The Dubai World Cup, which is the most expensive horse race in the world, traditionally closes the equestrian season in the UAE and starts the summer season in Europe. A huge prize pool attracts the most elite horses and the most famous horse breeders from around the world. This year, 2142 horses from 19 countries fought for the right to compete in the cup. The finalists included representatives from Japan, Hong Kong, the UK and the USA with the highest ratings.
Traditionally, Arabian horses will open the races: in the Dubai Kahayla Classic 2000 meter race, horses will compete for a prize of US $ 1 million. Similar prizes await the winners of the day races Godolphin Mile (1600 meters), Dubai Gold Cup (3200 meters) and Al Quoz Sprint (1000 meters). Three-year-old horses will compete in UAE Derby (1,900 meters) with a prize pool of US $ 2 million.
After sunset, the time comes for even more expensive and gambling races - Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200 meters, US $ 2 million), Dubai Turf (1800 meters, US $ 6 million) and Dubai Sheema Classic (2140 meters, US $ 6 million), and the highlight of the race day will be the most prestigious race sponsored by Emirates Airlines, with a prize pool of US $ 10 million - the Dubai World Cup at a distance of 2000 meters. This year more than 300 horses competed for the right to participate in the race, including California Chrome's “Horse of the Year 2014”, the 2014 Belmont Stakes trophy holder named Tonalist, and Toast of New York, the winner of last year’s UAE Derby race.
According to representatives of the Dubai Racing Club, this year the audience should expect the strongest participants in the entire 20-year history of the cup. Strong horses, riders and coaches will be represented not only by the United States, but also by Asian countries - primarily Japan and Hong Kong.
March 28 - the culmination of the race week in the UAE. It is preceded by the main week of horse racing, during which spectators can attend training sessions, assess the qualifications of horses and chat with coaches and jockeys at the famous “Breakfast with the Champions”. The main day of the competition is traditionally famous for competitions in the most stylish outfit, large-scale light or aerobatic shows and grandiose concerts of world celebrities after the completion of the races. An exhibition devoted to the history of the World Cup in horse racing is held at the Meydan complex: here you can familiarize yourself with the history of the competitions and take a picture with you of the most valuable sports prize.
