In the presence of Hamdan and Maktoum bin Mohammed, Mohammed bin Rashid attended the 28th edition of the "Dubai World Cup," affirming the event's continued prominence among the world's most important and prestigious competitions.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, stated that the success achieved by the "Dubai World Cup" since its inception in 1996, for over a quarter of a century, solidifies the UAE’s leadership in horse sports and racing. This success reflects the excellence approach that the UAE has chosen in its pursuit of top positions in various fields, including sports, making the cup a significant and bright point on the global horse racing map. This is evident by the participation of the world's top horse owners and trainers who bring their finest horses in hopes of winning at "Meydan."
This was mentioned during his attendance today at the races of the 28th "Dubai World Cup" edition at the global "Meydan" racecourse, alongside Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance. The attendees observed the cup's races, which this year saw, as in previous years, participation from the best and strongest horses worldwide, brought by top horse owners and trainers with skilled jockeys from around the world.
The cup is a milestone in the horse racing world. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that Dubai is keen to share its expertise in organizing horse racing events with all brotherly and friendly countries interested in this sport, which is closely linked to Arab and Gulf culture and identity. He stated, "We take pride in the status that the Dubai World Cup has reached as a landmark in the world of horse racing... We do not hesitate to share our successful organizational experiences with all our brothers and friends... Horse sports and racing are an integral component of our Arab culture and Gulf heritage, and we always strive to develop and enhance it, wanting it to be perpetually flourishing."
He expressed the UAE and Dubai's warm welcome to guests, whether they are owners, trainers, jockeys, or horse racing enthusiasts who specifically came to Dubai to watch the elite horses in the world compete for the title and the prestigious cup prizes. His Highness said, "We are happy to see the elite horses of the world competing at 'Meydan'... All owners, trainers, and jockeys receive the warmest welcome."
He praised the diligent efforts of the team at the Dubai Racing Club, led by Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Club, and those responsible for the "Meydan" racecourse, and their impact in delivering a more distinguished edition of the Dubai World Cup, affirming Dubai's ability to organize and host the largest and most significant sporting events in the world. He called for ongoing efforts to elevate the status of the event and confirm its distinction on the map of the most important global horse races.
In a remarkable evening also attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Sports Council, along with several sheikhs and prominent personalities, the world's elite horses competed for the title and first place across 9 races, with a total of 120 horses participating from 14 countries. Among them were 33 horses that won Grade 1 races. The live television broadcast via more than 40 global television networks enabled millions of horse racing enthusiasts to follow the cup competitions in over 150 countries worldwide, affirming the unique status that the event enjoys among the most prestigious horse races globally.
The titleholder... Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum crowned the winner of the Dubai World Cup, which was won by the horse "Lorelle River" from the Juddmonte Farms of the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah Al Saud, ridden by jockey Taj O'Shea and trained by Bob Baffert, after winning the main race held at the "Meydan" racetrack, sponsored by "Emirates," over a distance of 2000 meters (dirt), featuring 12 horses and a total prize of $12 million, while the overall prize pool for the championship reached $30.5 million.
Honoring the sponsors... In recognition of their role in the success of the event, Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, honored the sponsors of the global event, including Emirates Airline, Longines, DP World, Nakheel, Atlantis The Royal, Azizi Developments, Al Tayer Motors, in addition to One Za'abeel and Emaar.
The Dubai World Cup evening concluded with a spectacular display featuring the latest laser technology and LED lights using around 4,000 drones, creating stunning visual formations that added beauty to the event, which was organized for the second time during Ramadan and is expected to break several Guinness World Records.
It is noteworthy that the Dubai World Cup for horse racing began in 1996, with the first edition held at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai, as a result of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aimed at making Dubai a hub for global sports, especially in horse racing. Notably, the horse "Cigar" owned by Allen Paulson won the title of the first edition of the cup, ridden by jockey Jerry Bailey.
