World Cup night undercard suffers prize-money cuts but main event unaffected

The financial effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are being felt all over the world, with the Emirates Racing Authority the latest to announce significant prize-money cuts to its headline fixture, the Dubai World Cup card.

The showpiece meeting, which is due to be run at Meydan on March 27, has had $8.5 million taken off its undercard, but the World Cup itself will still be staged for $12m.

In 2019 the total prize-money for Dubai World Cup night was increased to $35m (from $30m), with the 2020 event cancelled just six days prior due to the pandemic. The 2021 fixture will carry a prize fund of $26.5m.

The Group 2 UAE Derby, which has been won in recent years by Thunder Snow and Mendelssohn, has received the biggest cut. It will be run for $750,000 in 2021, having previously carried $2.5m.

Sheikh Mohammed (left) receives the trophy after Thunder Snow's victory in the Dubai World CupCredit: Francois Nel

The purses for the Godolphin Mile, Dubai Gold Cup, Al Quoz Sprint and Dubai Kahayla Classic (for purebred Arabians) have all been halved.

Although the fields for eight of the nine races will be racing for less money, there will be an increased chance to capture some of the riches on offer, with prize-money now being paid down to eighth place having previously stopped at sixth.

Dubai World Cup night prize-money

Group 1 (Arabian) Dubai Kahayla Classic $750,000 (Previously $1.5m)
Group 2 Godolphin Mile $750,000 ($1.5m)
Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup $750,000 ($1.5m)
Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint $1m ($2m)
Group 2 UAE Derby $750,000 ($2.5m)
Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen $1.5m ($2.5m)
Group 1 Dubai Turf $4m ($6m)
Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic $5m ($6m)
Group 1 Dubai World Cup $12m (unchanged)

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