Hit Show Shines Bright: Dubai World Cup 2025 Delivers Thrilling Victories
- Taylor Lynn
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Qatar’s Hit Show Claims $12 Million Prize in a Night of Record-Breaking Performances at Meydan Racecourse
The 2025 Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest single-day horse racing event, concluded in spectacular fashion at the Meydan Racecourse on April 5. This 29th edition brought together 102 elite horses from 13 nations, competing across nine races for a staggering prize pool of $30.5 million. The event once again underscored Dubai’s prominence in global horse racing and its innovative "racing without gambling" model, which relies on sponsorships, tourism, and media rights. Main Event: Hit Show's Triumph
The highlight of the night was the $12 million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup, where Qatar’s Hit Show emerged victorious. Owned by Wathnan Racing, trained by Brad Cox, and ridden by jockey Florent Geroux, Hit Show completed the 2,000-meter race in 2:03.50 minutes. The five-year-old horse staged an impressive late rally to secure a 0.64-length victory over American contender Mixto, earning a first-place prize of $6.96 million. This marked a career-defining moment for Hit Show, who had been considered a longshot with odds of 40-1.
Mixto, owned by Calumet Farm and ridden by legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, claimed second place and a $2.4 million prize. Japan’s Forever Young, the pre-race favorite following his Saudi Cup win earlier this year, finished third, earning $1.2 million after a late but insufficient charge.
Other Notable Races
The Dubai World Cup featured several other marquee races:
Longines Dubai Sheema Classic: Japan’s Danon Decile, ridden by Keita Tosaki and trained by Shogo Yasuda, won this $6 million race over 2,410 meters with a time of 2:27.05 minutes. The victory earned $3.48 million for owner Danox Co.
Dubai Turf: Another Japanese horse, Soul Rush, triumphed in the $5 million Dubai Turf under jockey Christian Demuro. Trained by Yasutoshi Ikee and owned by Tatsue Ishikawa, Soul Rush completed the 1,800-meter race in 1:45.84 minutes to claim a $2.9 million prize.
Dubai Golden Shaheen: The Emirati horse Dark Saffron defied expectations to win this sprint event over 1,200 meters on dirt, clocking in at 1:11.41 minutes. Owned by Sultan Ali and ridden by Connor Beasley, Dark Saffron secured a $1.16 million purse.
Al Quoz Sprint: Ireland’s Believing, trained by George Boughey and ridden by William Buick, won this turf sprint over 1,200 meters in 1:07.77 minutes, earning $870,000.
Mohammed bin Rashid attends Dubai World Cup 2025
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today attended the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup at the iconic Meydan Racecourse.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed stated: “We take great pride in the Dubai World Cup’s unique status among the world’s premier horse racing events, whether in terms of prize money, quality of competition, or global reach. The Dubai World Cup has become a global event where cultures converge, serving as a reminder that sport has the power to bring people closer and unite nations. Horse racing will always be a proud part of our heritage and a meaningful link between our past and the future we strive to build.”
Legacy of Excellence
Since its inception in 1996, the Dubai World Cup has become a global symbol of equestrian excellence and economic diversification for the UAE. The event reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as a leader in world-class sporting events.
Over nearly three decades, it has crowned champions from diverse nations while showcasing state-of-the-art facilities at Meydan.
This year’s edition further solidified the event’s reputation as a premier international spectacle that transcends horse racing to become a cultural and economic phenomenon. With thrilling finishes and record-breaking performances, the Dubai World Cup continues to captivate audiences worldwide while setting new benchmarks in the sport of kings.
For more visit, https://dubairacingclub.com/
For racing news, visit: https://www.drf.com/race-entries/track/DUB/country/USA/date/04-05-2025
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