worked very hard throughout the whole season from early October and to finish off the season riding in one of the most famous races in the world is very satisfying on a personal level,” he said.

“We know we are against some amazing horses. Remorse is in great form and he obviously is climbing through the ranks. He’s got to improve again to get in front of the other guys but it’s a great privilege and honour to be associated with a great race.”

Remorse has won three times in 13 starts and finished runner-up eight times. He made a winning reappearance this season and has been runner-up four times, the last time in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over