Dubai World Cup:

Location: Meydan Racecourse

Total Prize: US$10,000,000

Official Website: http://www.dubairacingclub.com

First run: 1996

Qualification: 4yr olds and up by invitation only.

Distance: 2000 metres

Race Record: 1:59.5 Dubai Millenium 2000

Track: Tapeta (synthetic all-weather) left handed.

Track Bias: previously run on dirt, this synthetic Tapeta track was used for the 1^st time for the running of the 2010 Dubai Gold Cup. So far, it seems on pace runners usually have an advantage and some horses that go well on dirt do not handle the synthetic surface as well, while horses that have performed well on grass often do better. The 2000m usually presents a fair and even start for all runners.

History: Inaugural race won by the superb American horse Cigar in a field of eleven runners that contained Britain's Pentire, Japan's best horse on dirt Lively Mount and Australia's champion middle distance galloper Danewin. Apart from Singspiel (UK) 1997 and Gloria De Campeao 2010, the race has been won 8 times by USA trained horses and 5 times by Horses from the UAE. It is the richest horse race in the world and is staged at the incredible Meydan Racecourse complex.

Past Winners: Street Cry 2002, Singspiel 1997, and many others who have already become important horse racing sires.

Lead Up Form: The Al Maktoum Challenge is a series of races that serve as preparation for the Dubai World Cup. Beginning in January, there are three rounds in the series that attract the worlds best group/grade 1 horses.

Related Races: supporting races are the US$5 million Dubai Duty Free and the US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic. The eight race card also includes the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint, worth US$1 million, to be run over 1200m on turf, the Dubai Golden Shaheen and UAE Derby, both worth US$2 million, and the US$1 million Godolphin Mile. The evening kicks off with the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians.

Top Jockeys & Trainers: As you would expect, Godolphin have had more success in this race than any other stable. 

About the Track: "Meydan" is the Arabic word for meeting place. The grandstand is the longest in the world at 1.6km. There are no on course tote or bookmaker facilities as gambling is not permitted in the UAE. Punters who live outside of the UAE can bet on Dubai racing online with our recommended bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au.