Most Irish racing fans will have had this event marked in their diaries for a while, but the 30th Dubai World Cup is finally on the horizon, with the Meydan Racecourse gearing up to host the prestigious event on Saturday 28th March.
The desert floodlights will illuminate a nine-race card worth a hefty US$30.5m, making it the richest single night in global horse racing.
For punters in Ireland, this is a chance to watch some world-class performers in action on dirt and turf, and there is enough Irish interest in the entries to keep the anticipation bubbling over.
Despite regional tensions, the Dubai Racing Club has confirmed in no uncertain terms that the meeting will go ahead, and Tonybet’s horse racing markets will be covering the Dubai World Cup extensively.
History of the Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup can trace its origins back to 1996, when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum hatched plans to create an event that would put Dubai on the global racing map.
Out of that vision, the Dubai World Cup was born, with the inaugural edition, a run on dirt over 2,000 metres, having a US$4m purse.
Legendary American charge Cigar, who was trained by Billy Mott and ridden by jockey Jerry Bailey, was the World Cup’s first champion. Arriving on the back of a 14-race winning streak, Cigar dug deep to see off a challenge from Soul of Matter, besting his closest rival by just half a length at the post.
From there, the event exploded in terms of both popularity and prestige. The prize money involved ballooned to new heights, the surface changed with the move to the new purpose-built Meydan in 2010, and the night itself expanded to include a catalogue of other Group 1 races.
Some of the Dubai World Cup’s standout moments down through the years include:
- 2000 – Dubai Millennium, the Sheikh’s own homebred star, destroyed the field in front of his owner in one of the most emotional nights of racing that Dubai has ever seen.
- 2013 – Animal Kingdom became the first Kentucky Derby winner to triumph here.
- 2016 – California Chrome turned the race into a Hollywood script after his saddle slipped dramatically, demanding exceptional skill from jockey Victor Espinoza to get to the post.
- 2017 – Arrogate, trained by Bob Baffert, came from last to first in what was arguably the most dramatic finish the Dubai World Cup has ever produced.
- 2018 & 2019 – Thunder Snow became the first horse to win back-to-back Dubai World Cups for Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor, with Christophe Soumillon producing two masterful rides on dirt. That was the last time an Irish-foaled horse prevailed in the race.
Races on Dubai World Cup Night
The high-class card at the end of the month on 28th March is built around six Group 1s and three Group 2 races, with the US$12m finale, the Dubai World Cup, providing a fitting climax. Here is how the schedule runs:
Race 1: Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1) – The curtain raiser, which showcases the fastest Arabians on the planet. First Classs won for trainer Doug Watson and owner Deborah Mihaloff in 2025.
Race 2: Al Quoz Sprint (G1) – The second Group 1 race of the day, contested over 1,200 metres on turf that’s open to horses aged 3+. In 2025, the William Buick-trained Believing claimed the spoils.
Race 3: Godolphin Mile (G2) – This event is a Group 2 flat race on dirt over a trip of 1,600 metres. A prize purse of US$1m is on offer here. Frankie Dettori rode Raging Torrent to victory last year. That was the second successive win in this race for American trainer Doug O’Neill.
Race 4: Dubai Gold Cup (G2) – Another Group 2 entry, this race is for three-year-olds and up. It covers a distance of around two miles on turf. Last year, Dubai Future won it for Godolphin Racing. Before that, Irishman Aidan O’Brien had back-to-back winners with Broome and Tower of London, with Ryan Moore on board on both occasions.
Race 5: UAE Derby (G2) – A prize purse of US$2.5m is up for grabs in this 1,900-metre run on dirt. Horses owned by Godolphin have won this race nine times since 2000. However, Admire Daytona won it for Japanese connections 12 months ago.
Race 6: Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) – Another race on the dirt track at Meydan, this one covers 1,200 metres and is the third leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. Dark Saffron was the winner in 2025 for owner Sultan Ali.
Race 7: Dubai Turf (G1) – A bumper purse of US$5m is attached to this event on turf, which covers a distance of 1,800 metres. Soul Rush, the now-retired Japanese thoroughbred, won this race in 2025.
Race 8: Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) – The marathon for the globe’s elite stayers, this race is run over a mile and half and was won last year by Japanese horse Danon Decile. Norwegian-British jockey William Buick has won this race a record five times, with his last victory achieved in 2024 on Rebel’s Romance (Godolphin).
Race 9: Dubai World Cup (G1) – The US$12m climax and showpiece event of the day, the World Cup is a 2,000-metre test on dirt. The world’s richest horse race was won by Hit Show in 2025. That was the fourth American-born winner of the event in the last five years.
Our predictions
Entries for the Dubai World Cup and travel confirmations are still finalising as we move through mid-March. However, we can still put our forecasting powers to decent use for some of the biggest races, starting with the climactic event.
Dubai World Cup – Forever Young
The well-fancied Japanese topper heads the nominations and has been trading as short as 2/5 in the ante-post markets for the Dubai World Cup.
The five-year-old has been justifying support, landing the Saudi Cup for the second time last month for Yoshito Yahagi and owner Susumu Fujita, and winning each of his last three races overall.
Forever Young landed in a gritty third spot in last year’s renewal, and more recent form suggests that he could improve on that showing with more experience under his belt.
With several Japanese compatriots withdrawing due to various issues, Forever Young faces fewer dangerous rivals than expected, and he will arrive at the Meydan Racecourse as the one to beat.
Dubai Sheema Classic – Calandagan (if he travels)
The Aga Khan’s four-year-old, trained in France by Francis-Henri Graffard, was crowned the world’s best racehorse in 2025 after wins in the King George, Champion Stakes and Japan Cup.
He also galloped to victory in some style at Saint-Cloud in June last year, before following up with a trio of equally impressive wins after that. He hasn’t been seen since that November win in Tokyo, though this shouldn’t be an issue.
The only question mark here is travel amid the current situation, though a decision is expected imminently and the signs look good. If he does board the plane, his class makes him a standout prospect.
Dubai Turf – Ombudsman
Godolphin’s home hope looks perfectly positioned. Trained by John & Thady Gosden, the talented five-year-old has already won the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) at York, while finishing second behind Calandagan at the Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1) at Ascot in October.
The Gosdens have confirmed that British, French and Irish runners are shipping next weekend, and Ombudsman’s ability to handle the left-handed Meydan turn should give him a considerable edge. Wait for confirmation of prices, though Ombudsman should represent excellent each-way value against Japanese and other European challengers.
UAE Derby – watch for the American/Japanese raiders
This $2m race is considered the traditional pointer to the Kentucky Derby. With several promising three-year-olds nominated, we expect a relentless pace here, and there should be decent scope for an upset.
Early whispers hint that American-trained horses could dominate again, but any Irish or Coolmore-linked runner that slips in under the radar will be of huge interest back home. We’ll update selections on Tonybet closer to the day once final declarations are in for this one.
Keep up to date with Tonybet
The 30th Dubai World Cup is fast approaching, and the betting markets are already moving, especially in the ante-post arena for the main event itself.
At Tonybet, you’ll find the best odds on every race, and in-play betting as the night unfolds, including Dubai World Cup odds for the climactic event.
Set your reminders now for 28th March 2026 for the richest night in racing. Tonybet will be right there at the heart of the action in Dubai.
