The Dubai World Cup is a highlight in the sporting calendar of the UAE and is considered one of the most spectacular thoroughbred horse racing events worldwide. Founded in 1996, it is the world’s richest horse race, thanks to its grand purse of $12 million. It is held at the Meydan racecourse and is the pinnacle of the Dubai World Cup Night.

Another head-turning event in the world of horse racing is the Cheltenham Festival. The festival, held in the middle of March, features 28 races over four days, and fourteen of them are Grade 1 races, the highest level in national hunt racing.Usually, the Dubai World Cup and the Cheltenham horse racing events are compared, which isn’t surprising considering they are both spectacular races. In this write-up, we look at both events to identify which holds more ground. We shall also explore why the Dubai World Cup is becoming more popular.

Is Dubai World Cup up to Cheltenham’s Standards

Though both races have gained recognition in the horse racing industry, there are obvious differences. One of these is when they were founded. Cheltenham originated in 1860, making it one of the oldest horse races, while the Dubai World Cup is a more recent event that came to life in 1996. Thus, Cheltenham has awarded more winners and has better experience than its counterpart.Another distinction is their event date. Both events are held in March. However, the Dubai World Cup is fixed for the last Saturday of March, while the Cheltenham Festival in the UK is scheduled for the middle of March. Furthermore, the former holds for just a day, while Cheltenham runs for four days.

The Dubai race is over 2,000 meters and is open to Thoroughbreds three years old or older in the Southern Hemisphere and four years old or older in the Northern Hemisphere. On the other hand, the Cheltenham Festival features multiple Grade I events, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Stayers’ Hurdle.Over 250,000 people attend the Cheltenham event, while the Dubai World Cup expects just over 80,000. The high number of spectators flock to the Cheltenham festival partly because the occasion is also seen as a social event. Plus, the rules regarding visitors in the UK are less strict than those in Dubai.

Why is Dubai World Cup gaining ground?

Despite being among the younger races, the Dubai World Cup is gaining traction. Many horse racing bookies by NonGamstopSites for UK Players offer markets for the event. As with sports betting, there are favorites and underdogs for the horse racing event. Plus, some online bookmakers offer promotional deals specifically for the occasion.The $12 million purse attached to the event is a major draw for jockeys. So, those lucky enough to finish at the top walk away with a fat pocket. The major attraction for spectators who have nothing to do with the prize is seeing the best horses and their riders compete in one place.

The closing show is also outstanding and mesmerizing. For instance, in 2022, the skies were illuminated by fireworks and drone shows as the Dubai World Cup came to a close. To achieve this, specially designed drones were used, each with a remotely programmable LED light on the platform’s undercarriage. An after-race concert starring Becky Hill and Rudimental began after the closing ceremony fireworks.

Basics of the Dubai World Cup

The 2023 Dubai World Cup will take place on March 25. However, before you go watch the event or even bet on it, you should have a good idea of the basics. Here’s what you should know:

The Dubai World Cup has been held annually at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse since 1996. It was created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is the Prime Minister of the UAE and Dubai’s ruler. Back then, there were 11 racehorses vying for a prize purse of $4 million. In 2019, the race became the wealthiest in the world, with a purse of $12 million.

From 1996 through 2009, it was held at the Nad Al Sheba racetrack. Dubai’s World Cup moved to the modern Meydan Racecourse in 2010. Horse racing lovers worldwide flew to Dubai for the great Dubai World Cup Carnival, and the racetrack provided all the comforts they could want.

As the final event of the Dubai World Cup Night, the event is held on the last Saturday of March. The main event is a 2,000-metre race open to Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds that are at least three years old and Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds that are at least four years old.

Horses are picked by nomination. Horses that meet the requirements are registered by their trainers on the official racing site. For this, the trainers must create an account on the platform or use their existing login details if they already have one.

Is Dubai World Cup worth your time?

The Dubai World Cup is undoubtedly not as big as Cheltenham, but with the pace at which it is gaining popularity, there’s a good chance it will grow to be just as big. The $12 million purse will draw many more jockeys to the events. Consequently, people who enjoy horse racing would flock more to the racetrack every year.Plus, the event is one of the most spectacular that you can witness. Aside from watching the horses race, the after-event is one that many will love to experience.

The Dubai World Cup also presents many betting opportunities for punters. Note that wagering in the UAE is illegal, but UK punters and those in other countries can enjoy horse race betting on different online bookmakers. These gambling sites are not only safe but also have generous bonuses you can claim.So, simply put, the Dubai World Cup is worth your time. Whether you prefer visiting the UAE to experience it or simply wagering on it from the comfort of your home, it’s an event you shouldn’t miss.