After more than two decades of presenting horse racing excellence to millions of fans globally, the Dubai World Cup still stands as a paragon of outstanding equestrian performance. A duo of magnificent racetracks at Nad Al Sheba until 2009, then its replacement Meydan Racecourse, thereafter, have hosted the very best in the world of Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian racing since Cigar won the first edition of the race in 1996.
Now in its 29th edition, the Dubai World Cup meeting on 5 April 2025 promises to be more spectacular and exciting than ever. Join ES Sport for exclusive access, hospitality and race action viewing on Dubai World Cup night.
All winners of qualifying races during the Dubai Racing Carnival are guaranteed a place in the corresponding race on Dubai World Cup night. The Dubai World Cup 2025 bonus scheme operates over 10 races and has been expanded to cover the G2 Singspiel Stakes on Emirates Super Saturday, 1 March. The winner of this race will qualify as an entrant to the G1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night as well as becoming eligible for a US$500,000 bonus should they go on to win.
As part of the build-up towards the main event, we have recapped the highlights of Dubai World Cup 2025 qualifying races in the Dubai Racing Carnival’s completed marquee meetings ‘Festive Friday’ and ‘Fashion Friday’ up to the last week in January. The Dubai Racing Carnival runs from 8 November 2024 to 14 March 2025. A summary of which horses, jockeys and trainers emerged victorious as likely qualifiers for the corresponding race in this season’s grand finale meeting, the 2025 Dubai World Cup follows.
Festive Friday 20th December
‘Festive Friday.’ the Dubai Racing Carnival’s first marquee meeting of the season drew an expectant and enthusiastic crowd of racegoers who enjoyed a tremendous day’s action on the track as well as a great occasion in the run up to the festive season.
G2 AL MAKTOUM MILE Corresponding Race DWC: G2 GODOLPHIN MILE
NOT IN BONUS SCHEME
1st MESHTRI (USA) Age: 5 Handicap Rating 105
Jockey: Ben Coen -Trainer: Michael Costa – Owner: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
2nd QAREEB (USA) Age: 6 Handicap Rating 103 Distance margin 3.02L
Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri – Owner: Abubaker Kadoura
3rd ARTORIUS (USA) Age: 6 Handicap Rating 105 Distance margin 7.62L
Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea -Trainer: Bhupat Seemar – Owner: Juddmonte Farms, Inc
Race Report G2 Al Maktoum Mile
The G2 Maktoum Mile headlined a superb card and provided an early test for the Godolphin Mile (G2) on Dubai World Cup (G1) night. Michael Costa trained Meshtri although lightly raced was on top of things from the gate, an instant pacesetter. Nonetheless, pressed enthusiastically by Desert Wisdom on the straight and only slightly ahead on the bend, Meshtri finally lost his rival slightly before the 500m mark. However, then Qareeb moved up to threaten but while trying hard to catch the leader only ever looked guaranteed for second place. Artorius who had achieved just three wins from 11 starts for New York trainer Chad Brown, recently switching continents and trainers in search of better fortune in the Middle East, had to settle for third, 4.6 lengths behind.
The Festive Friday racing was mildly eclipsed by the earlier arrival in Dubai of Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior on December 17, fresh from the third victory of his career in the Hong Kong Cup (G1) on December 8.
Fashion Friday 24th January
The Dubai Racing Carnival’s second marquee race day was the popular ‘Fashion Friday’ meeting. Living up to its name, the event attracted a large contingent of sartorially elegant and stylishly attired race fans to witness an impressive parade of fashion and scintillating equestrian action.
G1 JEBEL HATTA Corresponding Race DWC: G1 DUBAI TURF
BONUS US$ 500,000
1st ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) Age: 7 Handicap Rating: 125
Jockey: James McDonald – Trainer: Chap Shing Danny Shum – Owner: Peter Lau Pak Fai
2nd POKER FACE (IRE) Age: 6 Handicap Rating: 111
Distance margin: 4.51L
Jockey: Patrick Dobbs -Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford – Owner: Edward J Ware
3rd HOLLOWAY BOY (GB) Age: 5 Handicap Rating 110
Distance margin: 5.19L
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope – Trainer: Karl Burke – Owner: Nick White & E Burke
Race Report G1 Jebel Hatta
Romantic Warrior ensured his place among the pantheon of Hong Kong racing titans with a surging of-another-galaxy victory in the 1800m Group 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan Racecourse, shattering the track record in the process and rewarding trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald with a truly extraordinary performance.
