The Dubai World Cup returned to Meydan Racecourse on Saturday and the city’s chicest residents donned their best hats, fascinators and outfits for the occasion.
The annual race also doubles as one of the city’s biggest fashion events of the year, with many planning their outfits weeks in advance in search of the perfect statement.
And this year, as with many that have gone before, hats were the order of service, with plenty of the race’s guests donning colourful fascinators in bold colours and geometric styles.
There were also plenty of spring pastels and summer brights on show, while other women opted for a more tailored look, with trouser suits and waistcoats spotted trackside.
Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the fashion at this year’s Dubai World Cup.
The race took place on Saturday evening for the 26th time. The meeting featured 131 horses from 13 countries, including 78 top-calibre horses from outside the UAE, which competed with 53 Emirati horses that are among the strongest in the country, including from the Godolphin stables.
Frankie Dettori left the best for last to win the 26th Dubai World Cup on Bob Baffert’s Country Grammer.
The Italian jockey reached another milestone in a remarkable career by joining American legend Jerry Bailey as the most successful jockey, with four Dubai World Cup wins.
It's still one of the richest days of horse racing in the world, with a total prize pot of $30.5 million. The final race of the cup, sponsored by Emirates airline, has a prize of $12m and produces fierce competition, especially with the participation of the best American horses, which competed with each other and against carefully prepared local horses over the 2,000-metre stretch.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was at Meydan to watch the race.
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, attend the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with Frankie Dettori, the winning jockey on Country Grammer in the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at Meydan Racecourse for the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attends the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Country Grammer, ridden by Frankie Dettori wins the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Frankie Dettori with the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Country Grammer ridden by Frankie Dettori wins the Dubai World Cup during The Dubai World Cup at Meydan racecourse in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Country Grammer, ridden by Frankie Dettori, wins the Dubai World Cup. Reuters -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum with Country Grammer jockey Frankie Dettori. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Runners in the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Runners in the UAE Derby during the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan Racecourse. The honours went to Crown Pride, with jockey Damian Lane aboard. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Victors Crown Pride and Damian Lane after the UAE Derby during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Bathrat Leon, ridden by Ryusei Sakai. won the Godolphin Mile during the Dubai World Cup held at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A Case of You ridden by Ireland's Ronan Whelan crosses the line to win the Al Quoz Sprint during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Trainer Adrian McGuinness celebrates after A Case of You wins the Al Quoz Sprint during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Celebrations for Stay Foolish, ridden by Christophe Lemaire and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, after victory in the Dubai Gold Cup during The Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Lord North, in the centre ridden by Frankie Dettori, dead-heated for the Dubai Turf with Yutaka Yoshida on Panthalassa. Pawan Singh / The National
The Dubai World Cup has been a source of pride for Sheikh Mohammed and excitement was high for another memorable day.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, were also at the celebrated occasion, which welcomed back spectators after last year's event was held behind closed doors because of the pandemic, and 2020 was cancelled.
