Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Hamdan at the Dubai World Cup - in pictures

Dubai Ruler enjoys highlight of the horse racing calendar at Meydan

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, attend the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with Frankie Dettori, the winning jockey on Country Grammer in the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at Meydan Racecourse for the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attends the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Country Grammer, ridden by Frankie Dettori wins the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Frankie Dettori with the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Country Grammer ridden by Frankie Dettori wins the Dubai World Cup during The Dubai World Cup at Meydan racecourse in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Country Grammer, ridden by Frankie Dettori, wins the Dubai World Cup. Reuters

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum with Country Grammer jockey Frankie Dettori. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Runners in the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Runners in the UAE Derby during the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan Racecourse. The honours went to Crown Pride, with jockey Damian Lane aboard. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Victors Crown Pride and Damian Lane after the UAE Derby during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Bathrat Leon, ridden by Ryusei Sakai. won the Godolphin Mile during the Dubai World Cup held at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Case of You ridden by Ireland's Ronan Whelan crosses the line to win the Al Quoz Sprint during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Trainer Adrian McGuinness celebrates after A Case of You wins the Al Quoz Sprint during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Celebrations for Stay Foolish, ridden by Christophe Lemaire and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, after victory in the Dubai Gold Cup during The Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lord North, in the centre ridden by Frankie Dettori, dead-heated for the Dubai Turf with Yutaka Yoshida on Panthalassa. Pawan Singh / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was at Meydan on Saturday to watch the Dubai World Cup meeting, one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar.

The Dubai World Cup has been a source of pride for Sheikh Mohammed and excitement was high for another memorable day.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, were also at the celebrated occasion which welcomed back spectators after last year's event was held behind closed doors because of the pandemic, and 2020 was cancelled.

For the 26th race meeting, the showpiece event's total purse has been raised to more than $30.5 million – up from $26.5m – while for the first time, all races will offer at least $1m in prize money.

The highlight of the nine-race card is the $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup, a 2,000-metre contest run on the dirt surface.

Above is a picture gallery of Sheikh Mohammed and other dignitaries at Meydan. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.