Dubai World Cup to kick off on Saturday

The Dubai World Cup 2025 is set to kick off on Saturday at the Meydan Racecourse with the participation of 102 horses from 13 countries.

They will compete in nine races with a total prize of $30.5 million, including $12 million dedicated for the main race.

The first race begins at 4:35 p.m., while the main race is expected to start at 9:30 p.m. and spans 2,000 metres on sand amid fierce competition.

The world's elite are represented by the Japanese horse "Oshiba Tesoro" and the leading candidate "Forever Young", the 2024 UAE Derby champion and winner of the 2025 Saudi Cup.

Imperial Emperor, Walk of Stars, Wilson Tesoro, Ramjet, Rattle 'n' Roll, El Maracolo, Mixto, Katona, and Heat Show also compete for the title.

The evening kicks off with the first race, the Dubai Kahayla Classic, a Group 1 race over 2,000 meters of sand, featuring 15 purebred Arabians and carrying a prize purse of $1 million.

The second round, the Dubai Gold Cup (Group 2), will be held with the participation of 10 Thoroughbred Arabians, over a distance of 3,200 metres on grass, with prizes of $1 million. The third round, the Godolphin Mile (Group 2), will be held with the participation of 14 Thoroughbred Arabians, over a distance of 1,600 metres on sand, with prizes of $1 million.

The fourth round, the Al Quoz Sprint (Group 1), will feature 11 Thoroughbreds (Group 1) over a distance of 1,200 metres on grass, with prizes totalling $1.5 million. The fifth round, the Emirates Derby, will feature 1,900 metres on sand, with 9 Thoroughbreds (Group 2) participating, with prizes totalling $1 million.

Twelve purebred Arabian horses will participate in the sixth race, the Dubai Golden Shaheen, Category 1, over a distance of 1,200 meters on sand, with prizes worth $2 million. Eleven purebred Arabian horses will also compete in the seventh race, the Dubai Turf, over a distance of 1,800 meters on grass, with prizes worth $5 million.

Nine purebred Arabian horses are competing in the eighth race, the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1), over a distance of 2,410 meters on grass, with prizes worth $6 million.