The Dubai World Cup is one of the richest races on the horse racing calendar. As big as the prize purse is, equally big is the build-up races to fetch the Thoroughbreds eligible for the event. As March 2024 prepares to welcome the US $30.5 million racing for the upcoming season, the enthusiasts are gearing up to dominate the pre-event carnival. And joining in among the many is the Meydan Racecourse 7-year-old veteran.

The Dubai World Cup Carnival entails months of races leading to the coveted annual event. However, the G1 and G2 Maktoum challenges act as the qualifying rounds. With the dates inching closer, as the equine athletes race ahead, Fawzi Nass-trained gelding looks ahead to claim back the title.

The horse racing community awaits a spectacle

Trainer Fawzi Nass’s starter equine, RB RICH LYKE ME has been announced to make its presence for the G1 Maktoum. The qualifying challenge will fall under the Bonus Scheme of the Dubai World Cup. The 7-year-old RB RICH LYKE ME has previously won the race twice consecutively in awe of the horse racing community. If he manages to put forth scenes like the past, the equine will be claiming a third one in a row.

Not only will the expected results entail a spectacle for the books but also put RB RICH LYKE ME on the map for Dubai World Cup’s direct entry. Last year, the champion recorded a staggering dominance throughout. For the 2023 season, the marveling performance was no less, as RB RICH LYKE ME upped his excellence by speed and lengths relying no mercy.

The G1 Maktoum’s reigning champion

On January 5th, 2023, the 7-year-old raced the grounds of Meydan for the second time to emerge a victor. On the 1600m tracks crowded by 16 of his rivals,  jockey De Vries rode RB RICH LYKE ME to the wire ahead of the rest. Even after drawing an 11, the duo clocked a record-breaking finish at 1:44.72. They beat the time set by AF Mathmoon in 2017.

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RB RICH LYKE ME won by almost 7 lengths to total his win score to 10 as of today. Having gotten a good read of the ground, the equine will look for dominance and continued momentum yet again. The challenge for 2023 will commence on the 22nd of December with a newly introduced prize money worth $1.2million.

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