The 2025/26 Dubai Racing calendar promises five months of world-class competition, kicking off with Carnival Opening Night on 7 November 2025 and culminating in the Dubai World Cup on 28 March 2026 — the city’s most spectacular sporting and social occasion.
Hosted at the magnificent Meydan Racecourse, the Carnival spans 16 race meetings and showcases the very best in international thoroughbred racing. Meydan is not only the beating heart of the Carnival, but also the fitting stage for the US$30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting, traditionally held on the final Saturday in March.
Key Events in the 2025/26 Dubai Racing Carnival Calendar
The Dubai Racing Carnival features a vibrant mix of themed race days — from Festive Friday (19 December 2025) to Fashion Friday (23 January 2026) — each offering a unique blend of sport, style, and an atmosphere of celebration.
Three of these meetings include 10 qualifying races that grant winners direct entry to corresponding contests on Dubai World Cup Night, along with a 10% bonus for horses who triumph in both. Under last season’s scheme, Dubai Future claimed the Nad Al Sheba Trophy and Dubai Gold Cup, earning a US$100,000 bonus for the horse and its connections.
The Following Races in the Dubai Racing Carnival Offer Direct Qualification to Dubai World Cup Night
These select contests not only grant automatic entry to corresponding races on Dubai World Cup Night but also offer substantial bonuses for horses who win both the qualifier and the final. It’s a high-stakes pathway to the world’s most spectacular race day.
23 January 2026 – Fashion Friday
- Jebel Hatta G1 → Dubai Turf G1 | Bonus: US$500,000
- Al Maktoum Challenge G1 → Dubai World Cup G1 | Bonus: US$1,200,000
- UAE 2000 Guineas G3 → UAE Derby G2 | Bonus: US$100,000
20 February 2026
- Nad Al Sheba Trophy G3 → Dubai Gold Cup G2 | Bonus: US$100,000
28 February 2026 – Emirates Super Saturday
- Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint G3 → Al Quoz Sprint G1 | Bonus: US$150,000
- Mahab Al Shimal G3 → Dubai Golden Shaheen G1 | Bonus: US$200,000
- Burj Nahaar G3 → Godolphin Mile G2 | Bonus: US$100,000
- Singspiel G2 → Dubai Turf G1 | Bonus: US$500,000
- Al Maktoum Classic G2 → Dubai World Cup G1 | Bonus: US$1,200,000
28 February 2026 – Emirates Super Saturday
- Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint G3 → Al Quoz Sprint G1 | Bonus: US$150,000
- Mahab Al Shimal G3 → Dubai Golden Shaheen G1 | Bonus: US$200,000
- Burj Nahaar G3 → Godolphin Mile G2 | Bonus: US$100,000
- Singspiel G2 → Dubai Turf G1 | Bonus: US$500,000
- Al Maktoum Classic G2 → Dubai World Cup G1 | Bonus: US$1,200,000
- Dubai City of Gold G2 → Longines Dubai Sheema Classic G1 | Bonus: US$600,000
Note: Horses are eligible for one bonus per season. Declaration fees still apply.
With qualifying races, themed events, and world-class competition across five months, the Dubai Racing Carnival offers a rich and varied calendar for racing fans and industry professionals alike.
Below is the full schedule of race meetings and cards for the 2025/26 season.
