An exciting new Bonus Scheme of qualifying races for the Dubai World Cup has been announced, with more than US$4million in additional prizemoney up for grabs.

Nine races, all run at Meydan Racecourse between January and March 2024, will give the winners automatic entry to the corresponding race on Dubai World Cup night, March 30th, with a chance of a 10 per cent bonus were they to win both races.

The bonus scheme is the first of its kind in the region and is aimed at encouraging trainers and owners to prepare their horses in Dubai for the Dubai World Cup, something which has already proved successful. Thunder Snow, the only dual winner of the race, in 2018 and 2019, is the most recent DWC winner to prepare by competing at Meydan. This season, two races, the G1 Maktoum Challenge on January 26th, and the G2 Maktoum Classic, on March 2nd, both qualifying races for the G1 $12million Dubai World Cup, offer $1.2million in additional prizemoney.

“We are exciting about launching the Dubai World Cup Bonus Series,” commented Major General Dr Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club. “History has shown, through the likes of Dubai Millennium, Curlin and California Chrome, among others, that racing in Dubai prior to the Dubai World Cup can be an advantage, so we would like to further encourage trainers to do this by offering an added 10 per cent to the purse if horses win both races.”

The Dubai World Cup bonus scheme begins on Friday, January 26th, when three races offer the new incentives. Horses are only eligible for one bonus per season and race entry fees still apply.

Full list of Bonus Scheme races:

G1 Jebel Hatta, Jan 26th: Winner Bonus to G1 Dubai Turf – US $500,000

G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, Jan 26th: Winner Bonus to G1 Dubai World Cup – US $1,200,000

G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, Jan 26th: Winner Bonus to G2 UAE Derby – US $100,000

G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, Feb 23rd: Winner Bonus to G2 Gold Cup – US $100,000

G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, March 2nd: Winner Bonus to G1 Al Quoz Sprint – US $150,000

G3 Mahab Al Shimaal, March 2nd: Winner Bonus to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen – US $200,000

G3 Burj Nahaar, March 2nd: Winner Bonus to the G2 Godolphin Mile – US $100,000

G2 Dubai City of Gold, March 2nd: Winner Bonus to the G1 Longines Sheema Classic – US $600,000

G2 Al Maktoum Classic, March 2nd: Winner Bonus to the G1 Dubai World Cup - US $1,200,000