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New Paper
4 hours ago
- Business
- New Paper
Anticipation builds as Meydan gears up for landmark season
DUBAI - The stage is set for another thrilling season of world-class racing at the iconic Meydan racecourse, as Dubai Racing Club announced the dates for the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival. Spanning 17 race meetings, the season kicks off on Nov 7, and reaches its spectacular conclusion on March 28, 2026, which will draw global attention with the 30th running of the Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2,000m). While the Dubai World Cup meeting and the Emirates Super Saturday meeting are held on Saturdays, the remaining 15 meetings at Meydan will be run on Fridays. Known as the world's single richest race day, the Dubai World Cup meeting will mark a historic milestone in 2026, celebrating three decades since its inaugural race in 1996. The premier sporting event in the United Arab Emirates came about as part of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision to position Dubai as a global hub for elite racing. It was initially held at Nad Al Sheba racecourse, but moved to the sprawling Meydan racecourse from 2010. The Dubai World Cup meeting - run annually bar a cancellation in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic - has since gained international traction, attracting top-class horses, trainers and jockeys across the globe with its rich prize purse. On April 5, the Wathnan Racing-owned US runner Hit Show landed the 29th edition of the highlight dirt race worth US$12 million (S$15.4 million), after he beat Japanese raider and race favourite Forever Young into third. The 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival will still conclude with the Dubai World Cup meeting, where the Dubai World Cup takes centre stage. But, similar to the 2024-25 season, there will be three other feature race days that would anchor the new Dubai season. The Festive Friday meeting will kick off the holiday spirit on Dec 19, when fans and racing enthusiasts can look forward to the 1 million dirham (S$350,000) Group 2 Maktoum Mile (1,600m). Five weeks later on Jan 23, 2026, the Fashion Friday meeting will see the running of the 3.68 million dirham Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1,900m), which offers a coveted Bonus Scheme berth that gives the winner a guaranteed spot in the Dubai World Cup. Meanwhile, the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic (1,900m) slated for the Emirates Super Saturday meeting - a cornerstone of the Dubai Racing Carnival - on Feb 28, 2026, is also a qualifying race that grants the winner automatic entry into the Dubai World Cup. "The Dubai World Cup is firmly established as one of the world's great sporting and social spectacles," said Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Racing Club. "As we prepare for its 30th edition in 2026 - a milestone to be truly celebrated - we look forward to welcoming the finest horses, jockeys and connections from around the world. "The 16 lead-up meetings of the Dubai Racing Carnival promise exceptional competition and international flair. "Thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Carnival continues to elevate Dubai's position on the global racing stage." Added CEO and board member of Dubai Racing Club, Ali Al Ali: "We are extremely proud of the growth of both the Dubai World Cup and Dubai Racing Carnival over the past three decades. "Under the guidance of our leaders, we are working hard to ensure that we fulfil their visions and make the 30th Dubai World Cup a truly unforgettable experience for both horse racing professionals and fans." DUBAI RACING CLUB
Al Etihad
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Thirtieth edition of Dubai World Cup to be run on March 28
21 July 2025 21:15 DUBAI (WAM)The 30th running of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan will take place on March 28 next year, Dubai Racing Club announced on 2025/26 Dubai Racing Carnival will span 17 meetings, with the season beginning on Friday, November 7, and reaching its conclusion with the 30th running of the Dubai World Cup. Emirates Super Saturday, the key prep day for World Cup night, will take place on February Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said on Monday: 'The Dubai World Cup is firmly established as one of the world's great sporting and social spectacles. As we prepare for its 30th edition in 2026, a milestone to be truly celebrated, we look forward to welcoming the finest horses, jockeys, and connections from around the world.''As we prepare for its 30th edition in 2026, a milestone to be truly celebrated, we look forward to welcoming the finest horses, jockeys, and connections from around the world.''This year's Carnival is punctuated by four major feature days, each mixing elite racing with Dubai's renowned hospitality:Festive Friday (December 19, 2025): The season comes alive with the Dh1 million G2 Maktoum Mile, ushering in the holidays with adrenaline and Friday (January 23, 2026): Where haute couture meets horsepower. The highlight? The Dh 3.68 million G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, a critical stepping stone toward the Dubai World Super Saturday (February 28, 2026): The Carnival's pivotal dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup meeting with the G2 Al Maktoum Classic offering a direct route into the big race spotlight. Dubai World Cup Night (March 28, 2026): The crown jewel. A night when the eyes of the sporting world turn to Meydan for what has become the richest, most glamorous nights in horse racing.
