The Dubai World Cup 2024 – the world’s richest horse race for thoroughbreds – tops the list of international sports events being hosted in the emirate through the Holy Month of Ramadan this year.
First held in 1996, the Dubai World Cup is widely considered the jewel in the crown of horse racing globally, with its highlight being a Group 1 flat race on dirt over 2,000 meters. Held on the last Saturday of March at the Meydan Racecourse as the final race of the Dubai World Cup Night, the race is open for Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred four-year-olds and up and Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred three-year-olds and up.
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, who owns Darley Stud and Godolphin Racing, one of the world’s leading Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations. Since its 2019 running, the race has carried a purse of $12 million, reclaiming its place as the world’s richest horse race, a record held by the Pegasus World Cup in 2017 and 2018.
Five returning champions and one previous champion highlight the prospective fields for the Dubai World Cup meeting to be held at sprawling Meydan Racecourse in Dubai Saturday, Mar. 30. The connections of 106 horses from no fewer than 12 racing jurisdictions have accepted invitations to the eight Thoroughbred races on a $30.5-million program that begins with the $1-million Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians and concludes with the $12 million G1 Dubai World Cup.
The main event has attracted a field of 15 that is led by its defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), one of 24 runners set to ship in from Japan for the meeting. Looking to become the first 7-year-old World Cup winner since Gloria de Campeao (Brz) back in 2010 and just the third overall, the recent G1 Saudi Cup runner-up is joined by three compatriots, including last year’s G2 UAE Derby hero Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits).
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The American challenge numbers five and is topped by Saudi Cup upsetter Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) and GI Santa Anita H. hero Newgate (Into Mischief) for four-time World Cup winner Bob Baffert, while the exciting Kabirkhan (California Chrome) has been the talking horse of the Dubai International Racing Carnival and the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge victor will have his supporters to become a first World Cup winner for perennial leading trainer Doug Watson. Laurel River (Into Mischief) won the G3 Burj Nahaar over a mile on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but opts for the World Cup over the Godolphin Mile for trainer Bhupat Seemar.
