The Meydan World Cup Carnival draws to a close with a sensational card next Saturday. Five Grade One races will take place at Meydan, including the namesake race of the entire carnival, the Dubai World Cup, which has been won by many famous dirt horses down the years.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Dubai World Cup, including our best betting tips.
2026 Dubai World Cup Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Forever Young | 1/2 |
| Meydaan | 7/1 |
| Magnitude | 8/1 |
| Imperial Emperor | 10/1 |
| Hit Show | 14/1 |
| Tumbarumba | 16/1 |
| Bar | 20/1 |
2026 Dubai World Cup Runners
The overwhelming favourite to win this year's Dubai World Cup is Forever Young, who successfully defended his Saudi Cup crown last month. Yoshito Yahagi's Japanese superstar carried a short price into last year's Dubai World Cup too, but could only finish third behind surprise winner, Hit Show.
Sitting second in the betting is Simon & Ed Crisford's Meydaan, who romped to victory on his dirt debut in the Al Maktoum Classic on Super Saturday. Imperial Emperor made his breakthrough at Group One level when landing the Al Maktoum Challenge. Steve Asmussen could run Magnitude, following his runaway triumph in the Razorback Handicap.
Hit Show has won a couple of smaller events since his shock triumph at Meydan 12 months ago, and returns to defend his crown on the back of a tune-up victory at Fair Grounds. The Wathnan Racing colours will also be carried by Tumbarumba, and James Doyle's mount will be looking to build on a third-place finish behind Forever Young in the Saudi Cup.
Walk Of Stars bolsters Bhupat Seemar's squad. Jamie and Saffie Osbourne team up with Heart Of Honour. Doug Watson's Tap Leader completes the line-up.
2026 Dubai World Cup Tips
Forever Young's Breeders' Cup Classic win is the best piece of form on offer here. Ryusei Sakai's mount held firm at the front to deny the best dirt horses the USA has to offer at Del Mar, and toughed it out again to beat Nysos and claim his second Saudi Cup win last month.
Sakai got caught flat-footed when the leaders opened up coming out of the final bend in this race 12 months ago, and looked a little one-paced down the straight. Forever Young, despite his many accolades, doesn't seem to have an electric turn-of-foot, and a wide draw in stall six could make it tricky for the favourite to find his favoured prominent position.
Walk Of Stars will look to make all again from stall three, and he's sure to be a sitting duck. Meydaan tracked that rival before powering home to land the Al Maktoum Classic. Magnitude won't be far away from the early pace from his low draw in stall one. Imperial Emperor has been superb on his two most recent starts, and he too likes to keep tabs on the early front-runners.
Is HIT SHOW (14/1) overpriced again? I think he probably is. Brad Cox's grey is much shorter than the 41/1 SP he returned 12 months ago, but he's maintained a high level of form since that shock victory, and the race should set up in his favour again.
Florent Geroux's mount has won a Listed race and two Group Threes since that shock success. Hit Show was far too keen when fifth in the Stephen Foster Stakes, and again in the Lukas Classic, but was much better in the Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs in November, where his late charge came up half-a-length short of Magnitude.
Hit Show survived trouble in-running to win the Mineshaft Stakes last month, and he's sure to improve for that effort over a mile. There's every chance we could see the pace collapse here, if the forward-going horses go too hard too soon. Hit Show timed his challenge perfectly to nab Mixto on the line last year. He could be on the premises to pick up the pieces once again.
Visit our Dubai World Cup Live Stream page if you plan on watching any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our Dubai World Cup Live Stream page if you plan on watching any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet.
Dubai World Cup 2026 FAQs
- What is the Dubai World Cup?
The Dubai World Cup is a lucrative horse race staged in Dubai in the spring. The Dubai World Cup is the feature race of the Dubai World Cup carnival, held at Meydan throughout the year. This Grade One is run on a dirt surface over a distance of 2000m.
- When is the 2026 Dubai World Cup?
The Dubai World Cup will be run at Meydan on Saturday, 28th March in 2026.
- What is the Dubai World Cup worth?
The Dubai World Cup is one of the richest races in all of flat racing. In 2026, a prize pot of over $12m will be shared amongst the runners in the Dubai World Cup, with the winner receiving a first prize of $7.3m.