The world's richest horse race gallops into Nad Al Sheba for another day of action and excitement.
With a purse of $6 million (about Dh22 million) to the winner and a lineup of top contenders, this year's Dubai World Cup promises to be more exciting than ever.
The richest horse race in the world is the brainchild of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and comprises seven races with total prize money of $21.25 million (about Dh78 million).
The Dubai World Cup is also the place to see and be seen looking your best. Attracting more than 50,000 spectators each year, DWC day tops the list of events on the Dubai social calendar.
In addition to the races, there are competitions with money and prizes for the best dressed race-goers, raffles and contests, dining and entertainment.
The race meeting has come a long way in just 12 years.
With Cigar's spectacular victory in the very first Dubai World Cup in 1996, the stage was set for the event to grow into one of the most exciting and prestigious meetings on the horseracing calendar, and it has more than lived up to expectations.
The atmosphere at the races is electric, with a stunning opening celebration and a lineup of big-money races in which the stakes get higher as the evening progresses. The $5 million (about Dh18.3 million) Dubai Duty Free and the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic are the richest races run on turf.
Top-rated
The Dubai Golden Shaheen and the UAE Derby each carry prize money of $2 million (Dh7.3 million), and the Godolphin Mile carries a prize of $1 million (Dh3.6 million). The evening starts with the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians.
A record-equalling field of 13, led by America Horse of the Year, Curlin, are expected to go to post for the $6 million (Dh22 million) 2008 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates airline.
The top-rated horse in the world, Curlin, is set to face tough competition from Godolphin's duo of Happy Boy and Jalil, winners of the Maktoum Challenge Rounds 1 and 3.
The 2007 Dubai World Cup runner-up and fourth, Premium Tap and Vermilion, are also earmarked for the 2,000 metre showpiece on dirt, as well as last year's UAE Derby winner Asiatic Boy.
Scott Blasi, assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, has been with Curlin since the colt's arrival in Dubai Asmussen, along with Curlin's regular rider Robby Albarado, are expected to travel to Dubai next week. Curlin has won seven of 10 career starts for earnings of more than $5.1 million (about Dh18.7 million).
Vengeance Of Rain
The $5 million (about Dh18.3 million) Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Nakheel is set to have a maximum field of 16 runners, in which Hong Kong champion Viva Pataca will bid to emulate Vengeance Of Rain, who won the race last year.
The $5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, also looks likely to have 16 runners, headed by the top-class fillies, Darjina, Finsceal Beo, Vodka, Seachange, West Wind and Majestic Roi.
The other Group 1 race, the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, sees the usual strong American challenge, led by Idiot Proof and Benny The Bull, as well as Godolphin's Diabolical.
Nad Al Sheba
A new track was unveiled at Nad Al Sheba in time for the first running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996. Over the years, Nad Al Sheba has served Dubai well as a modern sporting facility, with easy access and beautiful surroundings.
Last year plans for a new horseracing city, Meydan, were revealed. It is expected to become the top horseracing district in the world, and will include Meydan racecourse, Meydan City and Meydan Business Park.
SCHEDULE
2.00 pm International Village opens
2.00 pm - 4.45 pm BurJuman Style Stakes Registration – Style Arena
4.30 pm Pick Seven Competition closes
RACE 1 DUBAI KAHAYLA CLASSIC (GROUP 1)
5.00 pm Purebred Arabians US$250,000 sponsored by EMAAR
5.05 pm Preliminary judging of BurJuman Style Stakes Lady – Style Arena
RACE 2 GODOLPHIN MILE (GROUP 2)
5.40 pm US$1,000,000 sponsored by Etisalat
5.50 pm Sponsors Appreciation Awards - Paddock
5.55 pm Preliminary Judging of BurJuman Style Stakes Couple - Style Arena
RACE 3 UAE DERBY (GROUP 2)
6.15 pm US$2,000,000 sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group
6.20 pm BurJuman Style Stakes - Final Judging and Prize Presentation - Style Arena
RACE 4 DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN (GROUP 1)
6.55 pm US$2,000,000 sponsored by Gulf News
7.05 pm - 7.20 pm Dubai World Cup Ceremony
RACE 5 DUBAI DUTY FREE (GROUP 1)
7.55 pm US$5,000,000 sponsored by Dubai Duty Free
8.10 pm Dubai World Cup Finest Surprise Draw by the Bentley Display - Paddock Lawns
RACE 6 DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (GROUP 1)
8.40 pm US$5,000,000 sponsored by Nakheel
8.50 pm Skywards "Thanks A Million" Draw - Style Arena
RACE 7 DUBAI WORLD CUP (GROUP 1)
9.30 pm US$6,000,000 sponsored by Emirates Airline
9.45 pm Land Rover Draw by the Land Rover Display - International Village
10.00 pm Pick 7 and Tricast Competition Results - Paddock
11.30 pm International Village closes
Event info: Venue details
Admission to all public enclosures is free. Admission to the International Village will be by bar-coded ticket only through gates 7 or 8.
Children in pushchairs will not be allowed access to the races.
All children will require a badge or ticket to enter any hospitality area, including the International Village. The International Village will be open from 2pm.
Outlets will close at midnight.
Previous winners
Year - Horse
1996 - Cigar
1997 - Singspiel
1998 - Silver Charm
1999 - Almutawakel
2000 - Dubai Millennium
2001 - Captain Steve
2002 - Street Cry
2003 - Moon Ballad
2004 - Pleasantly Perfect
2005 - Roses In May
2006 - Electrocutionist
2007 - Invasor
