Dubai has a long history of horse racing successes, and the Dubai World Cup is the biggest race in the calendar.

Champion horses from the US, Europe, Asia and SouthAmerica have competed each year since 1996. Past winners include famous horses Cigar and SilverCharm.

Official website for the latest Paralympic news, videos, events and results. Follow the Paralympic Games and competitions for all Paralympic and IPC sports. Early Melbourne form will determine whether trainer Mick Kent will be a participant at the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Kent is one of three Australian trainers to have horses accepted to run at the carnival which begins on January 11 and runs until Dubai World Cup night on March 31.

This year sees the race’s 25th running. It takes place at the MeydanRacecourse in Dubai, UAE, on Saturday, March 28, 2020. The World Cup is the highlight of a one-day race card that sees many other big prize events.

The Dubai World Cup is no longer the world’s richest, though the $12 million purse is big enough to attract the best horses from around the world.

The preliminary entry list includes winners of the biggest races in the US, Europe and South America.

If you live in a state where pari-mutuel betting is legal, you can bet on the 2020 Dubai World Cup online.

Top site for betting on the 2020 Dubai World Cup

Potential runners and odds on the Dubai World Cup

At the time of writing, the final list of entrants to the 2020 Dubai World Cup is still long.

In the weeks before the event, the final runners and riders list will be determined. GodolphinRacing, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, has 20 entrants at this early stage.

Here is the current list of possible runners in the 2020 race:

• McKinzie
• Maximum Security
• Midnight Bisou
• Capezzano
• Game Winner
• North America
• Gronkowski
• SirWinston
• Muntazah
• Chrysoberyl
• Roadster
• Divine Image
• Math Wizard
• Gunnevera
• Pakistan Star
• Yoshida
• Tacitus
• Benbatl
• Quip
• K T Brave
• Pavel
• Seeking the Soul
• Plus Que Parfait
• Elusive State
• Dee Ex Bee
• Matterhorn
• Old Persian
• Military Law
• Estihdaaf
• Gray Magician
• Walking Thunder
• Dubai Icon
• Manguzi
• Axelrod
• Django Freeman
• Behavioral Bias
• Dolkong
• Red Cactus
• New Trails

Other races at the Dubai World Cup Night

The Dubai World Cup Night is a series of eight thoroughbred horse races. There is also a race for purebred Arabian horses.

Here is the full list:

• Dubai Kahayla Classic: This race is for purebred Arabian horses; it has a prize pool of $1,000,000
• Al Quoz Sprint: This six-furlong sprint became a Group 1 race in 2009. It is run on turf.
• Godolphin Mile: This Group 2 contest is run over eight furlongs on dirt. It has a $1,000,000 prize pool.
• Dubai Gold Cup: This is a longer race, over 2 miles. The Gold Cup runs on turf and received a Group 2 promotion in 2014.
• UAE Derby: The $2,500,000 prize pool attracts the best 3-year-olds from around the world to this race. It takes place on dirt over 9.5 furlongs.
• Dubai Golden Shaheen: A six-furlong race is 3-year-olds has a prize pool of $2,000,000. It is a Group 1 race on dirt.
• Dubai Turf: A nine-furlong event on the grass track, this race has a $5,000,000 purse and has been part of the four-leg Asia Mile Challenge.
• Dubai Sheema Classic: Thoroughbreds older than 4 can compete in this over 1.5 miles. The $6 million prize pool makes it the second richest purse for a turf event.
• Dubai World Cup: The final race each year is the World Cup. With a $12 million prize pool, this event is over 10 furlongs and open to thoroughbreds 4 years and older.

Gambling is not allowed in the United Arab Emirates; however, this does not stop the Dubai World Cup from being hugely popular.

The 60,000-capacity stadium fills up. Fireworks and entertainment go along with the horse racing action.

More racing events

How to bet on the Dubai World Cup?

Unlike sports betting, when you bet on horse races, you’ll be entering pari-mutuel pools.

This means all the money wagered either win, place, show and so on gets pooled. Then, the pool is divided among the winning tickets. Thus, the more people backing a horse, the lower the payout.

In addition to bets on single horses, you can bet on multiple finishers completing the race in the right order.

