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

The richest day in horse racing is also a spectacle of elaborate fashion

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

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

There's no shortage of elaborate hats. REUTERS/Christopher Pike

A hat-judging competition makes sure race-goers gets competitive with their outfits. EPA

The Dubai World Cup is also a fashion spectacular. EPA

Well-dressed performers entertain the crowds ahead of the race. REUTERS

Race-goers pose before kick-off. REUTERS

The glamorous crowds gather. REUTERS

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

A best-dressed competition also takes place. EPA

The sun is shining over Meydan Racecourse. REUTERS

Feathers and frills are popular today. EPA

Detail on one race-goer's extravagant hat. AP

Red was a popular style choice at the races. Pawan Singh / The National

Christina Bati looks lovely in yellow. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spectators are looking to win big at the hat-judging contest. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Keeping up appearances. EPA

Abdelmonim Babiker Abdelhai looks sharp at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man wears tartan trousers. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A model tips her top hat. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Saba Naghsh looks glam. 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

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

Ana and Monica pose for the camera. Pawan Singh / The National

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

It's all smiles at the races. Getty Images

The fascinators were out in force. Getty Images

Two horse-racing fans take a selfie. 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

A fan poses for the camera. Getty Images

The hats come in all shapes and sizes. Getty Images

Watching the race. REUTERS

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."