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[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.
| 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 (2023 race) |
| 2023 | ||
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| Ushba Tesoro | Algiers | Emblem Road |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||
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| Country Grammer | Hot Rod Charlie | Chuwa Wizard |
| 2021 | ||
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| Mystic Guide | Chuwa Wizard | Magny Cours |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ||
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| Thunder Snow | Gronkowski | Gunnevera |
| 2018 | ||
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| Thunder Snow | West Coast | Mubtaahij |
| 2017 | ||
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| Arrogate | Gun Runner | Neolithic |
| 2016 | ||
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| California Chrome | Mubtaahij | Hoppertunity |
| 2015 | ||
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| Prince Bishop | California Chrome | Lea |
| 2014 | ||
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| African Story | Mukhadram | Cat O'Mountain |
| 2013 | ||
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| Animal Kingdom | Red Cadeaux | Planteur |
| 2012 | ||
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| Monterosso | Capponi | Planteur |
| 2011 | ||
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| Victoire Pisa | Transcend | Monterosso |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
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| Gloria De Campeao | Lizard's Desire | Allybar |
| 2009 | ||
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| Well Armed | Gloria De Campeao | Paris Perfect |
| 2008 | ||
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| Curlin | Asiatic Boy | Well Armed |
| 2007 | ||
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| Invasor | Premium Tap | Bullish Luck |
| 2006 | ||
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| Electrocutionist | Wilko | Magna Graduate |
| 2005 | ||
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| Roses In May | Dynever | Choctaw Nation |
| 2004 | ||
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| Pleasantly Perfect | Medaglia d'Oro | Victory Moon |
| 2003 | ||
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| Moon Ballad | Harlan's Holiday | Nayef |
| 2002 | ||
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| Street Cry | Sei Mi | Sakhee |
| 2001 | ||
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| Captain Steve | To The Victory | Hightori |
| 2000-1996 | ||
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| 2000 | ||
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| Dubai Millennium | Behrens | Public Purse |
| 1999 | ||
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| Almutawakel | Malek | Victory Gallop |
| 1998 | ||
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| Silver Charm | Swain | Loup Sauvage |
| 1997 | ||
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| Singspiel | Siphon | Sandpit |
| 1996 | ||
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| Cigar | Soul Of The Matter | L'Carriere |
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The Dubai World Cup, the final race of Dubai World Cup night, 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.
Annually held on the last Saturday in March, the Dubai World Cup is part of the Dubai World Cup Night of races. 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 is a Group 1 flat race on dirt for Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred four-year-olds & up and for Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred three-year-olds & up run over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs) in late March. 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.[3]
Records
Speed record:
- 2:01.61 (synthetic) - African Story (2014) since the race has been at Meydan Racecourse
- 2:01.38 (dirt) - Thunder Snow (2018) since Meydan was converted from synthetic to dirt
- 1:59.50 - Dubai Millennium (2000) at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
Most wins:
- 2 - Thunder Snow (2018, 2019)
Most wins by an owner:
- 9 - Godolphin Racing (2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - Jerry Bailey (1996, 1997, 2001, 2002)
- 4 - Frankie Dettori (2000, 2003, 2006, 2022)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 9 - Saeed bin Suroor (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019)
Winners
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2020 running
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.[5][6]
Performances
- 2012 - Toni Braxton
- 2013 - Seal
- 2014 - Jennifer Lopez
- 2015 - Kylie Minogue
- 2016 - Janet Jackson
- 2017 - Sia with Maddie Ziegler[7]
- 2018 - Flo Rida
- 2019 - Christina Aguilera
- 2022 - Becky Hill with Rudimental & Sigala DJ Sets
References
- Meaning of “meydan” ميدان, dubaiblog.it, 1 April 2012, accessed 1 April 2012.
- Appena terminata la Dubai World Cup 2012, dubaiblog.it, 1 April 2012, accessed 1 April 2012.
- "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.
- "African Story pedigree". equineline.com. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
- "Dubai World Cup to be held without spectators". Gulf News. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- "2020 Dubai World Cup night is called off at Meydan". Gulf News. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- Hamad, Marwa. "Sia dons her wig during theatrical Dubai gig", Gulf News, March 26, 2017.
External links
- Official site
- Dubai World Cup 2013 - Dubai Calendar - Dubai Events Official Listing
- The National Topics - Dubai World Cup
- Official results from the Emirates Racing Authority:
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 - Racing Post