Dubai World Cup to Proceed Despite Regional Tensions and Adverse Weather
The prestigious Dubai World Cup, with a total prize fund of £23 million, is set to go ahead as planned this Saturday at Meydan racecourse. This decision comes against a challenging backdrop of ongoing missile and drone attacks from Iran, coupled with severe weather conditions that have recently impacted the region.
Security Concerns and Regional Conflict
While Iran continues its daily assaults on the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations—retaliatory actions in response to bombings by the US and Israel—the event organisers have confirmed the race meeting will proceed. Local authorities report that since the conflict escalated, UAE air defence systems have successfully intercepted:
- 372 ballistic missiles
- 15 cruise missiles
- 1,826 drones
This security situation has not deterred the international horse racing community, with the event attracting 101 horses from 16 different countries. The highlight of the card is the 30th running of the £9 million Dubai World Cup itself.
Weather Challenges and Track Conditions
The region has also been experiencing significant weather disruptions, with heavy rainstorms causing localised flooding across parts of Dubai. Meydan racecourse received 58mm of rain overnight on Thursday, leading to the temporary closure of the track for training on Friday.
Despite these conditions, the turf course is currently rated as good to soft, and forecasts predict fine, sunny weather for race day. Organisers remain confident that the event can proceed safely and successfully.
Star Horses and International Competition
The race card features three of the world's four best horses, demonstrating the event's continued global significance. Notable contenders include:
- Ombudsman: The best British Flat horse of 2025, representing Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin team in the Dubai Turf. This marks his first appearance in 161 days since being defeated by Calandagan in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
- Calandagan: Currently regarded as the world's best horse, who will compete in the Sheema Classic. His trainer Francis-Henri Graffard commented on the conditions, noting that while there has been significant rain, he doesn't expect the ground to become as deep as European courses.
- Forever Young: The hot favourite for the Dubai World Cup itself, this Japanese globetrotter could see his career earnings surpass £28 million with a victory.
Trainer Perspectives and Preparations
John Gosden, who has previously won three editions of the Dubai Turf with Lord North, expressed confidence in Ombudsman's preparation: "This has been the plan since last October. He had a little away day at Chelmsford and we are happy with him. He's trained nicely."
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins discussed his contender Ethical Diamond, the surprise Breeders' Cup Turf winner: "He's had the longest break of any of the horses in the field without a run, but I had always wanted to give him a break after America. It's the start of a long year for him."
The event represents a significant demonstration of resilience and continuity in the face of both geopolitical tensions and natural challenges, maintaining Dubai's position as a premier destination for international horse racing.
