The Dubai World Cup and Its Unrivaled Allure on the Global Racing Stage
- Turf Diario
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The racing festival in the United Arab Emirates continues to establish itself as the premier show offered by any racecourse in the world
DUBAI, UAE—(From a Special Correspondent): The 29th running of the Dubai World Cup delivered a truly historic spectacle at Meydan, drawing more than 65,000 fans and setting new standards in both elite sport and global entertainment.
Regarded by many as the most impactful day on the international racing calendar, the meeting distributed a record purse of $30.5 million across its nine races, all of them boasting international status. The undoubted highlight came in the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup over 2000 meters on dirt, sponsored by Emirates Airline, where Hit Show(Candy Ride) took center stage for the U.S. team, trained by Brad Cox, in a performance that now belongs among the great moments in the history of this flagship global contest.
In addition to the American triumph, winners also emerged from the UAE, the UK, and Japan, once again showcasing the truly international character of the event.
That global reach is, in fact, one of the Dubai World Cup's most compelling features—not only on the big day each March at Meydan, but throughout the Dubai World Cup Carnival, which attracts horses and horsemen from across the worldwide racing spectrum. Whether from established powerhouses such as the U.S., Europe, South America, Australia, or Hong Kong, or from smaller racing jurisdictions like Spain, Sweden, Norway, South Korea, or Turkey, competitors have found their way into the winner’s circle in unforgettable fashion.
“This edition of the Dubai World Cup was simply phenomenal,” said Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of the Dubai Racing Club. “Attendance increased by 18% compared to 2024, which speaks not only to the tremendous work by our team, sponsors, and partners, but also to the growing global enthusiasm surrounding racing in Dubai.”
The curtain came down with yet another record-setting live entertainment show, headlined by a drone and light display that broke three Guinness World Records for the second consecutive year:
The largest aerial image of a mammal created using multirotor drones
The largest flying LED screen made up of drones
The largest aerial image of a trophy created by drones
The festivities culminated in a dazzling fireworks show that lit up the Dubai night sky for several minutes, perfectly encapsulating the innovative spirit that has become synonymous with the city.
A key part of the 2025 Dubai World Cup’s success was its unprecedented broadcast reach. The event was aired globally via television, digital platforms, and in-flight entertainment.
In total, the program was broadcast by 37 networks across 170 countries—with ESPN and Disney+ covering Latin America—while Australia’s public Channel 7 joined for the first time, along with broadcasters from the U.S., South America, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, Hong Kong, and, of course, the local outlets Dubai Racing and Yas TV.
Looking ahead to 2026, anticipation is already building as the Dubai World Cup prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary on Saturday, March 28. With momentum at full speed and the promise of yet another chapter of history in the making, Dubai once again sets its sights on redefining the standard for international racing.
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