Dubai World Cup: Country Grammer wins for Frankie Dettori & Bob Baffert

Country Grammer won the Dubai World Cup under Frankie Dettori for controversial American trainer Bob Baffert.

The 7-1 chance surged late to win from Hot Red Charlie and Chuwa Wizard as favourite Life Is Good faded.

The Baffert-trained Medina Spirit's victory in the 2021 Kentucky Derby was nullified due to the presence of a banned drug in his system and the trainer was suspended.

Earlier, Dettori dead-heated on Lord North with Japanese runner Panthalassa.

Defending champion Lord North, trained in Newmarket by John and Thady Gosden, shared the spoils in the Dubai Turf at Meydan.

Japan dominated the meeting with four other winners - Bathrat Leon, Stay Foolish, Crown Pride and Shahryar.

Shahryar won the Dubai Sheema Classic from the fast-finishing Yibir, ridden by William Buick for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby.

A Case Of You beat Happy Romance and Man Of Promise to land the Al Quoz Sprint for Irish trainer Ado McGuinness.

Dettori was claiming a fourth Dubai World Cup win after triumphs on Dubai Millennium (2000), Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006).

"This is an important race, and Dubai has taken up a good chunk of my life. Coming back it was as if I'm part of the furniture," said Dettori, 51.

Country Grammer is owned by Amr Zeddan, who has been linked recently with a bid for Chelsea Football Club and has defended Baffert, who is currently suspended by Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Johan wins Lincoln Handicap

Johan won the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on his first start for trainer Mick Channon.

The 28-1 shot, a six-time winner for William Haggas, switched to Channon's team during the off season.

The five-year-old took the Flat-season curtain-raiser by a length and a quarter under Silvestre de Sousa after taking the lead in the final furlong.

Early leader Saleymm finished a clear second, as Rogue Bear beat Irish Admiral to third place.

The previously unbeaten Mujtaba, favourite at 3-1 and trained by Haggas, trailed home in 12th.

"He travelled brilliant," Brazilian De Sousa, 41, said of Johan. "I tracked the lead horse and put the race to bed when I asked him to go."

Three-time champion jockey De Sousa, who is a freelance after losing his retained rider role with King Power Racing, added: "This win is a big help and I just hope all the trainers can look at that and give me support."

Persian Force, trained by Richard Hannon, was an impressive winner of the Brocklesby Stakes.

He spearheaded a treble for jockey Rossa Ryan, who followed up on Arthur's Realm in the Spring Mile and Chindit in the Doncaster Mile.

There were delays to racing at Kelso as jockey Conner McCann required medical attention following a fall. He was taken to hospital for further assessment.

Jockey Benoit de la Sayette won his first race on returning from a six-month ban after testing positive for cocaine - guiding 14-1 chance Rubbeldiekatz to victory at Wolverhampton.