Here are the regular bets available:

• Win: Bet on a horse to win first place.
• Place: Wager on a horse to finish first or second.
• Show: Bet on a horse to place first, second or third.
• Exacta: A bet on two horses to finish first and second, in that order.
• Trifecta: A wager on three horses to finish first, second and third, in that order.
• Superfecta: A bet on four horses to finish first, second, third and fourth, in that order.

Dubai Cup payouts based on type of bet

Past winners of the Dubai World Cup

The first event was run by a horse that has gone on to become a household name.

Cigar, trained by BillMott, took down the 1996 race at age 6. Many of the other winners have been big names among horse racing fans.

Here is the Dubai World Cup winners list:

• 1996: Cigar is the winner of 16 consecutive races and leading money winner in US thoroughbred racing history.
• 1997: Singspiel, trained by MichaelStoute. Sheikh Mohammed owned this Irish thoroughbred. He previously won the JapanCup and Canadian International Stakes.
• 1998: SilverCharm, trained by BobBaffert. A US-bred gray, who was already a winner of the KentuckyDerby and PreaknessStakes, two parts of the Triple Crown.
• 1999: Almutawakel, trained by Saeed bin Suroor. The Dubai World Cup is the only major race victory by this horse. He has victories in smaller prize Grade 1 races in France.
• 2000: Dubai Millennium, trained by bin Suroor. This aptly named horse won in a record time of 1:59.50. He won races in the UK and France and was ridden to victory in Dubai by Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori.
• 2001: CaptainSteve, trained by Baffert. This horse won many big US races, including the Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap and SwapsStakes. He also came third in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• 2002: StreetCry, trained by bin Suroor. The Dubai World Cup was this horse’s first Group 1 victory. He would go on to win the Stephen Foster Handicap in the same year.
• 2003: MoonBallad, trained by bin Suroor. This was Dettori’s second victory. This horse competed in “Listed Races” in the UK, US, Dubai and Ireland.
• 2004: Pleasantly Perfect, trained by RichardMandella. Winner of the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Classic, this US-trained horse retired as the fourth richest in racing history.
• 2005: Roses in May, trained by Dale Romans. As a 4-year-old, this horse won the WhitneyHandicap, Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes and finished runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• 2006: Electrocutionist, trained by bin Suroor: Another winner for Dettori and Sheikh Mohammad. This horse went on to race in the UK at Royal Ascot.
• 2007: Invasor, trained by KiaranMcLaughlin. The first South American winner of the Dubai World Cup. This horse went on to success in the US, entering the Hall of Fame at Saratoga Springs.
• 2008: Curlin, trained by SteveAsmussen. Winner of the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Curlin was the Eclipse Horse of the Year in that same year.
• 2009: WellArmed, trained by Eoin Harty. This horse started his career in England before going on to victory in Dubai. He competed in the US, though without any more major successes.
• 2010: Gloria de Campeao, trained by Pascal Bary. This event was the biggest win for this Brazilian horse, which raced on four continents during its five-year career.
• 2011: VictoirePisa, trained by KatsuhikoSumi. This Japanese racehorse ran an unsuccessful campaign in Europe before winning in Dubai. At home, he won several major races.
• 2012: Monterosso, trained by Mahmood al Zarooni. Another Godolphin Racing winner, this horse competed in Group 1 races in England, as well as internationally.
• 2013: AnimalKingdom, trained by GrahamMotion. After competing in the highest level in the US (with the best finish of second in the Preakness Stakes), this horse went one better in Dubai.
• 2014: African Story, trained by bin Suroor. Winner of several races in Dubai, including the Godolphin Mile and BurjNahaar.
• 2015: PrinceBishop, trained by bin Suroor. The oldest winner, at 8 years old, this Irish horse also won competitive races in France.
• 2016: CaliforniaChrome, trained by ArtSherman. The current leader of all-time money won in the US; this horse won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2014.
• 2017: Arrogate, trained by Baffert. Some 16 years after his last victory, trainer Baffert won with Arrogate. This horse is a previous winner of the Travers Stakes and Breeders Cup Classic.
• 2018: Thunder Snow, trained by Christophe Soumillon. This horse won the UAE 2000 Guineas and UAE Derby before going on to take the biggest Dubai race of all.
• 2019: Thunder Snow, trained by Soumillon. History was made in 2019 when Irish-bred Thunder Snow became the first horse to win the Dubai World Cup twice.

