Excitement builds for Dubai World Cup - AsiaRooms.com

AsiaRooms.com can reveal that the richest horse race in the world will be taking place at Dubai's Meydan Racecourse at the end of the month.

While not yet as famous as the Grand National or the Kentucky Derby, the Dubai World Cup has become the globe's wealthiest thoroughbred encounter with an estimated purse of $10 million (£6.6 million).

The event first took place in 1996, when American horse Cigar held off the challenge of Soul of the Matter to win the prize for trainer William I Mott.

Since that race, celebrated horses such as Silver Charm, Captain Steve and Moon Ballad have all tasted glory in the emirate, while jockey Frankie Dettori has won the Dubai World Cup three times.

Guaranteed to be an enjoyable day out for everyone staying in Dubai hotels, this year's event takes place on Saturday March 27th, with the brand Meydan course hosting the race for the first time.

Horses tipped to take part include Vodka, the Japanese horse of the year in 2008 and 2009.

If the six-year-old wins in Dubai, she will become the highest all-time money-earner in the history of thoroughbred racing.

Meanwhile, American trainer John Shirreffs is expected to enter Life is Sweet, winner of the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic in November last year.

Another well-fancied contender is French thoroughbred Vision D'Etat, who recorded an impressive victory at Royal Ascot in 2009.