The 30th Dubai World Cup meeting takes place at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, featuring 100 horses competing across nine races with $30.5 million in total prize money, headlined by the $12 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline.
DUBAI: The greatest night in global racing is almost here. Meydan Racecourse plays host to the 30th Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday, bringing together 100 of the world’s finest thoroughbreds across nine races worth a combined $30.5 million in prize money.
The Dubai Racing Club confirmed that preparations are complete, with strong local and international interest expected in what promises to be a landmark edition of one of sport’s most prestigious annual occasions.
The evening’s showpiece is the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, a $12 million Group 1 contest run over 2,000 metres on dirt. Nine of the world’s elite thoroughbreds will line up, including last year’s winner Hit Show, Super Saturday champion Meidan, Japanese superstar Forever Young, winner of both the UAE Derby and the Saudi Cup, and Imperial Emperor.
The card opens with the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians, a Group 1 race over 2,000 metres on dirt with $1 million on offer and 15 runners including Murad, First Class, Fallah, and Mubeed. The Godolphin Mile, a Group 2 contest over 1,600 metres on dirt, follows with 12 runners and $1 million in prize money, headlined by Commissioner King, Panching, Mendelssohn, and David of Athens.
The Dubai Gold Cup, run over the marathon distance of 3,200 metres on turf, brings together 10 runners competing for $1 million, with Al Riffa, Al Nayyir, Siskany, Sons and Lovers, and Very Elegant among the leading contenders. The UAE Derby, a Group 2 race over 1,900 metres on dirt worth $1 million, features 12 runners led by Pyromancer, Wonder Den, Six Speed, and Brotherly Love.
The Al Quoz Sprint delivers Group 1 speed over 1,200 metres on turf, with 13 runners chasing $1.5 million including Lazzat, Riff Runner, Cover Up, and Marbaan. The Dubai Golden Shaheen, another Group 1 sprint over 1,200 metres on dirt, carries $2 million in prize money for 12 runners, with Bentornato, Al Naseeb, Midland Money, and Mufasa in the mix.
The Dubai Turf, run over 1,800 metres on turf with $5 million at stake, is headlined by Facteur Cheval alongside Embodiment, Qudwah, and Al Najm in an 11-runner field. The Longines Dubai Sheema Classic rounds out the card before the main event, a $6 million Group 1 contest over 2,410 metres on turf featuring Calandagan, Eziqal Diamond, Gaiyyath Loto, and Royal Power across six runners.
Nine races. Thirty years of history. One unforgettable night at Meydan. Saturday cannot come soon enough.
