Where legends lineup and dreams go full gallop

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

The global spotlight once again turns to Meydan, the jewel of Dubai, for an electrifying night of top-class action as the Dubai World Cup and a host of elite Group 1 races thunder into the desert spotlight on Saturday. From dirt-slinging duels to turf-powered triumphs, racing fans are in for a treat of epic proportions.

 

As someone who's witnessed this journey unfold over the years, the transition from Nad Al Sheba to Meydan in just a year—without disrupting the racing calendar—remains one of the greatest feats in modern sporting infrastructure. The Meydan stadium is a wonder in itself: a grandstand that stretches into the horizon, an on-site five-star hotel, and facilities that rival any sporting venue on the planet.

 

This venue wasn’t just built—it was crafted with vision and passion, spearheaded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His dream of bringing world-class racing to Dubai didn’t just take off—it redefined the sport’s global map.

 

The Dubai World Cup made its debut in 1996 and has since become the glittering finale of Dubai’s Racing Carnival. It’s contested at Meydan—meaning “a place where people gather to compete” in Arabic—and that’s precisely what it becomes on World Cup night: a meeting point for champions.

 

Created by Sheikh Mohammed, also the powerhouse behind Darley Stud and Godolphin Racing, the event has seen some of the greatest names in racing history take the crown. From Cigar’s historic inaugural win to Arrogate, California Chrome, Animal Kingdom, Curlin, and Street Cry, the Americans have left a deep hoofprint on the Meydan dirt with 13 successes.

 

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor has been the most successful man in the saddling enclosure, winning the World Cup nine times. Japanese racing fans too have had their moment, with Victoire Pisa and Ushba Tesoro etching their names in gold.

 

No chronicle of the Dubai World Cup would be complete without a nod to my friend Leslie Wilson Jr, the doyen of racing journalism in the region. Leslie has been at every single one of the 28 Dubai World Cups—a feat that perhaps no other journalist globally can claim.

 

"I came to Dubai in 1991, initially to cover cricket," Leslie recalls. "Racing was just taking shape, and I had prior experience from Bangalore. That’s how it all began." From then on, I witnessed first-hand the evolution of the sport in Dubai—culminating in the spectacular present-day Meydan.

 

Leslie is no stranger to spotting an upset—and this year, he’s tilting toward Walk Of Stars, trained by Bhupat Seemar, as a sleeper pick. “Drawn one, blessed with blistering gate speed, and boasting home advantage,” he notes. What’s more, Michael Barzalona, a former World Cup-winning jockey, will be aboard.

 

Leslie has also bagged numerous titles in tipsters' contests—his nods aren’t to be taken lightly!

 

The second Dubai World Cup in 1997 was nothing short of cinematic—postponed due to ankle-deep flooding after a rare Dubai downpour. But the show went on, thanks to Sheikh Mohammed, who extended top-notch hospitality to all connections for another week. His horse Singspiel, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, went on to win when the skies cleared—a royal script in every sense.

 

In 2025, the hot favourite is Japan’s Forever Young, fresh from a thrilling win in the Saudi Cup. But among the many stories brewing, one truly stands out: Saffie Osborne.

 

She aims to become the first lady jockey to win a race on Dubai World Cup night, and she’s got a strong hand with Heart Of Honor in the G2 UAE Derby (Sponsored by Jumeirah).

 

The daughter of Jamie Osborne, who won this race in 2014 with Toast Of New York, Saffie is living a full-circle moment. “I was 12, watching dad’s horse win from the sofa. Now, I’m here with a real chance—it’s pretty surreal,” she said.

 

Already a groundbreaker—the first female jockey to ride a winner at Meydan back in February—Saffie now has her eyes set on making history on the biggest night of all.

 

With glamour, grit, and global talent converging under the Dubai sky, the 2025 Dubai World Cup night promises fireworks—both on and off the track.

 

Whether it’s royalty in the stands or a long shot down the rail, this is more than just racing. This is where dreams go to gallop.

 

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