Latest news with #EmiratesRacingAuthority
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Emirates Racing Authority announces 2025–2026 season schedule
21 July 2025 15:39 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) has announced the official schedule for the 2025–2026 UAE horse racing season, which is set to begin on October 25, 2025 at the Abu Dhabi Turf upcoming season reflects the UAE's ongoing commitment to developing the competitiveness of horse racing, featuring a distinguished lineup of races of both crossbred and purebred on the success of previous seasons, the upcoming calendar reinforces the country's standing as a premier destination on the international horse racing circuit, bolstered by professional organisation and the strong support of the nation's new season includes 64 race meetings across five major racecourses: 16 at Abu Dhabi Turf Club, 14 at Al Ain Racecourse, 11 at Jebel Ali Racecourse, 6 at Sharjah Racecourse, and 16 at Meydan Racecourse, culminating in the world-renowned 'Dubai World Cup.'The season will officially kick off on Saturday, October 25 at Abu Dhabi, followed by Jebel Ali on November 1, Meydan on November 7, Al Ain on November 9, and Sharjah on November Dhabi Turf Club will once again serve as a key venue for prestigious classic races, including the UAE President Cup, one of the region's most prominent events, attracting elite jockeys and owners of Purebred Arabians from across the Meydan remains the UAE's flagship venue and will conclude the season with the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2026, the most lucrative and anticipated event on the international racing Racecourse will host a number of top-tier races, including His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Cup, the GCC Cup, His Highness Sharjah Crown Prince Cup, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (1st leg of the Emirates Sprint Series). Al Ain Racecourse will host Al Ain Mile race day as well as the Marathon Series, while racing in Jebel Ali features Jebel Ali Mile, Jebel Ali Sprint, and Jebel Ali Stakes.
Yemen Online
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yemen Online
Dubai World Cup 2025: Spectacular event, new champion, billion viewers worldwide
The 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup concluded last night at the iconic Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, showcasing a thrilling spectacle of horse racing excellence. A total of 102 horses from 13 countries competed across nine races, with a combined prize pool of US$30.5 million. The main event saw a historic victory as 'Hit Show,' representing Wathnan Racing (Qatar) and ridden by jockey Florent Geroux, claimed the $12 million top prize—the highest purse in global horse racing. The 29th edition delivered excitement and excellence on every front, from fiercely contested races to world-class organisation and a vibrant crowd of over 60,000 spectators at the venue. The event was broadcast with cinematic precision using dozens of cameras, accompanied by a host of engaging activities that captivated a diverse global audience. With more than 1 billion viewers across 170 countries tuning in via TV, digital platforms, and in-flight entertainment, the Dubai World Cup once again demonstrated Meydan's enduring appeal as a global hub for purebred and Arabian horse racing—blending tradition, sport, and modernity in the heart of the UAE. More than 15 years after its grand opening in 2010, Meydan Racecourse continues to uphold its reputation as one of the world's premier racing venues, thanks to its cutting-edge infrastructure and world-class facilities. Since its inception in 1996, an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai World Cup has consistently grown in prestige. Several of its races have earned a place among the Top 100 global horse races, a testament to its elite standing and rich heritage. The 2025 edition reaffirmed the Dubai World Cup as the crown jewel of the international racing calendar, underlining the UAE's position as a global centre for the equestrian industry and its continuing leadership in hosting world-class sporting events. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, General Manager and Board Member of the Emirates Racing Authority and Vice-Chair of the Asian Racing Federation, emphasised that the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup has reinforced the event's ongoing success and longevity. He stated that it is a vivid reflection of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who envisioned the UAE as a global leader and central hub for horse racing. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Shehhi said, 'The Dubai World Cup continues to stand out globally, bringing together the elite of horses, owners, trainers, and jockeys. With its world-class organisation, massive spectator turnout, and hundreds of millions of viewers following the nine races—offering a total prize pool of $30.5 million, including $12 million for the main race—it remains a global benchmark in the industry.' He further highlighted the role of Meydan Racecourse, with its state-of-the-art facilities, modern infrastructure, and highly skilled teams, in welcoming people from around the world in a uniquely diverse sporting celebration. 'It's a scene that mirrors the UAE's global standing and embodies the nation's humanitarian message—one of tolerance, harmony, love, and mutual respect,' he said. Al Shehhi also praised the Dubai Racing Club, chaired by Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook bin Juma Al Maktoum, for its outstanding efforts in organising the event. 'The Club delivered a world-class race day experience, enriched the evening with exciting side events, and ensured all logistical and operational needs for attendees were met with excellence—presenting an honourable image of the UAE and Dubai to the world.' Al Shehhi extended his congratulations to Qatar's Wathnan Racing for the impressive victory of 'Hit Show', ridden by jockey Florent Geroux, in the main race of the evening. He also praised the strong performance of the UAE's own 'Dubai Future', trained by renowned Emirati World-renowned trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who claimed the title of the Dubai Gold Cup. In addition, he commended the Emirati horse 'Dark Saffron' for winning the prestigious Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen race for purebred Thoroughbreds, celebrating yet another standout moment for Emirati racing on the international stage. Jockey Florent Geroux, who clinched the Dubai World Cup title aboard 'Hit Show', shared his excitement after the win, 'I always ride Hit Show the same way I did last night—and he's always given me a great feeling. Everything unfolded in the best-case scenario I had envisioned. I had my eye on the rival horse, Forever Young, throughout the race.'
