CNN takes you inside the world of horse racing, exploring how the Dubai World Cup is boosting the UAE’s status as a global racing powerhouse.

Dubai

The Dubai World Cup stands as a testament to the UAE's dedication to horse racing, drawing the world's elite—from jockeys to renowned trainers—to its grand stage. Initiated nearly three decades ago, the event has become a cornerstone in the racing calendar, offering a purse of $30.5 million. This prestigious horse race is not only a reflection of the UAE's horse-loving culture and heritage but also an effort to connect the global racing community in Dubai.

Ali Al-Ali, CEO of Dubai Racing Club, oversees the Dubai World Cup, ensuring the event's continued prominence in the racing industry. The economic impact of the World Cup on Dubai is significant, attracting high-profile tourists and horse racing enthusiasts. The vision of Dubai's leaders, including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, aims to sustain and grow the sport through international partnerships.

At Godolphin stables in the UK, preparations for the Dubai World Cup are in full swing. Led by acclaimed trainer Charlie Appleby and champion jockey William Buick, the team works tirelessly to uphold their reputation in the global stage. With its state-of-the-art facilities and strategic investments, Godolphin is poised to maintain its dominance in the billion-dollar horse racing industry. The Dubai World Cup is one of the richest events in horse racing, symbolizing prestige, strategy, and passion for the sport.



Inside Dubai’s $30 million horse racing empire

For nearly three decades, it has drawn the racing elite from jockeys to top trainers and industry heavyweights to the UAE. First of all, it's culture and heritage. I mean, we're a horse-loving nation. First main idea was to bring back the thoroughbred to its original home. And the second idea and second vision is to create a carnival that connects the world together in one place, which is Dubai. Fast forward and today, a $30.5 million purse is up for grabs at the Maidan's grand stage. There's a lot of logistics and a lot of expenditure goes into the facilities, the infrastructure, the traveling of horses, the well-being of horses. It's a whole amazing operation. At the helm of it all is Ali Al-Ali, CEO of Dubai Racing Club. Tasked with overseeing the Dubai World Cup, he's leading efforts to ensure Dubai remains a key player in the racing industry. So what does it take financially and economically to pull this off? Well, the Dubai World Cup does impact a lot on the economy and finances of Dubai. It brings in a lot of tourists, it brings in a lot of high net worth individuals into Dubai, whether they're horse race owners or they're horse racing enthusiasts. You know, you're one of the top, but in terms of superseding everybody else, what is it going to take to become the top destination? It's going to take a lot of work. And we have come very far from where we were 29 years ago. And with the blessings and directions and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Maraj al-Maktoum, it's all about partnering up with other jurisdictions. And our main goal is to sustain the sport and to grow it together. And not thinking of Dubai World Cup as a night that only precedes everyone else. We like to win and we like to win together. But winning isn't just about breeding. It's about precision, training and strategy. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz went inside one of Godolphin's UK stables to see what it takes to build a champion. At Godolphin stables, there's a sense of excitement and anticipation. These champion race horses and the world class team behind them are preparing for the biggest day of their calendar year, the Dubai World Cup, one of the world's most prestigious horse racing events held annually in Dubai and the UAE. Among the top contenders for the event is of course this powerhouse stable just outside London, owned and operated by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. The trainer here, Charlie Appleby, told us it takes grit to run one of the most successful horse racing operations in the world. What makes Godolphin such a dominant force in global horse racing? First it requires that the first thing is the raw product itself. It is a horse at the end of the day. He's the athlete that has to go out there. But Appleby is a champion in his own right. He has won the prestigious international trainer of the year award a total of five times. I've been very fortunate with the team around me. We've all grown together. We've all been driven by the success of Godolphin in the past and thankfully knowing what His Highness Sheikh Mohammed wants in the vision for success. And with its state-of-the-art facilities it's clear the team has the ambition and the purse strings to stay ahead in this billion dollar industry. The team here at Godolphin is hoping that this is their year. The Dubai World Cup is one of the richest races on the planet and to win it, it takes investment, strategy and a whole lot of heart. Jockey William Buick says that's what drives him. Passion and the hunger to be the very best. The position I'm in now, it enables me to ride the best horses in the world on a global scale which is every jockey's dream and it was my dream growing up. William has ridden over 60 Group 1 winners for Godolphin but he is set to face a challenge in Dubai. What does the final 24 hours before a major race look like? It's intense. You should ask my wife. It's my job to make the right decisions in the race and with that comes a lot of preparation and a lot of homework. In a sport that is as much about prestige and investment as it is about speed, the Godolphin team has done its homework. Now it's all about the magic on race day.

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, officials said.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia hits Kyiv with largest drone attack after Trump-Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.

Washington

Trump set to sign "big, beautiful bill"

More than 80 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Thursday (July 3), according to health officials, as Israel intensified its strikes, hitting a school-turned-displacement facility. CNN’s Paula Hancocks looks at the damage and humanitarian toll.

Jerusalem

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Global Tariffs

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

Trump’s landmark ‘big, beautiful bill’ narrowly passes U.S. House

Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile

Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

U.S. contractors say live ammo used at Gaza aid distribution site

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

New York

Diddy denied bail, avoids life in prison

President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but it remains unclear if Hamas will accept the terms. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more.

Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions

Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

New details revealed as Kohberger pleads guilty for 2022 Idaho murders

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state abortion law that was adopted in 1849 in a 4-3 landmark decision. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Madison

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old state abortion ban

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in February 2022, but dialogue eventually stalled.

Paris

Macron held 'substantial' phone call with Putin

President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he teamed up with Ron DeSantis to build in the Everglades.

Everglades

Protesters gather around ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as President Trump visits

Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal criminal trial said they have reached a verdict on four of the five counts, but they cannot reach a verdict on Count 1, which is racketeering conspiracy. The judge has instructed the jury to keep deliberating. Deliberations will resume Wednesday (July 2).

Jury reaches partial verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs case

The U.S. Senate passed the Republicans' reconciliation bill on Tuesday (July 1) after more than 24 hours of marathon voting on amendments. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.

U.S. Senate passes Trump's "big, beautiful bill"

The new order does not rescind existing sanctions on ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad, his top aides, officials and family members who are accused of having committed war crimes and human rights violations against Syrian civilians.

Trump signs executive order lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria

Former criminology graduate student Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to killing four Idaho college students in 2022, a move that would spare him the death penalty under a deal with prosecutors, ABC News reported on Monday (June 30).

Moscow

Suspect in murders of four Idaho college students to plead guilty

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, adding to mounting pressure on a government fighting for survival on multiple fronts.

Bangkok

Thai court suspends PM from duty pending case seeking her dismissal

Israeli strikes killed at least 60 people across Gaza on June 30 in some of the heaviest attacks in weeks as Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by U.S. President Donald Trump.