Dubai World Cup 2025 Concludes with Historic Victory and Record Global Audience

Dubai, April 7 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup concluded on Saturday night at Meydan Racecourse, marking another milestone in global horse racing with a historic win, strong regional participation, and an estimated global audience exceeding 1 billion viewers across 170 countries.

The evening’s highlight was the main race, where “Hit Show”, representing Wathnan Racing (Qatar) and ridden by jockey Florent Geroux, captured the $12 million top prize, the highest purse in international horse racing. The win marked a historic moment for Wathnan Racing and reinforced the growing prominence of Gulf-based stables on the global stage.

A total of 102 horses from 13 countries competed in nine races, with a combined prize pool of $30.5 million. More than 60,000 spectators gathered at the Meydan venue to witness the event, which blended elite racing with immersive experiences and high-quality global broadcasting.

Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, General Manager of the Emirates Racing Authority and Vice-Chair of the Asian Racing Federation, emphasized the international stature of the event, crediting its continued success to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who launched the Cup in 1996. “The Dubai World Cup continues to stand out globally, bringing together the elite of horses, owners, trainers, and jockeys,” Al Shehhi said in remarks to WAM.

He praised the Dubai Racing Club, under the chairmanship of Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook bin Juma Al Maktoum, for organizing what he described as a “world-class race day experience” with exceptional operational and logistical execution.

The evening also saw a strong showing from UAE-based competitors. “Dubai Future”, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and owned by Godolphin, won the Dubai Gold Cup, while the Emirati-owned “Dark Saffron” triumphed in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, solidifying the UAE's status as a competitive force in international racing.

Jockey Cristian Demuro delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the night, winning the Dubai Turf on Japan's Soul Rush by a nose. Reflecting on the victory, Demuro said: “Last year, I lost by a nose. This year, I won by a nose. Luck was on my side today.”

Jockey Florent Geroux, who claimed the top prize, described his strategy: “I always ride ‘Hit Show’ the same way. Everything unfolded in the best-case scenario I had envisioned. I kept my focus on Forever Young throughout.”

Abdulaziz Al Maraziq, Executive Director of Dubai Stud, highlighted the role of Meydan in elevating global interest: “This year’s races attracted the finest international talent and were marked by thrilling, unpredictable outcomes.”

Since its inauguration in 2010, Meydan Racecourse has become a central pillar in global equestrian sport, offering cutting-edge infrastructure and a venue that merges heritage with modernity. The Dubai World Cup now includes several races listed among the Top 100 races worldwide, affirming the UAE’s commitment to maintaining a leadership role in hosting high-calibre sporting events.

With its fusion of culture, sport, and spectacle, the 2025 edition once again affirmed the Dubai World Cup as the crown jewel of international horse racing.