The day at Meydan Racecourse had everything a racegoer could hope for—electrifying horse races, high fashion, pulsating entertainment, and a crowd buzzing with anticipation. The thrill of Dubai World Cup night built steadily with each race, but nothing could match the crescendo of excitement as the ninth and final contest approached. The Group 1 Dubai World Cup, a staggering USD 12 million showpiece run over 2000 metres on a fast dirt track, stood as the ultimate test for some of the world’s finest Thoroughbreds.
As the gates burst open and the runners thundered down the stretch, it was HIT SHOW (USA) who rose from the shadows and etched his name in Dubai racing history. The 5-year-old grey horse, trained by Brad Cox and ridden with surgical precision by Florent Geroux, unleashed a blistering final run that left the field trailing in disbelief. Clocking 2:03.50, HIT SHOW’s stunning upset delivered one of the most memorable finishes ever witnessed on this grand stage.
Close behind came MIXTO (USA), the 5-year-old chestnut horse, showing heart and hunger every step of the way. Ridden by the legendary Lanfranco Dettori and trained by Doug O’Neill, MIXTO finished just 0.64 lengths adrift in a time of 2:03.61—his best career effort on the international dirt circuit, proving his emergence as a top contender.
All eyes had been on the favourite, FOREVER YOUNG (JPN), and while he showed class, the final strides told a different tale. The 4-year-old bay colt, guided by Ryusei Sakai for trainer Yoshito Yahagi, crossed the line in 2:03.85, falling just short in a brave third-place finish.
Finishing fourth was WALK OF STARS (GB), the 6-year-old bay gelding, trained by Bhupat Seemar and piloted by Mickael Barzalona. He gave it his all in a race stacked with champions, recording a time of 2:04.27 and falling just 4.48 lengths short of the winner—yet another strong performance that highlighted his staying power.
IL MIRACOLO (USA), the durable chestnut 5-year-old, rounded off the top five. With John Velazquez in the saddle and Antonio Sano calling the shots as trainer, IL MIRACOLO posted a time of 2:04.49, showing once again his reliability over distance in deep fields.
As the dust settled under the Meydan lights, it became clear that the 2025 edition of the Dubai World Cup had once again delivered its promise—drama, glory, and history written in hoofbeats. With HIT SHOW’s awe-inspiring victory, the curtain fell on a night that lived up to its billing, rewarding fans with unforgettable finishes and cementing Dubai’s status as the home of the sport’s grandest spectacle.
