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Dubai’s Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, graced the much-anticipated ‘Fashion Friday’ event at Meydan Racecourse. A highlight of the Dubai Racing Carnival, the event stands out as a premier occasion in the region’s horse racing calendar, drawing global attention.

The evening showcased an elite lineup of the world’s finest horses, gearing up for the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup on April 5, 2025. Featuring nine races classified across multiple group categories, the event brought together 99 horses competing for a total prize pool of AED10.53 million.

Key Races of the Evening
The centerpiece of the evening was the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge, the sixth race of the program. Serving as a pivotal preparatory race for the Dubai World Cup, it covered a 2,000-metre dirt track and offered a prize of AED3.68 million. Among the contenders was defending champion Kabirkhan.

Another marquee event was the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, a lead-up to the Dubai Turf. Held over 1,800 metres on turf, this race boasted a prize pool of AED1.85 million.

Additional notable races included:

• Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort over 1,400 metres.
• Group 3 Blue Point Sprint.
• Group 3 Firebreak Stakes, which featured Laurel River, the 2024 Dubai World Cup winner, preparing for another shot at the title.
• UAE 2000 Guineas, exclusively for three-year-olds.
• Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint, a 1,200-metre dash.
• Al Khail Trophy, a long-distance race spanning 2,810 metres.

The evening opened with the Al Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabian horses, a Group 2 race that set the tone for an exceptional night of competition.

A Growing Legacy
Launched in 2024, ‘Fashion Friday’ has rapidly gained international acclaim, attracting top horses from around the globe and solidifying Dubai’s status as a global hub for horse training and racing.

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