Dubai World Cup 2024: When is it, which horses are racing and are tickets still available?

One of the highlights on the UAE sports calendar takes place at Meydan Racecourse on March 30

Yuga Kawada celebrates winning the Dubai World Cup on Ushba Tesoro. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrives at Meydan Racecourse to attend the Dubai World Cup. Antonie Robertson / The National

Yuga Kawada after the trophy presentation by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Runners compete in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Isolate, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, wins the $1million Group 2 Godolphin Mile. Antonie Robertson / The National

Runners take a bend during the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Hayyan, ridden by Oscar Chavez, won the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic after a photo finish to beat Ray Dawson on Barakka. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Kahayla was the first race of the day. Antonie Robertson/The National

People arrive to catch the action. Antonie Robertson / The National

It's a full house. Antonie Robertson / The National

Racegoers study the form and fill in their Pick 7. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Racegoers study the form and fill in their Pick 7. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Suits, ties, hats and fascinators are a hallmark of the Dubai World Cup. Antonie Robertson / The National

Visitors broke out their most stylish outfits for the day. Antonie Robertson / The National

Spectators at the Dubai World Cup 2023. Antonie Robertson/The National

Derma Sotogake, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, won the $1 million UAE Derby. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Jockey Ryan Moore on Broome overtakes William Buick on Siskany late in the race to win the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup. AFP

Sibelius, right, with jockey Ryan Moore, beats Switzerland, left, under Tadhg O'Shea by a short head to win the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen. AP

Ryan Moore on Sibelius celebrates after narrowly beating Switzerland to win the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Reuters

Spectators pray at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The Dubai World Cup is taking place during Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

Frankie Dettori riding Lord North on his way to winning the $5 million Dubai Turf. Reuters

Frankie Dettori celebrates after winning the $5 million Dubai Turf. Reuters

Frankie Dettori holds up three fingers to represent his three consecutive victories in the Dubai Turf while riding Lord North. Getty

Frankie Dettori performs his classic flying dismount from his horse after winning the Dubai Turf. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Christophe-Patrice Lemaire on Equinox celebrates winning the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, which brought $6 million in prize money. Reuters

The main event at the Dubai World Cup is the $12 million final race of the day. Reuters

Jockeys battle for glory. Reuters

Yuga Kawada on Ushba Tesoro won the main event. Reuters

Yuga Kawada on Ushba Tesoro celebrates their victory. Reuters

The Dubai World Cup meeting is not only the climax of the UAE’s racing season but will draw a global audience when its 28th edition gets under way at Meydan on March 30.

There is a total prize fund of $30.5 million for the nine-race card, the highlight of which is the $12 million Dubai World Cup itself, a Group 1 race run over the 2,000-metre distance on dirt.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 event.

When is it?

The 2024 Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 30.

Where is it?

The races are held at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

What time does it start?

The first race is scheduled to begin at 3.30pm.

Are tickets still available?

General Admission tickets offer rail-side views at just Dh20, while Apron Views tickets provide access to the heart of the social scene for Dh295. For more information and booking, visit the official website.

What races make up the Dubai World Cup?

There are nine races in total at the Dubai World Cup:

Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians ($1 million)

Group 2 Godolphin Mile ($1 million)

Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup ($1 million)

Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint ($1.5 million)

Group 2 UAE Derby ($1 million)

Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen ($2 million)

Group 1 Dubai Turf ($5 million)

Dubai Sheema Classic ($6 million)

Dubai World Cup ($12 million)

Which horses are racing at the Dubai World Cup?

The Dubai World Cup has drawn a quality field that includes last year’s winner Ushba Tesoro, the $20 million Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscado, Newgate (winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap), Derma Sotogake (the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up at Santa Anita), and the locally-trained Kabirkhan and Laurel River, both impressive winners in their last starts at Meydan.

What happened last year?

Ushba Tesoro under Yuga Kawada bagged the Dubai World Cup, only the second horse to achieve that feat for Japan after Victoire Pisa, ridden by Mirco Demuro, won the coveted prize in 2011.

Ushba Tesoro is back to defend his crown and will be bidding to become the second horse to win the Dubai World Cup twice in a row after Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s Thunder Snow became the first to achieve that feat in 2018 and 2019.

List of past winners

1996: Cigar, 1997: Singspiel, 1998: Silver Charm, 1999: Almutawakel, 2000: Dubai Millennium, 2001: Captain Steve, 2002: Street Cry, 2003: Moon Ballad, 2004: Pleasantly Perfect, 2005: Roses In May, 2006: Electrocutionist, 2007: Invasor, 2008: Curlin, 2009: Well Armed, 2010: Gloria de Campeao, 2011: Victoire Pisa, 2012: Monterosso, 2013: Animal Kingdom, 2014: African Story, 2015: Prince Bishop, 2016: California Chrome, 2017: Arrogate, 2018: Thunder Snow, 2019: Thunder Snow, 2020: Cancelled – Covid, 2021: Mystic Guide, 2022: Country Grammer, 2023: Ushba Tesoro

Style Stakes

Aside from the action on the track, there is more than Dh200,000 to be won in the Dubai World Cup Style Stakes, which includes prizes for the Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Man, Best Dressed Couple, Best Hat and Best Traditional Outfit competitions.