Dubai World Cup: The richest race day returns with $35 million prize purse

By Ben Church, CNN
Updated 8:50 AM EDT, Wed March 27, 2019
Jockey Christophe Soumillon rides Thunder Snow across the finish line to win the Dubai World Cup horse race at the Dubai World Cup in the Meydan Racecourse on March 31, 2018 in Dubai. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
Dubai World Cup returns with record $35M purse
01:12 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Dubai World Cup is set for March 30

The meeting offers a $35 million purse

Pop star Gwen Stefani is due to perform

CNN  — 

Boasting the most expensive prize purse in horse racing, it’s no wonder the Dubai World Cup attracts the very best of the equine world.

Held at the Meydan Racecourse, the prestigious meeting marks the end of the UAE racing season, bringing together the world’s top jockeys, trainers and thoroughbreds.

On Saturday, a cool $35 million will be up for grabs across the six Group 1 and three Group 2 races, culminating in the showpiece Dubai World Cup – a suitable finale for such a glamorous setting.

READ: Dubai ruler wins Melbourne Cup after 30 years and millions of dollars

Boasting the world's first five-star trackside hotel, restaurants and a museum, Dubai's Meydan Racecourse is a first-class racing destination.
Meydan Racecourse, Dubai —
Boasting the world's first five-star trackside hotel, restaurants and a museum, Dubai's Meydan Racecourse is a first-class racing destination.
The Meydan Hotel
St. Moritz is known for world-class skiing, glitz, glamor and...horse racing? The venue for the White Turf event, held three days a year, isn't your typical racecourse. Instead, it's held on a frozen lake.
St. Moritz, Switzerland —
St. Moritz is known for world-class skiing, glitz, glamor and...horse racing? The venue for the White Turf event, held three days a year, isn't your typical racecourse. Instead, it's held on a frozen lake.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Flemington is Australia's oldest metropolitan racecourse and home to the famous Melbourne Cup. The revamped venue was first used in 1840 when the town of Melbourne was just five years old.
Flemington Racecourse, Australia —
Flemington is Australia's oldest metropolitan racecourse and home to the famous Melbourne Cup. The revamped venue was first used in 1840 when the town of Melbourne was just five years old.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Simply put, there is no racecourse in the world quite like the Piazza del Campo in Italy. Its origins date back to medieval times when jockeys rode buffalo. The piazza is packed with spectators with racing around the outside.
Piazza del Campo, Italy —
Simply put, there is no racecourse in the world quite like the Piazza del Campo in Italy. Its origins date back to medieval times when jockeys rode buffalo. The piazza is packed with spectators with racing around the outside.
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
Happy Valley Racecourse was built in 1845 to provide horse racing for expat Britons living in Hong Kong. It's surrounded by giant apartments and skyscrapers -- giving visitors an unusually beautiful scenic view.
Happy Valley, Hong Kong —
Happy Valley Racecourse was built in 1845 to provide horse racing for expat Britons living in Hong Kong. It's surrounded by giant apartments and skyscrapers -- giving visitors an unusually beautiful scenic view.
Getty Images
Just the name "Ascot" conjures visions of royalty, elegance, high fashion and world-class racing. The racecourse was opened in 1711 by Queen Anne, and Royal Ascot is still one of the most celebrated meetings on the calendar.
Ascot, England —
Just the name "Ascot" conjures visions of royalty, elegance, high fashion and world-class racing. The racecourse was opened in 1711 by Queen Anne, and Royal Ascot is still one of the most celebrated meetings on the calendar.
Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe
Spectacular and timeless, historic Chantilly sits in front of the 16th-century Chateau de Chantilly and the majestic Great Stables (pictured) amid forests 30 miles north of Paris.
Chantilly, France —
Spectacular and timeless, historic Chantilly sits in front of the 16th-century Chateau de Chantilly and the majestic Great Stables (pictured) amid forests 30 miles north of Paris.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Laytown Races is the only official beach race in Europe. Situated on the Irish coast, the 150-year-old tradition attracts more than 5000 regular visitors every year. Horses race along the sands on a makeshift course.
Laytown Races, Ireland —
Laytown Races is the only official beach race in Europe. Situated on the Irish coast, the 150-year-old tradition attracts more than 5000 regular visitors every year. Horses race along the sands on a makeshift course.
PAUL FAITH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The rolling Sussex countryside unfolds in front of one of the most iconic venues in flat racing. Goodwood has hosted racing since 1802 and offers the perfect setting for the famous Glorious Goodwood meeting.
Goodwood Racecourse, England —
The rolling Sussex countryside unfolds in front of one of the most iconic venues in flat racing. Goodwood has hosted racing since 1802 and offers the perfect setting for the famous Glorious Goodwood meeting.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Cheltenham is a shrine to jump racing against the idyllic backdrop of the Cotswold hills. It hosts the prestigious Cheltenham Festival every March, the highlight of the world's jump racing calendar.
Cheltenham Racecourse, England —
Cheltenham is a shrine to jump racing against the idyllic backdrop of the Cotswold hills. It hosts the prestigious Cheltenham Festival every March, the highlight of the world's jump racing calendar.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The world's most beautiful racecourses

