The upcoming 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup will see four champions defending their titles during a globally recognized horse racing event at Meydan Racecourse, scheduled for this Saturday.

The event will feature participants from 13 countries, including the champions: ‘Talaa Al Khalidiya’ in the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabian horses, ‘Tooz’ in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, ‘Factor Sheival’ in the Dubai Turf, and ‘Rebels Romance’ in the Dubai Sheema Classic.

In the premier race, the Dubai World Cup, Japanese horse ‘Ushba Tesiro’ aims to reclaim the title he won in the previous edition held in 2023.

‘Talaa Al Khalidiya’ will compete with the aspiration to secure the title for the second consecutive year under the banner of Khalidiya Stables.

The horse, trained by Nasser Matalq Al Qahtani and ridden by Saudi jockey Adel Al-Freidi, delivered an impressive performance last year, winning the premier race for Purebred Arabian horses, the Dubai Kahayla Classic, which covers a distance of 2000 meters with a total prize pool of $1 million.

‘Talaa Al Khalidiya’, a son of Lyth Al Khalidiya, aims to extend his commendable record of 16 victories and four runner-up finishes out of 22 starts, including prominent wins in the Dubai Kahayla Classic, the Al Habia Cup twice, the Al Munifa Cup, the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Cup, and the King Abdulaziz Cup.

‘Tooz’, representing Daki Stables, seeks to defend his title in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, a 1200-meter sprint with a prize value of $2 million.

He clinched this title in the last edition under jockey Taga Oshi and trainer Bobat Simar's guidance.

‘Tooz’ has maintained an undefeated record this season at Meydan, highlighted by his victory at the Super Saturday evening, capturing the ‘Mhab Al Shamal’ title over 1200 meters in the third category, marking his fifth consecutive win.

Other notable victories for ‘Tooz’ include winning the Al Garhoud Race, one of the significant sprint challenges at Meydan, and the Shindagha Sprint.

The task will not be easy for ‘Factor Sheival,’ last year's Dubai Turf champion, as he faces strong competitors including the international star ‘Romantic Warrior’ and Godolphin's entry ‘Nations Pride.’ Despite the formidable challenge, ‘Factor Sheival,’ racing under the Valor D.M.M. and Jerry Barber banner, hopes to retain his title in the seventh race of the evening, which boasts a prize pool of $5 million.

He aims to recall the victorious memories from last year, having been ridden by jockey Maxime Guyon and trained by Jerome Reigner.

Attention will also focus on ‘Rebels Romance’ from Godolphin as he aims to defend his title in the Dubai Sheema Classic, covering a distance of 2410 meters and valued at $6 million.

Trainer Charlie Appleby hopes that ‘Rebels Romance’ will be in peak condition to contend for the second most prestigious title of the evening after the Dubai World Cup, which he won last year under jockey William Buick.

‘Rebels Romance’ has demonstrated strong performances recently, including defending his title in the Qatar Cup in Doha for the second consecutive year in his first appearance at the age of seven.

He has a notable record of international victories at Meydan, along with winning the Champions & Chater Cup at the first category in Hong Kong.

Additionally, he achieved a remarkable milestone by triumphing over ‘Rochambeau’ at the Breeders' Cup Turf, becoming the first horse to secure the title in two non-consecutive years.

‘Rebels Romance’ was recognized as the Best Older Male Grass Horse at the Eclipse Awards and ranks second place among the most victorious Godolphin horses in first-category races, just one win behind ‘Anamoe.’