Posting his 18th win from 23 starts. Romantic Warrior brushed aside top-quality opposition powering over the field to win by 4.5 lengths and equal Golden Sixty’s record of 10 Group 1 wins. Kicking on with a sudden devastating burst of pace from the 400m he effortlessly overhauled Measured Time’s then 10 length lead and saw off outstanding equine athletes Poker Face and Holloway Boy in a commanding blink of an eye. All conquering Romantic Warrior triumphed yet again in his fourth successive racing jurisdiction, following Group 1 wins in Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia.
Meanwhile Laurel River, worthy winner of the G1 Dubai World Cup last March by 8.5 lengths and joint-first with City Of Troy in the 2024 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, was beaten by a short head by French veteran King Gold after leading by six lengths at the 300m mark in a shock upset in the 1600m, dirt Group 3 Firebreak Stakes. Both Laurel River and Walk of Stars could well be among Romantic Warrior’s Saudi Cup opponents
G1 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE Corresponding Race DWC: G1 DUBAI WORLD CUP
BONUS US$ 1,200,000
1st WALK OF STARS (GB) Age: 6 Handicap Rating: 117
Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea – Trainer: Bhupat Seemar – Owner: Athbah Racing
2nd IMPERIAL EMPEROR (IRE) Age: 5 Handicap Rating: 110
Distance margin: 2.89L
Jockey: Richard Mullen Trainer: Bhupat Seemar – Owner: Deva Racing
3rd FACTEUR CHEVAL (IRE) Age: 6 Handicap Rating 120
Distance margin: 7.29L
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona – Trainer: Jerome Reynier – Owner: Team Valor International & Gary Barber
Race Report G1 Al Maktoum Challenge
Walk of Stars had a history of not finishing races off despite a commanding position but appears to have put that unfortunate trait behind him. He was in total control all the way home in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on Friday 24th of January, leading a 1-2 finish for the Bhupat Seemar yard. The final 3 furlongs saw Walk of Stars locked in direct competition with his stable mate the big imposing Imperial Emperor, going into the Meydan straight they were shoulder to shoulder but then Walk of Stars pulled neatly ahead creating a safer margin to take his place at the main event.
Second in last March’s G2 Godolphin Mile, after looking for all the world like a clear favourite to win, he ended up losing by three-quarters of a length to Two Rivers Over. Walk of Stars reappeared this season and was also runner-up in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile on 22 November. Last time out on December 20 in the Listed The Entisar he was put into an immediate lead and never looked back romping home to win by just under 12 lengths.
G3 UAE 2000 GUINEAS Corresponding Race DWC: G2 UAE DERBY
BONUS US$ 100,000
1st GOLDEN VEKOMA (USA) Age: 3 Handicap Rating: 98
Jockey: Connor Beasley – Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash – Owner: Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi
2nd HEART OF HONOR (GB) Age: 3 Handicap Rating: 99
Distance margin: 1.49L
Jockey: Adrie de Vries – Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Owner: Jim and Claire Ltd
3rd ROYAL FAVOUR (GB) Age: 3 Handicap Rating 89
Distance margin: 5L
Jockey: William Buick – Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford – Owner: Sultan Ali
Race Report G2 UAE 2000 GUINEAS
Following his solid success in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on January 3 Golden Vekoma took control with 1.5 furlongs to go in field of 16 to keep the highly fancied Heart of Honor at bay past the post. Tucked in fifth place at 800m rounding the turn, Golden Vekoma eased his way to front at 300m, took the kick and just kept on going. Meanwhile Heart of Honor missed a trick and was taken out to the grandstand side to sprint down the outside for second place. Royal Favour pushed on well to take third.
Marquee Dubai World Cup Qualifier Race Meetings Coming Up
The $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) is set for February 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Closely followed by Emirates Super Saturday, March 1 at Meydan Racecourse Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Dubai World Cup is the ultimate horse racing spectacular, it enjoys an unparalleled legacy of equestrian perfection and continues to inspire generations of fans. A high point in the global racing calendar under the dazzling lights of Meydan Racecourse, it features the cream of international equine talent and delivers one of the most competitively exciting and splendid entertaining nights in world racing.