UK and Irish racing fans may be starved of top quality flat action during the Winter. However, they can get their fix of first class racing thanks to the Dubai World Cup. First run in 1996, this 10f dirt Group 1 is a truly International event and the $12 million purse usually attracts horses from the four corners of the globe.
In our Dubai World Cup Betting Guide you will find out everything there is to know about this prestigious race. We look at previous winners, key stats and trends and we have a close look at some of the main contenders for the 2019 Dubai World Cup. We also reveal the very best Dubai World Cup bookmakers, so if you want to know more you better keep on reading!
Top 7 Dubai World Cup Betting Sites
Canada
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Related articles:
-
Breeders' Cup
-
Queen Mother Champion Chase
-
Hennessy Gold Cup
-
Stayers' Hurdle
-
bet365 Gold Cup
-
Ryanair Chase
-
Epsom Derby
-
2000 Guineas
-
1000 Guineas
-
Epsom Oaks
-
Belmont Stakes
-
Preakness Stakes
-
Royal Ascot
-
Cheltenham Festival
-
Kentucky Derby
-
Champion Hurdle
-
Racing Post Trophy
-
Betfair Chase
-
Melbourne Cup
-
King George VI Chase
-
Arc de Triomphe
-
British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes
-
St Leger Stakes
-
British Champions Sprint Stakes
-
Grand National
Dubai World Cup Results – 2009-2025
|
Year |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
| 2025 |
Thunder Snow |
C Soumillon |
S Bin Suroor |
|
2017 |
Arrogate |
M E Smith |
B Baffert |
|
2016 |
California Chrome |
V Espinoza |
A Sherman |
|
2015 |
Prince Bishop |
W Buick |
S Bin Suroor |
|
2014 |
African Story |
S De Sousa |
S Bin Suroor |
|
2013 |
Animal Kingdom |
J Rosario |
G Motion |
|
2012 |
Monterosso |
M Barzalona |
M Al Zarooni |
|
2011 |
Victoire Pisa |
M Demuro |
K Sumii |
|
2010 |
Gloria De Campeao |
T J Pereira |
P Bary |
|
2009 |
Well Armed |
A Gryder |
E Harty |
Dubai World Cup Famous Past Winners
- Saeed Bin Suroor has won the Dubai World Cup on eight occasions and the ill-fated Dubai Millennium kicked off his dominance in 2000 with a record winning time.
- Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 and added the Dubai World Cup to his trophy cabinet in 2013.
- Street Cry won the race for Saeed Bin Suroor in 2002 and he became a hugely influential stallion (sired Zenyatta).
- Jerry Bailey rode Street Cry to victory and he is the most successful Dubai World Cup jockey with four wins (1996, 1997, 2001,2002).
- The two biggest shock results came in 2011 and 2012 when Victoire Pisa and Monterosso scored at odds of 20/1.
Dubai World Cup Facts And Records
With a monster first prize of just under £4.5 million it is no surprise that the Dubai World Cup is targeted by some of the best trainers on the planet. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs on the dirt at Meydan. It was run on the dirt at Nad Al Sheba until 2010 and from then until Meydan switched to dirt in 2014, it was run on Tapeta.
It is no surprise that American bred and trained horses have fared so well as they are bred to go on the dirt. No Irish trainer has ever landed this race, and it has been dominated by Saeed Bin Suroor (8 wins) and Godolphin (7 wins). He won the 2025 renewal with the enigmatic Thunder Snow and he is sure to be well represented in the 2019 renewal.
Dubai World Cup Facts and Stats
- From 1996 to 2009 the Dubai World Cup was run at Nad Al Sheba.
- It was run on a synthetic surface at Meydan from 2010-2013 and on dirt from 2014 onwards.
- American pilot Jerry Bailey leads the way with foulDubai World Cup wins.
- Saeed Bin Suroor has won the race eight times.
- Dubai Millennium is the record holder time wise in the Dubai World Cup (1.59.50).
When and where is the Dubai World Cup held?
The Dubai World Cup is run every year at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on the last Saturday of March. Previously, the race was run at Nad Al Sheba but it moved to Meydan in 2010. It was run on Tapeta there from 2010-2014 but in 2015 the track was converted to dirt.
In 2019 the Dubai World Cup will be run on March 30th and it is sure to attract a stellar cast of equine superstars. Thunder Snow will likely be back to try and retain his crown, but he faces plenty of stiff competition.
Although the Dubai World Cup is undeniably the showpiece race of the season at Meydan, there are lots more Group races held there throughout the Winter months. These include the Dubai Gold Cup and the Golden Shaheen, two famous races in their own right.
If you are considering placing an ante-post wager on this race you should keep on reading. Our racing experts will reveal plenty of useful trends that may help you find the winner. If you have already made your mind up, check out our best Dubai World Cup betting sites section later on…
Dubai World Cup Trends
As the saying goes, trends are your friends and this is especially relevant when you are betting on horse races. The Dubai World Cup is no exception to this rule. If you are trying to narrow the field you can do so by using some of the trends and patterns we outline below…
- No filly or mare has ever won the Dubai World Cup so it usually pays to focus on the boys.
- Saeed bin Suroor is the trainer to follow with eight wins since 1996.
- Keep an eye out for the Royal Blue colours of Godolphin as they always target this contest and don’t discount their second or third string entries.
- American horses are bred to go on dirt and they have had plenty of success in the Dubai World Cup down through the years.
- Younger horses have fared best and only six winners since 1996 have been older than 5yo.
