Dubai World Cup: Early winners confirmed at Meydan

The 30th Dubai World Cup is under way at Meydan Racecourse for the Dubai World Cup, with results coming in from the opening races.

The highlight of the evening is the $12 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, due at 20:35 UAE time.

The Group 1 race will be run over 2,000 metres on dirt, featuring nine of the world’s top thoroughbreds. Contenders include defending champion 'Hit Show', Super Saturday winner 'Meidan', UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion 'Forever Young' and 'Imperial Emperor'.

The meeting opened with the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians, a Group 1 over 2,000 metres on dirt, with 15 runners competing for $1 million, and won by 'Falaah', ridden by A Moatasem Al Balushi and trained by A Balushi, owned by H.H. Sayyid Shihab Bin Harib Bin Thuwaini Al Said.

Race 2 was the Group 2 Godolphin Mile over 1,600 metres on dirt, with 12 runners contesting a $1 million purse. Entries include 'Commissioner King', 'Panching', 'Mendelssohn' and 'David of Athens'. Silvestre De Sousa rode 'Banishing' to victory, trained by David Jacobson and owned by Sharaf Mohammed Alhariri, David Jacobson and Lawrence Roman.

The Dubai Gold Cup followed, a Group 2 over 3,200 metres on turf, with 10 runners chasing $1 million. Among the leading names are 'Al Riffa', 'Al Nayyir', 'Siskany', 'Sons and Lovers' and 'Very Elegant', but 'Fairy Glen', ridden by Mickael Barzalona, trained by Simon & Ed Crisford and owned by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, took the honours.

The UAE Derby, Race 4, a Group 2 over 1,900 metres on dirt, featured 12 runners, including 'Pyromancer', 'Wonder Dean', 'Six Speed' and 'Brotherly Love'. 'Wonder Dean' took this race, ridden by C Demuro, trained by Daisuke Takayanagi and owned by Yoshinari Yamamoto.

Race 5 is the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint over 1,200 metres on turf, with 13 runners competing for $1.5 million. The field includes 'Lazzat', 'Riff Runner', 'Cover Up' and 'Marbaan'.

The Dubai Golden Shaheen, race 6, also a Group 1, is run over 1,200 metres on dirt, with 12 runners chasing $2 million. Contenders include 'Bentornato', 'Al Naseeb', “Midland Money' and 'Mufasa'.

Race 8, The Group 1 Dubai Turf over 1,800 metres features 11 runners competing for $5 million, led by 'Facteur Cheval', alongside 'Embodiment', 'Qudwah' and 'Al Najm'.

The penultimate race is the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, a Group 1 over 2,410 metres on turf, with six runners contesting $6 million, including 'Calandagan', 'Eziqal Diamond', 'Gaiyyath Loto' and 'Royal Power'.

Results confirmed by racingtv.com and @dubairacingclub