Dubai: The Meydan Racecourse is all set to play host to the 27th edition of the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday, 25 March, bringing together the world's best racehorses, jockeys and trainers.

The prestigious $12 million race and its equally coveted undercard are expected to draw a massive crowd at the 80,000-capacity venue. Established in 1996, the Dubai World Cup further reinforces the city’s rising status as one of the globe’s leading venues for international sporting events.

Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are delighted to have the global equestrian community here for the 27th Dubai World Cup meeting. The atmosphere will be absolutely electrifying.

“The quality of the horses, trainers, owners and jockeys who have assembled is better than ever and we are looking forward to a superb day of racing with our guests from all over the world. Dubai’s exceptional infrastructure for horse racing events, combined with its world-class hospitality and deeply-rooted traditions in horse riding, make it an exceptional venue for a global tournament of the scale of the Dubai World Cup. With its vital role in supporting the growth of the horse racing world, Dubai continues to be a major focal point for the global equestrian fraternity.

“I would like to thank our sponsors and partners for their support and also the team at Dubai Racing Club, who have worked so hard to bring this meeting together.”

The nine-race card, which in total offers $30.5 million in prize money, has the G1 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, as its finale. The strong field at the tournament includes defending champion Country Grammer, aiming to become just the second dual winner of the race, and Saudi Cup and joint Dubai Turf winner Panthalassa, one of eight Japanese runners in the race. Algiers, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, carries local hopes, having graduated through the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

The $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic is the main supporting race on the card, featuring seven Group 1 winners, including defending champion Shahryar and fellow Japanese star Equinox. Preceding that race is the $5 million Dubai Turf (sponsored by DP World), which sees Lord North, joint-winner in 2022 and outright winner in 2021, seeking to win the competition for a third time. He faces a strong challenge from Japan, including from 2022’s third-place winner Vin De Garde and Japanese Derby winner Do Deuce.

The card features two sprint races, the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (sponsored by Nakheel) and the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (sponsored by Azizi Developments). The former, run over 1,200 metres on dirt, features a strong American challenge, including Breeders’ Cup Sprint second CZ Rocket and G2 winner Gunite, taking on defending champion Switzerland.

The Al Quoz Sprint, over 1,200 metres on turf, has an international field including Al Dasim, trained in the UK, and US raider Cazadero, while Al Suhail carries the hopes of Godolphin.

There are three Group 2 races on the card, including the Dubai Gold Cup (sponsored by Al Tayer Motors) which has attracted 2021 winner Subjectivist, and the G2 Godolphin Mile (sponsored by ONE ZA’ABEEL), featuring last year’s winner Bathrat Leon.

Race five is the Group 2 UAE Derby (sponsored by ATLANTIS THE ROYAL), which Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien will aim to win for the fourth time with Cairo, while Bob Baffert sends Worcester over from California.

The opening race of the day is the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians (sponsored by EMAAR) which sees a fascinating clash between the last two winners, Deryan and First Classs.

Away from the racing, there is plenty to entertain guests with the Style Stakes sure to be hotly contested, while racegoers can win cash prizes in the Faces At The Races and My Lucky Six competitions. 

This year’s Dubai World Cup is being held during the Holy Month of Ramadan for the first time in the event’s history.