The recently concluded 2025–26 Dubai Racing Carnival has rewritten the record books, delivering the most international edition in its 22-year history and perfectly setting the stage for the landmark 30th Dubai World Cup meeting on March 28.

Originally launched in 2004 as the Dubai International Racing Carnival, the event more than lived up to its primary name this season, showcasing a truly global contest between overseas raiders and locally based horses that elevated competition to new heights.

Winners from five different countries underlined the strength and diversity of the Carnival, with raiders from abroad claiming an unprecedented 22 victories across 16 race meetings.

British trainer Jamie Osborne celebrates with the owners Jim and Claire Limited and jockey Saffie Osborne after Brotherly Love’s victory in the Listed Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby at the Carnival. - Photo Dubai Racing Club

Trainers from the UK, Denmark, France and Oman led the charge, marking this as by far the most successful Carnival ever for international raiders.

In total, 47 international trainers from across Europe, the Middle East and beyond competed at Meydan, bringing with them 130 overseas-trained horses accounting for more than 20 per cent of all runners. The result was a vibrant, highly competitive series that pushed locally based trainers to raise their game, creating one of the most compelling series in recent memory.

“This has been by far the most international Dubai Racing Carnival with the largest number of horses as well as trainers,” said Erwan Charpy, DRC’s Head of Department, Racing Operations & International Relations.

Vercors (IRE) wins under Silvestre De Sousa for Brazilian‑Uruguayan trainers Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga. - Photo Dubai Racing Club

“We have been running our quarantines at full capacity and enjoyed an average of 12 runners per race throughout the full Carnival. I would like to thank John Nicholls and the teams at Dubai International Stables and Dubai World Cup Quarantine for looking after everyone so well.”

Frenchman Charpy, a Dubai racing stalwart and former multiple champion trainer, spent close to three decades based at the iconic Green Stables at Nad Al Sheba, overlooking both the historic Nad Al Sheba Racecourse and, later, Meydan. His experience has been instrumental in shaping the Carnival’s continued international growth.

Among the highlights was a memorable Danish double on January 30, while British trainer Jamie Osborne enjoyed six winners, including Heart Of Honor and Brotherly Love, both horses now set for Dubai World Cup night. France’s Nicolas Caullery also struck with Piana, while emerging yards and first-time challengers made their mark throughout the season.

The Carnival has not only delivered elite competition but also inspiring stories, none more so than UK trainers Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole. Their progressive gelding Dividend earned a place in the $5 million G1 Dubai Turf after two wins and a standout second in the G2 Singspiel Stakes.

“We’re delighted that Dividend has been invited, and it’s a credit to Lucy [Hammond], who has done all the work with them out there, and Jodie Wingrove, who has ridden him since he arrived in our yard in England,” said Insole.

“It’s our first trip out to Dubai and to have two winners is a massive credit to everyone and a real achievement for the yard.”

With international runners from Japan, the UK, France and the USA continuing to arrive, anticipation is building for a spectacular 30th Dubai World Cup meeting, where the world’s best will once again come together at Meydan.