The $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) is still on, and a likely field of just nine horses, including champion Forever Young, has been announced by the Dubai Racing Club.
Despite significant tension and disruptions due to the ongoing Iran-Israel/United States war, the $30.5 million Dubai World Cup Day is set for Saturday, March 28, at Meydan Racecourse.
On Wednesday, the likely fields for the nine-race program on Dubai World Cup Day were revealed, with the main attraction Japan’s global star Forever Young, who has earned a record $29.3 million – primarily from two victories in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) and a victory in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Forever Young was sent to Dubai after his win in the Saudi Cup and has been training at Meydan since mid-February.
Trained by Ryusei Saki, Forever Young will look to avenge a third-place finish in last year’s Dubai World Cup behind longshots Hit Show and Mixto. It was only his third loss in 14 career starts.
Hit Show, trained by Brad Cox, is back seeking a second straight win in the race, while only one other U.S.-based horse is in the field, Magnitude for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
Also likely to run is England-based Heart of Honor, along with five Dubai-based horses, Meydan, Imperial Emperor, Tumbarumba, Walk of Stars, and Tap Leader.
For those who bet on horse racing, Forever Young should be the overwhelming favorite, while home-team horses Walk of Stars and Imperial Emperor look to be the best of the Dubai five. The 6-year-old Hit Show won the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at the Fair Grounds in February in his only start this year. Magnitude won the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park in his last two starts.
The smallest field for the Dubai World Cup was seven in 2007. The average field size for the race has been 12 over the past five years.
While many owners and trainers were reluctant to send their horses to Dubai, including four-time Dubai World Cup winning trainer Bob Baffert, there will still be some top-rated horses on the undercard.
Calandagan, who capped a stellar 2025 season with a win in the Japan Cup (G1), heads a possible seven-horse field in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). Among the challengers are Rebel’s Romance, a nine-time Grade 1 winner, and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Ethical Diamond.
The $5 million Dubai Turf (G1) has also attracted a strong field, including Ombudsman, a multiple Grade 1 winner; Queen Anne Stakes (G1) winner Docklands; and Facteur Cheval, who won the Dubai Turf in 2024.
The $1 million UAE Derby (G2), the final Euro-Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep with 100-60-30-15-10 points to the top five finishers, has no U.S.-based runners.
Among the 13 3-year-olds listed as likely entries are Saudi Arabia-based Al Haram, winner of the Saudi Derby, Dubai-based Six Speed, winner of the 2000 UAE Guineas, and England-based Brotherly Love, winner of the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes.
A total of seven U.S.-based horses are listed as likely starters on Dubai World Cup Day – Hit Show and Magnitude in the World Cup, Bentornato, Lovesick Blues, and Nakatomi in the $2 million Golden Shaheen (G1), Reef Runner in the $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint, and Banishing in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2). Historically, about 12 U.S.-based horses are sent to Dubai to run on Dubai World Cup Day. Sometimes as many as 20 U.S.-based horses have run.
But the show goes on, so far, even though United Arab Emirates air defense systems are actively intercepting Iranian drones and missiles, there’s been restricted airspace, and infrastructures have been hit by debris.
Nonetheless, the Dubai Racing Club released a statement quoting one of its officials that read:
“We are delighted to see horses from so many different countries here for this landmark 30th Dubai World Cup meeting,” said Erwan Charpy, Head of Department, Racing Operations & International Relations, for Dubai Racing Club. “To have so many defending and former champions, including Hit Show. Rebel’s Romance, Tuz, Forever Young, and Dark Saffron back here are also very pleasing. We thank everyone for their support and wish them the best of luck on the big day.”
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
