Forever Young and Calandagan head the list of pre-entries for the Dubai World Cup meeting

A total of 151 horses appear on the list for the big race on March 28th at Meydan, United Arab Emirates

Forever Young, one of the best horses in the world / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— Starting the countdown for the great event in the desert,the global racing community has set its sights on Meydan. The thirtieth edition of the Dubai World Cup (G1) now has its official list of nominees, and the figures confirm that on March 28th, the turf will witness one of the most spectacular days in history. A total of 151 horses aspire to the US$ 12,000,000 purse of the main event, in a roster that combines current monarchs with emerging stars from three continents.

The name heading all the betting markets is Japan’s Forever Young (Real Steel). The Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)winner arrives with the mission of ratifying his global dominance, but it won't be easy: the list includes the last two heroes in Dubai, Laurel River (Into Mischief)—the 2024 winner—and Hit Show (Candy Ride) (2025), both seeking an unprecedented feat before the crowd.

The delegation arriving from the United States is not far behind, fielding figures of the stature of Gosger (Nyquist)and the veteran of a thousand battles, White Abarrio (Race Day), whose presence adds that special spice of the American-Japanese rivalry that has dominated the dirt in recent years.

Among the South Americans under consideration are the Argentines Auto Bahn (Asiatic Boy), Descamisado (Cosmic Trigger), Natan (Señor Candy), and Oasis Boy (Asiatic Boy); the Uruguayans Don Pelícano (Alcorano) and Sí Señor (Señor Candy); and the Brazilians Native Extreme (Emcee), Mucho Loco (Alcorano), and Obstacle (Hofburg), although it seems unlikely that any of them will be part of the final field, whether due to current form,distance, or rating.

Beyond the main race, Dubai's big day is an exhibition of power across all surfaces. The Dubai Sheema Classic (G1),with its US$ 6,000,000 purse, attracted 95 nominees, highlighted by the best horse in the world in 2025, Calandagan (Gleneagles), alongside the tireless Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) and the current champion Danon Decile (Epiphaneia).

For its part, the Dubai Turf (G1) received 143 entries, featuring defending champion Facteur Cheval (Ribchester)and the notable Japanese runner Jantar Mantar (Palace Malice). In the sprinting ranks, Breeders' Cup winners Bentornato (Valiant Minister) and Shisospicy (Mitole) emerge as the leading candidates for the Golden Shaheen (G1) and the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), respectively.

"We are excited to see such exceptional nominations. The presence of defending champions highlights the prestige and global appeal of this meeting," noted Erwan Charpy, Head of Racing Operations at the Dubai Racing Club. The 2026 edition not only celebrates three decades of history but also positions itself as the epicenter where the hierarchy of the thoroughbred will once again be defined on a global scale.