All eyes are on the 2025 Dubai World Cup, set to be the showpiece finale of a blockbuster race day at the iconic Meydan Racecourse today (Saturday, April 5). Recognized as one of the most prestigious events in global horse racing, the Dubai World Cup caps a day featuring a jaw-dropping total prize purse of USD 30 million—highlighted by a staggering USD 12 million for the main event alone.
Held under the lights at 21:30 local time, the Dubai World Cup is a Group 1 flat race for Thoroughbreds run over 2000 meters (approximately 10 furlongs) on dirt. As the ninth and final race of the evening, it’s more than a sporting event—it’s a global spectacle, attracting elite horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners from around the world to the UAE’s racing capital. Meydan, meaning “meeting point” in Arabic, lives up to its name every year, drawing a confluence of international talent and fierce competition.
The 2025 edition features a compact yet formidable field of eleven runners, all vying for a share of the USD 14 million prize. The winner will receive a staggering USD 6.96 million, with the rest of the purse distributed as follows: USD 2.4 million for second, USD 1.2 million for third, USD 600,000 for fourth, USD 360,000 for fifth, USD 240,000 for sixth, and USD 120,000 each for seventh and eighth place.
Since its inaugural running in 1996, the Dubai World Cup has been known for drama, triumph, and history-making performances. The current track record—an electrifying 2:01.38—was set by THUNDER SNOW (IRE) on March 31, 2018, and remains unchallenged.
This year’s field reads like a who’s who of global racing powerhouses. Among the top contenders are FOREVER YOUNG (JPN), the unbeaten Japanese sensation trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai; HIT SHOW (USA), trained by Brad Cox and partnered with Florent Geroux; and USHBA TESORO (JPN), the 2023 Dubai World Cup champion, returning under Akira Sugawara and Noboru Takagi.
Also lining up are IL MIRACOLO (USA), IMPERIAL EMPEROR (IRE), KATONAH (USA), MIXTO (USA), RAMJET (JPN), RATTLE N ROLL (USA), WALK OF STARS (GB), and WILSON TESORO (JPN). Bhupat Seemar, who saddled last year’s winner LAUREL RIVER, returns with two hopefuls—IMPERIAL EMPEROR and WALK OF STARS—in his bid for back-to-back glory.
Trackwork at Meydan has been buzzing with energy all week as contenders fine-tune their form. Jockeys are laser-focused, trainers are strategizing, and horses are showing peak condition. The build-up to race day has been electric, with fans, fashionistas, and punters eagerly awaiting what promises to be a night of high drama, fast dirt, and unforgettable finishes.
As the sun sets over Dubai and the floodlights power on, the 2025 Dubai World Cup will once again serve as a fitting crescendo to a day of racing excellence—where reputations are made, legends are born, and history is always just one furlong away.
