DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 26 (UPI) -- The clear-cut winner on World Cup Day, in dollars or dirhams, was the home team, Godolphin Racing. But the emotional victory belonged to Japan.
Godolphin, owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and mastermind behind the World Cup, won three of the seven Thoroughbred races on the card and finished third in two others, including the Cup itself.
But the Japanese standard-bearers, by finishing first and second in the $10 million, Group 1 World Cup -- the world's richest race -- provided a bright spot for their beleaguered nation, which eagerly follows the races.
Singapore, South Africa and England accounted for the other four races as the United States suffered a rare wipeout. Horses who had run in Hong Kong did well throughout the card.
Transcend, an up-and-coming Japanese star, led the classy international field down the stretch in the World Cup. Only in the final yards, with a last, desperate effort, was jockey Mirco Demuro able to get his mount, Victoire Pisa, up to win by 1/2 length.
Monterosso, from the Godolphin stable, finished third.
Tears flowed freely among the Japanese contingent in the winner's circle.
"I just wanted to give a good ride to my horse for the Japanese people," said Demuro. "But to win makes this the most fantastic race of my life."
Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii added through an interpreter, "As you know, there was an earthquake and tsunami in Japan and people are very down. But thanks to Sheik Mohammed, we had three horses in the Dubai World Cup and all of them would give the Japanese hope. But to win is the greatest gift for the Japanese people."
The third Japanese entry, Buena Vista, appeared to be involved in some severe bumping and traffic problems midway down the backstretch and never worked her way back into contention.
Of the three U.S. starters, only Gio Ponti earned purse money, finishing fifth.
For Godolphin, third place in the Cup was a bonus after an already successful night.
Jockey Frankie Dettori got the home team off to a flying start with his trademark flying leap after winning the $1 million Godolphin Mile aboard Skysurfers. Godolphin came right back in the next race, the $2 million U.A.E. Derby, as their Oaks-winning filly, Khawlah, scored an unusual double with a close win over Irish-trained Master of Hounds. The final score for Godolphin came on the next-to-last race of the evening, the $5 million Sheema Classic, as Rewilding roared down the middle of the course to win by a clear margin.
The horses who finished 1-2 in last December's Hong Kong Sprint both won on the World Cup card.
J J the Jet Plane, a South African runner who won in Hong Kong and had shown a dislike for the artificial surface at Meydan, returned to the grass and fought through traffic to win the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint narrowly over War Artist.
The Hong Kong runner-up, Singapore-based Rocket Man, rocketed to victory in the $2 million Golden Shaheen over the all-weather course.
Presvis, based in England for trainer Luca Cumani, won the $5 million Dubai Duty Free.
