DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Colorfully dressed attendees gathered for horse races and social events at the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The annual spectacle went ahead despite regional tensions linked to the conflict with Iran, but crowds were smaller than usual.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Racegoers dine in the grandstand during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Racegoers dine in the grandstand during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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A racegoer arrives at the Meydan Racecourse ahead of the Dubai World Cup, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A racegoer arrives at the Meydan Racecourse ahead of the Dubai World Cup, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Jockey Jose Ortiz, aboard Magnitude, celebrates winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2000m (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Jockey Jose Ortiz, aboard Magnitude, celebrates winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2000m (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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A racegoer smokes a cigarette at Meydan Racecourse ahead of the Dubai World Cup, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A racegoer smokes a cigarette at Meydan Racecourse ahead of the Dubai World Cup, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Horses gallop as they compete in Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Horses gallop as they compete in Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Racegoers gather at the Meydan Racecourse ahead of Dubai World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Racegoers gather at the Meydan Racecourse ahead of Dubai World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Racegoers arrive at the grandstand ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Racegoers arrive at the grandstand ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Magnitude, right, with jockey Jose Ortiz, leads after the field after the start on they way to winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2000m (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Magnitude, right, with jockey Jose Ortiz, leads after the field after the start on they way to winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2000m (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Racegoers arrive at the grandstand ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Racegoers arrive at the grandstand ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Emirati men watch Dubai World Cup horse races closing ceremony at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Emirati men watch Dubai World Cup horse races closing ceremony at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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A performer plays a violin as Emirati officials are seen behind during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A performer plays a violin as Emirati officials are seen behind during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Magnitude’s jockey Jose Ortiz, center, poses for photos while holding the trophy after winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2,000 meters (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Magnitude’s jockey Jose Ortiz, center, poses for photos while holding the trophy after winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup horse race over 2,000 meters (10 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Racegoers arrive ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Racegoers arrive ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Racegoers pose for photos in the grandstand ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Racegoers pose for photos in the grandstand ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Racegoers dine at in the grandstand during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Racegoers dine at in the grandstand during the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Native Approach with jockey Connor Beasley wins $2 million Al Quoz Sprint over 1200m (5 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Correction: race title corrected to ‘Al Quoz Sprint’ instead of ‘Dubai Golden Shaheen’.
Native Approach with jockey Connor Beasley wins $2 million Al Quoz Sprint over 1200m (5 furlongs) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Correction: race title corrected to ‘Al Quoz Sprint’ instead of ‘Dubai Golden Shaheen’.
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An artist performs at the grandstand ahead of Dubai World Cup at the Meydan racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
An artist performs at the grandstand ahead of Dubai World Cup at the Meydan racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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