Race Events > Dubai World Cup Day
Wager on the 2021 DUBAI World Cup at TwinSpires
The Dubai World Cup, held at Meydan Racecourse, is the world’s richest horse racing event, featuring a massive purse of $12 million. Wager on this exciting annual event online with TwinSpires!
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Dubai World Cup Day Betting Guide & Tip Sheet
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Dubai World Cup Race Info
- 2021 Location: Meydan Racecourse; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Inaugural Race: 1996
- Distance: 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs)
- Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
- Age Qualifications: Northern Hemisphere 4yo+ & Southern Hemisphere 3yo+
- 2021 Purse: $12 million
- 2021 Race Date: Saturday, March 27
- Where to Watch: NBC Sports
2021 Dubai Racing Carnival Information
The 2021 Dubai Racing Carnival runs every Thursday night at Medyan Racecourse from January 21st through February 25th. Additionally, there is a Super Saturday meet on March 6th. The schedule culminates with the Dubai World Cup on Saturday, March 31st.
There are several major trial races that occur during this season. Amongst them are the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1, Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, Dubai Golden Shaheen, Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Turf and the Jebel Hatta.
2021 Dubai World Cup Day Races & Prize Money
| Race | Grade | Purse | Distance / Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Kahayla Classic | 1 | 750000 | 2,000 meters / Dirt |
| Godolphin Mile | 2 | 750000 | 1,600 meters / Dirt |
| Dubai Gold Cup | 2 | 750000 | 3,200 meters / Turf |
| Al Quoz Sprint | 1 | $1 million | 1,200 meters / Turf |
| UAE Derby | 2 | 750000 | 1,900 meters / Dirt |
| Dubai Golden Shaheen | 1 | $1.5 million | 1,200 meters / Dirt |
| Dubai Turf | 1 | $4 million | 1,800 meters / Turf |
| Dubai Sheema Classic | 1 | $5 million | 2,410 meters / Turf |
| Dubai World Cup | 1 | $12 million | 2,000 meters / Dirt |
Meydan Racecourse Information
Meydan Racecourse opened its doors on March 27th, 2010 and is part of an expansive property that also includes The Meydan hotel, a five-star resort that sits trackside. The impressive facility also includes a racing museum, restaurants and corporate suites.
Both the turf and dirt tracks are left-handed. The turf track covers a distance of 2,400 meters, while the dirt track is 1,750 meters.
- Location: Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
- Main track (dirt): 3 chutes
- Chute 1: 2,000 metres (1 1/4 miles)
- Chute 2: 1,600 metres (1 mile)
- Chute 3: 1,200 metres (3/4 mile)
- Track width: 21 metres (66 feet)
- Maximum starters: 16
- Turf course: 11 furlongs
- Camber on straights: 2%
- Camber on turns: 4%
- Composition: Bermuda hybrid in the summer, winter rye in the winter, top dressed with two inches of Irish peat moss
- Maximum starters: varies by distance
- Main track (dirt): 3 chutes
Dubai World Cup History
The Dubai World Cup was conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1996. Up until 2017, it was the world’s richest race with a purse of $10M USD made available. It was briefly surpassed by the $12M Pegasus World Cup. Following the reduction of the Pegasus World Cup purse and the increase of the Dubai World Cup purse in 2019 to $12M USD, the UAE once again hosts the world’s richest horse racing prize.
Before migrating to the Meydan Racecourse, which opened in 2010, the Dubai World Cup was hosted at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.
The next renewal of the Dubai World Cup will be on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 and once again hold a purse of $12M USD. This follows the cancellation of the event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the best racehorses produced by the United States have travelled to the Dubai World Cup and won. These include Arrogate (2017), California Chrome (2016), Animal Kingdom (2013), Well Armed (2009), Curlin (2008), Electrocutionist (2006), Roses in May (2005), Pleasantly Perfect (2003), Silver Charm (1998) and Cigar (1996). In fact, Cigar won the inaugural running of this race.