Full list of winners and finishing times

History of the Dubai World Cup

Sheikh Mohammed is a well-known figure in horse racing. His stable of thoroughbred horses under the GodolphinRacing brand has won titles around the world. These include the EpsomDerby, Kentucky Oaks and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

As Vice President and Prime Minister of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed set up the Dubai World Cup Night in 1996. This event features nine races, with eight for thoroughbreds. It takes place at the Meydan Racecourse on the last Saturday in March each year.

In 2020, the Dubai World Cup Night takes place on March 28, 2020.

The highlight is the World Cup, which has a $12 million purse and is run over 10 furlongs on a dirt track.

It is a Grade 1 event that attracts the strongest flat racing horses from around the world. It is open to thoroughbreds who are 4 years and older.

For many years, the Dubai World Cup was the richest single race globally. The Pegasus World Cup overtook this status in Florida in 2017 and 2018. But when Pegasus reduced its purse in 2019, Dubai, once again, became the world’s wealthiest race.

With the introduction of the new Saudi Cup, it looks like Dubai will lose that title.

Welcome to The Profits preview for Dubai World Cup at Meydan on 25 March 2017. It doesn’t feel like a year has past since we were on track watching Buffering conquer the world, but the Dubai World Cup is around and upon us again so it must be so. This is a meeting that always runs quite close to form and there are two very confident bets on the card while there is one value bet I feel will be suited back to the straight track. I’ll be on twitter following the action all night as always and look forward to some sensational racing. As always, I hope you have a good day. Good luck and happy punting.

Best Bet
Meydan Race 4 – Thunder Snow – 4 units @ $3.10 to win

Next Best Bet
Meydan Race 1 – North America – 2 units @ $2.87 to win

Other Bet
Meydan Race 6 – Not Listenin’ToMe – 1 unit Each-Way @ $21/$5.00

Tools

Skyracing (TAB) form guide – this is what we use for the basics – http://www.skyracing.com.au
Speedmaps and form from Punters – http://www.punters.com.au/form-guide/
Follow Racing Victoria Stewards on twitter for tactic changes, track conditions and ride reports
I find all of the best early odds at www.odds.com.au
Our results are updated daily here – Betting Spreadsheet

Index
Red means Top pick. Blue means second pick and Green refers to a saver pick. Orange means the pick looks value.

Meydan Race 1
Two very clear standouts in this race and the market has it rated accordingly with North America and Sharp Azteca well ahead of the rest of the runners in the market.

North America has one from maiden winner to Group 3 winner this prep over the 1060m from 4 runs.. and he won by 8L, 8.8L, 1.3L and 7L last start in Group 3 at course and distance. Has a sharp turn of foot and is settled here.

Sharp Azteca has two hot formline runs coming into this. Won very easy last start with a low weight over in the USA in Group 2 company but didn’t go through the line line a top class 1600m horse for mine. Will be on speed and has a high cruising speed… but if they decide not to roll it along strongly then I get the feeling North America will out sprint him and i’m not convinced he can tough it out either.

Confidence 80%
Strategy: North America – 2 units @ $2.87 to win

Meydan Race 3
Vazirabad’s last 3 runs have been well below the horses peak runs in the past and I really think the horse is too short in the market against a nice even bunch of runners. On his best, old mate Big Orange could run well and go close, but the past 3 runs wouldn’t get him a win here. Heartbreak city was horrible over the jumps recently but the past two runs on the flat would obviously be good enough to compete here. Beautiful Romance is the horse with a big upside on the last two runs returning to form and could very well be the winner here.

I have to side with Beautiful Romance at the strong E/W price.

Confidence 75%
Strategy: Beautiful Romance E/W

Meydan Race 4
A nice race on paper with several ‘chances’ with Group 1 form under their belts, but the hard to ignore horse and favourite is Thunder Snow. On ratings, Thunder Snow has gone 5 points above anything any other runner has run, a significant distance heading into this. Lancaster Bomber recorded some solid ratings the past two starts and looks a main rival first up today.