Arab News
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Horse racing is in UAE's DNA, says Dubai Racing Club CEO
DUBAI: With less than three weeks left before the Dubai World Cup, Ali Al-Ali can look back with more than a measure of satisfaction on another successful racing season calendar at Meydan. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport On Saturday, April 5, the racing world's attention will again turn to the emirate as the globe's best horses, jockeys and trainers take part in the 29th edition of the thoroughbred race. However, for the CEO of Dubai Racing Club, as well as many racing enthusiasts, the Dubai Racing Carnival has been up and running since November and concluded its last pre-World Cup event on Friday. 'The Carnival was restructured last year, season 2023-2024, and this is the second iteration of it,' said Al-Ali. 'We have had a lot of feedback from both the racing side and the guest side, great feedback coming from both of those, talking about how the Carnival has created a whole new experience for the people that are coming to the course and enjoying a time out on a Friday night, as well as creating a very competitive atmosphere for international horses coming from all over the world.' One of the highlights of the calendar took place on Saturday, March 1, and for some of the participants provided a path to the main card of the Dubai World Cup. 'Emirates Super Saturday has always been a great night,' said Al-Ali. 'It's a mini rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup. It was the first time that Emirates Super Saturday falls under Ramadan, and I think we created a beautiful mix of Ramadan vibes, culture, horse racing, hospitality and entertainment on that night.' The Dubai Racing Club was established in 1992, and the Dubai World Cup had its first run four years later. From its origins at Nad Al-Sheba Racecourse to its current home of Meydan, it has become one of the world's most famous racing events, featuring a total prize of $30.5 million for nine races, of which $12 million is set aside for the showpiece race. 'Well, horse racing has always been in the DNA of Dubai and the UAE as well,' said Al-Ali. 'The vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum was to bring the horses back to their original home. 'From there began the mission of His Highness to create a hub and to create a racing environment that suits everyone coming into the region,' he added. 'And (he also wanted) to prove that these horses entering here in Dubai do always have a better chance of winning outside as well. Going back to how it has evolved, I believe with His Highness' directions and continuous support, we are at a pinnacle at the moment and we're only pushing forward.' Having the right facilities and talent is what helped Dubai become a regional and global racing hub, according to Al-Ali. 'I see Dubai as a great hub due to the infrastructure, and most importantly, the know-how of flying in international horses and providing them with the right atmosphere, the right facilities, the right supplies, the right support to race in a very safe and enjoyable racecourse.' The 2025 Dubai World Cup will take place only days after Eid Al-Fitr, but Al-Ali says that preparations have been going on for some time now. 'We've been preparing since almost a year now. That's how we do it and that's always what we try to achieve. We always try to achieve absolute excellence when it comes to the Dubai World Cup,' he said. The CEO says that technology is increasingly playing a major part in maintaining that excellence. 'From a technological perspective, we see that the Dubai Racing Club is going to be one of the pioneering jurisdictions in implementing both artificial intelligence within our operations, as well as enhancing the technology that is helping and aiding horse racing around the region.' Al-Ali is now looking forward to the start of this year's festivities on April 1. 'The Dubai World Cup Week is full of activities and entertainment, and we've got the Post-Position Draw, the Post-Position Gala, the Dubai World Cup Gala, and the breakfast of the stars as well, which is now called the Morning Gallop.' Horses and trainers are already making the move to Dubai ahead of the big week. 'We have received some of the horses that are going to be running on the Dubai World Cup night and we're expecting more of them to come throughout these weeks,' Al-Ali said.
