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[1] 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.

Dubai World Cup
Group 1 race
The world's richest horse race
LocationMeydan Racecourse
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Inaugurated1996
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteOfficial website
Race information
Distance2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationNorthern Hemisphere 4yo+ & Southern Hemisphere 3yo+
WeightSH 3yo: 54.5kg.
NH & SH 4yo+: 57kg
PurseUS$12 million (2024; race)
Dubai World Cup
2024
Green, pink sash, white sleeves, pink cap Emerald green, yellow sash and armlets Royal blue, white inverted chevron, white sleeves, two blue armlets
Laurel River Ushba Tesoro Senor Buscador
Previous years
2023
Emerald green, yellow sash and armlets Beige, dark blue star, star on cap White, royal blue braces and cap
Ushba Tesoro Algiers Emblem Road
2022
Blue, red sash, white sleeves, red cap White, green armlets White, royal blue stars and armlets, star on cap
Country Grammer Hot Rod Charlie Chuwa Wizard
2021
Royal blue White, royal blue stars and armlets, star on cap Royal blue, white cap
Mystic Guide Chuwa Wizard Magny Cours
2020-2011
2019
Royal blue White, orange stars on sleeves, white cap, orange star Blue, red hoop, blue, red hoop sleeves, red cap
Thunder Snow Gronkowski Gunnevera
2018
Royal blue, royal blue sleeves, white cap Hot pink, black diamond hoop, hot pink, black armlets, black cap Yellow, blue chevron, yellow sleeves, blue cap
Thunder Snow West Coast Mubtaahij
2017
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Maroon, white circle, white hoops on sleeves, white cap Claret, gold braid, claret sleeves, claret cap, gold tassel
Arrogate Gun Runner Neolithic
2016
Chrome Yellow, royal blue chevron, royal blue cap Red, red 'MP' on yellow ball, yellow stripes on sleeves, red and yellow cap
California Chrome Mubtaahij Hoppertunity
2015
Light blue, royal blue seams, light blue sleeves, black cap Purple, green donkey emblem on back, green 'dap' on front, green cuffs and cap Confederate grey, royal blue cross sashes, blue seam on sleeves, blue cap
Prince Bishop California Chrome Lea
2014
Royal blue Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Royal blue, red cap
African Story Mukhadram Cat O'Mountain
2013
Forest green, crimson chevron, crimson cap Light blue and red diamonds, light blue sleeves, red cap, light blue diamond Grey, maroon epaulets, red cap
Animal Kingdom Red Cadeaux Planteur
2012
Royal blue, white cap Royal blue Dark blue, light blue checked sleeves, quartered cap
Monterosso Capponi Planteur
2011
Blue and white stripes, red sleeves, blue armlets Turquoise, red cross sashes, red sleeves, turquoise armlets, turquoise cap Royal blue
Victoire Pisa Transcend Monterosso
2010-2001
2010
Blue, yellow sash, blue sleeves, yellow stars, blue cap Yellow, blue chevron, yellow sleeves, blue cap Royal blue
Gloria De Campeao Lizard's Desire Allybar
2009
White, green and black star, green and black star on white cap Blue, yellow sash, blue sleeves, yellow stars, blue cap Red, white epaulets, whitecap
Well Armed Gloria De Campeao Paris Perfect
2008
Gold, burgundy chevron, burgundy seams on sleeves, gold cap Yellow, blue chevron, yellow sleeves, blue cap White, green and black star, green and black star on white cap
Curlin Asiatic Boy Well Armed
2007
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap White, red striped sleeves, black cap Yellow, purple chevron, light green and yellow halved sleeves, purple and yellow striped cap
Invasor Premium Tap Bullish Luck
2006
Royal blue White, Purple hoop, Purple sleeves, White armlets, Purple cap Turquoise, white 'uf', two green armlets and cuffs, turquoise and green quartered cap
Electrocutionist Wilko Magna Graduate
2005
White, red 'r', red sleeves, white armlet, red cap, white 'r' White, red striped sleeves, black cap Black, gold sleeves and cap
Roses In May Dynever Choctaw Nation
2004
Blue, yellow sleeves, blue cuffs Red, white seams, blue sleeves, red cap White, purple star and cap
Pleasantly Perfect Medaglia d'Oro Victory Moon
2003
Royal blue Blue, yellow star, diamonds on sleeves Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Moon Ballad Harlan's Holiday Nayef
2002
Royal blue Royal blue, white epaulets, diamonds on sleeves, white cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Street Cry Sei Mi Sakhee
2001
Red, red 'MP' on yellow ball, yellow stripes on sleeves, red and yellow cap Black, yellow spiked yoke, royal blue sleeves, yellow cap Emerald green, white sash with yellow piping, emerald green and yellow check sleeves, white cap with pom pom
Captain Steve To The Victory Hightori
2000-1996
2000
Royal blue Maroon, white diamond frame, white diamonds on sleeves, maroon cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Dubai Millennium Behrens Public Purse
1999
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Yellow, red sleeves, yellow armlets, red cap Red, green sash and diamonds on sleeves, quartered cap
Almutawakel Malek Victory Gallop
1998
Green, yellow hoops, sleeves and cap Royal blue, white cap Royal Blue, Light Blue cap
Silver Charm Swain Loup Sauvage
1997
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Yellow, purple seams White, blue sleeves and cap
Singspiel Siphon Sandpit
1996
White, red epaulets, blue sleeves, white stars, red cuffs, red and blue quartered cap Turquoise, royal blue cap White, blue hollow box, diabolo on sleeves, blue cap
Cigar Soul Of The Matter L'Carriere
 
