Gloria De Campeao won the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday in a photo finish, nosing out longshot Lizard's Desire to capture the world's richest horse race.
Gloria De Campeao, Lizard's Desire and Allybar practically hit the wire together on the all-weather track at the newly opened Meydan Racecourse.
"This is the best win of my life," jockey Tiago Pereira said. "It's unbelievable."
Two favorites — Britain-bred Gitano Hernando and U.S.-based Gio Ponti — never seriously challenged during the 1 ¼-mile race.
Gloria De Campeao, a 6-year Brazil-bred whose name is Glorious Champion in Portuguese, won last year's Singapore Cup. He ran in the previous two Dubai World Cups and was beaten by 14 lengths by Well Armed a year ago.
The World Cup was the highlight of an eight-race card worth $26 million. Despite the economic slowdown, Dubai's rulers shelled out $2 billion to construct two racetracks, a grandstand that holds 60,000 spectators, a 290-room luxury hotel, a marina and a horse racing museum.Gloria de Campeao led all the way until almost getting beat at the finish. Lizard's Desire jockey, Kevin Shea, initially started celebrating before being told he had fallen short by a nose.
Gloria De Campeao wound the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday, March 27, 2010. Th Gloria De Campeao nosed out long shot Lizard's Desire at the finish line in a photo finish.
The world richest horse race was very close with three horses practically hitting tthe finish line at the same time. The World Cup race inagurated brand new Meydan Racecourse. The three top contenders were Gloria De Campeao, Lizard's Desire and Allybar.
Dubai World Cup World's Richest Horse Race 2010 VideoGloria De Campeao wound the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday, March 27, 2010. Th Gloria De Campeao nosed out long shot Lizard's Desire at the finish line in a photo finish.
The world richest horse race was very close with three horses practically hitting tthe finish line at the same time. The World Cup race inagurated brand new Meydan Racecourse. The three top contenders were Gloria De Campeao, Lizard's Desire and Allybar.