THE Dubai World Cup returns this weekend with the winner set to take home one of the grandest prizes in all of sport.
It is one of the most glamorous events on the racing calendar and offers breeders, trainers and jockeys life-changing sums on its nine-race schedule.
RexThe Dubai World Cup is back for 2024[/caption]
The event has been held annually since 1996 and takes place at the iconic Meydan Racecourse – with last year’s winner Ushba Tesoro again favourite to win the Dubai World Cup again.
Here’s everything you need to know about the meeting:
How much does the Dubai World Cup winner receive?
The main race of the day, also named the Dubai World Cup, is one of the richest races in the sport – or any sport.
In racing, it is second only to the Saudi Cup with the winner banking an incredible $12 million (approx. £9.5m).
But that is not the only big prize on offer, with the total prize pot for the nine races standing at $30.5m (£24m).
The penultimate race of the day, the Dubai Sheema Classic, also sees winners take home $6m (£4.75m).
The full prize money breakdown is:
Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians ($1 million)
Godolphin Mile ($1 million)
Dubai Gold Cup ($1 million)
Al Quoz Sprint ($1.5 million)
UAE Derby ($1 million)
Dubai Golden Shaheen ($2 million)
Dubai Turf ($5 million)
Dubai Sheema Classic ($6 million)
Dubai World Cup ($12 million)
What time is the Dubai World Cup?
The main and last race of the day starts at 4.35pm UK time (8.35pm local).
All the action starts from 11.30am UK with nine races in total.
The full schedule (all times UK) for the Dubai World Cup is as follows:
11.30am – Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1 (Arab Race)
12.05pm – Godolphin Mile Sponsored By EMAAR (Group 2)
12.40pm – Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors (Group 2)
1.15pm – Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By AZIZI Developments (Group 1)
1.50pm – UAE Derby (Group 2)
2.25pm – Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored By Nakheel (Group 1)
3.10pm – Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (Group 1)
4pm – Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1)
4.35pm – Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 1)
Who is favourite to win the Dubai World Cup?
The current bookies’ favourite to win the 14-horse Dubai World Cup is Ushba Tesoro.
The same horse won the race last year – however, in the 28-year history of the race there has only been one back-to-back winner.
That was Thunder Snow in 2018 and 2019.
Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake are also in the field.
Newgate is an outsider but expected to be a favourite for punters with Frankie Dettori riding and searching for a record-breaking fifth win in the race.
Where can I watch the Dubai World Cup?
All nine races will be shown on Racing TV in the UK.