The biggest and most anticipated event on the horseracing calendar celebrates its 20th anniversary. Dubai World Cup 2015, the finale of the series of 11 races that started in January, will be held on Saturday, March 28, and with a $10 million purse, it is the richest horse race in the world. And competition won’t be only on the track as the audience will be awarded for the best outfits and looks that night. If you are planning to attend the event as an excuse just to dress up, relax – you’re not alone. But to avoid confusing moments, there are ten facts you should know about the 2015 Dubai World Cup.
- Dubai World Cup night has nine races – the Dubai World Cup, the Al Quoz Sprint, the Godolphin Mile, the Dubai Gold Cup, the UAE Derby, the Dubai Golden Shaheen, the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai Kahayla Classic, which is a race for purebred Arabian horses.
- Hoses must be at least 4-year-old to compete and must be invited first to participate in the 2-km. race.
- It’s a common tradition in many countries for people to gamble on horse racing, and while in other countries people can gamble on the World Cup, on-track wagering isn’t allowed in Dubai.
- U.S.-bred horses have won the most World Cups in Dubai with 9 victors – Cigar, Silver Charm, Captain Steve, Pleasantly Perfect, Roses in May, Electrocutionist, Curlin, Well Armed, and Animal Kingdom.
- American jockey Jerry Bailey has won the most World Cups as he won four times – in 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002, while Dubai-based Godolphin Racing, owned by the royal Maktoum family, has the most wins as owners – in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, and 2014.
- However, not a single horse has ever won Dubai World Cup more than once.
- African Story that won last year (and is one of this year’s favourites) holds the record for the fastest time, recorded during the event. The horse completed the distance in synthetic in 2:01.61 and now he will defend the title on the new dirt track.
- Traditionally music performances entertain visitors and this year, Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue will be the star of the show (along with the World Cup winner, of course).
- One of the most memorable editions of the event was in 2011, when Japanese Victoire Pisa won the race and the World Cup less than three weeks after the catastrophic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis disaster.
- Along with the horse race, another competition is held on the Dubai World Cup event – visitors over the age of 21 can participate in the Jaguar Style Stakes and win a prize for best dressed lady or men, best hat, and other categories. And the Best Dressed Lady will receive a brand-new Jaguar F-Type Coupe, which will be hers for one year.
