Ready for the Ultimate Horse Racing Showdown? 2025 Dubai World Cup and 2025 Grand National News & Odds

The global horse race calendar thickens this Spring, pinning some of this year's biggest events on the same Saturday afternoon. The 2025 Dubai World Cup and 2025 Grand National meet in the middle to go down on April 5 for what should be a crowded date for horse racing fans around the world.

Saddle up as we discuss both events in more detail. We will examine the news from the racers' camps, identify the most promising horses, and find the best odds for this year's ultimate showdown.

Dubai World Cup

Self-styled the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup is a nine-race showpiece held at the spectacular Meydan Racecourse in the heart of Dubai. The 2025 showdown consists of eight Thoroughbred and one Purebred Arabian fixture, with a total prize money of $30.5 million. This year's contest, moved a week later due to Ramadan, will be the biggest so far in terms of coverage.

2025 Dubai World Cup News & Odds

If you want to witness the action live, last-minute flight-inclusive deals are still on the menu. However, if you're like me and just want to sit back, relax, and pop a few bets, here's the latest news from the 2025 Dubai World Cup.

Racing legend Frankie Dettori returns to Dubai atop Raging Torrent, hoping to land the American trainer Doug O'Neill back-to-back wins in the Godolphin Mile. He's won the race four times before and knows the 4-year-old colt well, having recently won the Malibu Stakes on the 2024 Boxing Day together. You can back them at Stake with the odds of 3.50.

Another horse to watch out for is definitely Calandagan, the favorite at Dubai Sheema Classic with 2.50 at Stake. Making his Dubai debut, the 4-year-old gelding comes fresh from an impressive European campaign, winning the Royal Ascot and coming second in Juddmonte International and Champion Stakes. He's galloping to the Dubai Sheema Classic without a prep run and with an impeccable mile-and-a-half reputation.

Grand National

The best of British jump racing will meet for the 2025 Grand National at the iconic Aintree Racecourse. It is one of the biggest events in the British sporting calendar, traditionally following four weeks after the Cheltenham Festival but moved a week earlier to meet the Dubai event. A total of 34 horses will lock their hooves in what is considered the ultimate test of skill for both horses and riders.

2025 Grand National News & Odds

Hewick has to be the biggest star of the upcoming Grand National. A bargain buy at only €850, no one could foresee the meteoric rise to stardom of the 10-year-old Irish gelding. With Gavin Sheehan back in the saddle and a track that suits him, the people's horse could pull one more spectacular win to add to his impressive veteran career. Jackbit has them at a very generous 10.00.

Another Irish gelding to look out for is Stumptown, with the Jackbit odds of 9.00. The eight-year-old has won four races on a bounce, including the prized Cheltenham Cross Country Chase. The news from the camp is that Stumptown will be wearing his blinkers for the first time in 12 months and only the third time in 24 races, leaving little to chance.

Last year's winner, I Am Maximus, mustn't be overlooked either. The nine-year-old champ pulled a spectacularly comfortable win at the Aintree 12 months ago, but he hasn't looked the same since. The February outing at the Irish Gold Cup is best forgotten, and he has missed a couple of planned races since. However, I Am Maximus will come to Merseyside with a bit between his teeth and as a Stake favorite at 7.00.

Looking at the race from a different angle, there's an unusually large number of grey horses at the 2025 Grand National. No grey has won it since Neptune Collonges's nose first hit the line in a cracking 2012 photo finish. There will be as many as seven greys in the upcoming race, with Intense Raffles and Vanillier being the bookie's favorites at 13.00 and 11.00, respectively (JackBit).