Overall Dubai Racing Carnival Meeting Schedule & Cards
Friday, 7 November 2025 (Dirt)
- Handicap ratings band 66-80 races 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: $175,000
- Cond race 3YO Distance: 1200m: $210,000
- Maiden race 2YO Distance: 1200m: $165,000
- Maiden race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 66-80 races 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: $175,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 1900m: $190,000
Friday, 21 November 2025 (Dirt)
- Maiden Fillies race 2YO Distance: 1400m: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: $300,000
- Maiden race 2YO Distance: 1600m: $165,000
- Dubai Creek Mile – Listed 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: $500,000
- Cond race 3YO Distance: 1600m: $210,000
- Thunder Snow Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1900m: $300,000
Friday, 5 December 2025 (Dirt)
- Al Garhoud Sprint – Listed 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: $500,000
- Handicap ratings band 65-85 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: $175,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: $250,000
- Maiden race 2YO Distance: 1400m: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: $190,000
- Maiden race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 2000m: $190,000
- Additional race TBA
Friday, 12 December 2025 (Dirt & Turf)
- Maiden race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $300,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $190,000
- Maiden race 2YO Distance: 1400m: Turf: $165,000
- Maiden race 2YO Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 1800m: Turf: $190,000
Friday, 19 December 2025 (Dirt & Turf) ‘Festive Friday’
- Ertijaal Dubai Dash – Listed 3YO+ Distance: 1000m: Turf: $500,000
- Cond race 2YO Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $210,000
- Business Bay Challenge – Listed 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Turf: $500,000
- Shahama Stakes – Cond Filles race 2YO Distance: 1400m: Dirt: $210,000
- Al Maktoum Mile – Group 2 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $1,000,000
- Al Rashidiya – Group 2 race 3YO+ Distance: 1800m: Turf: $850,000
- The Entisaar – Listed 3YO+ Distance: 1900m: Dirt: $500,000
- The DUBAI Racing Club Classic Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 2410m: Turf: $300,000
Friday, 2 January 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 race 4YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $700,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $300,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $190,000
- Jumeirah Stakes – Cond race 3YO Distance: 1400m: Turf: $300,000
- UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Cond race 3YO Distance: 1400m: Dirt: $300,000
- Zabeel Mile – Group 2 race 4YO+ Distance: 1600m: Turf: $850,000
- Zabeel Turf Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 4YO+ Distance: 2000m: Turf: $300,000
- Cond race 4YO+ Distance: 2810m: Turf: $300,000
Friday, 9 January 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 1000m: Turf: $190,000
- Al Wasl Stakes – Cond race 3YO Distance: 1200m: Turf: $300,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $300,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Turf: $190,000
- Maiden race 3YO Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $190,000
- Lord North Handicap ratings band 90-110 race 4YO+ Distance: 1800m: Turf: $350,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 4YO+ Distance: 1900m: Turf: $175,000
Friday, 16 January 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1000m: Turf: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 60-80 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Turf: $175,000
- Cape Verdi Fillies & Mares – Group 2 4YO+ Distance: 1600m: Turf: $850,000
- Cocoa Beach Stakes – Fillies Cond race 3YO Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $400,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Turf: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 4YO+ Distance: 2200m: Dirt: $190,000
- Vazirabad Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 4YO+ Distance: 2410m: Turf: $300,000
Friday, 23 January 2026 (Dirt & Turf) ‘Fashion Friday’
- Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 race 3YO+ Distance: 1000m: Turf: $850,000
- Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $700,000
- Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 race 4YO+ Distance: 1400m: Turf: $850,000
- Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 race 4YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $700,000
- UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 race 3YO Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $700,000
- Jebel Hatta – Group 1 race 4YO+ Distance: 1800m: Turf: $1,850,000
- Al Maktoum Challenge – Group 1 race 4YO+ Distance: 1900m: Dirt: $3,680,000
- Al Khail Trophy – Group 3 race 4YO+ Distance: 2810m: Turf: $700,000
Friday, 30 January 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Dubai Sprint – Listed 4YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $500,000
- Mawj Stakes – Cond Fillies race 3YO Distance: 1200m: Turf: $500,000
- Jumeirah Guineas Trial race 3YO Distance: 1600m: Turf: $500,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Turf: $190,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $250,000
