• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the presentation ceremony of the 1996 Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on March 27. Allsport
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the presentation ceremony of the 1996 Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on March 27. Allsport
  • Allen Paulson with the Dubai World Cup Trophy after his horse Cigar won the 1996 $4 million Dubai World Cup. Allsport
    Allen Paulson with the Dubai World Cup Trophy after his horse Cigar won the 1996 $4 million Dubai World Cup. Allsport
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid looks at the Dubai World Cup trophy on March 28, 1999. Allsport
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid looks at the Dubai World Cup trophy on March 28, 1999. Allsport
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 1999 Dubai World Cup at the Nad Al Sheba racecourse. Allsport
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 1999 Dubai World Cup at the Nad Al Sheba racecourse. Allsport
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Electrocutionist, ridden by jockey Frankie Dettori, that won the Dubai World Cup on March 25, 2006. That was the eleventh running of the world's richest horse race with a prize purse of $6million. Getty
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Electrocutionist, ridden by jockey Frankie Dettori, that won the Dubai World Cup on March 25, 2006. That was the eleventh running of the world's richest horse race with a prize purse of $6million. Getty
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during the presentation ceremony of the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on March 29, 2008. Paulo Vecina / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during the presentation ceremony of the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on March 29, 2008. Paulo Vecina / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2009. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2009. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and victorious owner Bill Casner who won the 2009 Dubai World Cup with Well Armed. Amy Leang / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and victorious owner Bill Casner who won the 2009 Dubai World Cup with Well Armed. Amy Leang / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Sheikh Hamdan at the 2009 Dubai World Cup. Amy Leang / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Sheikh Hamdan at the 2009 Dubai World Cup. Amy Leang / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with jockey Ahmad Ajtebi who won the Godolphin Mile with Calming Influence at the 2010 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with jockey Ahmad Ajtebi who won the Godolphin Mile with Calming Influence at the 2010 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Meydan Racecourse during the 2012 Dubai World Cup. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Meydan Racecourse during the 2012 Dubai World Cup. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with, from left, trainer Graham Motion, jockey Joel Rosario and owner John Messara after Animal Kingdom's 2013 Dubai World Cup triumph.
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with, from left, trainer Graham Motion, jockey Joel Rosario and owner John Messara after Animal Kingdom's 2013 Dubai World Cup triumph.
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with the team of Animal Kingdom, ridden by Joel Rosario, that won the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 30, 2013. Razan Alzayani / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with the team of Animal Kingdom, ridden by Joel Rosario, that won the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 30, 2013. Razan Alzayani / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reads a racecard at the Dubai World Cup on March 30 2013. Razan Alzayani / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reads a racecard at the Dubai World Cup on March 30 2013. Razan Alzayani / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid lifts the Dubai World Cup after African Story won at Meydan on March 29, 2014. Getty
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid lifts the Dubai World Cup after African Story won at Meydan on March 29, 2014. Getty
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, celebrates with Sheikh Hamdan after Godolphin's African Story won the 2014 Dubai World Cup. Getty
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, celebrates with Sheikh Hamdan after Godolphin's African Story won the 2014 Dubai World Cup. Getty
  • Sheikh Mohammed celebrates after African Story won the Dubai World Cup on March 29 , 2014. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed celebrates after African Story won the Dubai World Cup on March 29 , 2014. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Jockey Silvestre De Sousa after wining the 2014 Dubai World Cup with Godolphin's African Story. Pawan Singh / The National
    Jockey Silvestre De Sousa after wining the 2014 Dubai World Cup with Godolphin's African Story. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid after Godolphin's African Story won the $10 million Dubai World Cup. Satish Kumar / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid after Godolphin's African Story won the $10 million Dubai World Cup. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid after Godolphin's African Story won the 2014 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid after Godolphin's African Story won the 2014 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in a jubilant mood after African Story won the Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in a jubilant mood after African Story won the Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is presented with the 2015 Dubai World Cup trophy after Prince Bishop won the showpiece race. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is presented with the 2015 Dubai World Cup trophy after Prince Bishop won the showpiece race. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed saw Prince Bishop, ridden by William Buick, win the 2015 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed saw Prince Bishop, ridden by William Buick, win the 2015 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on March 28, 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on March 28, 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2017 Dubai World Cup. Christopher Pike / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2017 Dubai World Cup. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with jockey William Buick, left, and horse Jack Hobbs after the Dubai Sheema Classic at the 2017 Dubai World Cup weekend at Meydan. AFP
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with jockey William Buick, left, and horse Jack Hobbs after the Dubai Sheema Classic at the 2017 Dubai World Cup weekend at Meydan. AFP
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2017 Dubai World Cup. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2017 Dubai World Cup. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2017 Dubai World Cup. Christopher Pike / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2017 Dubai World Cup. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with the 2018 Dubai World Cup trophy after Thunder Show won the main race. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with the 2018 Dubai World Cup trophy after Thunder Show won the main race. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2018 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2018 Dubai World Cup. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan present Christophe Soumillon the 2018 Dubai World Cup trophy after Thunder Snow won the main race. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan present Christophe Soumillon the 2018 Dubai World Cup trophy after Thunder Snow won the main race. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at the 2018 Dubai World Cup ceremony. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at the 2018 Dubai World Cup ceremony. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Christophe Soumillion with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed after Thunder Snow won the 2018 Dubai World. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Christophe Soumillion with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed after Thunder Snow won the 2018 Dubai World. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with Benbatl, ridden by Oisin Murphy, after the Dubai Turf at the 2018 Dubai World Cup weekend. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with Benbatl, ridden by Oisin Murphy, after the Dubai Turf at the 2018 Dubai World Cup weekend. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2019 Dubai World Cup. Reuters
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the 2019 Dubai World Cup. Reuters
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with the Dubai World Cup trophy after Thunder Snow, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, defended the title on March 30, 2019 at Meydan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with the Dubai World Cup trophy after Thunder Snow, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, defended the title on March 30, 2019 at Meydan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • William Buick speaks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed after Blue Point won the Al Quoz Sprint during the 2019 Dubai World Cup weekend. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    William Buick speaks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed after Blue Point won the Al Quoz Sprint during the 2019 Dubai World Cup weekend. Chris Whiteoak / The National

From 1996 to 2019: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Dubai World Cup - in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

It was supposed to be the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup last year, but the coronavirus pandemic ensured the 2020 edition was called off a week before the scheduled date.

With the situation under control this year, the stage is now set for the most celebrated horse racing event in the world to return.

While no spectators will be allowed at the Meydan Racecourse, there will be plenty of action on the course for fans to enjoy on March 27.

Prize money for the Dubai World Cup has been retained at $12 million. Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner Knicks Go heads the nominations for the silver jubilee running of the Dubai World Cup.

Among the famous names nominated across the eight thoroughbred races are American raider Charlatan, Godolphin’s Australia-based Bivouac, Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid's UK-based Addeybb, Chrono Genesis from Japan and Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Mogul.

And among those cheering for the success of this year's edition will be Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai World Cup has been a source of pride for Sheikh Mohammed and expectations will once again be high of a successful racing weekend.

Sheikh Mohammed has witnessed many memorable Dubai World Cup moments over the years. Above is a picture gallery of Sheikh Mohammed at Dubai World Cups, starting from 1996. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.