World’s Top Horses Set to Compete in 29th Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup, one of the most prestigious events in international horse racing, will showcase the world’s biggest equine stars when it returns for its 29th edition at Meydan Racecourse on April 5th.

The Grade 1 event will feature 173 horses, including 20 Group or Grade 1 winners. Among the top contenders are Romantic Warrior, the highest-earning horse globally, last year’s winner Laurel River, and Ushba Tesoro. Other notable nominees include Rebel’s Romance, Sierra Leone, Forever Young, and leading contenders from Japan and the US, such as Danon Decile and Mystik Dan.

The Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, with a USD 6 million prize, has attracted 109 nominations, including Group 1 winners Cervinia and Goliath. The G1 Dubai Turf will see defending champion Facteur Cheval return to the field, while Japanese horses Brede Weg and Soul Rush are also nominated. The Dubai World Cup meeting will also feature two sprints: the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, with defending champions Tuz and California Spangle set to compete.

With horses nominated from 20 countries, the Dubai World Cup remains one of the most prestigious events in international racing. Alongside the headline races, the card will include the UAE Derby, Godolphin Mile, Dubai Gold Cup, and the traditional G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians.