High society flocks to Dubai race

Pleasantly Perfect produced a perfect finish...

A record crowd of some 60,000 has watched a thrilling finish in the world's richest horse race - the Dubai World Cup.

Horses, owners, trainers and jockeys travelled to the emirate from all over the world to compete for the $6m prize.

The ninth annual race was won by US horse Pleasantly Perfect, owned by California-based trainer Dick Mandella.

The six-year-old triumphed after overtaking American rival Medaglia D'Oro, the favourite.

But many spectators were there to enjoy the social whirl of an event aimed at boosting tourism and business links.

For many of the elegantly-attired women in attendance, the action on the track took second place to the Fashions on the Field contest, in which female race-goers vied for the title of Best-Dressed Lady and the chance to win a luxury break at a local desert resort.

Worldwide prestige

The BBC's Gulf correspondent Julia Wheeler says that as well as being a serious horse race, the Dubai World Cup is a way of raising the profile of the city state hosting it.

...But many were there for the social occasion

With the event attracting racing connections and journalists from as far afield as Japan, Russia, the US and South Africa, the organisers hope the offer of such huge prize money will have paid off, she says.

Of all the horses hand-picked for the two-kilometre race at the Nad al-Sheba track, six-year-old Perfectly Pleasant ended up the winner.

The victory was especially sweet for trainer Mandella, who has seen his horses take second place in the event on three previous occasions.

And for the winning jockey, Alex Solis, winning the Dubai World Cup came as a fitting 40th birthday present.