The stage is set for the 29th Dubai World Cup, scheduled for April 5 at Meydan Racecourse, where the world’s equine elite from 20 different countries will vie for supremacy. Leading the charge are ROMANTIC WARRIOR, the highest-earning horse globally from Hong Kong, and recent Dubai World Cup champions LAUREL RIVER and USHBA TESORO. The $12 million G1 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, has drawn 173 nominations, including 20 Group or Grade 1 winners, with SIERRA LEONE, a contender from the U.S., adding to the star-studded field.
The nominations also feature a strong group from Japan, including Japanese Derby winner DANON DECILE and G2 UAE Derby winner and Kentucky Derby third FOREVER YOUNG. The United States sends its own formidable group with Kentucky Derby and Oaks winners MYSTIK DAN and G1 Belmont Stakes runner-up MINDFRAME for Todd Pletcher, alongside G1 Pacific Classic winner MIXTO from Doug O’Neill. The list is further enhanced by the last two winners of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, WHITE ABARRIO for Saffie Joseph Junior and SIERRA LEONE for Chad Brown.
In the $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, 109 horses have been nominated, with 16 having Group 1 wins. Japan’s CERVINIA, a G1 Shuka Sho winner, and last year’s third place LIBERTY ISLAND are among the notable entries. French trainer Francis Graffard has entered his G1 King George winner GOLIATH and stablemate CALANDAGAN, while defending champion REBEL’S ROMANCE looks to defend his title for Godolphin.
The G1 Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, has attracted 167 nominations, with contenders like Japan’s BREDE WEG and SOUL RUSH, last year’s winner FACTEUR CHEVAL and DANON BELUGA, who finished third in 2024.
Sprint races are highlighted by the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, where defending champion TUZ could face off against Breeders’ Cup sprint winner STRAIGHT NO CHASER and Bob Baffert’s SPEED BOAT BEACH. The G1 Al Quoz Sprint features defending champion CALIFORNIA SPANGLE, along with Hong Kong’s HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE and INVINCIBLE SAGE.
The day’s racing card is rounded out with three Group 2 races – the UAE Derby, Godolphin Mile, and Dubai Gold Cup, alongside the traditional opener, the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians, ensuring a full day of top-tier racing action.
Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, commented, “The outstanding nominations from around the world underscore the prestige of our facilities at Meydan and the allure of the Dubai World Cup meeting on the international racing calendar.”
His excellency Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of the Dubai Racing Club, emphasized the event’s growth, stating, “We are extremely proud of the Dubai World Cup meeting and how it has grown, in less than 30 years, to become one of the biggest global racing events on the planet. This year’s nominations include some of the best horses in the world and we thank trainers and owners for their support. The Dubai World Cup meeting is set to be one of the most spectacular days of racing staged anywhere in the world in 2025.”
Erwan Charpy, Head of Racing Operations and International Relations for the Dubai Racing Club, highlighted the quality of the nominations, noting, “This year’s entries include some of the world’s top horses, promising an unforgettable day for racing enthusiasts globally.”
The 2025 Dubai World Cup meeting not only celebrates the speed and spirit of these magnificent athletes but also marks a significant moment in the global equestrian calendar, showcasing the international camaraderie and competition that horse racing brings to the fore.
