Almond Eye (above) faces tough challenge from Win Bright and Barney Roy to defend the $6 million Dubai Turf crown.

The historic 25th edition of the Dubai World Cup on March 28 at Meydan Racecourse will be composed of nine races—six Group 1s and three Group 2s—worth a world-leading $35 million. The likely fields for the nine fixtures, including such global G1-winning luminaries as Benbatl and Chrysoberyl  in the $12 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), the brilliant Ghaiyyath and Hong Kong Vase (G1) winner Glory Vase in the $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), as well as $6 million Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1) defending champion Almond Eye taking on the likes of Hong Kong Cup (G1) winner Win Bright and eye-catching Jebel Hatta (G1) victor Barney Roy.

The world’s richest dirt sprint, the $2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News (G1), has attracted one of the top dirt sprinters in the world, Imperial Hint, while the thrilling $2 million Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments (G1) and $2.5 million UAE Derby sponsored by Emirates NBD (G2) will showcase runners from Japan, Europe, UAE and USA. The $1.5 million Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (G2) has attracted such superb stayers as Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Cross Counter and St Leger (G1) winner Kew Gardens, while the $1.5 million Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City—District One (G2) features a clash between dominant milers Capezzano and Salute the Soldier. The world’s richest race day kicks off with the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic sponsored by Mubadala (G1), which will be contested by some of the best Purebred Arabians in the world, including defending champion AF Maher.

All post positions will be drawn in the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) office at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23.

Once-beaten Japanese Group 1 winner Chrysoberyl will lead a four-pronged attack on the $12 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) and has been thriving since arriving in early March after his first loss and first race outside Japan. He will be joined by Osamu Hirata-conditioned multiple G1 winner Gold Dream, Ryuji Okubo-trained stamina specialist Chuwa Wizard and Koichi Tsunoda’s world-travelling Master Fencer in the gate.

“He has travelled well to Dubai and has settled in,” trainer Hidetaka Otanashi said of U Carrot Farm’s star pupil. “Soumillon will ride him in his upcoming fast work. He didn’t break well in the Saudi Cup, so we might consider the use of a gate (handler) in the Dubai World Cup after we see his progress.”

Previously unbeaten, Chrysoberyl had a poor start in the 1800m Saudi Cup on Feb. 29, ultimately finishing seventh under Soumillon. He won the 1800m Group 1 Champions Cup in December in record time and impressively defeated Godolphin Mile hopeful Derma Louvre in his only try at 2000m when winning the Japan Dirt Derby in July. That run was his fourth of six consecutive wins to commence the son of Gold Allure’s career.

Katsumi Yoshida’s 2017 February Stakes (G1) and Champions Cup (G1) winner Gold Dream, also a son of Gold Allure, has been down this road before, having finished 14th in the 2017 Dubai World Cup astern Arrogate. He actually finished one spot ahead of Chrysoberyl in sixth in Saudi last out and was second to him in December’s Champions Cup (G1). A nine-time winner, he has carried his form admirably over five seasons thus far.

Chuwa Wizard is far less seasoned, but has proven a force over testing dirt trips, including wins in the 2000m JBC Classic (Listed), 2400m Diolite Kinen (Listed) and 2500m Nagoya Grand Prix (Listed). Fourth in Chrysoberyl’s Champions Cup three months ago, the 4-year-old son of King Kamehamehaa exits a smart victory in the Kawasaki Kinen (Listed) over 2100m on Jan. 29.