The stage is set for a landmark edition of the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan Racecourse, as the global racing spotlight turns to the $12 million showpiece celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Despite wider regional tensions, preparations in Dubai are proceeding smoothly, with organisers fully focused on delivering another world-class spectacle on Saturday, March 28. Confidence remains high that the event will once again bring together elite international talent in a celebration of sport, resilience and global unity.

This year’s Dubai World Cup has attracted a select but high-quality field of nine runners, headed by the odds-on favourite Forever Young, who arrives in scintillating form after a commanding victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1). He is joined by defending champion Hit Show, who warmed up for his title defence with a hard-fought win in the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, underlining his continued competitiveness at the highest level.

Japanese superstar Forever Young (red)  storms to glory in the 2024 UAE Derby and went on to become a double Saudi Cup champion, and Breeders’ Cup Classic conqueror. – Photo: Dubai Racing Club

Depth is added by a string of last-time-out winners, including Magnitude and Meydaan, who both arrive off impressive victories, in the G3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs and the G2 Al Maktoum Classic G2 at Meydan, respectively.

Imperial Emperor, trained by UAE champion trainer elect Bhupat Seemar, brings strong local credentials following his Group 1 success in the Al Maktoum Challenge and is joined by stable companion Walk of Stars, who finished runner-up in the Maktoum Classic, a key trial.

Wathan Racing’s Tumbarumba, named after a small town in southeastern Australia, New South Wales, has also shown solid recent form with a battling third place in the Saudi Cup under big-race jockey James Doyle.

Imperial Emperor triumphs in the Al Maktoum Challenge at the Dubai Racing Carnival. – Photo: Dubai Racing Club

Likely runners

Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates
Group 1 – $12,000,000 – 2,000m Dirt – 8:45pm (UAE time)

1st: $6,960,000 2nd: $2,400,000 3rd: $1,200,000 4th: $600,000, 5th: $360,000 6th: $240,000 7th: $120,000 8th: $120,00

• Forever Young (trained by Yoshito Yahagi)
  Last run: 1st, 2026 Saudi Cup (G1)




• Hit Show (Brad H. Cox)
  Last run: 1st, 2026 Mineshaft Stakes (G3)




• Magnitude (Steven M. Asmussen)
  Last run: 1st, 2026 Razorback Handicap (G3)




• Meydaan (Simon & Ed Crisford)
  Last run: 1st, 2026 Al Maktoum Classic (G2)




• Imperial Emperor (Bhupat Seemar)
  Last run: 1st, 2026 Al Maktoum Challenge (G1)




• Tumbarumba (Hamad Al Jehani)
  Last run: 3rd, 2026 Saudi Cup (G1)




• Walk of Stars (Bhupat Seemar)
  Last run: 2nd, 2026 Al Maktoum Classic (G2)




• Heart Of Honor (Jamie A. Osborne)
  Last run: 7th, 2026 Al Maktoum Classic (G2)




• Tap Leader (Doug Watson)
  Last run: 3rd, 2026 Al Maktoum Classic (G2)

In total, as many as 105 runners are expected to line up across the nine races on Saturday, with a maximum field of 16 set to duel for honours in the G1 $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians at 3:45pm.

Race 2, the $1 million Godolphin Mile on dirt has drawn a field of 10, with Bhupat Seemar supplying six of the runners, while the ensuing $1 million Dubai Gold Cup over a gruelling 3,200 metres stretches the stamina of 14 runners, before the UAE Derby sees 12 hopefuls tackling 1,900m of dirt in a key test for emerging stars.

Speedsters take centre stage in the G1 $ 1 million Al Quoz Sprint, with 13 runners charging down 1,200m of turf, followed by the high-octane G1 $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, featuring 11 quick-fire contenders over 1,200m of dirt.

The G1 $5 million Dubai Turf then showcases 12 runners over 1,800m of turf in one of the day’s richest events, before the G1 $6million Dubai Sheema Classic brings together 8 runners for a scintilating 2,410m turf showdown.

Emaar to Sponsor $1m G2 Godolphin Mile

Beyond the headline races, the event has received strong backing from the Dubai Racing Club's major partners, with Emaar confirmed as sponsor of the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.

“Emaar is a huge part of the infrastructure of Dubai and, increasingly, across the world,” commented His Excellency Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member, Dubai Racing Club. “They have shaped the cityscape of Dubai, and their iconic Burj Khalifa development is one of the most famous structures on the planet. It provides us with a stunning backdrop here at Meydan Racecourse, and we are proud to be associated with the team behind it.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the Emaar team and their guests back to Meydan Racecourse for this hugely important day, and thank them for their backing of the G2 Godolphin Mile. It is a race which often provides an exciting finish and which is truly an international contest with overseas contenders expected to take on our local runners.”

Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Executive Director, Emaar Properties, commented: "We are proud to support the G2 Godolphin Mile as part of the Dubai World Cup, a globally recognised event that reflects Dubai’s enduring spirit. Such moments highlight the importance of coming together and celebrating the shared experiences that continue to inspire communities."

With history, prize money and international competition all converging, the 30th running of the Dubai World Cup promises not only a celebration of racing excellence but also a powerful reminder of Dubai’s ability to stage world-class events that unite audiences from across the globe.