Dubai World Cup, overall Meydan purses raised for 2019
Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Wednesday issued directives to increase the prize money of the main Dubai World Cup race to $12 million, and the total purses awarded at the various races held during the Cup to $35 million.
His Highness also issued directives to increase the total prize money given away at other races held at the Meydan Racecourse to $1.83 million, effective from the 2018-2019 racing season.
The 2019 Dubai World Cup runs on Saturday, March 30, and will boast a $7.2 million purse to the winner; the highest first-place prize in global thoroughbred racing.
The Dubai World Cup ranks internationally behind only Gulfstream Park's $16 million Pegasus World Cup in terms of total purse money. But the Pegasus requires connections hold a $1 million slot to enter, whereas the Dubai World Cup fills its entries on an invitation basis.
Thunder Snow won the 2018 Dubai World Cup. His connections intend to bring the colt to the United States for the Breeders' Cup Classic. Arrogate (2017) and California Chrome (2016) have also won the race in recent years since the track surface at Meydan switched to dirt.
Other changes to World Cup night:
• The Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News receives a $500,000 boost to $2.5 million. At 1,200m on dirt, the truly global affair has been won by horses from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Singapore among its previous seven victors and becomes the richest dirt sprint in the world.
• Enhancing its status as one of the top turf sprints in the world, the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments will see its purse double to $2 million. The 1,200m grass dash will now be among the richest in the world of its kind.
• The UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group will become the richest dirt derby in the world with a purse of $2.5 million, consequently raising it to be the second-richest race in the world for 3-year-olds on any surface.
• In a similar vein, the Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One will increase to $1.5 million, moving it into the second-richest dirt mile in the world.
• The Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, which has been won for three consecutive years by French superstar Vazirabad, will now be worth $1.5 million, making the 3,200m turf test of stamina one of the richest marathon events in global horse racing.