Dubai to host 12 of world's best jockeys on display at Meydan

A brief introduction to the dozen riders who will vie to beat every other fellow professional to kick of the Dubai Racing Carnival.

Mickael Barzalona

The 20 year old emblazoned himself on racing's consciousness with his outrageous celebration as he won the English Derby on Pour Moi in June. Barzalona, who is attached to Andre Fabre's stable in France, rode for Godolphin last season, winning the UAE Derby with Khawlah.

William Buick

The Newmarket-based rider announced the news of his partnership with John Gosden in sensational style in 2010 when he landed the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dar Re Mi, his first ride for the trainer. Buick was joint champion apprentice jockey in Britain in 2008 and won five times at the highest level in 2011.

Mirco Demuro

The Italian teamed up with Victoire Pisa to win the Dubai World Cup. The 32 year old, who turns 33 on January 11, operates on the world stage and in 2003 became the first non-Japanese jockey to win the Japan Derby on Neo Universe. Demuro has been champion jockey in Italy five times.

Frankie Dettori

Godolphin's retained jockey has won virtually every major race, having notched over 100 victories at the highest level in 11 different countries. He is the only jockey to have ridden the winner of each of the thoroughbred races on the Dubai World Cup card.

Maxime Guyon

The young Frenchman also has an association with Andre Fabre and Godolphin for whom he won the 2010 Grand Prix de Paris on Cavalryman. He followed up in the same race in 2011 on Meandre, one of eight victories at Group 1 level.

Kenichi Ikezoe

The Japanese rider has accumulated 16 victories at the highest level but three of them stand above all others. The 32 year old won the Triple Crown in his country in 2011, only the seventh time the feat has been accomplished.

Christophe Lemaire

Lemaire gifted Japan their first victory on Dubai World Cup night when in 2006 he partnered Heart's Cry to victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic. The 30 year old has campaigned heavily in England, Japan and Hong Kong and is the retained jockey for the Aga Khan.

Ryan Moore

Moore is the stable jockey to Sir Michael Stoute and has been champion jockey three times in England, where he won the Oaks and the Derby at Epsom on consecutive days in 2010. Rode Presvis to victory in last season's Dubai Duty Free.

Colm O'Donoghue

The Irishman has been associated with Aidan O'Brien's Ballydolye yard for 13 years. O'Brien has provided O'Donoghue with all seven of his Group 1 victories, which included in 2011 wins in the Irish Derby and Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park in August on Treasure Beach.

Tom Queally

Has come to the top table of racing later than most, having scored at Group 1 level for the first time in 2009 when he won the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Art Connoisseur. Since then he has regularly farmed the top races. He has also partnered Frankel to all nine of his successes.

Andrasch Starke

The German has been champion jockey in his native country five times and has won each of their Classics Starke has won two Jockeys Championships in Hong Kong in 2000 and 2005 and won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in record time in 2011 on Danedream.

Craig Williams

The 34 year old had an extraordinary 2011 and he dominated the Melbourne Spring Carnival in Australia winning each of the major Group 1 races. Guided Dunaden to victory in the Hong Kong Vase in December.