- Dubai Millenium Stakes – Group 3 race 4YO+ Distance: 2000m: Turf: $700,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 4YO+ Distance: 2000m: Dirt: $300,000
- Additional race TBA
Friday, 6 February 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Dubai Trophy 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $350,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 4YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $190,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Dirt: $190,000
- Handicap ratings band 60-80 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Turf: $175,000
- Lord Glitters Handicap ratings band 90-110 race 3YO+ Distance: 1800m: Turf: $350,000
- Maiden race 3YO Distance: 1900m: Dirt: $165,000
Friday, 13 February 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Handicap ratings band 65-85 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $175,000
- Handicap ratings band 60-80 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $175,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Turf: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $190,000
- Maiden race 4YO+ Distance: 1900m: Dirt: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 2000m: Turf: $190,000
- Handicap ratings band 65-85 race 3YO+ Distance: 2000m: Dirt: $175,000
Friday, 20 February 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1000m: Turf: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $300,000
- Maiden race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Dirt: $165,000
- Ballanchine Fillies & Mares – Group 2 4YO+ Distance: 1800m: Turf: $850,000
- UAE Oaks – Fillies Group 3 race 3YO Distance: 1900m: Dirt: $800,000
- Al Bastakiya – Listed 3YO Distance: 1900m: Dirt: $800,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1900m: Turf: $300,000
- Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 race 4YO+ Distance: 2810m: Turf: $700,000
Saturday, 28 February 2026 (Dirt & Turf) ‘Emirates Super Saturday’
- Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $1,200,000
- Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint – Group 3 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $1,200,000
- Burj Nahar – Group 3 race 4YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $1,200,000
- Jumeirah 1000 Guineas – Fillies Listed 3YO Distance: 1600m: Turf: $800,000
- Jumeirah 2000 Guineas – Listed 3YO Distance: 1600m: Turf: $800,000
- Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 4YO+ Distance: 1800m: Turf: $1,400,000
- Al Maktoum Classic – Group 2 4YO+ Distance: 2000m: Dirt: $1,700,000
- Dubai City of Gold– Group 2 4YO+ Distance: 2410m: Turf: $1,400,000
Friday, 6 March 2026 (Dirt & Turf)
- Cond race 3YO Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $210,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Turf: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Dirt: $190,000
- Handicap ratings band 65-85 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Turf: $175,000
- Ras Al Khor – Group 3 race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Turf: $850,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1900m: Turf: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 2200m: Dirt: $190,000
Friday, 13 March 2026 (Dirt & Turf) Dubai World Cup
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1200m: Dirt: $250,000
- Maiden race 3YO+ Distance: 1400m: Dirt: $165,000
- Handicap ratings band 80-100 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Dirt: $250,000
- Handicap ratings band 85-105 race 3YO+ Distance: 1600m: Turf: $300,000
- Handicap ratings band 70-90 race 3YO+ Distance: 1900m: Dirt: $190,000
- Handicap ratings band 75-95 race 3YO+ Distance: 2410m: Turf: $190,000
- Additional race TBA
*The race conditions in all the above listed races are subject to change.
Dubai World Cup – The Grand Finale of the Racing Season
The Dubai Racing Carnival builds towards a spectacular crescendo: Dubai World Cup Day, the undisputed sporting and social pinnacle of the city’s calendar. With US$30.5 million in prize money across six Group 1 and three Group 2 races, the 30th anniversary edition promises a celebration like no other — complete with Guinness World Record-setting ceremony, avant-garde fashion, world-class dining, and mesmerising entertainment.
Follow the full Dubai Racing Carnival with ES Sport, culminating in the landmark Dubai World Cup on 28 March 2026 — the world’s most spectacular race day. Let ES Sport arrange the best seats and hospitality in the house at Meydan Racecourse, so you experience the Dubai World Cup in ultimate style.
This is the highlight of the racing season, known for its significant prize money and international participation.
For the complete schedule and more details, you can visit the Dubai Racing Club’s official website.
A total of US$ 30.5 million in prize money across six Group 1 and three Group 2 races, a multiple Guinness World Record setting closing ceremony, exceptional dining, avant-garde fashion and mesmerising entertainment, have made Dubai World Cup day the sporting and social highlight of the city. Celebrate the landmark 30th anniversary of the world’s most spectacular race day with us on 28 March, 2026.
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