Dubai World Cup

History

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 and the owner of Darley Stud & Godolphin Racing.

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. it was the 25th edition of the race and was scheduled to take place on 28 March 2020. Previous on March 12, 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 March 22, it was announced that the race had been cancelled, and that the 25th anniversary celebrations would be postponed until the 2021 running.

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

Performances

• 2012 - Toni Braxton
• 2013 - Seal
• 2014 - Jennifer Lopez
• 2015 - Kylie Minogue
• 2016 - Janet Jackson
• 2017 - Sia with Maddie Ziegler
• 2018 - Flo Rida
• 2019 - Christina Aguilera
• 2022 - Becky Hill with Rudimental & Sigala DJ Sets

References

References

1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120618233153/http://www.dubaiblog.it/index.php/2012/04/01/dubai-blog-meaning-of-meydan/ Meaning of “meydan” ميدان], dubaiblog.it, 1 April 2012, accessed 1 April 2012.
2. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131006125551/http://www.dubaiblog.it/index.php/2012/04/01/dubai-blog-appena-terminata-la-dubai-world-cup-2012/ 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.
4. Weston, Audrey. (31 July 2013). "Horse Racing Betting Guide - Useful Information & Advice". Gambling Sites.
5. (22 March 2020). "Dubai World Cup: One of the world's richest horse races is postponed over the coronavirus pandemic". [[BBC Sport]].
6. "Dubai World Cup to be held without spectators".
7. "2020 Dubai World Cup night is called off at Meydan".
8. (2014-03-07). "African Story pedigree". equineline.com.
9. Hamad, Marwa. [http://gulfnews.com/life-style/music/sia-dons-her-wig-during-theatrical-dubai-gig-1.2000413 "Sia dons her wig during theatrical Dubai gig"], ''Gulf News'', March 26, 2017.