The 28th Dubai World Cup was held at the Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, with jockey Tadhg O'Shea producing an electric finish on American sprinter Laurel River to win the 2,400-meter race, the highlight of the day.
The racing event attracted 120 runners representing 14 countries and regions, including 33 winners of Group 1 races.
Laurel River won the $12 million main event for the first time, with Japan's Ushba Tesoro finishing second and Senor Buscador from the U.S. coming in third place.
Laurel River takes the lead at the Dubai World Cup held at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the UAE, March 30, 2024. /CGTN
China's Hong Kong also claimed a champion as California Spangle exhibited remarkable speed in the Al Quoz Sprint, making a new 1200m track record with 1:07.50. The previous record of 1:07.61 was set by Wildman Jack in 2020 G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint.
"I believe he's more a sprinter than a miler," trainer Tony Cruz said, expressing his excitement about the performance of the horse.
The award ceremony was held for the champion of the Al Quoz Sprint as California Spangle from China's Hong Kong clinched the title at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the UAE, March 30, 2024. /CGTN
Horses are highly esteemed in the UAE due to their cultural significance. With a grand vision to establish a premier platform for advancing racing excellence, Dubai launched the horse race in 1996.
As gambling is not legally allowed in the UAE, Dubai has turned horse racing into an occasion to promote the local culture.
Sculptures of past champion horses from the Dubai World Cup are on display inside the Meydan Racecourse. /CGTN
Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club Mohammed Essa Al Adhab told CGTN that the motivation behind the event lies in the deep connection that Arab people have with horses. "By hosting this iconic event, we can get the best horses worldwide to be in Dubai and to compete on the ground at the Meydan racecourse," he said.
"This is a message we are giving to the world, that we are in Dubai, in the UAE, we can host this event that no others can do," Al Adhab said.
Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club Mohammed Essa Al Adhab during an interview at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the UAE, March 30, 2024. /CGTN
At the closing ceremony, up to 4,000 drones took to the night sky for an impressive light show.
An aerial show by drones concludes the 28th Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the UAE, March 30, 2024. /CGTN
Featuring top-level races, fashion moments and visual spectacles, the Dubai World Cup has become a ritual for race fans on the last Saturday of March every year and evolved from a mere competition to a cultural and social celebration.
Credits:
Reporters: Wang Xuejing, Zhang Zhuoya
Photos: Liu Chao, Zhang Yu