Global Stars Converge at Meydan for 30th Dubai World Cup Night

Forever Young, the Japanese superstar who has banked a record US$29.3 million across victories in the Saudi Cup and Breeders' Cup Classic, arrived at Meydan Racecourse with trainer Yoshito Yahagi and jockey Ryusei Sakai to headline the 30th Dubai World Cup on March 28, the richest single night of racing on the global calendar.

Marking its 30th running, the meeting offers $30.5 million in prize money across nine elite races, with nine horses going into the $12 million World Cup itself. For Forever Young, the mission is personal: the global star, who has earned a record $29.3 million primarily from two victories in the $20 million Saudi Cup and a victory in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic, was sent to Dubai after his Saudi Cup win and has been training at Meydan since mid-February. Returned to Meydan accompanied by Yahagi and Sakai, the horse completed a light training session on the dirt track under Yuki Araki, with connections confirming its readiness.

Standing between Forever Young and a first Dubai World Cup title is the American-trained Hit Show, who returns to contest the title after his memorable 2025 victory. Winning back-to-back would be a rare achievement: the feat of a dual Dubai World Cup winner has been accomplished only once before in the race's 30-year history. Magnitude, handled by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, is the only other U.S.-based runner in the World Cup field. Fresh off his Group 2 win on Super Saturday at Meydan on February 28 is the locally-trained Meydaan, while UAE champion trainer Bhupat Seemar also has Walk of Stars, who finished second in the Maktoum Classic.

"We are delighted to see horses from so many different countries here for this landmark 30th Dubai World Cup meeting," said Erwan Charpy, Head of Department, Racing Operations and International Relations for Dubai Racing Club.

The supporting card carries its own weight. Calandagan, one of the world's top flat horses and recent Japan Cup winner, is set to contest the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic, where he faces nine-time Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance and Breeders' Cup Turf scorer Ethical Diamond. The Dubai Turf brings together multiple Group 1 winner Ombudsman, Queen Anne Stakes hero Docklands, and 2024 winner Facteur Cheval in a race that historically rewards tactical speed.

Seven U.S.-based horses are listed as likely starters across the card, a number well below the historical norm of around 12 and occasionally as many as 20, with some leading contenders having withdrawn as several connections monitor regional security developments. The Dubai Golden Shaheen sets up as a sprint showdown between Bentornato, the 2025 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, and Tuz, who claimed the 2024 Golden Shaheen title. Lovesick Blues and Nakatomi round out the U.S. contingent in that $2 million race. The Al Quoz Sprint adds Lazzat and Khaadem to a card already thick with top-level performers.

Jockey Saffie Osborne gears up for her first ever ride on the Dubai World Cup card, believing she has a genuine chance of becoming the first woman to ride a winner at the meeting, riding Heart Of Honor, trained by her father Jamie Osborne, in the UAE Derby. Heart Of Honor has raced over two miles once before, and Osborne believes the extra distance will suit him in the Group 2 contest.

In the Dubai Gold Cup, leading contender Al Nayyir has demonstrated strong readiness following a series of successful training sessions, while the Godolphin Mile will see a record participation of six horses from a single trainer, led by Commissioner King.

"The 30th Dubai World Cup will take place as scheduled at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, 28 March 2026," the Dubai Racing Club confirmed, with the nine-race card getting underway at 3:45pm local time. For Forever Young, whose third-place finish behind Hit Show and longshot Mixto last year remains the defining blemish on a 14-start career, Saturday offers the chance to settle the score in the richest race he has yet to win.