Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates once again confirmed its crown as the heartbeat of global horseracing, when the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup delivered another unforgettable spectacle. Considered by international racing aficionados as one of the finest equestrian showcases in the world, it continues to attract the intercontinental elite amongst horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners.
The Dubai World Cup meeting encompasses nine races taking place across the day, with a mighty $30.5million (£23m) in prize money at stake, of these the Dubai World Cup race is the main event and the final race of the day, offering a mammoth purse of $12m (£9.29m).
Setting the Scene
As you might imagine there was a high incidence of class in a field that had drawn the best dirt routers from across the globe. Yet only one horse besides the heavily fancied Forever Young, nudged into the gates at odds under 10-1 on April 5th. Setting the stage for one of the most exciting favourite’s races to lose in Dubai World Cup history, a view underwritten when Qatari-owned, American-based long shot Hit Show powered to victory at 80-1.
Dubai World Cup 2025: Race Report
April 5th saw the thoroughbred racing world gather at Meydan Racecourse with many eyes glued on the Japanese superstar Forever Young coming into the race on the back of a remarkable track record of G1 wins.
The Break
Out of the gates the break seemed pretty evenly balanced for all the runners, although Akira Sugawara was forced into a modest check on Dubai World Cup winner in 2023, Ushba Tesoro a few strides into the race. However, it was Walk of Stars who set the pace, leading the field for almost the full 2000 metres distance.
The Stretch
Then came a spirited charge from Mixto and jockey Frankie Dettori must have thought he was on for a legendary record fifth win in the race, the way the Calumet Farm horse was moving as they hit the top of the stretch. Suddenly Hit Show began to accelerate, which initially didn’t appear to be at sufficient pace to catch the leader.
The Finish
Yet Hit Show was deceptively quick. Propelling himself swiftly through the gears, Wathnan Racing’s grey 5-year-old by Candy Ride now flying, launched into a final dramatic surge past Mixto, to hit the wire three-quarters of a length ahead, making it a one-two finish for a drastically underestimated couple of U.S. horses. Forever Young had to settle for third while Walk of Stars held on to take fourth.
The epitome of a dark horse, Hit Show was trained by Brad Cox, who did not travel to Dubai, staying home to oversee his Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls, while jockey Florent Geroux skilfully guided the outsider to his first Grade 1 win.
“To be honest with you, I was looking for a placing,” Geroux confessed in a post-race interview. “He gave me more.”
Cox was equally as honest on a call with the Dubai officials. “I still can’t quite believe it. It’s unbelievable.”
Hit Show now has the opportunity to continue his fairytale journey at the end of the year. The Dubai World Cup (G1) was recently added to the qualifying list of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, meaning that the stunning victory not only gave him a majestic payday but also a free entry into this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 1, back on his home patch in the USA.
Hit Show’s victory serves as a testament to the unpredictable magic of horse racing, where even the unfancied outsider can rise to the occasion and beat the field.
Dubai World Cup 2025 Sponsored by Emirates Airline Results
1 Hit Show 80-1 Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Florent Geroux
2 Mixto 33-1 Trainer: D O’neill Jockey: Frankie Dettori
3 Forever Young 4-9 favourite Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
4 Walk of Stars 11-1 Trainer: Bhupat Seemar Jockey: Mickaël Barzalona
5 II Miracolo 150-1 Trainer: Antonio Sano Jockey: John Velazquez
6 Ushba Tesoro 16-1 Trainer: Noboru Takagi Jockey: Akira Sugawara
7 Wilson Tesoro 28-1 Trainer: Noburu Takagi Jockey: Yuga Kawada
8 Rattle N Roll 28-1 Trainer: Kenneth McPeek Jockey: William Buick
9 Ramjet 33-1 Trainer: Shozo Sasaki Jockey: Kosei Miura
10 Katonah 100-1 Trainer: D O’neill Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
11 Imperial Emperor 4-1 Trainer: Bhupat Seemar Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea
Full Dubai World Cup 2025 Meeting Schedule
1:35pm – Dubai Kahayla Classic
2:10pm – Dubai Gold Cup
2:45pm – Godolphin Mile
3:20pm – Al Quoz Sprint
4:00pm – UAE Derby
4:40pm – Dubai Golden Shaheen
5:15pm – Dubai Turf
5:50pm – Longines Dubai Sheema Classic
6.30pm – Dubai World Cup
There is Always a Next Time
Join us next year at Meydan for what promises to be another unmissable chapter in Dubai World Cup history.
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