Just like every year, visitors didn't hold back in attempting to stand out – with one even wearing a fuchsia pink hat made of feathers
The 15th running of the Dubai World Cup had a different buzz to it. It was the first to be held at Dubai’s iconic new racecourse Meydan, which was the Arabic word for meeting place, and on an all-new synthetic racing surface.
The gigantic venue was filled to the rafters with racegoers travelling from around the world wanting to be a part of history in the making. It was after all the first time that the race was being held on a Tapeta track.
A strong field of 14 faced the starter among them the favourite Gitano Hernando from the UK.
But things did not go according to plan for the British-bred chestnut colt who had six-time British champion jockey Kieren Fallon on his back.
Instead, it was Gloria de Campeao who upset all calculations.
But both horse and rider, Tiago Pereira, needed to be at their very best before claiming victory by the shortest of margins in an electrifying three-horse finish.
Having been well beaten the previous year when finding American raider Well Armed too good, it proved second time lucky for the horse with international appeal as he dug deep to see off the South African-trained Lizard’s Desire and local hope Alybar, ridden by Emirati jockey Ahmed Ajtebi.
Gloria de Campeao was based in France and trained by Pascal Bary but ridden by a Brazilian jockey. He was named Gloria de Campeao which in Portuguese means "Glory Of The Champion."
Just like every year, visitors didn't hold back in attempting to stand out – with one even wearing a fuchsia pink hat made of feathers
The World Cup field is headed by Country Grammer, victorious 12 months ago and seeking to make history as only the second horse to win the great race twice, after Thunder Snow in 2018-2019
There are a plethora of Group 1 winners in the race, including Jugurtha De Monlau, winner of the G1 Maktoum Challenge R3 over course and distance last time out, Rajeh and Mujeeb, winner of the valuable President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi
Winner of his last two races at Meydan — the six-year-old gelding is second favourite for the race behind defending champion Country Grammer
The wide draw will be a very hard challenge for him from barrier 15, says trainer Yoshito Yahagi
The ace handler believes that Rebel's Romance, which contests the $6m Dubai Sheema Classic, would be the horse of the night
The six-year-old gelding lines up for the $6 million Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic
He has nine runners — two in Dubai World Cup, three each in Dubai Golden Shaheen and Godolphin Mile and one in Al Quoz Sprint