Dubai World Cup 2022: date, tickets, racecard and all you need to know

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Racing enthusiasts in the UAE are in for a treat as the Dubai World Cup returns to full capacity after the 2020 race meeting was cancelled and the 2021 event staged behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

The Meydan Racecourse is expected to be packed to its capacity of 80,000 in the 26th edition of the meeting that takes place on Saturday, March 26. What makes this edition extra special is the fact that the showpiece event's total purse has been raised to more than $30.5 million, up from $26.5m. Also, for the first time, all races offer at least $1m in prize money..

The highlight of the nine-race card is the $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup, a 2,000-metre contest run on the dirt surface.

Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

Racegoers will be hoping to witness a dramatic race like last time when Mystic Guide from Godolphin’s American operation celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup with victory.

Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, the Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are so happy to have everyone back here for what will be a fantastic 26th running of the Dubai World Cup meeting. The atmosphere will be absolutely electrifying.

“The quality of the horses, trainers, owners and jockeys who have assembled is better than ever and we are looking forward to a superb day of racing with our guests from all over the world."

William Mott-trained Cigar won the inaugural race in 1996 and a quarter of a century later, the Dubai World Cup has risen to the summit of the racing calendar.

Ticket prices

Fans can witness the action with tickets starting at Dh50 for general admission. Other options are available for those seeking hospitality, while those attending will also gain entry to the closing ceremony and post-race concert that will feature Becky Hill, Rudimental and DJ Sigala.

Tickets for the Dubai World Cup can be purchased from the ticket office near Gate B at Meydan Racecourse or online at Dubairacingclub.com.

Date

The Dubai World Cup 2022 will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

Schedule

The first race of the Dubai World Cup starts at 3.45pm. Gates open from 12pm on race day, Saturday, March 26.

Racecard

$6m Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic on turf run over 2,410 metres
$5m Group 1 Dubai Turf (1,800m-turf)
$2m Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1,200m-Dirt)
$1.5m Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m-T)
$1m Group 2 Godolphin Mile (1,600m-D)
$1m Group 2 UAE Derby (1,800m-D)
$1m Dubai Gold Cup (3,200m-T)
$1m Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians (2,000m-D)
$12m Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2,000m-D)

Dress code

Although there is no formal dress code, the Dubai World Cup is one of the highlights of the UAE's sports and social calendars, so don't forget to dress up! Smart or decent casual attire is recommended. No flip flops please. Dubai Racing Club reserve the right to refuse entry to any person considered inappropriately dressed.

Venue and how to get there

The Dubai World Cup will be staged at the Meydan Racecourse.

By road

From Dubai or Abu Dhabi, on the Sheikh Zayed Road, take Exit 47, then turn onto Al Meydan Road D69 towards Nad Al Sheba, and follow the signs to Meydan Racecourse and The Meydan Hotel.

From Al Ain on Dubai-Al Ain Road, please take Exit 7, then take Nad Al Sheba direction on Al Meydan Road D69 (South) and follow the signs to Meydan Racecourse and The Meydan Hotel.

By taxi

The RTA operates a taxi service from the Meydan Racecourse and Grandstand with the drop-off and pick-up point located outside Gate B, a few steps away from the action.

Covid protocols

Racegoers will be required to adhere to Covid-19 related protocols mandated by the UAE government, which means visitors must wear face masks in all indoor areas of the venue.

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Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland

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Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham

Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)

Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal

Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich

March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom

Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal

Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal

Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester

Results

6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m, Winner: RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Mnasek, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Grand Dubai, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m, Winner: Meqdam, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Cosgrave, Doug Watson.

9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Madkhal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Sawt Assalam, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Foah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: RB Dixie Honor, Antonio Fresu, Helal Al Alawi.

7.30pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Boerhan, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.	United States
2.	China
3.	UAE
4.	Japan
5	Norway
6.	Canada
7.	Singapore
8.	Australia
9.	Saudi Arabia
10.	South Korea

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Dust storm

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Source: Can be carried from distant regions

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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

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