Elite horses prepare for the Dubai World Cup 2026

Next Saturday, all eyes will turn to the Meydan International Racecourse, which will witness the launch of the 2026 Dubai World Cup, following the announcement of the official tentative list of horses participating in the 30th edition, including the competition for the main race title, “Dubai World Cup” for the first category, “Group 1”, with prizes amounting to $12 million, and indicating strong confrontations involving nine of the strongest horses over the 2000-meter sand distance in the world.

Among the participants is the horse “Meydan”, which belongs to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, under the supervision of trainers Simon and Ed Crisford, after he attracted attention with his victory in his first participation on sand for a distance of 2000 metres, when he was crowned champion of the “Al Maktoum Classic” race for the second category, at the “Super Saturday” ceremony last February 28, thus booking a direct qualification ticket to the “Dubai World Cup”.

The defending champion, the Qatari horse “Heat Show”, under the supervision of coach Brad Cox, returns to “Meydan” in an attempt to win the second consecutive title in the Dubai World Cup, and equal the achievement of the representative of the “Godolphin” team, the horse “Thunder Snow”, the only winner in two consecutive editions, in 2018 and 2019, under the supervision of international coach Saeed bin Suroor.

The Japanese horse “Forever Young”, under the supervision of trainer Yoshito Yahagi, is one of the most prominent candidates, after achieving remarkable achievements by winning the “Breders’ Cup Classic” title and the Saudi Cup, which makes him a strong candidate to compete for the title.

The horse “Imperial Emperor” is also participating, under the supervision of trainer Popat Simar, after the horse strengthened its chances in competing for the title, after winning the “Al Maktoum Challenge” race for the first category, which was held last January during the “Fashion Friday” evening at the Meydan track, to reserve the automatic qualification ticket to the global event, ahead by a length and a half over “Tambarumba” under the supervision of Hamad Al-Juhani, while “Heart of Honor” under the supervision of Jimmy Osborne came in place. Third, they are also on the list.

The horse “Walk of Stars”, under the supervision of Bobat Simar, is also seeking to confirm his superiority, after his remarkable victory in last year’s edition of the “Al Maktoum Challenge” for the first category by a difference of six lengths, along with “Tab Leader” under the supervision of trainer Doug Watson.