Horse racing began in Dubai in 1981, when a dusty camel track hosted the first thoroughbred race meeting organised by Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai and founder of the Godolphin training and Darley breeding operation.
Approximately 10 years later, the Dubai Racing Club was established with the official opening at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in 1992, where the highlight was the appearance of champion jockeys Lester Piggott and Willie Carson.
The first Dubai World Cup was held in 1996 at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, with American wonder horse Cigar claiming the inaugural running. In 2010, the iconic Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse were introduced, now home to the annual Super Saturday and Dubai World Cup Carnival meetings.
The Dubai World Cup honor roll boasts a range of big names, including these Top 5 performances....
2015 Prince Bishop (Saeed bin Suroor / William Buick)
2016 California Chrome (Art Sherman / Victor Espinoza)
Notable G1 victories:
Awesome Again Stakes 2016
Pacific Classic Stakes 2016
Hollywood Derby 2014
Preakness Stakes 2014
Kentucky Derby 2014
Santa Anita Derby 2014
2017 Arrogate (Bob Baffert / Mike Smith)
Notable G1 victories:
Pegasus World Cup 2017
Breeders' Cup Classic 2016
Travers Stakes 2016
2018/19 Thunder Snow (Saeed bin Suroor / Christophe Soumillon)
Notable G1 victories:
Prix Jean Prat 2017
Criterium International 2016
Dubai World Cup winners 1996 - 2019
1996 Cigar
1997 Singspiel
1998 Silver Charm
1999 Almutawakel
2000 Dubai Millennium
2001 Captain Steve
2002 Street Cry
2003 Moon Ballad
2004 Pleasantly Perfect
2005 Roses in May
2006 Electrocutionist
2007 Invasor
2008 Curlin
2009 Well Armed
2010 Glória de Campeão
2011 Victoire Pisa
2012 Monterosso
2013 Animal Kingdom
2014 African Story
2015 Prince Bishop
2016 California Chrome
2017 Arrogate
2018 Thunder Snow
2019 Thunder Snow
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