As we bid farewell to the old year, the 2025/26 Dubai Racing Carnival calendar has already delivered some world-class equestrian action since launching with Carnival Opening Night on 7 November 2025. The season will of course culminate 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 most fitting stage for the US$30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting, traditionally held on the final Saturday in March.
The Dubai Racing Carnival Highlights
Friday, 19 December 2025 (Dirt & Turf) ‘Festive Friday’
Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (3YO+) | 1800m | Turf | $850,000
Opera Ballo’s exciting talent rang out once again as he claimed a well-earned fifth career win and a first Group success, defeating stablemate and four-time G1 winner Nations Pride in the G2 Al Rashidiya – sponsored by Emaar, and a key preparatory for the G1 Dubai Turf.
Sitting comfortably in third, Jockey William Buick increased the tempo just before the 200metre marker. Opera Ballo responded instantly, quickening the pace to cross the finish line by a decisive three lengths ahead of Nations Pride.
Trainer Charlie Appleby’s view:
“The most logical place to go now is the Group 1 Jebel Hatta [23 January ‘Fashion Friday’] and then we’ll see if he’s a World Cup night horse.”
The Entisaar – Listed (3YO+) | 1900m | Dirt | $500,000
Heart Of Honor staked a genuine ‘top-table’ claim in the listed Entisar Stakes – sponsored by Emaar – a race that has often signposted progressed frequently proved to be an indicator of progress toward the Dubai World Cup. Among the field was Walk of Stars, fourth in last season’s World Cup.
Walk Of Stars, under Tadhg O’Shea, set a steady tempo that may not have suited Heart Of Honor’s preference for closing from further back. Even so, he delivered powerfully, despite being pressed throughout by jockey Saffie Osborne. After the turn, the three‑year‑old persistently gained ground, sweeping past Walk Of Stars and runner‑up Artorius to win by one and a half lengths and two lengths respectively.
Saffie Osborne, riding for trainer father Jamie, gave her summary:
“I thought I was going to finish last down the back straight,”
“Then, as soon as I started asking him questions around the bend I realised how lazy he’d been down the back!
“Today he showed what a quality horse he is, which I didn’t really know before as he doesn’t give you much of a feel when you’re pushing him along. He was relentless.
“I think when he’s a little bit more mature and a little bit more streetwise, we could have a seriously exciting horse on our hands.”
Osborne Snr added:
“Today he showed how brave he is, how much he wants it and how much he stays. The dream is still alive!”
The next stage of that dream is likely the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, on Fashion Friday, 23 January.
Al Maktoum Mile – Group 2 (3YO+) | 1600m | Dirt | $1,000,000
Imperial Emperor ruled once more in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile, the evening’s official feature – sponsored be Emaar – leading home a confidence boosting 1st, 2nd and 3rd for trainer Bhupat Seemar.
The Deva Racing‑owned gelding made it all the way to the Dubai World Cup last season but finished down the field. This performance, however, signalled a return to his best. With Tadhg O’Shea aboard, he maintained a strong position throughout and surged clear in the final 200 metres to defeat stablemates Commissioner King and Mendelssohn Bay.
Seemar, who had eight runners in the race, was delighted with the showing:
“He’s a class horse – he’s won a Group 2 very impressively and was a second in a Group 1.”
“I’m glad we came back to a mile as I don’t think we’ve tightened all the bolts yet and he’ll come on for that,” Seemar went on to say, and alluding to the future, “He’s just as good at a mile and a quarter (2000metres) so we’ll speak with the owners and come up with a plan.”
Meanwhile, O’Shea observed: “He’s a stronger horse this season and it’s great to see these older horses retaining their enthusiasm, which he has. I think we should go two turns [2000metres] and work back from the big one [Dubai World Cup].”
Business Bay Challenge – Listed (3YO+) | 1400m | Turf | $500,000
Jockey Will Buick made it a four-time success on turf at Meydan, steering Mysterious Night round a track where Appleby’s contented gelding appears to be totally at home, to his third course win in the Listed Business Bay Challenge – sponsored by Emaar.
Although, the five-year-old had been away for 287 days he managed to dig deep in a hotly fought contest beating the race-fit Khanjar, by a neck.
“Will held a great position round there and his homework [on Mysterious Night] had been good,” commented Appleby, adding: “I was pretty confident he was fit coming into this evening. We’ll see what Will has to say and decide whether we stick at this trip or step up for the Zabeel Mile.”
Ertijaal Dubai Dash – Listed (3YO+) | 1000m | Turf | $500,000
An hour later, Buick doubled his tally on Cover Up who successfully defended his crown in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash – sponsored by Emaar.
Forced to wait for a gap, Cover Up burst through when it appeared, sprinting clear to defeat Rabaah by two lengths.
