Dubai World Cup
| Dubai World Cup | |
|---|---|
| Group One race | |
|
The world's richest horse race | |
| Location |
Meydan Racecourse Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Inaugurated | 1996 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Official website |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs) |
| Surface | Tapeta synthetic dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Northern Hemisphere 4yo+ & Southern Hemisphere 3yo+ |
| Weight |
SH 3yo: 54.5kg. NH & SH 4yo+: 57kg |
| Purse | US$10 million |
The Dubai World Cup (Arabic:كأس دبي العالمي) is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and contested at the Meydan Racecourse (Arabic:ميدان) which in Arabic suggests a place where people congregate and compete, a sort of meeting point[1] in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The race is operated through the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) whose Chairman is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. It offers nine races, consisting of eight Thoroughbred contests and one Purebred Arabian contest.
The Dubai World Cup, the final race of Dubai World Cup night, was created in 1996[2] by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who owns Darley Stud & Godolphin Racing, one of the world's leading Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations.
Annually held on the last Saturday in March, the Dubai World Cup is part of the Dubai World Cup Night of races, and has carried a purse of USD ten million since 2010, making it the world's richest horse race.[3] It is a Group 1 flat race on dirt for Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred four-year-olds & up and for Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred three-year-olds & up run over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs) in late March. It was held at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse before 2009. In 2010, the Dubai World Cup was first held at the new Meydan Racecourse on March 27, on all-weather surface known as Tapeta. However, it will be held as dirt race again in 2015 due to the high maintenance cost and being an unpopular condition among American participants.
The race's first winner was the future United States Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Cigar, owned by Allen E. Paulson. A plaque honoring that horse hangs outside the barn of Bill Mott at Belmont Park.
In 2006 the Dubai World Cup was broadcast live on TVG Network and HRTV and taped later for showing on ABC. It was the first time that the race was shown on national TV in the United States.
Records
Speed record:
- 2:01.61 - African Story (2014) since the race has been at Meydan Racecourse
- 1:59.50 - Dubai Millennium (2000) at the previous location
Most wins:
- No horse has ever won this race more than once.
Most wins by an owner:
- 6 - Godolphin Racing (2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2014)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - Jerry Bailey (1996, 1997, 2001, 2002)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 7 - Saeed bin Suroor (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2015)
Winners Dubai World Cup
See also
External links
- Official site
- Dubai World Cup 2013 - Dubai Calendar - Dubai Events Official Listing
- The National Topics - Dubai World Cup
- Official results from the Emirates Racing Authority:
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
References
- ↑ Meaning of “meydan” ميدان, dubaiblog.it, 1 April 2012, accessed 1 April 2012.
- ↑ Appena terminata la Dubai World Cup 2012, dubaiblog.it, 1 April 2012, accessed 1 April 2012.
- ↑ Well Armed spectacular in Dubai World Cup, racingpost.com, 28 March 2009, accessed 28 March 2009.
- ↑ "African Story pedigree". equineline.com. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-29.