> News Article
Dubai set to stun the world next month
Feb 3 2010
When the coveted Dubai World Cup rolls around next month, there’s every chance the venue will actually attract more attention than the best international horses gathering for a share of the riches – which is saying something considering some of the champions likely to attend.
After years of remarkable racing and trackside spectacles at Nad al Sheba, the launch of the stunning Meydan Racecourse is set to capture the world’s imagination and leave racegoers shaking their heads in disbelief.
The brainchild of Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid, the course has been three years in the making and cost $1.25 billion. It features the world’s largest grandstand, a fixture that stretches for more than 1000m and is designed to hold 98,000 people. The stand adjoins a five-star international hotel with 10 restaurants, an IMAX theatre, art gallery, museum and with almost all of the 270 rooms and the roof top swimming pool offering racecourse views.
Then there are the racecourses. The 1800m “dirt” track features the most up to date synthetic surface, designed to accommodate horses from all surfaces, and it is surrounded by an expansive 2400m turf track.
This year’s carnival has been given a major added boost to coincide with the Meydan opening, with a new turf sprint bringing the value of races run on the one day to a total of US$25.25 million.
While the US$10 million Dubai World Cup has become one of the world’s great races, the meeting also features another three Group 1 races – the Dubai Duty Free, a 1777m turf race that attracts a crack international field every year, Golden Shaheen, Sheema Classic. The Group 2 races are the UAE Derby and Godolphin Mile while a new Group 3, the US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint, is likely to draw world class sprinters.
Dubai has quickly become one of the world’s best race meetings, with championship racing run on a variety of surfaces over distances from 1200m to 2400m.
Sky Channel will feature an extensive coverage of the Dubai World Cup meeting from Meydan next month, with the races run on the morning of Sunday, March 28 Australian time.
By Shane McNally
- Shane McNally
All times quoted on this web site are based on scheduled race start times.
Sky endeavours to provide correct and up-to-date data, though it is possible to encounter inaccuracies throughout the day due to unforeseen delays at the track.
