Dubai continues to consolidate its position as the global capital of horse racing

Ron Winchell, owner of the American horse “Magnitude,” champion of the 2026 Dubai World Cup, confirmed that “Dubai continues to consolidate its position as the global capital of horse racing,” praising the great development that the emirate has witnessed over the past years, and the exceptional experience it provides to horse owners from all over the world.

Winchell told Emirates Today that his relationship with Dubai dates back to 2001, when he began shipping his horses to participate in races, noting that “the city has witnessed tremendous changes since then, whether at the level of organization, infrastructure, or general atmosphere.”

He added, “What distinguishes Dubai is not only the quality of the races, but also the feeling of safety and security, which makes it an ideal destination for everyone who owns a horse capable of competing,” stressing that “victory cannot be achieved without facing this type of major challenges.”

The American owner revealed that “this achievement came as a result of careful planning that extended throughout last year, where the focus was on two main races, the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup,” noting that all the details, from preparing the horse to its training program, had been worked on early. He also pointed out that moving “Magnitude” to the age of four years was an essential step in reaching the highest levels of readiness.

Winchell pointed out that the team was not expecting to face a strong competitor like Forever Young, but that raised the bar of ambitions, stressing that they were aware that they had a horse ready to run and compete for the title.

Regarding the course of the race, he said that the plan was based on being at the front, but the pace of the race was not as fast as they expected, which required flexibility during the course of the competition. He added, “The rider managed the race intelligently, especially with the competitors approaching, before (Magnitude) was able to secure the victory in the final meters after an exciting struggle.”

Winchell stressed that winning the Dubai World Cup represents an exceptional achievement in his career, explaining that this tournament has always been a goal he seeks to achieve, and that returning to Dubai and winning there holds special value for him.