The US$2 million Group Two UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group received 136 horses entered, with a strong international contingent that will be seeking to break the stranglehold by UAE-based trainer Saeed bin Suroor and South Africa's Mike de Kock who are the only conditioners to win in 12-year history of the race.

Last year Saeed bin Suroor secured a record seventh win as the Godolphin-owned filly Khawlah bested a field of 14 to become the first filly to defeat the colts in the 1,900 metre contest for three-year-olds on the all-weather surface.

First run in 2000, Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor caputured the runnings in 2000-02, 2005-06, and 2009 and 2011. Mike de Kock has countered with five wins coming in 2003-04, 2007-08, and 2010.

Surprisingly, those trainers that have dominated the race have only two and three entries, respectively.

32 entries prepared by other UAE-based conditioners could maintain the streak.

Singapore connections experienced their first win on the Dubai World Cup programme last year as Rocket Man won the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Now Singapore Turf Club based trainers, Steven Burridge and Michael Freedman will look to add the UAE Derby to the trophy chest for Singapore racing.

Ip Man and Dark Matter, are under the care of Steven Burridge and have both won their recent outings at the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Trainer Michael Freedman will be represented by Cash Luck, a recent four-length winner at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore. The three-year-old gelded son of Bradbury’s Luck is scheduled for an early February flight to Dubai and will be accompanied by stablemates Better Be The One (Dubai Golden Shaheen),The Comedian (Godolphin Mile) and Always Certain (Dubai Duty Free).

The USA has 45 entries and Great Britain 15.
Australia is represented by multiple Group winner Helmet trained by Peter Snowden.

Irish trainer Aiden O’Brien has 2 entries Daddylonglegs & 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote.