Dubai World Cup Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Apr 5)

One of the most exciting days on the horse racing calendar is Saturday, April 5, as major races are scheduled across the globe.

In the U.S. there will be major preps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, while in the UK, the world’s most famous race will be staged at Aintree, with the 2025 Grand National being run.

Meanwhile, overseas, there will also be the small matter of the Dubai World Cup.

Odds

Dubai World Cup Recent Winners

Dubai World Cup: Event Information

Event Preview

One of the major international races on the racing calendar is set for this weekend, as the Dubai World Cup will be run at Meydan Racecourse. Since its inception in 1996, it has attracted some of the biggest names in racing, with American Hall of Famer Cigar winning the inaugural edition.

Japan has a very strong hand for the race this year, and it could be incredibly hard to overlook Forever Young for trainer Yoshito Yahagi.

The four-year-old was third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, and has returned to the track with two dominant wins on the dirt. The latest of those saw him get the better of Romantic Warrior by a neck in a thrilling renewal of the G1 Saudi Cup. That form makes him the one to beat.

Ushba Tesoro deserves plenty of respect ahead of this weekend’s race. He was the winner of the Dubai World Cup in 2023, and ran an excellent race to take second in 2024. However, the eight-year-old isn’t getting any younger, and he was eleven lengths behind Forever Young in the Saudi Cup last time out.

Imperial Emperor is the runner for the previous winning trainer Bhupat Seemar. The five-year-old produced a career-best effort to win over course and distance at the start of March, but will need to show further improvement to get the better of Forever Young.

Walk Of Stars represents the same trainer, and beat Imperial Emperor at Meydan in late January. However, he was only 12th in the Saudi Cup, leaving him with plenty to find.

Rattle N Roll and Hit Show are the two leading American-trained hopes. The latter could be the more interesting for trainer Brad Cox. The five-year-old was third in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap at the start of March, but has previously posted strong figures, including when winning the G2 Fayette Stakes.

Dubai World Cup Picks

This could feasibly be a one-horse race on Saturday. Forever Young comes out on top based on every metric.

The Japanese runner has considerably the best rating in the field, and has winning experience over many of his re-appearing rivals. We could see something special, ahead of a potential return to the Breeders’ Cup Classic later this year.