Gwen Stefani

Dubai has hosted the lucrative racing day every year since it was launched by ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1996.

Initially held at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, the event moved to the magnificent Meydan Racecourse in 2010, allowing it to flourish into the huge social and sporting spectacle it is today.

Stretching for nearly a mile along the home straight, the impressive grandstand can hold 80,000 spectators and is a suitable venue for such a prestigious event – with ticket prices rising to more than $1,200.

The facility boasts a nine-hole golf course as well as luxury five-star hotel, including roof top swimming pool, which positions residents at the heart of the action.

“This is a once-seen-never-forgotten behemoth, shown to best effect after dark, when the distinctive crescent-shaped roof that rests atop this iconic building stands illuminated beneath the desert night sky,” wrote Nicholas Godfrey on AtTheRaces.com.

“It would be hard to envisage a more atmospheric venue.”

However, it’s not just world-class racing on offer during the spectacle. In recent years, some of the world’s biggest pop stars have headlined a concert that starts after the final race.

This year about 60,000 racegoers will see Gwen Stefani join an illustrious alumni which includes Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue and Janet Jackson.

“Meydan,” after all, is Arabic for “A place where people congregate.”

READ: How young Qatari sheikh shook up horse racing

READ: The Gran Premio Latinoamericano – The Champions League of horse racing

The newly created Saudi Cup in February 2020 will offer a purse of $20 million with a first prize of $10 million.
The newly created Saudi Cup in February 2020 will offer a purse of $20 million with a first prize of $10 million.
Saudi Cup
The Pegasus World Cup was the richest horse race in 2018, with an improved prize fund of $16 million. The event was re-imagined for 2019 with a reduced pot of $9M for the dirt race and $7M for a separate turf race.
Eye-popping prizes —
The Pegasus World Cup was the richest horse race in 2018, with an improved prize fund of $16 million. The event was re-imagined for 2019 with a reduced pot of $9M for the dirt race and $7M for a separate turf race.
Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The $12 million Dubai World Cup was usurped by the Pegasus, but still offers an eye-watering $7.2 million for the winner. Godolphin's Thunder Snow won in 2018 and 2019.
Dubai World Cup —
The $12 million Dubai World Cup was usurped by the Pegasus, but still offers an eye-watering $7.2 million for the winner. Godolphin's Thunder Snow won in 2018 and 2019.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Now considered Australia's richest race, The Everest is also the world's richest race over turf with the prize pot almost $10M. The race's prize fund is set to rise even further in 2020.<br />
The Everest —
Now considered Australia's richest race, The Everest is also the world's richest race over turf with the prize pot almost $10M. The race's prize fund is set to rise even further in 2020.
Mark Evans/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Considered by many as the unofficial fourth leg of the prestigious Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup Classic is the second richest race in North America. The prize pot is $6 million with the winner scooping just over half.
Breeders' Cup Classic —
Considered by many as the unofficial fourth leg of the prestigious Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup Classic is the second richest race in North America. The prize pot is $6 million with the winner scooping just over half.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Europe's richest race is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the epitome of Parisian chic at the revamped Longchamp racecourse. In 2018, the winner earned $3.2 million out of a fund of $5.6M. Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori (pictured) holds the record for most race wins (six), including dual triumphs on Enable.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe —
Europe's richest race is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the epitome of Parisian chic at the revamped Longchamp racecourse. In 2018, the winner earned $3.2 million out of a fund of $5.6M. Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori (pictured) holds the record for most race wins (six), including dual triumphs on Enable.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Inaugurated in 1981, the Japan Cup is the country's richest horse race. Home-grown talent has flourished at the event -- since 2018, every winning trainer and owner has come from Japan. Almond Eye is the reigning champion, clinching $2.7 million.
