Forever Young, Calandagan headline stellar Dubai World Cup nominations

Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young and recent Dubai World Cup champions Laurel River (2024) and Hit Show (2025) are among a world-class list of nominees for the $12 million G1 Dubai World Cup, the centrepiece of Dubai World Cup Day on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

A total of 151 horses have been entered for the iconic 2000-metre contest, with leading contenders from Japan including Narukami, Diktaen and Dura Erede, alongside US stars Gosger and White Abarrio, underscoring the truly global appeal of the 30th running of the race.

The nine-race card is anchored by an exceptional supporting programme, led by the $6 million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, which has attracted 95 nominations.

Among them is 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Calandagan, alongside 2024 Sheema Classic hero Rebel’s Romance, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Ethical Diamond and reigning champion Danon Decile. Japan is strongly represented once again with Croix Du Nord, Durezza and Masquerade Ball also among the entries.

The G1 Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, has received 143 nominations, including 2024 winner Facteur Cheval, G1 Coral-Eclipse winner Ombudsman and Japanese multiple G1 champion Jantar Mantar.

Sprint races also promise elite competition. Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Bentornato features among the entries for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Nakheel, while Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint heroine Shisospicy is among the nominations for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Azizi Developments.

The outstanding Dubai World Cup Day programme is further bolstered by the G2 UAE Derby, the G2 Godolphin Mile sponsored by Emaar, and the G2 Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors. The day traditionally opens with the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians.

Erwan Charpy, Head of Racing Operations and International Relations at Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are thrilled to see such exceptional nominations from around the world for the 30th running of the Dubai World Cup. The presence of former and defending champions highlights the prestige and global pull of this meeting, and we are confident that the 2026 edition will deliver an outstanding celebration of international racing at its very best.”