Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young and recent Dubai World Cup champions Laurel River (2024) and Hit Show (2025) are among a world-class list of nominees for the $12 million Dubai World Cup, the centrepiece of a glittering nine-race card at Meydan on Saturday, March 28.
A total of 151 horses have been entered for the 2000-metre (1m2f) contest, with leading contenders from Japan including Narukami, Diktaen and Dura Erede, alongside US stars Gosger and White Abarrio, underscoring the truly global appeal of the 30th running of the race.
Full list of Dubai World Cup nominations
The card is anchored by an exceptional supporting programme, led by the Longines-sponsored Dubai Sheema Classic, a $6 event which has attracted 95 nominations. Among them is European Horse of the Year Calandagan, alongside 2024 Sheema Classic hero Rebel’s Romance, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Ethical Diamond and reigning champion Danon Decile. Japan is strongly represented once again with Croix Du Nord, Durezza and Masquerade Ball also among the entries.
The G1 Dubai Turf has received 143 nominations, including 2024 winner Facteur Cheval, Coral-Eclipse winner Ombudsman and multiple G1 champion Jantar Mantar from Japan.
Sprint races also promise elite competition. Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Bentornato features among the entries for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, while Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint heroine Shisospicy is among the nominations for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint.
The outstanding Dubai World Cup Day programme is further bolstered by three G2 events, the UAE Derby, Godolphin Mile and Dubai Gold Cup. The day traditionally opens with the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians.
Erwan Charpy, the Dubai Racing Club’s head of racing operations and international relations, said: “We are thrilled to see such exceptional nominations from around the world for the 30th running of the Dubai World Cup.
“The presence of former and defending champions highlights the prestige and global pull of this meeting, and we are confident that the 2026 edition will deliver an outstanding celebration of international racing at its very best.”
• Visit the Dubai Racing Club website
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