Gabriel on a mission to bring qualit

SENIOR DRC OFFICIAL SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO CREATE AW

By Racing & Special Features Writer

Frank Gabriel Jr., the Dubai Racing Club’s (DRC) Vice President of Racing, says his mission is to put quality into UAE racing which will benefit it’s long-term interests.

Gabriel Jr., who previously served as the DRC’s Chief Executive Officer between 20052013, is relishing his new racing-specific role which he referred to as his ‘forte’.

Gulf News discussed the racing side of the business with the experienced administrator.

Excerpts. How different is your new job profile as Dubai Racing Club’s Vice President of Racing as opposed to your obligations as the club’s CEO. A lot of the responsibilities are still there but the main focus is for me to concentrate on the racing, which is my forte. It gives me an opportunity to spend more time on that, which is great. I’m thrilled to participate with the Dubai Racing Club and Meydan in the growth of the Dubai World Cup and Carnival. The talk of the season has been the new dirt track at Meydan, are you satisfied with the way it’s panned out. It does take time with anything new, but the track has really developed quickly into a consistent surface and we’re happy with it. Of course each week, and each race meeting, it gets better and better. I think all parties are very happy with the way its moving along and

the racing has been great. The track has resulted in a very positive response, in particular in North America, going by the entries for the Dubai World Cup meeting. We’re getting reactions from everywhere around the world, but definitely we do see a rise in