Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid raises prize fund for Dubai World Cup race to Dh44 million

Total jackpot for sporting spectacle will be boosted to to Dh129 million

Next year's Dubai World Cup race will be the richest yet after the prize fund was increased. Chris Whiteoak / The National

One of the most lucrative horse races on the planet just got even richer - after the total jackpot for the next Dubai World Cup was increased to Dh129 million.

Some of the best riders around will be jockeying for top position at Meydan Racecourse once again on March 30, 2019, with the main race of the prestigious card now attracting a massive Dh44 million prize - up from just over Dh36.5m for this year's race.

The total jackpot for the day of racing action will swell to Dh129m - a sharp rise on the near Dh111 million on offer in 2018.

It is all part of a bid to maintain Dubai World Cup's status as one of the most important dates on the global racing calendar.

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The Dubai World Cup race itself offers the second biggest prize fund of any race in the world, only recently pipped at the post by the Pegasus World Cup in America.

The stakes have now been raised further by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai World Cup has been held annually since 1996, attracting thousands of horse racing fans to the emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed also issued directives to increase the total prize money  at other races held at the Meydan Racecourse to Dh6.7 million), effective from the 2018-2019 racing season.

Board Chairman of Meydan Group, Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, thanked Sheikh Mohammed for his continuous support for the development of horse racing and the Dubai World Cup.