The Meydan grandstand
The parade ring during the Dubai World Cup meeting
A UAE supporter at the Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup was created in 1996[2] 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.[3][4] 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.[citation needed] The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

Records

edit

Speed record:

Most wins:

  • 2 - Thunder Snow (2018, 2019)

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners

edit
Year Winner Foaled Trained Owned Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time
1996 Cigar   United States   United States   United States 6 Jerry Bailey William I. Mott Allen E. Paulson 2:03.84
1997 Singspiel   Ireland   United Kingdom   United Arab Emirates 5 Jerry Bailey Michael Stoute Sheikh Mohammed 2:01.91
1998 Silver Charm   United States   United States   United States 4 Gary Stevens Bob Baffert Bob & Beverly Lewis 2:04.29
1999 Almutawakel   United Kingdom   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 4 Richard Hills Saeed bin Suroor Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:00.65
2000 Dubai Millennium   United Kingdom   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 4 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing 1:59.50
2001 Captain Steve   United States   United States   United States 4 Jerry Bailey Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 2:00.47
2002 Street Cry   Ireland   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 4 Jerry Bailey Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing 2:01.18
2003 Moon Ballad   Ireland   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 4 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing 2:00.48
2004 Pleasantly Perfect   United States   United States   United States 6 Alex Solis Richard Mandella Diamond A Racing Corp. 2:00.24
2005 Roses in May   United States   United States   United States 5 John Velazquez Dale L. Romans Ken & Sarah Ramsey 2:02.17
2006 Electrocutionist   United States   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing 2:01.32
2007 Invasor   Argentina   United States   United Arab Emirates 5 Fernando Jara Kiaran McLaughlin Hamdan Al Maktoum 1:59.97
2008 Curlin   United States   United States   United States 4 Robby Albarado Steve Asmussen Stonestreet Stables/Midnight Cry Stbl 2:00.15
2009 Well Armed   United States   United States   United States 6 Aaron Gryder Eoin G. Harty WinStar Farm LLC 2:01.01
2010 Glória de Campeão   Brazil   France   Brazil 7 T. J. Pereira Pascal Bary Stud Estrela Energia 2:03.83
2011 Victoire Pisa   Japan   Japan   Japan 4 Mirco Demuro Katsuhiko Sumii Yoshimi Ichikawa 2:05.94
2012 Monterosso   United Kingdom   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 5 Mickael Barzalona Mahmood al Zarooni Godolphin Racing 2:02.67
2013 Animal Kingdom   United States   United States   United States   Australia 5 Joel Rosario Graham Motion Arrowfield Stud & Team Valor 2:03.21
2014 African Story   United Kingdom[6]   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 7 Silvestre de Sousa Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing 2:01.61
2015 Prince Bishop   Ireland   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 8 William Buick Saeed bin Suroor Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 2:03.24
2016 California Chrome   United States   United States   United States 5 Victor Espinoza Art Sherman California Chrome LLC 2:01.83
2017 Arrogate   United States   United States   Saudi Arabia 4 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Juddmonte Farms 2:02.15
2018 Thunder Snow   Ireland   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 4 Christophe Soumillon Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:01.38
2019 Thunder Snow   Ireland   United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 5 Christophe Soumillon Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:03.87
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
2021 Mystic Guide   United States   United States   United Arab Emirates 4 Luis Saez Mike Stidham Godolphin 2:01.61
2022 Country Grammer   United States   United States   United States   Saudi Arabia 5 Frankie Dettori Bob Baffert Zedan Racing Stables, WinStar Farm & Commonwealth T'Breds 2:04.97
2023 Ushba Tesoro   Japan   Japan   Japan 6 Yuga Kawada Noboru Takagi Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co., Ltd. 2:03.25
2024 Laurel River   United States   United Arab Emirates   Saudi Arabia 6 Tadhg O'Shea Bhupat Seemar Juddmonte Farms 2:02.31

2020 running

edit

The 25th edition of the race was scheduled to take place on 28 March 2020. On 12 March, it was announced that the race would go ahead as planned, but with no spectators in attendance, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on 22 March, a further statement was released, announcing that the race had been cancelled, and that the 25th anniversary celebrations would be postponed until the 2021 running.[7][8]

Performances

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Meaning of “meydan” ميدان, dubaiblog.it, 1 April 2012, accessed 1 April 2012.
  2. ^ Appena terminata la Dubai World Cup 2012, dubaiblog.it, 1 April 2012, accessed 1 April 2012.
  3. ^ Wood, Grey (27 March 2010). "Front-running Gloria De Campeao lifts Dubai World Cup by a nose". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  4. ^ Weston, Audrey (31 July 2013). "Horse Racing Betting Guide - Useful Information & Advice". Gambling Sites. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Dubai World Cup: One of the world's richest horse races is postponed over the coronavirus pandemic". BBC Sport. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  6. ^ "African Story pedigree". equineline.com. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  7. ^ "Dubai World Cup to be held without spectators". Gulf News. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  8. ^ "2020 Dubai World Cup night is called off at Meydan". Gulf News. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  9. ^ Hamad, Marwa. "Sia dons her wig during theatrical Dubai gig", Gulf News, March 26, 2017.
edit