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Seven international horses targeting several Group 1 races have been nominated by stables from Japan and the UK ahead of the upcoming $46 million six-week Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

Amongst those to arrive in Sydney in coming weeks is Dubai Honour, trained by William Haggas, who previously won the 2023 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens and 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.

Dubai Honour’s main goal will be the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12 at Royal Randwick.

Dubai Honour returns to Sydney in 2025 for The Star Championships.

The Haggas stable is also bringing Desert Hero, owned by His Majesty King Charles III, with that galloper heading to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes or Group 1 $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup run on the same day.

A third Haggas runner in Al Mubhir has been entered for the Group 1 $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile (April 5, Royal Randwick) as well as the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Three horses from Japan will head to Sydney – Geoglyph for trainer Tetsuya Kimura (The Star Doncaster), Rousham Park (Hiroyasu Tanaka/Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and Cils Blancs (Yukio Inagaki/Schweppes Sydney Cup).

And the James Ferguson trained Mrs Morrell – a winner of races over 1200m and 1400m – will target shorter races during the Sydney Autumn.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said the international contingent contained several Group 1 and Group 2 winners.

“This group of horses heading to Sydney are amongst some of the best in recent years and pleasingly are nominated across a range of races and distances,’’ Mr Ramdhani said.

“William Haggas has an incredible success rate in Sydney and we especially look forward to seeing his champion Dubai Honour return.

“There will also be great interest in His Majesty’s horse as he possibly runs in our Autumn flagship middle distance race named in his mother’s honour.

“We are also delighted to see more Japanese horses from different stables heading back to Sydney to take on Australia’s very best.

“The growing number of trainers and owners heading to Sydney for our major races is a testament to the quality of the quarantine facilities, racing and training facilities, and the world-class hospitality shown to international visitors.’’

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