Having first been run back in 1996, the Dubai World Cup is one of the flagship horse races in the world and it has boosted the profile of the sport in the Gulf enormously.
With Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour at the helm, the staging of the race was always going to be a success and it continues to go from strength to strength, year on year.
Taking place at Meydan, the Dubai World Cup will once again attract stellar crowds, with qualification events taking place in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres throughout the season.
Ran over 10 furlongs, the race is a bit of a mad dash but with $12 million in the prize pot, there is plenty at stake for some of the biggest horses, owners, trainers, and jockeys in the game.
Here is a preview of some of the key runners and riders lining up at the 2022 Dubai World Cup:
Timing is often everything in the world of horse racing and 4 year old Life is Good suffered a cruel twist of fate in 2021, with injury ruling it out of the Kentucky Derby – where it was one of the hot favourites to go all the way.
A new year presents a new opportunity however and with some excellent form displayed once more at the back end of last season, Life is Good looks to be back with a vengeance.
Coming in as the hot favourite here for the Dubai World Cup, Life is Good looks to be a decent punt at +350.
American 4-year old Hot Rod Charlie is a horse with a huge amount of potential and is increasingly finding itself in the mix at some of the biggest races.
Trainer Doug O’Neill likes to get the most out of his horses and with 11 career outings to date, Hot Rod Charlie is one of the most experienced rides in the field.
According to this horse racing betting portal, the 10 furlong trip could be absolutely perfect too and at +550, Hot Rod Charlie appears to be a very good value bet here in Dubai.
Brad Cox’s 4 year old Mandaloun has slowly been impressing in America and the chance to compete at the Dubai World Cup looks to have come at the right time.
With placed finishes in all but one of the 7 starts made, Mandaloun has a proven track record of running on well and 10 furlongs is the ideal trip.
Others may have stronger credentials but at +650, Mandaloun certainly represents value here.
Japanese superstar horse T O Keynes arrives at the Dubai World Cup with a seriously big reputation and the whole racing world will be watching to see what unfolds.
The 5 year old is prolific on the domestic circuit in Japan and appears to relish trips around this length.
Undoubtedly this is a step up in quality but at +800, T O Keynes is certainly in with a decent chance here – especially if it shows up well at the Saudi Cup a month before.
Godolphin trained Mystic Guide is a course and distance winner here at Meydan and the American speedster will relish mixing it with some of the best in the world here.
Whilst currently an outsider at +1000, Mystic Guide is a very capable horse and its sure to get a good ride from Luis Saez.
Robert Griffith is a content and essay writer. He is collaborating with local magazines and newspapers. Robert is interested in topics such as marketing and history.
