Tadgh O’Shea dedicates Dubai World Cup win to 'biggest fan' - his late mother

Tadhg O’Shea dedicated his Dubai World Cup triumph – “my biggest career win” – to his late mother, Ann.

The Irishman scooped the $12 million Group 1 prize on the Bhupat Seemar-trained Laurel River to claim the biggest race of his career at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.

He completed a Group 1 double on the night after steering another Seemar-trained runner, Tuz, to victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Saturday's Dubai World Cup win was the crowning glory on what is already a standout career for O'Shea. He’s out on his own as the all-time leading jockey in the UAE with 779 winners and counting, and the UAE champion jockey-elect for a record-extending 12th time this season.

Despite the record, winning the Dubai World Cup had been a distant dream for the Irishman. That was until Saturday.

“My mother passed away on February 17 last year. She was my biggest fan and supporter and she definitely was on my shoulder on the night,” O’Shea told The National a day after his triumph.

“These things normally don’t happen. Some of the other jockeys have their big days every week. I’m sure she was pushing me or keeping the rest back from above.”

O’Shea has twice rode in the big race, riding Remorse to sixth in 2022 and finishing ninth on the same horse the following year.

“This obviously was my biggest win and to win two Group 1 prizes on the same night was amazing. I rode twice in the World Cup in the last two years and thankfully third time lucky,” he said.

O’Shea broke well from the widest draw of 12 runners and settled Laurel River in front after the first furlong. He was 10 lengths ahead of the chasing pack when turning for home and eventually came out eight and-a-half lengths ahead of last year’s winner Ushba Tesoro and the $20