Gulf Today
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
International cast converge on Meydan Racecourse for Emirates Super Saturday
Dubai World Cup places are up for grabs as the stars converge on a superb Emirates Super Saturday at Meydan Racecourse on 1 March. Six of the day's nine races offer automatic entry to corresponding races on the big day on April 5, including the featured G2 Al Maktoum Classic (sponsored by Emirates Airline), over the Dubai World Cup course of 2000metres on dirt. A full field of 16 line up, including G1 winner Kabirkhan, who aims to bounce back from seventh in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge last time out. Bhupat Seemar runs Imperial Emperor, who finished in front of Kabirkhan when second to Walk Of Stars in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge. Seemar also runs Artorius, fourth in the G3 Firebreak Stakes last time, the mount of Pat Cosgrave. The third Seemar runner is recent course winner Guns And Glory, who will be ridden by Richie Mullen for owner Fitri Hay. The G2 Singspiel Stakes (sponsored by Emirates Airline) offers guaranteed entry to the G1 Dubai Turf for the winner and nine take their chance. The favourite is likely to be four-time Group 1 winner Nations Pride, who arrives here off a ninth place in the G1 Pegasus Turf in Florida in January. Charlie Appleby, who has won this race twice. Appleby also runs First Conquest, two from two at Meydan, the mount of Mickael Barzalona. Cairo, trained in the UK by Alice Haynes, has enjoyed a profitable Carnival, finishing second in both the G2 Al Rashidiya and the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes. Tuz will make UAE racing history if adding the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (sponsored by to his haul on Saturday - becoming the first horse to sweep the UAE's Group dirt sprints in one season. Seemar's charge, who will break from stall five in the field of 12, has been flawless in his last four starts including the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen last March – his target once again. Colour Up has seen the back of Tuz three times this season already, but Watson hasn't lost faith in Sayed Hashish's star sprinter, despite a below-par fifth in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint two weeks ago. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, American Stage is an intriguing runner who brings a three from six win record with him from Japan, although none of his runs have come at Group level. Japan, who were last successful on Super Saturday back in 2010 with Red Desire in the then Maktoum Challenge R3, are also represented in the G3 Burj Nahar (sponsored by Emirates Airline) with T O Saint Denis. Daisuke Takayanagi's six-year-old had an international campaign last year, finishing ninth in the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile when last seen in November. Another bringing top level form into the race is the Charlie Hills-trained Ancient Rome, third to Nations Pride in the G1 Arlington Million in August, who tries the dirt for the first time. The G2 Dubai City of Gold (sponsored by Emirates Airline) is a proven path to the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and seven run for that entry ticket on Saturday. Godolphin hold a strong hand, with three runners including multiple Group race winner Silver Knott, the mount of stable jockey William Buick, and G3 Sandown Classic Trial winner Arabian Crown, who makes his Meydan debut for Appleby. Three British raiders line up, including Highway Robber, an intriguing recruit from the US for Charlie Hills, and Onesmoothoperator, who drops in trip for Brian Ellison having finished third in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy last week. The day's shortest turf contest is the 1000metre G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (sponsored by Emirates SkyCargo) in which defending champion Frost At Dawn runs for trainer William Knight. Among her rivals is fellow Brit West Acre, so impressive in the G2 Blue Point Sprint last time out for trainer George Scott.
Arab News
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Dubai set for Emirates Super Saturday at Meydan Racecourse
DUBAI: One of the highlights of the UAE racing calendar returns on March 1 when the Meydan Racecourse hosts Emirates Super Saturday, an event that has horses from around the globe compete for a coveted spot on the Dubai World Cup card. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Held just five weeks ahead of the Dubai World Cup on April 5, Super Saturday will feature nine races, with six offering guaranteed entry to the showcase event through the exclusive bonus scheme. Ali Al-Ali, CEO and board member of Dubai Racing Club, said: 'Emirates Super Saturday is one of our most popular and exciting days of racing, offering not only top-notch preparatory races but also a unique blend of sport, fashion and entertainment that captivates both racing aficionados and lifestyle enthusiasts.' The highlight of the day is the G2 Al-Maktoum Classic, with $327,000 in prize money, and a field that includes top contenders Kabirkhan (under the guidance of eight-time UAE Champion Doug Watson), Korean star Global Hit, and France's Group 1 winner King Gold. The 2,400-meter G2 Dubai City of Gold paves the way for the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, while the G2 Singspiel Stakes serves as a strong race in its own right but also unlocks automatic entry to the G1 Dubai Turf. Racing fans can look forward to match-ups featuring Godolphin's multiple G1 winner Nations Pride and the British-trained sensation Cairo for Alice Haynes. Adding an international twist, two impressive Japanese runners join the lineup. These are American Stage, from trainer Yoshito Yahagi, in the Group 3 Mahab Al-Shimaal — an exciting prelude to the G1 Golden Shaheen — and T O Saint Denis, guided by Daisuke Takayanagi, in the G3 Burj Nahaar, set to prepare for the G2 Godolphin Mile. Other highlights include the Group 3 Nad Al-Sheba Turf Sprint, a precursor to the G1 Al-Quoz Sprint featuring the defending champion British filly, Frost At Dawn, and there is the culmination of the three-year-old turf series with the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas and Jumeirah 2000 Guineas.
