100 horses, $30.5 million: Dubai World Cup set for thrilling 30th edition
Global contenders gather for nine-race spectacle at Meydan
DUBAI – Dubai is set to stage the 30th edition of the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse, bringing together 100 horses from leading international stables.
The event, widely regarded as one of the richest and most prestigious fixtures in global horse racing, will feature nine races with a combined prize purse of $30.5 million. Organisers at the Dubai Racing Club have confirmed that preparations are complete, with strong participation expected from both local and international contenders.
See You Tomorrow!
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 27, 2026
نراكم غداً!#DWC26 pic.twitter.com/rKHuN152gh
The highlight of the evening will be the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, offering a prize of $12 million. The Group 1 race, run over 2,000 metres on dirt, will see nine elite thoroughbreds compete for top honours in the marquee event.
Main event
Among the headline contenders is “Hit Show”, last year’s winner, returning to defend his title against a competitive field. He will face strong opposition from “Meidan”, winner of Super Saturday, as well as “Forever Young”, a notable champion of both the UAE Derby and the Saudi Cup. Also in contention is “Imperial Emperor”, adding further depth to a high-quality lineup.
The meeting opens with the Dubai Kahayla Classic, a Group 1 contest for Purebred Arabians over 2,000 metres on dirt. The race features 15 runners competing for $1 million, including “Murad”, “First Class”, “Fallah” and “Mubeed”.
#KnowYourContenders ????
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 27, 2026
???? G1 $1m DUBAI KAHAYLA CLASSIC (2000m Dirt PA) sponsored by @ZabeelFeed ????
1⃣ RB Kingmaker (NR)
2⃣ MURAAD ????????
3⃣ FIRST CLASSS ????????
4⃣ MUBEED ????????
5⃣ AA LAHAB ????????
6⃣ FALAAH ????????
7⃣ MOSHRIF ????????
8⃣ VIZHIR ????????
9⃣ DJAFAR ????????
???? RAAD LEMBARAK ????????
1⃣1⃣ AL ZEER ????????
1⃣2⃣… pic.twitter.com/G97l2W0xw1
Race card
The second race, the Godolphin Mile, is a Group 2 event run over 1,600 metres on dirt, with 12 runners vying for $1 million. Notable entries include “Commissioner King”, “Panching”, “Mendelssohn” and “David of Athens”.
#KnowYourContenders ????
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 27, 2026
???? G2 GODOLPHIN MILE (1600m Dirt) sponsored by @emaardubai ????
1⃣ COMMISSIONER KING ????????
2⃣ BANISHING ????????
3⃣ MENDELSSOHN BAY ????????
4⃣ GENEROUS TIPPER ????????
5⃣ WORLD RECORD ????????
6⃣ THE CAMDEN COLT ????????
7⃣ DAVID OF ATHENS ????????
8⃣ ZANDVOORT ????????
9⃣ DIAMOND DEALER ????????
???? HYPNUS… pic.twitter.com/wKJNT016nw
In the third race, the Dubai Gold Cup, 10 runners will contest the 3,200-metre turf race for $1 million. Among the leading names are “Al Riffa”, “Al Nayyir”, “Siskany”, “Sons and Lovers” and “Very Elegant”.
#KnowYourContenders ????
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 27, 2026
???? G2 $1m DUBAI GOLD CUP (3200m Turf) sponsored by Al Tayer Motors ????
1⃣ AL RIFFA ????????
2⃣ AL NAYYIR ????????
3⃣ DUBAI FUTURE ????????
4⃣ CABALLO DE MAR ????????
5⃣ SONS AND LOVERS ????????
6⃣ SUNWAY ????????
7⃣ EPIC POET ????????
8⃣ BURDETT ROAD ????????
9⃣ RULING DYNASTY ????????
???? FAIRY GLEN ????????… pic.twitter.com/a54Cz0NNCl
The UAE Derby follows as the fourth race, a Group 2 contest over 1,900 metres on dirt, featuring 12 runners. Key contenders include “Pyromancer”, “Wonder Den”, “Six Speed” and “Brotherly Love”.
Top races
The fifth race, Al Quoz Sprint, is a Group 1 event over 1,200 metres on turf, with 13 runners competing for $1.5 million. The field includes “Lazzat”, “Riff Runner”, “Cover Up” and “Marbaan”.
In the sixth race, the Dubai Golden Shaheen, another Group 1 sprint over 1,200 metres on dirt, 12 runners will compete for a $2 million prize. The lineup features “Bentornato”, “Al Naseeb”, “Midland Money” and “Mufasa”.
The seventh race, Dubai Turf, is a Group 1 contest over 1,800 metres on turf, offering $5 million in prize money. Eleven runners are set to compete, led by “Facteur Cheval”, alongside “Embodiment”, “Qudwah” and “Al Najm”.
The eighth race, the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, will see six runners compete over 2,410 metres on turf for $6 million. Among the contenders are “Calandagan”, “Eziqal Diamond”, “Gaiyyath Loto” and “Royal Power”, setting the stage for another high-calibre contest at Meydan.