On track for fitting finale
A look at the racing scene in UAE as the season heads for a climax with Dubai World Cup a month from now
By Racing & Special Features Writer
Racing in the UAE has never looked more assured and exciting. The new dirt surface at Meydan, the country’s flagship racecourse, has meritoriously ticked all the right boxes since it was launched in November last year.
Furthermore, there now appears to be a fine balance, and cohesion, between all racing venues in the UAE - Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain - with the successful amalgamation of Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian racing.
All this in the landmark 20th running of the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1), the richest race in the world, which unfolds at Meydan four weeks from now.
You could call it a renaissance or a result of pristine planning. After five uncertain years during which Meydan flirted with a controversial all-weather surface, racing has returned to its roots, with the installation of the conventional dirt track.
And the worldwide response has been immediate. Some of the best horses are being pointed towards the $30 million meeting on March 28, including the best of the best from North America, who had given Dubai the cold-shoulder during its synthetic years.
All this has changed and the scenario looks similar to what it was back in 1996 when the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup produced an electrifying battle between two giants of racing — Cigar and Soul of the Matter. Few who were present at Nad Al Sheba racecourse on that historic day will deny that the sport’s most consequential race had been born.
When the protagonists line up to the contest the 20th running of the Dubai World Cup next month a plethora of memories will most likely flood through the minds of race goers, who were fortunate enough to see great champions like Silver Charm, Dubai Millennium, Street Cry, Roses In May, Invasor triumph on the dirt track.
Feel good factor
The Dubai Racing Club (DRC) must be pleased with the number of horses entered from America in particular, with as many as 24 horses entered for the Dubai World Cup alone.
The Dubai Golden Shaheen, which was won on eight occasions between 2000 and 2008 by American speedballs, has attracted 14 hopefuls, while the UAE Derby has been targeted by 10 American colts. All three races are run on dirt. There are a number of reasons to feel good about racing in the UAE, and not just about the changes that have taken place at Meydan.
The whole circuit appears to be getting better in quality and has unearthed some very good locally trained stars with the potential to continue to do so over the next few seasons.
As opposed to focusing on marquee-type horses, trainers appear to take pleasure in seeing lower handicapped horses achieve positive results.
The major population of equine athletes belong to the handicap ranks and their growth from this large base is what feeds the sport.
Furthermore, the combined brain trust of the Emirates Racing Authority, and the five racing clubs, have worked together towards yielding good results in terms of participation, attendance and overall entertainment.