• Nouran Hassan wears a black mesh fascinator. Sarah Dea / The National
    Nouran Hassan wears a black mesh fascinator. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Natsami Isokawa and Arisa Nojiri come to represent Japan. Sarah Dea / The National
    Natsami Isokawa and Arisa Nojiri come to represent Japan. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Guests arrive at the Meydan racecourse before the start of the Dubai World Cup. Marwan Naamani / AFP Photo
    Guests arrive at the Meydan racecourse before the start of the Dubai World Cup. Marwan Naamani / AFP Photo
  • Female spectators during a hat presentation. Ali Haider / EPA
    Female spectators during a hat presentation. Ali Haider / EPA
  • A guest arrives at the Meydan racecourse before the start of the US $10 million Dubai World Cup. Marwan Naamani / AFP Photo
    A guest arrives at the Meydan racecourse before the start of the US $10 million Dubai World Cup. Marwan Naamani / AFP Photo
  • Two Racegoers attend the Dubai World Cup. Martin Dokoupil / Reuters
    Two Racegoers attend the Dubai World Cup. Martin Dokoupil / Reuters
  • Two racegoers at the 20th running of the Dubai World Cup. Martin Dokoupil / Reuters
    Two racegoers at the 20th running of the Dubai World Cup. Martin Dokoupil / Reuters
  • Racegoers attend the $10 million Dubai World Cup. Martin Dokoupil / Reuters
    Racegoers attend the $10 million Dubai World Cup. Martin Dokoupil / Reuters
  • A fan arrives at the Meydan Racecourse ahead of the Dubai World Cup. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo
    A fan arrives at the Meydan Racecourse ahead of the Dubai World Cup. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo
  • A Japanese fan with a horse mask points the direction of the track as he and another Japanese fan with a mask. Kamran Jebreili/ AP Photo
    A Japanese fan with a horse mask points the direction of the track as he and another Japanese fan with a mask. Kamran Jebreili/ AP Photo
  • A female spectator during a hat presentation. Ali Haider/ EPA
    A female spectator during a hat presentation. Ali Haider/ EPA
  • Racegoers are pictured ahead of the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse. Warren Little / Getty Images
    Racegoers are pictured ahead of the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse. Warren Little / Getty Images
  • Farannaz Yousif, Ana Pribylova and Tahier Hussien wear their best. Sarah Dea / The National
    Farannaz Yousif, Ana Pribylova and Tahier Hussien wear their best. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Racegoers enjoys the festivities before the start of the Dubai World Cup. Francois Nel / Getty Images
    Racegoers enjoys the festivities before the start of the Dubai World Cup. Francois Nel / Getty Images

The finest hats from the Dubai World Cup 2015 — in pictures


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They came to be seen, to socialise and to enjoy the lead-up to the $10m feature race. The sunny, temperate weather had tourists and residents dressing in their brightest colours, adding to one of world racing's biggest spectacles.

Colourful outfits crowned by spectacular and outlandish hats were the main attractions off the racetrack in the build-up to the world’s most lucrative horse race.

From bright red dresses to tailored suits and top hats, the emphasis was on style at Meydan Racecourse.