Horse racing is a popular activity in Dubai, attracting famous horse owners, top-ranked riders, and the world's greatest racehorses. In October 1981, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Dubai Ruler, hosted the first-ever horse racing event in Dubai.

Since then, the event has continued to rise from strength to strength. The Dubai World Cup took place for the first time in 1996 at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. There were 11 racehorses racing for a prize money of USD 4 million at the time. This racing event was the culmination of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's goal for the sport's long-term growth in the UAE.

From 1996 until 2009, the event was held at the Nad Al Sheba racetrack. The Dubai World Cup was moved to the newly opened Meydan Racecourse in 2010. The racetrack provided all of the necessary amenities to satisfy the needs of horse racing bettors drawn from all over the globe to be part of the prestigious Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Over the time it has existed, the event has evolved into one of the city's most glamorous festivities, attracting prominent personalities from all over the world. The style stakes are high for the occasion, similar to the races at Royal Ascot, with visitors dressed to impress.

The Meydan Grandstand also has a luxury hotel, a racing museum, a nine-hole golf course, and 60,000 spectator seats. Several prominent performers have performed at the facility, which has also hosted corporate conventions.

THE DUBAI WORLD CUP

The Dubai World Cup is an annual event held every last Saturday of March. It is made up of nine group races in which the best three-year-old and older horses compete for the main prize.

Each of the nine individual racing events has a competitive distance ranging from 1,200m to 3,200m. The big race, which is also the event's name, is a 2,000-meter dirt race. In 2019, the purse for this race was set at USD 12 million, making it the most lucrative race on the planet.

The Dubai World Cup has grown in popularity to become one of the biggest horse races in the world. It is classified among some of the most important days on the annual racing calendar, as it is televised internationally to millions of fans. It is among the most betted event in the world of sports, and this year you can catch the betting action on Betway, the home of numerous horse racing markets.

PROMINENT WINNERS
The Dubai World Cup has attracted some of the top racehorses from across the world since its beginning. In truth, the Dubai World Cup has been won by a number of notable racing horses, including Cigar, the inaugural Dubai World Cup champion.

Dubai Millennium won the world cup in 2000 with a world-record time of 1:59:50. Thunder Snow is the first horse to have won the Dubai World Cup twice, in 2018 and 2019.

As an elite event, you can’t miss it on the Betway platform so be sure to place your wagers on time for the event. Whether you're a participant, a relevant professional, or just a fan, be sure to book your Dubai lodgings well in advance!