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| Sumita Pawar |
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It has been confirmed that horses from all around the globe will be welcomed to Dubai for the entire 2023-24 racing season.
During a virtual press conference earlier this week, Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club, provided details about the upcoming season's new format, briefing the global media and horse connections.
Revolutionizing Racing In Dubai
“The DRC management and board have decided to reshape racing in Dubai, to improve sustainability in line with what is happening in the region,” he said. “Today, many countries are going along with Dubai and the UAE by using racing to showcase their development, a journey which Dubai started much earlier.
“The Dubai Racing Carnival has now become the whole season,” he added. “Horses can now come to Dubai from the start of the season until the Dubai World Cup.”
Al Adhab emphasized that non-Stakes races will have a minimum purse of AED165,000, with Group One races offering over AED 1 million in prize money. The Dubai World Cup meeting will maintain its total purse of A$30.5 million, marking a 27 percent increase compared to the previous season.
Stephanie Cooley, International Manager for DRC, explained more, “From an international perspective, we still have our quarantine facilities, plus trainers also have the option of shifting over to a local stable,” she said. “It’s a more condensed season but we have retained all of the feature races and aligned them more with some of the bigger races in the region.”
Erwan Charpy, Advisor to Dubai Racing Club, provided details about the quarantine restrictions for horses traveling from Europe during the season, in response to questions from the media and trainers.
“Horses trained in the UK have the option of 90 days temporary import, with the option of going in and out. They can also come on a permanent import and go back with a 30-day quarantine or go back as a temporary import. There are discussions to get England to line up with the regulations in the European Union, as since BREXIT there is almost no problem with horses going back to the EU without quarantine on a permanent import.
“The import certificate was previously just for the Dubai Racing Club, but now it is for the Middle East, which allows for more freedom of movement.”
The Executive Director emphasized the inclusion of two new feature race nights, Festive Friday and Fashion Friday, in the upcoming 2023-24 racing season at Meydan Racecourse. The season will commence on November 10th, with Super Saturday taking place on March 2nd, 2024.