LONDON // American Pharoah’s brilliance and durability just outshone Golden Horn when the American Triple Crown winner was named the world’s best racehorse on Tuesday.
American Pharoah became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes for 37 years last season and then augmented that historic achievement by adding on the Breeders’ Cup Classic in October.
It was his victory at Keeneland, where all seven of his rivals boasted a win at the highest level, that sealed his greatness according to the team of 22 international handicappers who compile the rankings.
The PioneerOf The Nile colt, who has retired to stud in Kentucky to stand for a fee of US$200,000 (Dh734,550), is the first dirt horse to top the rankings since 2008 when Curlin dominated the standings during his Dubai World Cup-winning season.
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American Pharoah could not quite reel in the great Cigar, however, and on 134 his rating remains 1lb shy of the inaugural Dubai World Cup winner back in the mid 1990s.
American Pharoah, who was trained by Bob Baffert, won seven of his eight starts in 2015 and was only beaten when chasing a furious pace set by Godolphin’s Frosted in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, a racecourse known as the “Graveyard of Champions”.
“He did it all,” Baffert said at the ceremony at Claridge’s Hotel in London.
“I’ve had a lot of talented horses but he just kept bringing it. He was that type of horse.”
The recognition comes just a few days after American Pharoah was voted unanimously Horse of the Year at the prestigious Eclipse Awards in the United States.
Baffert was joined at the ceremony by the entire cast of American Pharoah’s connections, including jockey Victor Espinoza and owner Ahmed Zayat.
“He was great for racing,” Zayat said. “He was the best of the best.
“No matter who came to see him he was cuddly, he was lovely, he was gentle. He was brilliantly smart. To be internationally recognised here is very special.
“American Pharoah is a horse of a lifetime. He has connected with everybody in America.”
Golden Horn, who has retired to Darley, thebreeding operation at Dalham Hall of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was considered the top turf horse in the world after six victories last year, including the Derby at Epsom and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The Arc was named as the best race in the world, after the judging panel looked at the first four horses home in top races around the world over the past three seasons.
Solow’s powerful Dubai Turf victory at Meydan Racecourse on World Cup night last March earned him joint-fifth place alongside Hong Kong’s Able Friend but behind France’s Treve and the ill-fated Shared Belief, who died in the United States in December.
The Dubai Turf was the highest-rated race staged in Dubai, with Prince Bishop’s surprise success in the Dubai World Cup placing him joint-27th in the standings. Dolniya’s Dubai Sheema Classic win put the French filly in 42nd spot.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
