Tacitus has minor injury, out of Dubai World Cup

Tacitus has sustained what appears to be a relatively minor injury but one that will keep him from racing March 27 in the Dubai World Cup.

Tacitus finished seventh, beaten more than 15 lengths, in the Saudi Cup on Feb. 20 and was shipped shortly thereafter to Dubai to prepare for the World Cup, which, at 1 1/4 miles around two turns rather than the one-turn 1 1/8 miles in Saudi Arabia, was thought to better fit his capabilities.

Instead, Tacitus for the second year in a row will have traveled to Dubai for the World Cup without getting to start in the race. The horse was there last March when COVID-19 forced the World Cup’s cancellation.

Garrett O’Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte Farm’s U.S. operation, said Tacitus has injured his hind end, perhaps banging his leg on something, and “was sore for a few days.”

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“They checked him out and recommended just to walk him for a few weeks. Hopefully nothing serious there, but everything has to go perfect for a race of that caliber,” O’Rourke said.

Five-year-old Tacitus, a Juddmonte homebred by Tapit, is a four-time winner from 16 starts with career earnings of about $3.75 million. O’Rourke said he’d discuss further 2021 plans with trainer Bill Mott once Tacitus returns to America with the rest of the U.S. horses from Dubai.