Horseracing began in Dubai in October 1981, when the Camel Track hosted the first Thoroughbred race meeting. Three races were run – over a sprint distance, a mile and a mile and a half – organised by the office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Approximately 10 years later, in early 1992, the Dubai Racing Club was established under the chairmanship of Colonel Ali Khamis Al Jafleh, a UAE Air Force commander. In March 1992 came the official opening at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, where the highlight was the appearance of some of horseracing’s biggest stars at the time – jockeys Lester Piggott and Willie Carson. A year later, in March 1993, with limitations on the free movement of horses shipping in and out of the UAE, the Dubai Racing Club selected the next-best option, jockeys. On 26 March that year, Nad Al Sheba Racecourse hosted the inaugural Dubai International Jockeys’ Challenge (DIJC). Five groups of two jockeys were invited to compete, with senior riders representing the USA, Europe, Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
The DIJC would eventually pave the way for the creation of the Dubai World Cup. The first Dubai World Cup was held in 1996 and thrust both Nad Al Sheba Racecourse and the UAE onto the global stage as American wonder horse Cigar claimed the inaugural running. It was at the event’s 14th running in 2009 that another American brilliantly bookmarked the Dubai World Cup and brought to an end the chapter at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. Well Armed romped to a 14-length success, a record-winning distance, to herald the end of the Nad Al Sheba era.
The next Dubai World Cup, in 2010, introduced the iconic Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse to the world. The architectural masterpiece is the permanent home for the Dubai World Cup and is the world’s largest integrated racing facility, with a Grandstand seating capacity for more than 60,000. The spectacular structure sits alongside The Meydan Hotel which boasts 285 elegantly appointed rooms and suites.
The excitement of the first Dubai World Cup hosted at Meydan was equaled on the track that year as Gloria de Campeão emerged the winner in an exciting three-horse finish to become the event’s first Brazilian-bred champion.
In 2011, Victoire Pisa and Transcend gave Japan a first win and a one – two finish in the coveted race and in 2012 Godolphin repeated the feat with Monterosso in first and Capponi in second.
Fast forward to 2017 and the USA was once again successful when world champion Arrogate stunned the crowd and millions watching overseas with an impossible last-to-first victory. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained, Godolphin–owned Thunder Snow then created history by becoming the first horse to win the Dubai World Cup twice, with victories in 2018 and 2019.
Godolphin’s American based Mystic Guide, trained by Michael Stidham, gave a brilliant performance in the 25th running of the Dubai World Cup in 2021, as he roared home in impressive style, a year before Country Grammer made it two in a row for America.
In 2023, the great race went to Japan for a second time, with Ushba Tesoro taking the trophy while in 2024 more history was made when Laurel River, trained by Bhupat Seemar and ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, became the first locally-trained winner of the race, outside of the Godolphin operation.
In 2026 the Dubai World Cup celebrated its 30th anniversary with a spectacular day at Meydan Racecourse. The $12million feature race was won by the brilliant Magnitude, who beat Japanese star Forever Young in an epic renewal. A memorable evening also saw Calandagan – the 2025 Longines World’s Best Horse – win the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, while Ombudsman stormed to victory for Godolphin in the G1 Dubai Turf.
There was also success for local trainer Ahmad bin Harmash, who saddled an unprecedented sprint double when defending champion Dark Saffron took the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and Native Approach won the G1 Al Quoz Sprint.
2 Jan 2020