• Katharina Dietrich dresses up to the nines for the Dubai World Cup, which takes place on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Katharina Dietrich dresses up to the nines for the Dubai World Cup, which takes place on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Peacocks are a running theme this year at the Dubai World Cup. EPA
    Peacocks are a running theme this year at the Dubai World Cup. EPA
  • Creative hats stole the show at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Creative hats stole the show at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ladies dress glamorously for the occasion, one of the richest horse races on the calendar. EPA
    Ladies dress glamorously for the occasion, one of the richest horse races on the calendar. EPA
  • There's no shortage of elaborate hats. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
    There's no shortage of elaborate hats. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
  • A hat-judging competition makes sure race-goers gets competitive with their outfits. EPA
    A hat-judging competition makes sure race-goers gets competitive with their outfits. EPA
  • The Dubai World Cup is also a fashion spectacular. EPA
    The Dubai World Cup is also a fashion spectacular. EPA
  • Well-dressed performers entertain the crowds ahead of the race. REUTERS
    Well-dressed performers entertain the crowds ahead of the race. REUTERS
  • Race-goers pose before kick-off. REUTERS
    Race-goers pose before kick-off. REUTERS
  • The glamorous crowds gather. REUTERS
    The glamorous crowds gather. REUTERS
  • Regal colours are seen through outfits all over the racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Regal colours are seen through outfits all over the racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Dubai World Cup is one of the highest endowed events in the horse racing calendar, so attendees dress for the occasion. EPA
    The Dubai World Cup is one of the highest endowed events in the horse racing calendar, so attendees dress for the occasion. EPA
  • A best-dressed competition also takes place. EPA
    A best-dressed competition also takes place. EPA
  • The sun is shining over Meydan Racecourse. REUTERS
    The sun is shining over Meydan Racecourse. REUTERS
  • Feathers and frills are popular today. EPA
    Feathers and frills are popular today. EPA
  • Detail on one race-goer's extravagant hat. AP
    Detail on one race-goer's extravagant hat. AP
  • Red was a popular style choice at the races. Pawan Singh / The National
    Red was a popular style choice at the races. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Christina Bati looks lovely in yellow. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Christina Bati looks lovely in yellow. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Zoia Matviichuk is pretty in pink. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Zoia Matviichuk is pretty in pink. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Fumio Matsuda represents Japan with his outfit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fumio Matsuda represents Japan with his outfit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Eman Alamiri opts for elaborate white headgear to top off her gorgeous purple outfit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Eman Alamiri opts for elaborate white headgear to top off her gorgeous purple outfit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Lebanese television presenter Joelle Faddoul also attends the event. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Lebanese television presenter Joelle Faddoul also attends the event. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Yagmur Tuncbilek, age eight, joins in the fashion extravaganza. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Yagmur Tuncbilek, age eight, joins in the fashion extravaganza. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Jen Regner enjoys her day at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Jen Regner enjoys her day at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Spectator Tracy Penketh enjoys the horse-racing action. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Spectator Tracy Penketh enjoys the horse-racing action. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Maya Matter opts for black and white in a sea of colour. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Maya Matter opts for black and white in a sea of colour. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Monica Mayr looks glamorous as she arrives at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Monica Mayr looks glamorous as she arrives at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A model poses for photographs at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A model poses for photographs at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The bigger the better when it comes to race day hats. AP
    The bigger the better when it comes to race day hats. AP
  • A model sports a fruity hat for the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A model sports a fruity hat for the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Elena Mozart embraces feathers in her eye-catching outfit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Elena Mozart embraces feathers in her eye-catching outfit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Men and women have gone all out to make sure they look fabulous today. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Men and women have gone all out to make sure they look fabulous today. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Spectators are looking to win big at the hat-judging contest. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Spectators are looking to win big at the hat-judging contest. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Keeping up appearances. EPA
    Keeping up appearances. EPA
  • Abdelmonim Babiker Abdelhai looks sharp at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Abdelmonim Babiker Abdelhai looks sharp at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A man wears tartan trousers. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A man wears tartan trousers. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A model tips her top hat. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A model tips her top hat. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Saba Naghsh looks glam. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Saba Naghsh looks glam. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Well-dressed visitors are flocking to Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Well-dressed visitors are flocking to Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dressed up race-goers watch the on-track action. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dressed up race-goers watch the on-track action. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Fhulu Badugela poses for a photograph. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fhulu Badugela poses for a photograph. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Elena, Ripsime, Vard and friend pose before the start of Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
    Elena, Ripsime, Vard and friend pose before the start of Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Ana and Monica pose for the camera. Pawan Singh / The National
    Ana and Monica pose for the camera. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Father and daughter Zhengqi Yao and Jintong Yao. Getty Images
    Father and daughter Zhengqi Yao and Jintong Yao. Getty Images
  • A fan looks on in her funky sunglasses and bright green hat during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Getty Images
    A fan looks on in her funky sunglasses and bright green hat during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Getty Images
  • It's all smiles at the races. Getty Images
    It's all smiles at the races. Getty Images
  • The fascinators were out in force. Getty Images
    The fascinators were out in force. Getty Images
  • Two horse-racing fans take a selfie. Getty Images
    Two horse-racing fans take a selfie. Getty Images
  • The looks are getting more and more colourful by the minute. Getty Images
    The looks are getting more and more colourful by the minute. Getty Images
  • From the elaborate and colourful to the monotone and demure. Getty Images
    From the elaborate and colourful to the monotone and demure. Getty Images
  • A fan poses for the camera. Getty Images
    A fan poses for the camera. Getty Images
  • The hats come in all shapes and sizes. Getty Images
    The hats come in all shapes and sizes. Getty Images
  • Watching the race. REUTERS
    Watching the race. REUTERS

Dubai World Cup 2019: the best hats and outfits from Meydan Racecourse


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

From fabulous hats to show-stopping dresses, fashion at the Dubai World Cup is always incredible, and the 2019 edition of the horse racing at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai did not disappoint.

A total of 50,000 people are thought to have  attended the Dubai World Cup this year, watching jockeys and their steeds battle it out for the $35m prize purse.

Thousands dressed up to the nines, sporting fantastic fascinators and excellent hats, as they attempt to outdo each other at the Style Stakes and the hat-judging contest.

Flick through the gallery above to see the best looks from race day.

Can you spot yourself?

Katharina Dietrich, pictured first, is dressed in an extraordinary pink ensemble peppered with flowers. Ms Dietrich has attended the Dubai World Cup for 14 years in a row (the race began in 1996). Her outfits have gotten more elaborate over the years, and in 2019 she's taken accessorising to a professional level – fan, handbag and necklace all punch pink. To top it all off, a peacock, sitting gracefully in a truly fascinating fascinator, with a "Dubai World Cup" sign.

So what's the trick? "It's all about spontaneous thinking," she tells The National. "I see pink flowers and have an idea."