Khaleej Times
04-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai World Cup 2025: A look at the history and evolution of horse racing in the city
In the early months of 1993, Dubai's horse racing scene was on the cusp of a transformation under the inspiring leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and the Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. With Sheikh Mohammed's bold vision for Dubai to become a global hub for racing excellence, John Fitzgerald, who was the secretary to the committee at the Emirates Racing Club (now known as the Emirates Racing Authority), was tasked with bringing that dream to life. The first challenge was to organise the first-ever International Jockeys Challenge, bringing some of the world's best talent to Dubai. And they had just three months to deliver the event. Racing as the heart of Dubai's future Sheikh Mohammed's ambition extended far beyond a single event. He envisioned Dubai as a global epicentre for tourism and hospitality, as well as the wider business community, with horse racing at the heart of it, attracting the sport's finest talent, captivating international audiences, and ultimately establishing the emirate as a premier racing jurisdiction. This event was to be the first step on that journey — a declaration of intent, signalling Dubai's arrival on the world stage. From the outset, the principles were clear: the event had to be ambitious, prestigious, and flawlessly executed. It would need to attract top jockeys from around the globe. They also required an immaculate venue that could offer hospitality and spectacle on par with the world's leading race meetings. Three months to perfection Pulling off an event of this scale in just three months was no small feat. The team at Dubai Racing Club faced an uphill battle. With no blueprint to follow, every detail had to be built from scratch — from race scheduling and sponsorships to travel arrangements and horse logistics. The other big challenges were securing a field of renowned jockeys and convincing the world's best riders to take a chance on an inaugural event in a region still establishing its racing reputation. The racing infrastructure, while promising, was still evolving. Transforming the facilities into a venue befitting an international event required creativity, precision, and a touch of audacity. Meanwhile, the hospitality had to reflect Dubai's growing reputation for luxury and excellence. Ensuring international coverage to generate a buzz about Dubai was also a top priority. With Dubai still a relatively new player on the global racing stage, gaining media traction required extensive outreach and storytelling. Breaking new ground Despite the challenges, the sense of excitement was palpable. The event was more than just a race meeting, it was the beginning of a new chapter for Dubai. The arrival of internationally acclaimed jockeys and the participation of top-class horses sent a clear message: Dubai was serious about becoming an international racing jurisdiction. Behind the scenes, the atmosphere was electric. There was a shared sense of purpose and a belief that this was a defining moment, not only for Dubai racing but for the city's broader ambitions. Every decision carried weight; every detail mattered. As race day approached, the stakes felt higher than ever. Would the event meet the lofty expectations? Could it set the foundation for the larger dream of establishing Dubai as a global racing powerhouse? The International Jockeys Challenge was an undeniable success. It put Dubai firmly on the racing map, delivering a thrilling spectacle that captured the attention of the racing world. More importantly, it validated Sheikh Mohammed's vision. The event's success laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Dubai World Cup, which, of course, is one of the world's richest and most prestigious horse races now. The seeds of that future were planted in 1993, during those intense three months of planning, risk-taking, and unwavering belief in the power of vision. For those of us fortunate enough to be part of that first event, it was more than just a race — it was the beginning of something historic. A testament to ambition, innovation, and the determination to turn dreams into reality.
