The 29th Dubai World Cup, set to take place on Saturday, April 5, at Meydan Racecourse, is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle with a stellar lineup of equine talent from around the world. Among the early nominations for the prestigious event are some of the most celebrated names in global racing, including Romantic Warrior, Rebel’s Romance, Sierra Leone, and Forever Young, who are set to compete in one of the richest race days in the world.
With a prize pool of $12 million, the G1 Dubai World Cup is the centerpiece of the nine-race card, and it has attracted 173 nominations, featuring 20 Group or Grade 1 winners. Some notable entries include the last two winners of the race—Laurel River and Ushba Tesoro—alongside Romantic Warrior, the highest-earning horse in the world, who hails from Hong Kong.
The Japanese contingent is particularly strong, boasting names like Danon Decile, winner of the Japanese Derby, and Forever Young, who triumphed in the G2 UAE Derby and placed third in the Kentucky Derby. Meanwhile, the United States has sent a promising selection of horses, including Kentucky Derby and Oaks winners Mystik Dan and the G1 Belmont Stakes runner-up, Mindframe, trained by Todd Pletcher. Doug O’Neill has also entered Mixto, the G1 Pacific Classic winner, while White Abarrio and Sierra Leone, the last two winners of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, add further excitement to the field.
The $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic has also drawn strong entries, with 109 horses nominated, including 16 Group 1 winners. Japan’s dominance in the race continues with top contenders such as Cervinia, winner of the G1 Shuka Sho, and last year’s third-place finisher, Liberty Island. France’s Francis Graffard has entered G1 King George victor Goliath, along with Calandagan, while Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance will aim to defend his title in the race.
The G1 Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, has attracted 167 nominations, with notable contenders including Japan’s Brede Weg and Soul Rush, as well as last year’s winner, Facteur Cheval, and Danon Beluga, who finished third in 2024.
The sprint races promise to deliver excitement as well, particularly the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, where defending champion Tuz faces tough competition from Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser and Bob Baffert’s Speed Boat Beach. The G1 Al Quoz Sprint will see the return of California Spangle, along with his Hong Kong rivals Howdeepisyourlove and Invincible Sage, in what promises to be a high-octane race over 1,200 meters on turf.
Three Group 2 races—the UAE Derby, Godolphin Mile, and Dubai Gold Cup—will also feature in the day’s proceedings, while the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, a race for Purebred Arabians, will kick off the event.
Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, expressed pride in the caliber of nominations: “The outstanding quality of horses nominated for this year’s Dubai World Cup is a testament to the world-class facilities at Meydan Racecourse and the prestige of the event itself.”
His Excellency Ali Al Ali, CEO of Dubai Racing Club, added, “The Dubai World Cup meeting has grown into one of the largest and most significant global racing events in less than three decades, and we are excited to see such a strong field this year.”
Erwan Charpy, Head of Racing Operations at Dubai Racing Club, also praised the nominations: “The level of competition this year is among the best in our 29 years of hosting the event. With horses like Romantic Warrior, Sierra Leone, and Goliath, this promises to be an extraordinary day for racing fans.”
As anticipation builds for the 2025 Dubai World Cup, the stage is set for a truly global celebration of thoroughbred racing. Fans and owners alike are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a historic day at Meydan.
