We all know that the Grand National is one of the biggest horse racing events in the world, but it has a rival in the Dubai World Cup.
Horse racing isn’t just big in the United Kingdom, with the Middle East also a big centre for it, and Dubai has a major event.
The whole World Cup takes place on one day this weekend, which happens to be Grand National day.
So, it’s a great day for horse racing fans, who will be able to watch two huge events within hours of each other.
Dubai World Cup 2025: Date and start times
The Dubai World Cup takes place on Saturday, April 5.
It is held at the Meydan Racecourse, which is also the venue for the Dubai Racing Carnival and hosts the Dubai Racing Club.
It is currently scheduled to start at 9:30pm local time, which is 6:30pm in the UK.
That is for the main race, but the card starts at 1:35pm in the UK, with a total of nine races scheduled.
All of the races have had to be moved an hour later due to the intense heat.
Dubai World Cup race day schedule
- 1:35pm – Dubai Kahayla Classic
- 2:10pm – Dubai Gold Cup
- 2:45pm – Godolphin Mile
- 3:20pm – Al Quoz Sprint
- 4pm – UAE Derby
- 4:40pm – Dubai Golden Shaheen
- 5:15pm – Dubai Turf
- 5:50pm – Longines Dubai Sheema Classic
- 630pm – Dubai World Cup
2025 Dubai World Cup: Prize pot
Across the nine races, there is a whopping $30.5million up for grabs. This works out at over £23m.
Now, given the prize pot for the Grand National is £1million, you can clearly see that the Dubai World Cup day is much more lucrative.
In the main event, the Dubai World Cup, the prize pot is currently $12m, with the winner taking home $7m of that, which is £5.56m.
This is an incredible amount of money available, and it does blow the Grand National out of the water.
It also makes it the most lucrative race day in horse racing, with no event handing out more prize money.
Dubai World Cup race day winner’s money
- 2:10pm – Dubai Gold Cup – £464,000
- 2:45pm – Godolphin Mile – £464,000
- 3:20pm – Al Quoz Sprint – £696,000
- 4pm – UAE Derby – £464,000
- 4:40pm – Dubai Golden Shaheen – £928,000
- 5:15pm – Dubai Turf – £2.32m
- 5:50pm – Longines Dubai Sheema Classic – £2.78m
- 630pm – Dubai World Cup £5.568m
Dubai World Cup 2025: Ones to watch
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori will be involved in the action and will be looking to claim some prize money.
He has three rides across the Dubai World Cup race day.
Dettori is initially in action in the Godolphin Mile, and he is on Raging Torrent.
He then competes in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on Remake.
However, he will be in contention for the top prize as well as he has sealed a ride on Mixto in the Dubai World Cup, meaning he’ll have a go at winning the £5m on offer.
Meanwhile, in the UAE Derby, the United Kingdom’s Heart of Honour has a strong chance of taking home the £464,000 on offer.
Jamie Osborne is the trainer and his daughter Saffie will be the rider.
Dubai World Cup 2025: Odds
For all the latest odds on the 2025 Dubai World Cup race day, head to talkSPORT BET, here
Dubai World Cup 2025: Runners and riders
In the main event, the field has been confirmed, and there are only 11 competitors.
Subject to change
Nationality, age, weight trainer
1 Forever Young (JPN) 4 9-0 Yoshito Yahagi JPN
2 Hit Show (USA) 5 9-0 Brad Cox USA
3 Il Miracolo (USA) 5 9-0 Antonio Sano VEZ
4 Imperial Emperor (IRE) 5 9-0 Bhupart Seemar UAE
5 Katonah (USA) 6 9-0 Doug O’Neil IRE
6 Mixto (USA) 5 9-0 Doug O’Neil IRE
7 Ramjet (JPN) 4 9-0 Shozo Sasaki JPN
8 Rattle N’Roll (USA) 6 9-0 Kenneth McPeek USA
9 Ushba Tesoro (JPN) 8 9-0 Noboru Tagaki JPN
10 Walk of Stars (GB) 6 9-0 Bhupart Seemar UAE
11 Wilson Tesoro (JPN) 6 9-0 Noboru Tagaki JPN
