Sheikh Mohammed 'Definitely' Plans to Hike DWC Purse
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Photo: Courtesy of ABR
Sheikh Mohammed tells CNN Sport his plans to raise the purse of the Dubai World Cup
The reign of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) as the world's richest race may be short-lived.
In an interview with CNN Sport March 25 at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed stated his intention to raise the purse of the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), to re-establish the 2,000 meter test as the highest purse in Thoroughbred racing.
Inaugurated in 1996, the Dubai World Cup has boasted a $10 million purse since 2010 and has carried the banner as the world's richest race until this year's initial running of the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park Jan. 28. The format of the Pegasus, however, required its entrants to pay $1 million for one of the 12 slots in the test.
"Definitely. We'll do that," Sheikh Mohammed told CNN Sport when asked about raising the purse of the Dubai World Cup. "The future, I think, is open. We have a vision and we dream for that, and we will put plans to improve.
"I always want to be one step ahead. I am always optimistic. We want to be No. 1 and we worked hard with my people to be No. 1."
Juddmonte Farms' champion Arrogate captured both the Pegasus and the Dubai World Cup this season to put his career earnings at more than $17 million, making him the all-time richest racehorse in North American history.
With total purse money of $30 million, the Dubai World Cup card remains the single richest day in racing.
"We are very, very pleased and honored to have all these people and our guests and to have all these good horses come together," Sheikh Mohammed said. "This is the place they meet from the East and the North and the West. So we are happy with the number coming, the horses and the guests."