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In the presence of UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the official opening of the 19th Dubai World Cup Carnival (DWCC) at the Meydan Racecourse in Nad Al Shiba, Dubai this evening. The opening ceremony, which kicked-off with the rendition of the UAE national anthem by the Dubai Police music band, was also attended by the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security Lt General Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Advisor to UAE President Dr. Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chief Executive of Emirates Group Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Land Department Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the National Guard Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Qarqawi, Director of Dubai Ruler's Court Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shebani, Director of Dubai Ruler's Office Lt. General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality Khalifa Saeed Suleiman and CEO and Chairman of Meydan Group Saeed Humaid Al Tayer. Also in attendance at the mega sporting event were ministers, businessmen, officials and a massive crowd of Emirati and non-Emirati spectators and horse race enthusiasts, estimated at over 80,000, who filled the Meydan Grandstand to the rafters. The Carnival offers eight contests, with a total purse of USD seventeen million. The 19th Dubai World Cup contest carries a purse of USD 10 million, of which USD 4 million goes to the winner of the 2014 Gold Cup.