Ruler of Dubai ruled the world's richest World cup

It was really a proud moment for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as his horse Monterrosso won the Dubai World Cup.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, led the celebrations in the Royal enclosure and said: "Thank you! Yes it's great. You know we had a chance like everybody, but now this horse pulled it out and I'm very happy. I know he [jockey Mickael Barzalona] gave him a great ride. I am so happy, I am so happy."

The Ruler’s response to the Dubai World Cup victory taking the top two slots is fitting for his emirate’s long term goal, “A one-two finish, .... it’s great.”

Dubai-trained Monterosso outclassed a high-class field to win the 17th running of the $10 million (Dh36.7 million) contest and stunned the audience. Capponi, ridden by Emirati jockey Ahmad Ajtebi reined in by Monterosso.

Both are homebreds of Shaikh Mohammad's Dalham Hall stud farm in England, which stands the successful stallion Dubawi, a son of Dubai Millennium and the sire of Monterosso. While Dubai Millennium died after contracting grass sickness in 2001, Dubawi enjoys a career as one of Darley's top stallions.

Trained in the Marmoum ‘Desert' Stables by Mahmoud Al Zarouni, the five-year-old son of Dubawi stormed home to an easy three-length winner under sassy French teenage jockey Mickael Barzalona.

The chairman of the company that built the Burj Khalifa and the largest developer in the country, Emaar, Mohammed Alabbar says that the race “adds that important element, heritage, tourism, Dubai, horses, the Middle East, all one in the same.”

Monterosso's grandsire was Dubai Millennium — who stormed to victory in the Dubai World Cup in 2000. He is a homebred of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who once said that Dubai Millennium was the ‘best horse' he ever owned.

Group 1 US$10 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline: Moterrosso, jockey Mikael Barzalona

Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines: Cirrus des Aigles, trainer Corine Barande-Barbe and jockey Olivier Peslier

Group 1 US$2 million  Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News: Krypton Factor, trainer Fawzi Nass and jockey Kieren Fallon

Group 1 US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD: Ortensia, trainer Paul Messara and jockey Craig Williams

Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free: Cityscape, trainer Roger Charlton and jockey James Doyle

Group 1 US$250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic: TM Fred Texas stormed clear in the straight, trainer Ronald Martino and jockey Adrie De Vries

Group 2 US$2 million UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group: Daddy Long Legs, trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Colm O’Donoghue

Group 2 US$1 million Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat: African Story, jockey Frankie Dettori

Group 3 US$1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors: Opinion Poll, jockey Frankie Dettori

17th Dubai World Cup - The Richest Horse Race in the World

On 31st March 2012, gates of Maydan Racecourse will be opened at 02:00 pm and registration will begin while first will start at 04:30 pm.

This year the Dubai World Cup will celebrate its 17th running and will offer the prizemoney of a world record $27.25 million whereas the programme has grown to include nine spectacular races.

Since the beginning of the Dubai World Cup in 1996, a distinguished group of businesses are supporting the event to bring the excitement and spectacle of this international event to the racing world.

Meydan Chairman of the Board and CEO Saeed Humaid Al Tayer said: “Each year we are honored to team with leading business partners to present an event that truly showcases the biggest and brightest stars of the racing world. This is truly an international test and Dubai serves as a crossroads in bringing these horses and their connections to test their greatness. This would not be possible without the dedication and vision of our partners. Their immense support allows us to bring the Dubai World Cup experience to tens of thousands of race fans at Meydan, and countless millions more around the globe that view the spectacle on television. Teamwork is vital for the success of this event and the dedicated team of partners we share will once again lend support to bring the greatness of the Dubai World Cup experience to the world."

There will be stern competition from horses representing Britain, France, Germany Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa as well as the five-pronged defence from horses trained in the United Arab Emirates.

Transcend finished runner-up to his Japanese compatriot, Victoire Pisa (winner of 2011 world Cup), in the Dubai World Cup 12 months ago.

Also in the line-up is Royal Delta, whose trainer Bill Mott, won the inaugural Dubai World Cup with Cigar in 1996.

Four of the five locally-trained runners represent Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin stable. The sheikh's principal jockey, Frankie Dettori, has elected to ride Prince Bishop.

Silvestre De Sousa and Mickael Barzalona, both recently put on retainers by Godolphin, are aboard Mendip and Monterosso respectively. Monterosso finished third in the Dubai World Cup 12 months ago.

Betting is outlawed in Dubai.

You will find more detail at Dubai Racing Club website.