Japan Cup —
Inaugurated in 1981, the Japan Cup is the country's richest horse race. Home-grown talent has flourished at the event -- since 2018, every winning trainer and owner has come from Japan. Almond Eye is the reigning champion, clinching $2.7 million.
ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
It may have been overtaken as Australia's richest race but the Melbourne Cup remains a prestigious event. The prize pot is about $5.2 million with this year's winner collecting $2.8 million.
Melbourne Cup —
It may have been overtaken as Australia's richest race but the Melbourne Cup remains a prestigious event. The prize pot is about $5.2 million with this year's winner collecting $2.8 million.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Carrying a prize fund of $4 million, the Breeders' Cup Turf is a showpiece event in the US. Winning connections claim a cool $2.2M.
Breeders' Cup Turf —
Carrying a prize fund of $4 million, the Breeders' Cup Turf is a showpiece event in the US. Winning connections claim a cool $2.2M.
Bobby Ellis/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The Kentucky Derby is an exhilarating mile-and-a-quarter dash on dirt, dubbed "the most exciting two minutes in sports." The winner of the iconic race clinches $1.425 million.
Kentucky Derby —
The Kentucky Derby is an exhilarating mile-and-a-quarter dash on dirt, dubbed "the most exciting two minutes in sports." The winner of the iconic race clinches $1.425 million.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The historic Epsom Derby is a sporting and cultural event on the UK social calendar with a prize pot for owners of about $1.9 million with the winner bagging just over $1M.
Epsom Derby —
The historic Epsom Derby is a sporting and cultural event on the UK social calendar with a prize pot for owners of about $1.9 million with the winner bagging just over $1M.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Astonishing prize money from the richest horse races on the planet

Thunder Snow

The pinnacle of the event is the Dubai World Cup – one of the highlights of the Flat racing calendar.

Run over a mile-and-a-quarter (10 furlongs), the race invites four-year-olds or above from the northern hemisphere and three-year-olds or above from the southern hemisphere.

Jockey Christophe Soumillon rides Thunder Snow across the finish line to win the Dubai World Cup horse race at the Dubai World Cup in the Meydan Racecourse on March 31, 2018 in Dubai. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
Jockey Christophe Soumillon rides Thunder Snow across the finish line to win the Dubai World Cup horse race at the Dubai World Cup in the Meydan Racecourse on March 31, 2018 in Dubai. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
video

Thunder Snow seals $10m Dubai World Cup win

This year, the prize fund has been boosted to $12 million and the winner will take home an eye-watering $7.2 million – the biggest prize for a single race in the world, overtaking the Pegasus World Cup.

Godolphin, the racing stable of Sheikh Mohammed, has particularly enjoyed the event in the past.

It celebrated its record eighth victory in 2018 as Thunder Snow, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, set a new dirt-track record. The reigning champion is back again this year, aiming to become the first horse to win the race more than once.

However, he’ll have to beat the cream of the crop, including Japanese raider Yoshida and American horses Gunnevera and Seeking the Soul, which was second to City of Light in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup.

READ: Wonder horse Winx secures 32nd consecutive win

READ: Equine economics: How to own a racehorse

READ: A day in the life of a top racing yard

The Meydan Racecourse has an impressive grandstand that stretches for almost a mile.
The Meydan Racecourse has an impressive grandstand that stretches for almost a mile.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

American Jerry Bailey is the race’s winning-most jockey with four victorious – his first coming in the inaugural meeting in 1996 on Cigar.

He sits just one win ahead of Flat racing’s poster boy Frankie Dettori, who holds the record for most wins at the meeting, with 19 victories in 113 races.

As well as eight races for thoroughbreds, the event also includes the Dubai Kahayla Classic which is dedicated to the local Purebred Arabian horses.

Related