Master of Plan put in a very strong performance two back but failed to put in anything near as good last start in easier. Has clearly shown some ability and has a big + next to his rating for improvement to come.

The Japanese horse for mine in Epicharis looks the main danger today after two solid listed wins with potential improvement to come.

When all is said and done, Thunder Snow has the perfect recipe for success here. The horse has been in the country long enough. Won a French Group 1 by 5 lengths and has had a run here already in Dubai winning by 5.8L. Very keen.

Confidence 95%
Strategy: Thunder Snow – 4 units @ $3.10 to win

Meydan Race 5
Three clear standouts in the sprint here.

Ertijaal is the favourite and hardest to beat. Last start ran a personal best rating that would win this today and it had improvement as well. Broke 56 seconds. Only query today is up to 1200m as his very best has been over the 1000m.

Limato‘s run two back in France winning the Group 1 over 1400m was as good as the four back win in the UK over 1200m with 60kg. Went over to the USA at end of the prep and failed to fire over the 1600m. First up here is certainly a query but is well suited to 1200m.

Amazing Kids two back won well over in Hong Kong over the 1000m but was fairly beaten over the 1200m last start. The two back run would have him going close.

I have Ertijaal and Limato over the 1200m very even on the ratings so at the prices, I’d have to go with Limato.

Confidence 75%
Strategy: Limato to win

Meydan Race 6
One of the widest open races of the day Not Listenenin’ToMe hasn’t been at his peak the past four runs but 5 back he ran a race that would simply put this field away and he is big odds. At $18.5/$4.4 he would be the way i played.

Mind Your Biscuits for mine is a query at the distance to find the very best runs and form needed. Cool Cowboy is short in the markets for the form I suggest. I’d much rather say Muarrab who has been poor as of late, but has recorded to runs good enough to beat them here.

Confidence 80%
Strategy: Not Listenin’ToMe – 1 unit Each-Way @ $21/5.00

Meydan Race 7
Zarak has adapted well to arriving in Dubai with a 2000m win first up last month. It was a strong form run and it shows the horse will be well competitive here and hard to beat.

The main rivals are fairly clear in the market with the top 4 looking the main chances.

Ribchesteris a clear 2nd favourite first up here today coming off three rating runs that would be winning the past 4 editions of this race. First time 1800m a small query and has never won first up either explains his price.

Mutakayyef looks the untapped and lightly raced quality horse of the field. 3rd to Tepin and 3rd to Postponed last prep with a G2 win over Dutch Connection, we can expect him to go well here.

I have to sway to Ribchester on top from Mutakayyef.

Confidence 75%
Strategy: Back both Ribchester and Mutakayyef

Decorated Knight is double figures but still well in the betting. Last three runs have been solid and has shown progression to come and could really measure up here.

Dubai World Cup 2017 Form Guide Printable

Meydan Race 8
I’m the biggest Postponed fan, but the lead in run was very lackluster. Yes, the horse was given a poor ride and hard luck throughout, but he recorded an a poor timerating compared to what is needed to win this (11 points below the win here last year). His best is better than this grade, but he has to return to that form today.

Highland Reel has been well backed into 2nd favourite today after a solid prep around the world. Had nearly 4 months between runs where he won x2 group 1s around the world. On ratings, 5 of his last 6 runs have him in the finish here.

Jack Hobbs is the third favourite here and while the ratings suggest he has to be considered, he hasn’t gone anywhere close to his peak the past two preps. Struggle to have at this price.

Dubai World Cup 2017 Form Guidelines

Seventh heaven has been the plunge horse into clear 4th favourite now. Big Group 1 win three and 4 back over Found and Architecture on the days. The 3 back run was a career peak but two runs since hasn’t gone near it.

When all is said and done, I couldn’t trust Postponed off that last run so Highland Reel gets the nod.

Dubai World Cup 2017 Form Guide 2019

Confidence 70%
Strategy: Highland Reel to win.

Dubai World Cup 2017 Form Guide

Meydan Race 9
Arrogate is the world’s best racehorse and simply just wins this race.

Confidence 95%
Strategy: Arrogate is Winx odds and deserves to be. Probably just watch and enjoy?