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TYPES OF RACES
Purebred Arabian Races that are restricted to Arabian horses only. Arabians are one of the oldest breeds. They are known to be strong, sound horses with superior stamina.
Thoroughbred Races that are restricted to Thoroughbred horses only. Thoroughbreds are horses that are bred specifically for racing and are known for their agility, speed and temperament.
Maiden Horses that have not won a race are referred to as maidens. The term is also applied to a nonwinning rider.
Handicap All horses carry weights based on their ability which is assessed by the handicapper. The horse with the highest rating carries the most weight with all other horses carrying weight relative to their individual rating. The idea being that this system means that all horses theoretically have an equal chance of winning.
Conditions A notch below Listed standard. There are certain conditions for qualification. For example, the age or sex of the horse, winner of one race or more, winner of races of a certain value etc.
Listed The level of race just below Group race quality.
Group 1, 2 & 3 The most valuable and prestigious races in which the best horses race.
EMIRATES RACING AUTHORITY (ERA)
The Emirates Racing Authority is the official governing body for horse racing in the UAE. In essence it serves the following purposes: - Making, altering, amending and administrating the Rules in the UAE. - Carrying on the trade or business of Racecourse management and for the purpose of education, entertainment and participation by the general public in Horse racing. - To encourage Horse breeding and Horse ownership in the UAE and to improve the quality of racing. - To organise, represent and promote Horse racing on an international basis. - To promote tourism, trade and commerce in the UAE.
INTERNATIONAL LINKS
The ERA is a proactive member of the Asian Racing Federation and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, and is contributor to other regulatory authorities and committees, such as: World Racehorse Rankings Committee (WRRC); International Movement of Horses Committee (IMHC); Asian Stud Book Conference; International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV)