For those avid followers of horseracing who prefer a warmer climate, there is no place like Dubai from early November 2024 through to April next year. With another scintillating season in prospect, the racing world’s focus shifts to the UAE, as the 2025 Dubai World Cup provides the grand finale to an extended 16-meeting Dubai Racing Carnival.
The 2025 Dubai World Cup, which takes place at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, is an unmissable occasion in the racing calendar. Expected to attract the best of elite horses, jockeys, and trainers, as well as a global audience of racing enthusiasts, it promises another pinnacle in premium international horseracing. The Dubai World Cup continues to present a dazzling spectacle that blends world-class racing action with outstanding entertainment, fashion, and hospitality.
Be there with Expat Sport, the Dubai World Cup specialists, we offer a variety of ticketed hospitality packages that cater to different preferences and budgets.
Dubai Racing Carnival, lead-up to the 2025 Dubai World Cup
This season’s extended Dubai Racing Carnival will kick off on Friday, November 8th, 2024, and includes several key race days building up to the main event. The masterplan carnival schedule includes an extra week ensuring that the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup neatly coincides with the Eid Al Fitr festivities in the UAE.
Among the marquee race day highlights of the season:
- ‘Festive Friday’ on December 20th, 2024, which features the AED1 million ($272,200) G2 Maktoum Mile. The G2 Al Rashidiya is a primary prep race for the prestigious Dubai Turf race on Dubai World Cup night.
- Another significant date is ‘Fashion Friday’ on January 24th, 2025, with the AED3.68 million ($1 million) G1 Al Maktoum Challenge top of the bill – the winner of which gains automatic entry into the Dubai World Cup, while the G1 Jebel Hatta is another crucial prep race for Dubai Turf.
- The Emirates Super Saturday meeting on March 1st, 2025, will feature the pivotal G2 Al Maktoum Classic, setting the final stage in the run up as the winner also qualifies for the 2025 Dubai World Cup. In addition, the G2 Singspiel Stakes is a key prep race for Dubai Turf.
The Dubai Racing Club has also expanded the racing season by two additional racing days, in a move designed to provide more opportunities for both local and international runners, which demonstrates the increasing popularity and global impact of Dubai’s horseracing programme.
Enjoy the perfect Dubai World Cup with hospitality & ticket packages from Expat Sport
Dubai Racing Carnival 2024-2025 Season
The Dubai Racing Carnival for the 2024-2025 season will feature 16 exciting race meetings at Meydan Racecourse, running from November 8th, 2024, until March 14, 2025, with the majority falling on Fridays. The Carnival schedule below highlights marquee events in and amongst the regular Friday meetings:
November 8th, 2024 – Opening Day
November 22nd, 2024
December 6th, 2024
December 13th, 2024
December 20th, 2024 – Festive Friday
January 3rd, 2025
January 10th, 2025
January 17th, 2025
January 24th, 2025 – Fashion Friday
January 31st, 2025
February 7th, 2025
February 14th, 2025
February 21st, 2025
March 1st, 2025 – Emirates Super Saturday
March 7th, 2025
March 14th, 2025 – Closing Day
April 5th, 2025 – The Dubai World Cup
Final Word from Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club
“The Dubai World Cup is one of the best-established sporting and social events of the year in Dubai. This incredible race meeting has grown year on year, since its 1996 inception, and we look forward to welcoming the best horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners from around the world to Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, 5 April 2025.”
“We are also delighted to offer two additional days of racing this season, providing more opportunities for horses based locally and those joining us from overseas. The Dubai racing carnival has been instrumental in transforming the horseracing landscape globally. It is a celebration of the sport, combining top-tier racing action with world-class entertainment, fashion, and hospitality. With the introduction of new race days and an enhanced prize pool, the Carnival continues to attract elite participants and audiences from around the world.”
Let Expat Sport make the 2025 edition of the Dubai World Cup a night to remember. Click here for more information and to book hospitality and ticket packages.
Related Articles
The Dubai World Cup 2025 Spells Thrilling Action Ahead for Global Racing Enthusiasts
