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
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
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
