The 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan Racecourse delivered a spectacle of historic proportions, drawing a record-breaking crowd of more than 65,000 racing enthusiasts and setting new benchmarks in global sports entertainment.
Widely celebrated as the world's most spectacular race day, this year's event raised the bar with an astonishing $30.5 million in prize money across nine world-class races. The prestigious $12 million Dubai World Cup was claimed by Hit Show, trained in the United States by Brad Cox, adding another thrilling chapter to the sport's rich legacy. Winners also hailed from the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Japan, underscoring the event's international allure.
"This year's Dubai World Cup meeting was nothing short of phenomenal," said Ali Al Ali, CEO and board member of Dubai Racing Club. "Attendance surged by 18% compared to 2024, a testament to the dedication of our incredible team, sponsors, and partners—and to the growing global excitement surrounding racing in Dubai."
The electrifying Dubai World Cup closing ceremony once again raised the bar for live entertainment, capturing the imagination of attendees and viewers alike with a jaw-dropping drone and light show that broke three Guinness World Records—for the second consecutive year:
- Largest aerial image of a mammal made by multirotor/drones
- Largest flying LED screen formed by multirotor/drones
- Largest aerial image of a trophy formed by multirotor/drones
These cutting-edge visual spectacles, which culminated with a fireworks display that was nothing short of magical, reflected Dubai's relentless innovation and commitment to creating unforgettable moments.
The Dubai World Cup's reach extended far beyond Meydan, captivating a massive global audience via TV, digital platforms, and in-flight entertainment. Broadcast across 37 channels in 170 countries, the event was aired for the first time on Australia's Channel 7 public TV, joining major networks from the U.S., South America, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, Hong Kong, and the UAE's own Dubai Racing and Yas TV.
All eyes now turn to 2026, as the Dubai World Cup prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary March 28, 2026. With expectations soaring and history in the making, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in the world of international horseracing.
Meanwhile, World Pool, the globally commingled pools powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, enjoyed a record-breaking day of turnover Saturday with almost half a billion Hong Kong dollars bet across 13 races from Australia and Dubai.
In total turnover from World Pool bet types hit HK$472.4m (approx. US$60,802,132) across six races on Randwick's Doncaster Mile Day card—the first day of The Championships—and seven races from Meydan on Dubai World Cup Day.
The Dubai Turf (G1T), which saw Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior beaten by a nose by Soul Rush, was the race that attracted the highest turnover on the day, accounting for HK$52.4 million (US$ 6,744,352), edging the Dubai World Cup (HK$47.8M/US$6,152,290) into second place.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
