The Dubai World Cup has added a 3,200-meter (two-mile) turf stakes to the 2012 World Cup card, increasing total purses for the world’s richest racing day to $27.25 million.
The two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships in the U.S. have total purses of $26 million.
The addition of the Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-III), with a $1 million purse, increases the number of races on the World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 31, 2012, to nine. The World Cup is the culmination of the Dubai World Cup Carnival season that consists of 16 fixtures.
“As the popularity of the Dubai World Cup and racing at Meydan grows, we must keep in step to encourage and foster the development of the sport,” Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, chairman of the board and CEO of Meydan, said in a statement.
“Meydan has developed as a centerpiece of the international racing calendar and the further growth of the Dubai World Cup and Dubai World Cup Carnival will ensure that Dubai serves as a winter destination for some the biggest names in racing. We are pleased with our past accomplishments, but we also look to the future for even greater experiences in racing for Meydan, the Dubai World Cup, and the UAE.”
