Godolphin, the stables owned by Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, has five entrants, including 2012 winner Monterosso, who has struggled of late.

WSJ: Americans eye win at world's richest horse race

Godolphin's Al Zarooni had saddled both Monterosso and Capponi, and told CNN he felt "incredible" about the result in only his second full season with Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed's vast racing operation.

CNN: SHARE THIS

The most accessible village by car, and the only Cinque Terre settlement to sport a tourist beach, is Monterosso, which is the furthest west and least quintessential of the quintet (it was briefly ditched from the group in the 1940s).

BBC: Lonely Planet's top European seaside escapes

Only Monterosso is accessible by car.

BBC: Italy��s finest coastlines

The day of races attracts some of the biggest names in the sport and this year the Dubai World Cup features 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, two-time Eclipse Award-winning Royal Delta and defending champion Monterosso, owned by Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

WSJ: Paralyzed jockey Douglas now successful owner

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed celebrated as Mikael Barzalona rode Monterosso to victory in the the emirate's World Cup in April, but the result was somewhat overshadowed by the death of another Godolphin horse, Fox Hunt, in the inaugural Gold Cup held earlier in the meeting.

CNN: 2012: How horse racing became cool