Dubai World Cup: 10 facts about the richest horse-race in the world

{Round of applause to Emirates for Dubai World Cup 2019 and Gwen Stefani after-party concert tickets!}

I recently had the honor of attending the prestigious Dubai World Cup: the richest day of thoroughbred horse-racing in the world. With members of the Emirati royal family in attendance along with global glitterati, tycoons and high-rollers, this annual event has been the event of the season since 1996 for horse-lovers, gamblers and fashion enthusiasts. 

The 2019 Dubai World Cup was filled with photo-finish race action, millinery masterpieces and even a kiss from Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum to his royal family’s two-time winning horse, Thunder Snow of Godolphin Racing. 

Here are 10 fast facts about the Dubai World Cup!

1. The race day is made up of 8 Thoroughbred horse-racing contests and 1 Purebred Arabian horse race.
2. This year, Dubai World Cup regained its #1 rank as the richest day in racing. Florida’s Pegasus World Cup had seized the position in 2017 and 2018.
3. DWC’s 2019 Purse contained USD $35 million in prizes across the day. The final and namesake race of the night awarded USD $12 million to the winners.
4. The only horse to win DWC twice is Thunder Snow, winner of the 2018 and 2019 Dubai World Cup.
5. Thunder Snow’s trainer, Saeed bin Suroor is no less decorated: he holds the most number of wins as a trainer in the history of the race with nine winnings.

   

6. His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai owns the Godolphin Racing team whose champion horses won four out of nine races of the night.
7. The Dubai World Cup was held at the Nad al Sheba Racecourse from 1996 to 2009, after which the event moved to Meydan Racecourse upon its completion in 2010.
8. Meydan Racecourse’s Grandstand arena invites 60,000 attendees to enjoy the races. Its crescent-shaped roof is iconic and tickets range from Dhs. 350 for Apron Views to Dhs. 3400 for Nad al Sheba Suite tickets.
9. Cigar, an American Thoroughbred won the first ever Dubai World Cup in 1996 with his jockey, Jerry Bailey.
10. The race is always scheduled for the last Saturday of March, so you know when to mark your calendars for 2020! 🙂

For my race day fashionistas, here’s your wrap up of the Meydan Style Stakes

Fashion also plays a huge part of the races, and the Meydan Style Stakes are quite intriguing. Judges included fashion stylist, Kelly Lundberg, British designer and fashion critic, Noor Breish, Esquire’s fashion director Mark McMahon and milliner Ana Pribylova. There are four categories in the #MeydanStyle prizes: Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman, Best Dressed Couple and finally, Most Creative Hat.

Dubai World Cup 2019 concluded with one of the best firework displays I’ve ever seen. Everyone was spellbound. Shortly after, Grammy-award winning singer Gwen Stefani took the stage to end the night with an energetic concert with all of her hits! All in all, it was an unforgettable day and I can’t wait till next year at Meydan. I’m including some fun videos of the day below so check them out! Until next time, keep exploring ❤ xoxo #nikitalyfe