Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup (Arabic: كأس دبي العالمي) is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and contested at the Meydan Racecourse (Arabic: ميدان) which in Arabic suggests a place where people congregate and compete, a sort of meeting point in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The race is operated through the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) whose Chairman is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. It offers nine races, consisting of eight Thoroughbred contests and one Purebred Arabian contest.
| Group 1 race | |
The world's richest horse race | |
| Location | Meydan Racecourse Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1996 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Official website |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Northern Hemisphere 4yo+ & Southern Hemisphere 3yo+ |
| Weight | SH 3yo: 54.5kg. NH & SH 4yo+: 57kg |
| Purse | US$12 million (2024; race) |
| 2024 | ||
| Laurel River | Ushba Tesoro | Senor Buscador |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
| Ushba Tesoro | Algiers | Emblem Road |
| 2022 | ||
| Country Grammer | Hot Rod Charlie | Chuwa Wizard |
| 2021 | ||
| Mystic Guide | Chuwa Wizard | Magny Cours |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ||
| Thunder Snow | Gronkowski | Gunnevera |
| 2018 | ||
| Thunder Snow | West Coast | Mubtaahij |
| 2017 | ||
| Arrogate | Gun Runner | Neolithic |
| 2016 | ||
| California Chrome | Mubtaahij | Hoppertunity |
| 2015 | ||
| Prince Bishop | California Chrome | Lea |
| 2014 | ||
| African Story | Mukhadram | Cat O'Mountain |
| 2013 | ||
| Animal Kingdom | Red Cadeaux | Planteur |
| 2012 | ||
| Monterosso | Capponi | Planteur |
| 2011 | ||
| Victoire Pisa | Transcend | Monterosso |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
| Gloria De Campeao | Lizard's Desire | Allybar |
| 2009 | ||
| Well Armed | Gloria De Campeao | Paris Perfect |
| 2008 | ||
| Curlin | Asiatic Boy | Well Armed |
| 2007 | ||
| Invasor | Premium Tap | Bullish Luck |
| 2006 | ||
| Electrocutionist | Wilko | Magna Graduate |
| 2005 | ||
| Roses In May | Dynever | Choctaw Nation |
| 2004 | ||
| Pleasantly Perfect | Medaglia d'Oro | Victory Moon |
| 2003 | ||
| Moon Ballad | Harlan's Holiday | Nayef |
| 2002 | ||
| Street Cry | Sei Mi | Sakhee |
| 2001 | ||
| Captain Steve | To The Victory | Hightori |
| 2000-1996 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
| Dubai Millennium | Behrens | Public Purse |
| 1999 | ||
| Almutawakel | Malek | Victory Gallop |
| 1998 | ||
| Silver Charm | Swain | Loup Sauvage |
| 1997 | ||
| Singspiel | Siphon | Sandpit |
| 1996 | ||
| Cigar | Soul Of The Matter | L'Carriere |
The Dubai World Cup was created in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who owns Darley Stud & Godolphin Racing, one of the world's leading Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations.
It is held on the last Saturday in March as the final race of the Dubai World Cup Night. It is a Group 1 flat race on dirt over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs). It is open for Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred four-year-olds & up and for Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred three-year-olds & up. Since its 2019 running, the race has carried a purse of $12 million, regaining its place as the world's richest horse race, a record held by the Pegasus World Cup in 2017 and 2018. It was held at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse before 2009. In 2010, the Dubai World Cup was first held at the new Meydan Racecourse on March 27, on all-weather surface known as Tapeta. However, it was held as dirt race again in 2015 due to the high maintenance cost and being an unpopular condition among American participants.
The race's first winner was the future United States Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Cigar, owned by Allen E. Paulson. A plaque honoring that horse hangs outside the barn of Bill Mott at Belmont Park.
In 2006 the Dubai World Cup was broadcast live on TVG Network and HRTV and taped later for showing on ABC. It was the first time that the race was shown on national TV in the United States. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.