The eyes of the racing world will be focused on the UAE this Saturday night for the eagerly anticipated 28th running of the Dubai World Cup.
Held annually on the last Saturday in March, the race was first run back in 1996 at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse and was won by Cigar. It has since grown into one of the sport's marquee events.
It moved to the Meydan Racecourse in 2010, with Gloria de Campeao providing a first and only win for Brazil in the first World Cup staged at its new home.
Japan, Saudi Arabia and the USA have also all enjoyed success in the race, but over the years it has been an especially happy hunting ground for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Godolphin Racing.
Sheikh Mohammed first achieved success in the race in 1997 with Singspiel, with a further nine victories coming under the Godolphin banner. They include Thunder Snow, the winner of the 2018 and 2019 World Cups, and the only horse to win the race twice.
Godolphin's most recent winner came in 2021 when Mystic Guide prevailed, as the race returned to the calendar after missing a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jerry Bailey (1996, 1997, 2001, 2002) and Frankie Dettori (2000, 2003, 2006, 2022) share the record for most wins by a jockey with four apiece. Remarkably, Dettori's first and last wins came 22 years apart, with his most recent triumph coming aboard Country Grammer in 2022.
Saeed bin Suroor, with an incredible nine victories, is the most decorated trainer in the history of the race.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Dubai World Cup - in pictures
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrives at Meydan Racecourse ahead of the 2023 Dubai World Cup. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2022 Dubai World Cup, won by Country Grammer, ridden by Frankie Dettori, at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Christophe Soumillon receive the Dubai World Cup trophy from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid after their victory with Thunder Snow in 2019. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid does a dance on stage after Thunder Snow, ridden by Christophe Soumillion, won the 2018 Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2017 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Christopher Pike / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid inspects horses ahead of the 2015 Dubai World Cup. Sarah Dea/The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid celebrates after success in the 2014 Dubai World Cup with Godolphin's African Story. Satish Kumar / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reads a racecard at the 2013 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Razan Alzayani / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Monterosso, the winner of the 2012 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National -
The team behind Japan's Victoire Pisa receive the trophy from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in 2011. Pawan Singh / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, left, hands the Dubai World Cup trophy to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid after his horse Invasor won the 2007 Dubai World Cup. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with jockey Frankie Dettori who rode Moon Ballad to success in the 2003 Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba racecourse. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid congratulates Frankie Dettori after a winner at the 2002 Dubai World Cup night. AFP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid jokes with Kentucky breeder Allan Lavin, wearing a kefiyeh, during an event ahead of the 2001 Dubai World Cup. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and jockey Frankie Dettori celebrate Godolphin's victory with Dubai Millennium at the 2000 Dubai World Cup. Reuters -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, right, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid lead Sheikh Hamdan's winning horse Almukawatel around the racecourse after it and British jockey Richard Hills won a surprise victory at the 1999 Dubai World Cup. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid raises the Dubai World Cup in 1997 after his maiden success in the race with Singspiel. AFP
Dubai World Cup - every winner
2023: Ushba Tesoro (JPN); Jockey: Yuga Kawada; Trainer: Noboru Takagi
2022: Country Grammer (USA/KSA); Jockey: Frankie Dettori; Trainer: Bob Baffert
2021: Mystic Guide (UAE); Jockey: Luis Saez; Trainer: Mike Stidham
2019: Thunder Snow (UAE); Jockey: Christophe Soumillon; Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
2018: Thunder Snow (UAE); Jockey: Christophe Soumillon; Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
2017: Arrogate (KSA); Jockey: Mike E Smith; Trainer: Bob Baffert
2016: California Chrome (USA); Jockey: Victor Espinoza; Trainer: Art Sherman
2015: Prince Bishop (UAE); Jockey: William Buick; Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
2014: African Story (UAE); Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa; Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
2013: Animal Kingdom (USA/AUS); Jockey: Joel Rosario; Trainer: Graham Motion
2012: Monterosso (UAE); Jockey: Mickael Barzalona; Trainer: Mahmood al Zarooni
2011: Victoire Pisa (JPN); Jockey: Mirco Demuro; Trainer: Katsuhiko Sumii
2010: Gloria de Campeao (BRA); Jockey: TJ Pereira; Trainer: Pascal Bary
2009: Well Armed (USA); Jockey: Aaron Gryder; Trainer: Eoin Harty
2008: Curlin (USA); Jockey: Robby Albarado; Trainer: Steve Asmussen
2007: Invasor (UAE); Jockey: Fernando Jara; Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
2006: Electrocutionist (UAE); Jockey: Frankie Dettori; Trainer: Saaed bin Suroor
2005: Roses In May (USA); Jockey: John Velazquez; Trainer: Dale Romans
2004: Pleasantly Perfect (USA); Jockey: Alex Solis; Trainer: Richard Mandella
2003: Moon Ballad (UAE); Jockey: Frankie Dettori; Trainer: Saaed bin Suroor
2002: Street City (UAE); Jockey: Jerry Bailey; Trainer: Saaed bin Suroor
2001: Captain Steve (USA); Jockey: Jerry Bailey; Trainer: Bob Baffert
2000: Dubai Millennium (UAE); Jockey: Frankie Dettori; Trainer: Saaed bin Suroor
1999: Almutawakel (UAE); Jockey: Richard Hills; Trainer: Saaed bin Suroor
1998: Silver Charm (USA); Jockey: Gary Stevens; Trainer: Bob Baffert
1997: Singspiel (UAE); Jockey: Jerry Bailey; Trainer: Michael Stoute
1996: Cigar (USA); Jockey: Jerry Bailey; Trainer: William Mott
