From January to early April every year, the world's top star racehorses gather in one place: the Middle East, represented by Dubai and Saudi Arabia. While the traditional horse racing seasons of spring and autumn have long been dominated by Europe and North America, and Asian countries like Japan and Hong Kong host international races from November to December, the Middle East has carved out its own niche in the global horse racing cycle.
By launching races during the off-season of January to early April, they have competed for the title of "world's richest horse race," elevating the Dubai World Cup and the Saudi Cup into the world's premier horse racing events and transforming them into signature carnivals of the Middle East.
Among these, the Dubai World Cup, held in Dubai?a city renowned for its wealth, tourism, and finance and the heart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?was established in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed, the Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. Today, it has grown into a major economic event that brings together global figures from the worlds of culture, arts, and business, all centered around the sport of horse racing.
The upcoming "2025 Dubai World Cup," set for April 5, offers a total prize purse of $12 million (about 17.2 billion KRW), with the winner taking home $6.96 million (about 9.9 billion KRW). Adding up the purses from all nine races held on the same day, including the Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Golden Shaheen, the total reaches $30.5 million (about 44.3 billion KRW).
In the early hours of the 2nd (KST), a fierce but silent competition unfolded at Dubai's Meydan Racecourse as racehorses from around the globe vied for a spot in the Dubai World Cup. Known as "Super Saturday," this day features several key races that determine which horses will advance to the final Dubai World Cup.
Korea's "Global Hit" also took on the challenge in the "Al Maktoum Classic" that day, with entry number 7 and starting gate number 4. After drawing the far outside gate 12 in the previous Al Maktoum Challenge (held on January 25, KST) and finishing a disappointing 8th, the number 4 gate brought a sense of optimism for Global Hit. Maintaining focus and power from start to finish, Global Hit secured third place.
Jockey Kim Hyesun, who rode Global Hit, said, "I think this was an opportunity to showcase our potential on the world stage, and it was a chance for me to personally feel the possibilities of Korean horse racing."
Although "Global Hit" had aimed for the Dubai World Cup, the horse will wrap up its Dubai campaign after this race and return home soon. After arriving at Al Maktoum International Airport on January 9 following a 17-hour flight, Global Hit competed in both the Al Maktoum Challenge and Al Maktoum Classic, finishing third before heading back to Korea.
The race footage can be viewed on the Korea Racing Authority's KRBC YouTube channel or the official Emiratesracing website. KBS's "Human Theater," which closely followed Kim Hyesun from the Korea Racing Authority's Busan-Gyeongnam Racecourse to Dubai, capturing her daily life, is scheduled to air as a five-part series starting on the 31st.
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