Dubai World Cup attracts strong field of elite horses

A strong field of 119 horses from 15 countries will compete across nine races at the Dubai World Cup on Saturday.

The world's richest horse race for thoroughbreds features a total prize money of $30.5 million, including $12 million for the ninth main card, the 'Dubai World Cup'.

An elite group of horses will participate in the international evening, including 33 winners of Group 1 races in major world championships, in addition to 5 horses which won titles in the Dubai World Cup last season.

This is the second edition of the cup, which coincides with Ramadan, following the 2023 edition, which achieved great success, thanks to the efforts of the Dubai Racing Club, which set a model for seamless organisation during the holy month, reflecting Islamic culture and hospitality.

The Dubai World Cup was launched in 1996 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The maiden race in 1996 was won by Cigar, while Ushba Tesoro bagged the 2023 race.

Tesoro is back to defend his crown and will be bidding to become the second horse to win the Dubai World Cup twice in a row after Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s Thunder Snow became the first to achieve that feat in 2018 and 2019.

There are nine races in total at the Dubai World Cup:

• Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians ($1 million)
• Group 2 Godolphin Mile ($1 million)
• Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup ($1 million)
• Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint ($1.5 million)
• Group 2 UAE Derby ($1 million)
• Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen ($2 million)
• Group 1 Dubai Turf ($5 million)
• Dubai Sheema Classic ($6 million)
• Dubai World Cup ($12 million)