Menu
The Dubai World Cup is held each year in late March or early April, one of the biggest and richest races on the thoroughbred horse racing calendar.
The race was known as the richest race in the world until the Saudi Cup started offering a $20 million purse in 2020. The 2025 purse for the Dubai World Cup is set at $12 million.
The Dubai World Cup was inaugurated in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the then Crown Prince of Dubai (now the ruler of Dubai), with the vision to establish Dubai as a global hub for horse racing. The inaugural race took place on March 27, 1996, at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.
The first race was won by Cigar, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Jerry Bailey. The initial purse was $4 million, which was the highest for any horse race at that time.
Laurel River took home top honors in 2024. The six-year-old was trained by Bhupat Seemar, owned by Juddmonte Farma and ridden to victory by Tadhg O’Shea.
Godolphin Racing has won the race a record nine times, while trainer Saeed bin Suroor has saddled the winner nine times. Jerry Bailey and Frankie Dettori lead all jockeys with four wins each.
U.S. based runners have won two of the last six runnings of the Dubai World Cup. Country Grammer was the most recent winner in 2022, with Mystic Guide getting to the wire first in 2021.
The 2025 edition of the Dubai World Cup will be contested on Saturday, April 5. Hosted at the iconic Meydan Racecourse, the 29th renewal of racing’s most spectacular fixture will be staged a week later than usual as the Dubai Racing Carnival has been extended to include 16 race meetings. The Dubai World Cup is the finale on a star-studded night of racing. Other races run will be:
Dubai Kahayla Classic – A Group 1 race for Purebred Arabians.
Godolphin Mile – A Group 2 dirt race.
Dubai Gold Cup – A Group 2 turf race.
Al Quoz Sprint – A Group 1 turf sprint.
UAE Derby – A Group 2 dirt race.
Dubai Golden Shaheen – A Group 1 dirt sprint.
Dubai Turf – A Group 1 turf race.
Longines Dubai Sheema Classic – A Group 1 turf race.
Looking to bet on the Dubai World Cup? Iron Bets will be offering wagering on the entire Dubai World Cup card. At Iron Bets new players can earn up to a $300 deposit bonus, enhanced rewards, free past performances, daily promotions and more. Click here to sign up at Iron Bets.
1996: Cigar (USA)
1997: Singspiel (UAE)
1998: Silver Charm (USA)
1999: Almutawakel (UAE)
2000: Dubai Millennium (UAE)
2001: Captain Steve (USA)
2002: Street Cry (UAE)
2003: Moon Ballad (UAE)
2004: Pleasantly Perfect (USA)
2005: Roses In May (USA)
2006: Electrocutionist (UAE)
2007: Invasor (UAE)
2008: Curlin (USA)
2009: Well Armed (USA)
2010: Gloria de Campeao (Brazil)
2011: Victoire Pisa (Japan)
2012: Monterosso (UAE)
2013: Animal Kingdom (USA)
2014: African Story (UAE)
2015: Prince Bishop (UAE)
2016: California Chrome (USA)
2017: Arrogate (USA)
2018: Thunder Snow (UAE)
2019: Thunder Snow (UAE)
2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19
2021: Mystic Guide (USA)
2022: Country Grammer (USA)
2023: Ushba Tesoro (Japan)
2024: Laurel River (USA)
The 2025 Dubai World Cup field should be stellar. Horses that perform well in the Pegasus World Cup and Saudi Cup will likely be pointed toward the race. Among the early contenders being considered for the race including defending champion Laurel River, 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, Romantic Warrior, Highland Falls, Ushba Tesoro, Locked and Rattle and Roll. Bet on the Dubai World Cup at Iron Bets!
Iron Bets. All rights revered