Khaleej Times
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Dubai World Cup to hold draw on April 3 to officially announce global race, choose gates for horses
The Dubai Racing Club announced that the draw for the main round and four other rounds of the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup, will be held on April 3 morning at Meydan Racecourse. Along with the main round, the four other races include the Al Quoz Sprint (Group 1) over 1200m, the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1) over 1200m, the Dubai Turf (Group 1) over 1800m, and the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) over 2410m. The draw will be held in the presence of owners and trainers to officially announce the global race, scheduled for next Saturday at Meydan Racecourse, featuring the world's elite riders and horses. The draw will also determine the starting gates for each horse. The Dubai World Cup comprises nine races, with prize money totalling $30.5 million, including $12 million for the main race sponsored by Emirates Airline. The race features the participation of 11 of the world's top horses. The Dubai Racing Club also announced changes to the Dubai World Cup schedule for next Saturday at Meydan Racecourse due to weather changes expected, and to ensure the safety and comfort of the riders. Yesterday, the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) conducted the draw for four other races of the Dubai World Cup: the 2,000-meter Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1) for Purebred Arabians, the 3,200-meter Dubai Gold Cup (Group 2), the 1,600-meter Godolphin Mile (Group 2), and the 1,900-meter UAE Derby (Group 2). The club confirmed that the Meydan racecourse gates will open at 2.30 pm, with the first round, the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, set to begin at 4.35pm, while the main round, the Dubai World Cup, will be held at 9.30pm, followed by a closing ceremony befitting the event's stature. Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, said: 'The safety and well-being of horses, jockeys and attendees remains our top priority. Accordingly, the start time of the evening's races has been changed, reaffirming the organising committee's commitment to providing an exceptional evening of excitement and a distinctive atmosphere befitting the Dubai World Cup.' Ali Al Ali, Board Member and Executive Director of the Dubai Racing Club, emphasised the club's commitment to implementing the best international organizational practices in the 29th Dubai World Cup, to consolidate its global standing and ensure its sustainable success.
Gulf Today
31-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Al Nayyir finding his feet ahead of Dubai Gold Cup challenge
Al Nayyir returns to Meydan a very different individual from the one that landed in the UAE back in 2021. Last year's runner-up in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup was bred by Godolphin and had one modest start for the operation in the UK before being bought for just Dhs.40,000 ($11,00/£8,500) by owner Elbashir Elhrari at the Emirates Racing Authority's Racing In Dubai September Sale. Adam Driver, Elhrari's racing manager and associate, explains: 'He'd had problems with his feet. We went to see him in Newmarket, you could see he'd had lots of issues and I think they were struggling with him. 'I really like the Godolphin sales because you get so much information, all the veterinary records, it's so helpful for a buyer to make a judgement. He must have been about the cheapest Dubawi ever sold at that kind of sale. 'In Dubai they love the Dubawis and for me he's the number one global stallion because he gets turf horses and he has horses that run extremely well on the dirt in Dubai. It's why we look at them so closely and why they usually have a premium when they go through.' Driver, a qualified vet who spent many years working at the Dubai Equine Hospital, arranged for Al Nayyir to move to Doug Watson's local stable. 'Doug's a very good trainer and I knew his farrier,' he adds. 'That was going to be the key, to get his feet right. We had a plan of what to do, and to just give him time, then we had a racehorse. 'Fortunately Bashir is a very smart guy as well as being a real sportsman who just understands racing. I said to him that physically Al Nayyir was such a lovely horse but obviously no hoof, no horse. It was one of those where at this value, if we can get him right, who knows what we may have.' Through the 2022/23 season Al Nayyir would pick up three handicaps at Meydan and finish a good third in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy before continuing his progress during a stint in France. Twelve months ago, he was given a fine ride to finish second to Tower Of London in the Dubai Gold Cup and, following another move to trainer Tom Clover, finished a short head behind Vauban in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York. Driver says the experience has been the thrill of a lifetime for Elhrari, a Libyan who has horses trained around the world. 'There was one race with Doug where he just came from nowhere,' the founder of Global Equine Group says. 'That's when we realised we had a special horse. 'He's a very interesting horse as a stayer because he's got a sprinter's turn of foot, which I don't see normally, they're usually just gallopers. It makes him quite adaptable.' The team had contemplated bringing Al Nayyir back for the Dubai Racing Carnival but opted instead for a trip to Saudi Arabia where he was fifth, under top weight, in the Red Sea Turf Handicap. Driver expects the outing to have brought the seven-year-old to his peak for Saturday. 'I think he's a horse that likes winter sun,' he says. 'In December and January he was a bit sulky and not impressed with the weather in the UK. It showed as he was like a woolly beast in Saudi but he absolutely ran OK. 'The track didn't really suit him and unfortunately it was very messy around him, a stronger pace than probably we anticipated. The piece of work he did last week with Luke Morris was great, Luke said he felt like he was before York. We've had some bright days in the UK and he's been under the heat lamps. He's really picked up and come on from Saudi.' Meanwhile, Being universally liked is a rare thing, but no-one has a bad word to say about Julio Olascoaga. The young Uruguayan has enjoyed some impressive results during his three years with a licence in the UAE but has the chance of a big upset when Drew's Gold takes on Tuz and Straight No Chaser in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (sponsored by (Nakheel). Second in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes when trained in the US by James Chapman, RRR Racing's five-year-old had a good first run for Olascoaga, finishing third to Tuz in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in January, before missing the break when only ninth in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal last time. 'Gelson [Ribeiro], one of our work riders, has been working with him in the gate so I'm confident he won't do that this time,' says the trainer.
