DUBAI: The focus keyphrase Dubai World Cup 2025 stole the spotlight last night as ‘Hit Show’ galloped into history, winning the $12 million main race at the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup 2025, held at the iconic Meydan Racecourse.
The Qatari-owned champion, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, outpaced global contenders in a thrilling 2:03:50 finish, beating American runner Mixto and Japanese favourite Forever Young. This marked a landmark win for Wathnan Racing and reaffirmed Qatar’s rising stature in global horse racing.
The event brought together 102 horses from 13 countries across nine high-stakes races, sharing a whopping $30.5 million prize pool. Over 60,000 fans packed the stands, while a staggering 1 billion viewers watched the action unfold across 170 countries, via TV, streaming, and even in-flight screens.
Since its launch in 1996 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai World Cup has become a crown jewel in international horse racing. Meydan’s world-class infrastructure and flawless execution once again impressed the racing world, showcasing the UAE’s excellence in global sports hosting.
There was glory for the UAE too. Godolphin’s nine-year-old ‘Dubai Future’, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, claimed the Dubai Gold Cup, proving experience still counts. Meanwhile, ‘Dark Saffron’ clinched the Dubai Golden Shaheen, bringing pride to local fans.
Officials praised the Dubai Racing Club for delivering a flawless event and hailed the World Cup’s growing legacy. From the dramatic photo-finish in Dubai Turf to the elegance of the race day itself, Dubai World Cup 2025 stood tall as a global celebration of speed, stamina, and sportsmanship.