Buick, said in his post-race comments:
“He won the race last year but made hard work of it,” adding, “This year he was very comfortable, travelled sweetly and from halfway he had things under control.”
“I think this could set him up for a really nice campaign out here.”
The DUBAI Racing Club Classic Handicap (85-105) (3YO+) | 2410m | Turf | $300,000
Will Buick finally secured four wins on the night when his next ride By The Book sauntered to victory on just his fourth career start.
The son of Frankel proved far too powerful for his competitors, pulling four and a half lengths clear of his nearest rival, Asgard’s Captain.
Winning trainer Appleby said, after achieving a treble of his own during the meeting:
“We’ve always liked the horse and thought that this style of racing and track could suit him.” “We’ll see how far he can progress throughout the winter.”
G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 – Purebred Arabians (4YO+) | 1600m | AED 500,000
Muraad emerged as the new star among the Purebred Arabians. A French G1 winner but a UAE newcomer, he adapted seamlessly and produced a confident dirt debut, edging defending champion Mubeed by a neck.
Ridden by Silvestre de Sousa trained by Majed Al Jahouri, he appeared overly keen in the early phases but had kept enough in reserve to finish strongly and see off a tenacious defending champion.
Shahama Stakes – Conditions (Fillies, 2YO) | 1400m | Dirt | $210,000
Labwah, trained by Salem bin Ghadayah, built on her debut fourth behind Yuno to land an emphatic victory in the Shahama Stakes — sponsored by Emaar.
The daughter of Charlatan, always prominent under Bernardo Pinheiro, she found extra reserves in the straight to hold off Star Mirage by a quarter of a length.
“The team expected a lot from her,” said Pinheiro, in his performance analysis:
“She’s a very quiet filly in the yard; she does everything right. We had a good draw, she jumped well and I managed to take a breather on the turn and look after her.”
Emaar Stride – Conditions (2YO+) | 1200 metres | Dirt |
Michael Costa matched Bhupat Seemar’s earlier feat by saddling the 1‑2‑3 in the day’s finale, the Emaar Stride Conditions race. Raajehh, under Andrew Slattery, produced his best late surge to deny the filly Mouhjah.
Costa was complimentary about the 1-2-3 as a group:
“They’re all nice horses and they’ll all go onto better things,” he said, adding:
“Raajehh is a horse we’ve got a lot of time for, and we’ve had a Guineas sort of campaign in mind for him. We’ll see how he pulls up as to whether he goes to the Guineas prep or straight to the [G3 UAE 2000] Guineas.”
‘Fashion Friday’ 23 January 2026, Dubai Racing Carnival’s First Pathway to Direct Qualification to Dubai World Cup Night
‘Fashion Friday’ sits among a select group of Dubai Racing Carnival meetings that 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 grand finale. It is, in essence, one of the Carnival’s high‑stakes gateways to the world’s most spectacular race day.
Fashion Friday: Races Offering Direct Qualification
- 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
In addition to showcasing elite stallions preparing for Dubai World Cup Night, Fashion Friday is also a highlight for Dubai’s style‑setters — a day that actively encourages decadently elegant hats, dazzling couture, and the most glamorous race‑day looks. It is an exquisite date in the sporting and social calendar, taking place on Friday 23 January at Meydan Racecourse.
Alongside eight high‑quality races, spectators can enjoy five‑star gourmet dining and step outside for a touch of glamour and world‑class hospitality at one of the globe’s most iconic racing venues.
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. ES Sport can secure the finest seats and hospitality at Meydan Racecourse, ensuring you experience the Dubai World Cup in ultimate style.
Del Mar Winners Bound for Meydan in 2026
Following a landmark reciprocal agreement announced in February 2025 between Dubai Racing Club and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, an alternative intercontinental pathway now exists for qualification to the Dubai World Cup.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, held from 31 October to 1 November 2025 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California, featured Dubai World Cup qualifiers for the first time under the “Win and You’re In” scheme. Four Del Mar winners will now travel to Meydan to join the Fashion Friday qualifiers, having already secured automatic entry to their respective Dubai World Cup Night races.
Breeders’ Cup Winners Already Qualified for Dubai World Cup Night
| Breeders’ Cup Race | 2025 Winner | Automatic Dubai World Cup Qualifier |
| Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic | Forever Young (JPN) | Dubai World Cup |
| Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint | Bentornato (USA) | Dubai Golden Shaheen |
| Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf | Ethical Diamond (IRE) | Dubai Sheema Classic |
| FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile | Notable Speech (GBR) | Dubai Turf |
What has already been a fascinating Dubai Racing Carnival resumes on Friday, 2 January when the Group 2 Zabeel Mile and Group 3 Dubawi Stakes take the spotlight.
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 at Meydan Racecourse, so you experience the Dubai World Cup in ultimate style.
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