Run on the dirt, we saw California Chrome come up trumps again in 2016. Can someone put their name up in lights in the 2023 Dubai World Cup (2000m) at Meydan on Saturday?

2023 DUBAI WORLD CUP - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Dubai World Cup is a Group 1 race for middle distance horses conducted by the Dubai Racing Club at Meydan.

The Dubai World Cup was first run in 1996 won by Cigar.

It is one of the richest races in the world and was to be worth US$12million in 2023. The Everest in Sydney is now worth AUD$15million toward the end of the year.

It was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

The Dubai World Cup has always been at a mile and a quarter. Initially run at Nad Al Sheba on dirt, it moved to the Meydan with the redevelopment in 2010.

At that time the race was run on a Tapeta surface but that was changed again to dirt in 2015.

The race was designed by Sheikh Mohammed (owner of Darley/Godolphin) to create a world championship race – albeit it was on dirt so not all horses were suited.

It is the main race on Dubai's big night of the year.

Jerry Bailey and Frankie Dettori hold the record with four wins.

Leading trainer is Saeed bin Suroor who has won the race nine times.

In terms of the winners by Country of training, out of the 26 editions, the USA has half of those with 13 followed by the UAE with 10. England, France and Japan have one each.

To get the World Cup off to a big start in 1996, they chased the biggest name in world racing at the time being Cigar. He was wide and was challenged at the 400m but fought off the rival to remain unbeaten. Danewin ran in that running and was there to the turn but faded.

Sir Michael Stoute's Singspiel fought just as hard a year later giving Sheikh Mohammed his first win, this one in the Darley maroon colours.

At the time of racing, Sheikh Mohammed considered Dubai Millennium the best horse he'd raced. Frankie Dettori had him in front and he made all. He totally bolted in appropriately in the millennium World Cup.

Street Cry was another winner for Godolphin. He was another trapped wide, then he took inside runs to save ground and that didn't hurt. He surged quickly and took off. It was a big margin in the end. He is now most famous as the sire of the Australian champion mare Winx.

Animal Kingdom was a Kentucky Derby winner and two years later scored in the World Cup defeating Red Cadeaux who was a multiple Melbourne Cup placegetter.

In a similar fashion, California Chrome had won a Derby at Churchill Downs and would two seasons later bolt in at Meydan.

Arrogate was dead last by the post the first time in 2017, was roused along to make ground, swept around the field sitting six wide at halfway and wound over the top of Gun Runner to score a brilliant win.

Thunder Snow wasn't considered one of Godolphin's greats but he became the first horse to win the World Cup twice in 2018 and 2019.

The winners include Country Grammer (2022), Thunder Snow (2018/2019), Arrogate (2017), California Chrome (2016), Animal Kingdom (2013), Victoire Pisa (2011), Gloria de Campeao (2010), Curlin (2008), Electrocutionist (2006), Roses In May (2005), Street Cry (2002), Dubai Millennium (2000), Singspiel (1997) and Cigar (1996).

The 2022 Dubai World Cup was won by Country Grammer from Hot Rod Charlie and Chuwa Wizard.