Dubai World Cup Betting Sites
The vast majority of UK bookies have excellent coverage of domestic and International racing. Plenty have streaming available and some even have in-play racing odds. If you are looking for a top quality Dubai World Cup betting site you should consider quality of odds, the sign up offer and ongoing promotions. Our experts have completed their research and their three best Dubai World Cup betting sites are listed above.
2019 Dubai World Cup Contenders
The countdown has already begun to the Dubai World Cup 2019. This year it will be run on March 30th and plenty of the top betting sites in the UK have ante-post odds available for the race. As this is a Group 1 race it is only 1/5 odds for three places for each way bets. Some bookmakers may have enhanced each way terms on offer closer to the event, so keep an eye out for Dubai World Cup promotions.
Our resident horse racing experts have had an early look at some of the main contenders for the 2019 Dubai World Cup. Check out their thoughts on the chief protagonists below…
Dubai World Cup 2019 Main Contenders: Thunder Snow
Thunder Snow is trained by Meydan maestro Saeed bin Suroor and will likely be partnered by top jockey Christophe Soumillon. He won last year’s renewal for Godolphin and he is sure to be targeted at the race again. Thunder Snow was sent off at 8/1 in the 2025 Dubai World Cup and belied those odds, storming to victory by almost six lengths.
That was his third victory at Group 1 level and on his day the 5yo son of Helmet is a serious horse. However, he doesn’t come without risks as he showed when bucking like a bronco in the Kentucky Derby. He seems a lot more mature these days though, and he has finished in the first three on six of his last seven starts. Thunder Snow is proven on the dirt, at the track and at the trip and he is the current Dubai World Cup ante-post favourite.
Dubai World Cup 2019 Main Contenders: Yoshida
Fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on his last start (Thunder Snow ahead in 3rd), Yoshida looks the main American hope for the 2019 Dubai World Cup. He has already tasted success at the highest level, winning a Grade 1 at Churchill Downs in May 2025 on turf and adding one on dirt at Saratoga in September, both at 9f.
This son of Japanese sire Heart’s Cry proved his stamina for this 10f trip at the Breeders’ Cup and his trainer is no stranger to success in the Dubai World Cup. William Mott won the very first renewal of the race back in 1996 with Cigar. It has been a long time between drinks for Mott, but he looks to have every chance of adding another one in 2019 with Yoshida.
Dubai World Cup 2019 Main Contenders: Mckinzie
Bob Baffert is another trainer that has already tasted success in the Dubai World Cup. The US based handler has won it twice, with Silver Charm (1998) and former World Horse of the Year Arrogate (2017). He has a good chance of adding to those two triumphs with his 4yo son of Street Sense, Mckinzie.
This three time Grade 1 dirt winner (9f and 7f) bounced back from a disastrous run at Churchill Downs in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Boxing Day. He hosed up in a Grade 1 on the dirt over 7f, but the worry for him in the Dubai World Cup is the trip of 10f. He has yet to prove his stamina at the distance and that is why he can be backed ante-post at standout odds of 10/1 with Betfair.
Dubai World Cup 2019 Ante-Post Odds: Mckinzie @ 10/1 Betfair
United Kingdom
Dubai World Cup 2019 Main Contenders: Seeking The Soul
Dallas Stewart is not a trainer that is associated with the Dubai World Cup, but Seeking The Soul is quietly fancied to make his presence felt in 2019. This 6yo son of Perfect Soul is owned and was bred by Charles Fipke and he landed his first Group 1 at Churchill in 2017 (9f). He has run well in Grade 1 company the last twice, but over shorter distances than the Dubai World Cup.
He has yet to win beyond 9f, but he kept on well over that distance last time, shaping as though an extra furlong may suit. He bombed out on his only start at further than 9f, over 12f as a 3yo, but he was a baby then and there is every chance he will get the trip now. Whether he is up to the level of his main market rivals remains to be seen.
2019 Ante-Post Dubai World Cup Tips
The 2019 Dubai World Cup is still a while away and some other contenders may emerge between now and the start of the race. America looks to hold a strong hand again this year and we think Yoshida looks the biggest danger from that part of the world. His trainer William Mott is as shrewd as they come and he has very little to find with Thunder Snow on their clash in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
However, we think that Saeed bin Suroor’s son of Helmet is the one to be on for the 2019 Dubai World Cup. This race will be his main target for the year and he was ultra impressive when winning the 2025 renewal. Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon is one of the best pilots around and we think he can guide Thunder Snow to victory. If his preparation goes smoothly he will go off a lot shorter than his current odds of 7/2.
Dubai World Cup FAQs
Where is the Dubai World Cup run?
Meydan is the venue for the Dubai World Cup and it has been held there every year since 2010. It was previously run at Nad Al Sheba from 1996-2009. The first four Dubai World Cups at Meydan were run on a synthetic Tapeta all-weather surface. This year it will be run on March 30th and it is a race you won’t want to miss.
Is the Dubai World Cup on TV?
You will be able to watch the Dubai World Cup on a number of TV stations. In 2025 you could watch it on At The Races and Racing UK. Those two channels are now called Sky Racing and Racing TV respectively, and both will likely show the race again. Alternatively, if you bet with Ladbrokes or William Hill on the Dubai World Cup you will be able to stream it live on your desktop or mobile device.
Where can I find the best Dubai World Cup Odds?
Value is king when it comes to betting on the Dubai World Cup. You should make it your business to find the best price possible when placing a wager on any race. If you are looking for the best Dubai World Cup odds you could do worse than checking out the best bookies we listed above. Betway can usually be relied upon to have decent prices.