Man of Iron to stay in England

Man of Iron, the regally bred winner of the Breeders' Cup Marathon at Santa Anita in November, has had his plans for a winter campaign in Dubai scuttled by new trainer Luca Cumani.

Sold by Derek Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor to Samanda Racing after his Breeders' Cup triumph, Man of Iron - a Giant's Causeway half-brother to Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags to Riches, as well as to Peter Pan winner Casino Drive - was transferred from Aidan O'Brien's County Kildare stableto Cumani's yard in Newmarket. Cumani had originally planned to send him to Dubai for some of the rich races at the new Meydan Racecourse, which opens on Jan. 28, but has changed his mind.

Instead, he will remain in England for a summer turf campaign, although Cumani has not ruled out a trip to Dubai next year.

Three other Breeders' Cup winners - Furthest Land, California Flag, and Vale of York - remain on course for Dubai World Cup Night on March 27. Dirt Mile winner Furthest Land, who runs in Saturday's San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita, is targeted for the newly enriched $10 million Dubai World Cup, while Turf Sprint winner California Flag, fresh from a game fifth in the Hong Kong Sprint on Dec. 13, is slated for the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint, a new six-furlong turf addition to the World Cup card, which now features seven Thoroughbred races totaling $26 million. Vale of York, the Godolphin-owned winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile,is already in Dubai preparing for both the UAE 2000 Guineas on Feb. 18 and the UAE Derby on World Cup Night.