Dubai World Cup receives boost in prize money to $30.5m

Dubai Racing Club announces increased investment across the 2021/22 flat-racing season

Luis Saez celebrates his Dubai World Cup win on Mystic Guide. Pawan Singh / The National

Luis Saez celebrates his Dubai World Cup win on Mystic Guide. Pawan Singh / The National

Mystic Guide ridden by Luis Saez in action during the 4:50 Dubai World Cup. REUTERS

Mystic Guide ridden by Luis Saez in action during the 4:50 Dubai World Cup. REUTERS

Luis Saez celebrates winning the Dubai World Cup on Mystic Guide. REUTERS

Jockey David Egan on Mishriff from Ireland (L) on their way winning the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic race at the Dubai World Cup in Dubai. EPA

Mishriff, ridden by David Egan, won the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. Pawan Singh / The National

Mishriff, ridden by David Egan, won the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. Pawan Singh / The National

Lord North, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the Dubai Turf. Pawan Singh / The National

Lord North, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the Dubai Turf. Pawan Singh / The National

Rebel's Romance, ridden by William Buick, won the Dubai Turf. Pawan Singh / The National

Frankie Dettori riding Lord North wins the Dubai Turf during Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates .Getty Images

Lord North ridden by Frankie Dettori in action during the Dubai Turf. Reuters

Zenden ridden by Antonio Fresu in action during the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Reuters

Antonio Fresu dismounts Zenden after ridding in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Reuters

Jockey Antonio Fresu on Zenden from the USA (R) win the Dubai Golden Shaheen race at the Dubai World Cup in Dubai. EPA

Ryan Moore riding Extravagant Kid wins the Al Quoz Sprint during Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Extravagant Kid ridden by Ryan Moore in action in Al Quoz Sprint. Reuters

Ryan Moore riding Extravagant Kid wins the Al Quoz Sprint during Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Getty

Jockey Joseph Fanning (R) on Subjectivist from Great Britain on their way winning the Dubai Gold Cup race at the Dubai World Cup in Dubai. EPA

Jockey Joseph Fanning (R) on Subjectivist from Great Britain on their way winning the Dubai Gold Cup race at the Dubai World Cup in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Jockey Tadhg O'Shea on Secret Ambition celebrates after winning the Godolphin Mile at the Dubai World Cup. EPA

Tadhg O'Shea on his way to victory on Secret Ambition in the Godolphin Mile. Getty

Deryan, ridden by Loritz Mendizabal, wins the Dubai Kahayla Classic during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Pawan Singh / The National

Loritz Mendizabal after guiding Deryan to victory at the Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National

Action from the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Getty

Runners and riders in the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Reuters

The Dubai World Cup trophy is brought out at Meydan Racecourse on the big day. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The trophy for the Godolphin Mile at the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Racegoers arrive at the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Dubai Racing Club (DRC) on Tuesday announced an increase in prize money for the upcoming 2021/22 flat-racing season, including an additional $4 million for the Dubai World Cup next March.

The domestic racing season, which begins at Meydan on November 4, will offer $2.3m while the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival is now valued at more than $7.5m.

The 26th Dubai World Cup, the next edition of the prestigious race night scheduled for March 26, will boast a total purse of more than $30.5m, up from the $26.5m of the 2021 event. For the first time, all races will offer at least $1m in prize money.

"The directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to increase the prize money for the 2021-2022 flat-racing season are part of Dubai’s commitment to support global horse racing in rebounding from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as enhancing the horizons of excellence in both domestic and international racing," said Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board of Dubai Racing Club.

“As a major hub for horse racing events, Dubai will continue to take leadership in introducing initiatives that boost the sector and revitalise the global fraternity of horse owners, trainers and other equestrian professionals. We look forward to witnessing more iconic races, discovering new stars, and celebrating this wonderful sport in our new season, which begins in November."

The 2021/22 race season will include 22 meetings in all. Consequently, the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival, which begins on January 13, will feature eight race meetings culminating in March 5’s Super Saturday.

As part of the Dubai World Cup extravaganza, Super Saturday has received an enhancement in prize money and will now offer a total purse of more than $2.2m. It will feature eight thoroughbred races highlighted by the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, which acts as a prep event for the Dubai World Cup and is now worth $450,000.

Additionally, the prize money for the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, a major lead-up race to the Group 1 $5m Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night, will offer a purse of $350,000.