DUBAI, March 27: A strong international turnout is all set for Saturday’s $15.25 million World Cup horse race meeting despite the war in Iraq.

Officials have insisted all along the seven-race festival would go ahead even though other sporting events in the region have been affected. Dubai is about 1,400 km from Baghdad.

Dubai World Cup Committee chairman Les Benton said on Thursday: “We’ve had a fantastic response to all the races.

“The quality of the horses that has come this year — 45 international runners with 15 different countries represented from five continents — under the conditions round the world is very, very pleasing.

“I think the quality this year is second to none and it will be an unbelievable night of international racing.”

The figure of 45 includes 13 from the United States, though only one in the World Cup itself.

Top jockeys in action on Saturday include British-based Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon, Irish ace Johnny Murtagh, Australia’s Lenny Beasley, Frenchman Olivier Peslier and American duo Kent Desormeaux and John Velazquez.

However, leading U.S. riders Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens, who between them have won five of the previous seven World Cups, will be missing this time around.

Among big-name trainers with runners are England’s Michael Stoute, Marcus Tregoning and Mark Johnston, Andre Fabre, John Hammond and Elie Lellouche from France, Ireland’s Dermot Weld and Germany’s Andreas Wohler.

The major no-show has been from Japan where there were second thoughts last weekend about a projected 12-strong contingent but the U.S. runners remain, including Harlan’s Holiday who carries American hopes in the highlight of the night, the $6 million World Cup.

The colt’s trainer Todd Pletcher said on Thursday: “Coming from America, obviously security is a big topic so there’s concern any time you travel to a different area and you get that much closer to Iraq.

“But everyone over here assured us everything was peaceful here and it seems that way so far.”

He added: “One fear was if a horse was to get here and then travel restrictions not allow him to get back.”—Reuters