Ten Things You Should Know: Dubai World Cup
By Kevin Martin, Hello Race Fans Contributing Editor
1) The Dubai World Cup is run at a distance of 2000 meters (approximately 1 1/4 miles) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country on the Arabian Peninsula.
2) Formerly known as “The Richest Race in the World” with a purse of $10 million, it was surpassed in 2017 by the $12 million Pegasus World Cup.
3) Gambling is illegal in Dubai; however, betting on the Dubai World Cup and other races at Meydan is available via simulcast and online wagering in the United States and in Europe (sign up for a TwinSpires account, promo code: helloracefans) Since 2006, the races have been broadcast in the United States on TVG. In 2017 you can also watch via NBC Sports.
4) The Dubai World Cup was run for the first time in 1996. The first edition was won by the American Hall of Famer Cigar.
5) The 2010 World Cup was the first held at Meydan Racecourse. Prior editions had been run at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. Meydan has a capacity of 60,000 people and World Cup Night attracts spectators from all over the world.
6) The race was created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and owner of Darley Stud and Godolphin Racing, two of the wealthiest breeding and racing operations in the world.
7) The race is run on Dubai World Cup Night on a race card that includes eight other races with a total of $30 million in purse money.
8) Of the 22 winners of the Dubai World Cup, 10 had American owners and nine were owned by the host country. The two not owned in the U.S or U.A.E. were the 2010 winner, Gloria de Campeao, owned by Stud Estrela Energia of Brazil, and 2012 winner, Victoire Pisa, owned by Yoshimi Ichikawa of Japan.
9) The winners of the race have been bred in either North America or Europe with the exception of the aforementioned Gloria de Campeao, who was bred in Brazil, and the 2007 winner Invasor, bred in Argentina and, 2011 Victoire Pisa, bred in Japan.
10) Jockey Jerry Bailey won the first two editions of the Dubai World Cup (Cigar and Singspiel). He won it back-to-back again in 2001 and 2002 aboard Captain Steve and Street Cry.
In point #1, the distance should be 2,000 meters (not 200).
Otherwise good stuff.
Good catch, thank you!
Can I gamble at the Meydan racecourse when i visit Dubai?
Hi Michael, I believe the answer is no but I will confirm and let you know. Thanks for stopping by. And have fun in Dubai!
Can you bet on the World Cup at US tracks
Hi Steve, generally it’s available on ADWs so there’s a good chance it’s also available at least at some tracks. If you know you’re going to be at a track on World Cup day it’s probably a good idea to contact them ahead of time to see if they’ll be offering it. Good luck!