The first Dubai World Cup was won by the mighty American superstar and future Hall Of Famer Cigar back in 1996. That was a fitting start to this glittering event, and since then some of the world’s greatest horses have prevailed.
The brilliant Dubai Millennium, running in the colours of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, scorched to a memorable victory in a record time at Nad Al Sheba back in 2000.
Curlin, winner of the Preakness Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2007, followed up by taking Dubai World Cup glory in 2008, while 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome reigned supreme in 2016.
The Bob Baffert-trained Arrogate - winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2016 - claimed the 2017 Dubai World Cup despite being last with apparently no chance in the early going.
2018 and 2019’s runnings of the Dubai World Cup have led to the race’s first multiple winner. Godolphin’s Irish-bred Thunder Snow triumphed in both races under brilliant Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon.
Saeed bin Suroor with nine successes has most victories by a trainer in the Dubai World Cup while American Jerry Bailey is the leading jockey with four victories. Godolphin unsurprisingly top the owner charts by claiming the prize eight times.
The last 10 winners of the Dubai World Cup are as follows:
2019: Thunder Snow (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon)
2018: Thunder Snow (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon)
2017 Arrogate (Bob Baffert/Mike Smith)
2016 California Chrome (Art Sherman/Victor Espinoza)
2015 Prince Bishop (Saeed bin Suroor/William Buick)
2014 African Story (Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre de Sousa)
2013 Animal Kingdom (Graham Motion/Joel Rosario)
2012 Monterosso (Mahmood al Zarooni/Mickael Barzalona)
2011 Victoire Pisa (Katsuhiko Sumii/Mirco Demuro)
2010 Gloria de Campeao (Pascal Bary/T.J Pereira)