Al Shaqab takes major stake in Ruler of the World

Al Shaqab Racing has purchased a "significant interest" in the Coolmore-owned Ruler Of The World, last season's Epsom Derby winner.

The four-year-old Galileo colt will remain in training with Aidan O’Brien and will continue to be ridden by the Ballydoyle handler’s son, Joseph.

Ruler Of The World is due to contest the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday but will now run in the colours Al Shaqab Racing.

Al Shaqab's racing advisor Harry Herbert said: "Al Shaqab is delighted to be in partnership with John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and we are extremely excited to be participating in Saturday's World Cup."

A statement posted on www.coolmore.com read: “Al Shaqab Racing has purchased a significant interest in last year’s Epsom Derby winner Ruler Of The World.

“The son of Galileo will run in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing in partnership with the Coolmore triumvirate of Tabor/Smith/Magnier.

“He will remain in training with Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle and will continue to be ridden by Joseph O’Brien.

“Ruler Of The World who will retire to Coolmore at the end of his racing career is due to begin his season in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup where he heads a team of six trained by Aidan O’Brien.”

Ruler Of The World will have to defy a wide draw in stall 12 if he is to win at Meydan.

Last year’s winner Animal Kingdom broke from stall 12 so the berth is no barrier to success.

Ed Dunlop’s Red Cadeaux, second 12 months ago, fared even worse and will race from stall 14 in the 16-strong field, with William Haggas’s Mukhadram next door in 13.

Michael Stoute’s Hillstar fared better in seven, with Andrew Balding’s Side Glance in nine.

Vancouverite, African Story and Cat O’Mountain are respectively berthed in stalls three, six and 15 for the Godolphin team.

African Story’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor is also responsible for the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned Prince Bishop, who is drawn in gate one.

Hong Kong raiders Akeed Mofeed (four) and Military Attack (eight) are unlikely to have too many complaints.