The draw was fair to the representatives of the UAE and the Arabs at the launch of the 27th edition

Dubai World Cup winner 'Country Grammer' starts from gate 14

  • The results of the draw for the ninth half and the president «Dubai World Cup». Cinematographer: Patrick Castillo

  • Rashid bin Dalmouk speaking at the Dubai World Cup draw ceremony. Cinematographer: Patrick Castillo

  • A total of 127 horses representing 13 countries will compete for the nine rounds of titles on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday.

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The draw for the 27th edition of the Dubai World Cup, which took place yesterday at the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, was difficult for defending champion Saudi Arabian horse Country Grammer, who starts from gate 14. The draw was held in the presence of Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club and Dubai Equestrian Club, Major General Dr. Mohammed Al Adhab, Director General of the Emirates Racing Authority, Mohammed Al Shehhi, and representatives of the sponsoring companies, owners and trainers of horses participating in the evening, which starts next Saturday, with the participation of 127 horses representing 13 countries, competing for the titles of its nine rounds with a total prize pool of $ 30.5 million.

The results of the draw for the ninth round and the president of the Dubai World Cup, which has a total prize pool of $ 12 million, and is held over a distance of 2000 meters of sand in the category of "Group 1", the highest ranked in the world, in part, in the face of the defending champion "Grammer", after the draw put his most prominent rival for the title of the 2023 edition, the Japanese horse "Panthalasa", who comes from a victory in the title of the "Saudi Cup" last month in the 15th and final gate, especially since granting the results of the draw gates between 5 and 8 allows horses to compete more easily in the race compared to the horses placed by the draw at the side gates, which are more difficult through the first and last starting gates (1 and 15).

The draw was fair to the UAE representatives after giving Mohammed Ahmed's Emirati horse "Bandouk" the best seventh place ever, while it was somewhat difficult for the second representative of the country, "Algers", owned by Hamdan Al-Sabousi, in gate 13.

For the Arab representatives, Kuwait's representative Remorse came with the "Al Rashid Stables" logo in the first gate, compared to a relatively easier gate for Bahrain's representative "Salute the Soldier" with the "Victorias Racing" logo that starts from the fourth gate.

The representatives of Japan got the most luck from the results of the draw with the start of the Japanese Cup champion for the current season «Villa Azul» from gate five, followed by his compatriot «Toe Keynes» from the sixth, and then from gates 8 and 9 of the representatives of Japan: «Yoshba Tesoro» and «Kavi Farrow», compared to two relatively difficult gates for the last representatives of Japan, «John Light Bolt» in gate three, and «Crown Pride» from gate 13.

Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum welcomed the guests of the UAE to the 27th edition of the evening, and said in a press statement: "The Dubai World Cup coincides for the first time with the holy month of Ramadan, inspired by the values of goodness and tolerance." He added: "Since its inception in 1996, the Dubai World Cup has highlighted Dubai as a shining star in the sky of international racing, and offers the world the best horses in production, training and skill through a variety of races suitable for all horses."

"With the wisdom of the wise leadership and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and his continuous support, the Dubai World Cup has contributed to making Dubai a global racing hub, and today we are proud to attend this tournament, which witnesses participants from 13 countries, in unique meetings between horses from the east and west, north and south, which strengthens the ties between racing parties in the world."

To watch the video, please click here.

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Horses representing 13 countries will compete for the nine round titles on Dubai World Cup night next Saturday.