Dubai World Cup 2023 brings together 129 horses from 13 countries

Dubai Media Office

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Meydan Racecourse will host the Dubai World Cup on Saturday.

The 27th Dubai World Cup has brought together 129 horses from 13 countries. A total of 78 international and 51 Emirati horses including those from the fabled Godolphin stable, will be contesting for a total prize pot of AED 112 million (US$30.5 million).


For the worldwide equestrian community, the Dubai World Cup represents the pinnacle of excellence not just in racing but also in many streams of the thoroughbred industry.

Since its inception, the Dubai World Cup has produced some of the sport’s fiercest contests and most memorable feats.


In 2000, Godolphin’s Dubai Millennium won one of the tournament’s most cherished triumphs while in 2008 another American star Curlin won by one of the biggest margins of victory in the Cup’s history. Three years later, in 2011, Victoire Pisa and Transcend gave Japan a first win and a 1 – 2 finish in the coveted race. In 2012, Godolphin returned to the victory podium with Monterosso placed first and Capponi second. In 2017, world champion Arrogate wowed the world with an impossible last-to-first victory while in 2018 and 2019, Thunder Snow won top honours becoming the only horse to win the Dubai World Cup twice. In 2021, Mystic Guide recorded a 13th win for UAE connections, 11 of which were for Team Godolphin.

The massive increase in prize money for the 2021-2022 racing season reinforced Dubai’s status as an international horse racing hub. Further, several new initiatives by the largest local industry stakeholders, estimated to be worth USUS$400 million (AED1.47billion), are giving a strong impetus to the global industry. 

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