Dubai World Cup 2022: tickets, date and all you need to know

Racing enthusiasts in the UAE will be champing at the bit as the Dubai World Cup returns to full capacity after the 2020 race meeting was cancelled and the 2021 event staged behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

The Meydan Racecourse is expected to be packed to its capacity of 80,000 in the 26th edition of the meeting that takes place on Saturday, March 26. What makes this edition extra special is the fact that the showpiece event's total purse has been raised to more than $30.5 million, up from $26.5m. Also, for the first time, all races will offer at least $1m in prize money..

The highlight of the nine-race card will be the $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup, a 2,000-metre contest run on the dirt surface.

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

Racegoers will be hoping to witness a dramatic race like last time when Mystic Guide from Godolphin’s American operation celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup with victory.

Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, the Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are so happy to have everyone back here for what will be a fantastic 26th running of the Dubai World Cup meeting. The atmosphere will be absolutely electrifying.

“The quality of the horses, trainers, owners and jockeys who have assembled is better than ever and we are looking forward to a superb day of racing with our guests from all over the world."

William Mott-trained Cigar won the inaugural race in 1996 and a quarter of a century later, the Dubai World Cup has risen to the summit of the racing calendar.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the presentation ceremony of the