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| Sumita Pawar |
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Meydan Racecourse, known as the home of the prestigious US$30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting, will now also host the Emirates Sprint Series races. This exciting development comes after the Dubai Racing Club has decided to come on board for the second edition of the series.
The Dubai Racing Club has been confirmed as a participant in the Emirates Sprint Series, an ambitious initiative that will commence with the new season of horseracing in October.
This decision aligns with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's directives as the patron of Jebel Ali Racecourse, who launched the Emirates Sprint Series during the previous season.
Sheikh Ahmed's initiative had a dual purpose: to support owners, trainers, and jockeys while establishing connections between racecourses and promoting horse racing across the country.
The series took place at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club as well as the Jebel Ali Racecourse. Major General Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, a Board Member and Executive Director of the Dubai Racing Club, played a key role in driving the initiative forward.
“Sheikh Ahmed is regarded as one of the pillars of horse racing in the UAE, and we are pleased to be a part of this unique series.”
The Dubai Racing Club will join the series with the Garhoud Sprint race taking place at the Meydan Racecourse in December.
“Emirates Sprint Series forms a link between the Dubai Racing Club and the other participating clubs, and we wish everyone involved in the series luck as strong completion among top owners is expected,” he added.
Mohamed Al Ahmed, Executive Director of Emirates Sprint Series and General Manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse, also thanked Sheikh Ahmed for launching the series for the second year in a row.
“The first edition of the Emirates Sprint Series achieved great success and contributed towards creating a new platform for competitions in the racing season by drawing a sizable number of owners, trainers, and riders to fight for the championship crown, which was applauded by all,” he said.
During the final meeting of the last season at Jebel Ali Racecourse, Road Bloc, owned by Sayed Hashish and Hana Refai, secured his biggest career prize by winning the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint.
The 5YO Street Sense gelding, trained by Osama Rafai and ridden by Oscar Chavez, had a flawless start at the 250-meter mark and outpaced Meshakel and Story Of Light. Road Bloc had already won the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, the opening race of the Emirates Sprint Series, over 1,200 meters in Sharjah.
The victory in the Jebel Ali Sprint, which was the second race of the series, earned the winning connections a bonus of Dhs250,000 on top of the first prize of Dhs300,000. Sultan Mohammed Sultan Al Yahyaee, Director of Sharjah Longines Racecourse, praised the inclusion of the Dubai Racing Club in the Emirates Sprint Series.
“Iconic Meydan Racecourse is one of the most acclaimed local and international tracks. Their participation in the series will make it more compelling and exciting,” he said.
He praised Sheikh Ahmed for launching the second edition of the Emirates Sprint Speed Series.
Yahyaee stated that the return of the series at the Sharjah Racecourse is an honour they are proud of, especially since the first round of the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, held last season, saw strong participation from the top horses in the country.
“The series had brought about a qualitative shift in horse racing, which was demonstrated by the remarkable success it attained, and turned it into a goal for owners and trainers,” he added.
The success of the inaugural season of the series, featuring the participation of prestigious horses, has been a significant indicator for its return for the second edition, according to Yasir Mabrouk, Director of Race Development at the Emirates Racing Authority. Mabrouk commended the addition of the Dubai Racing Club in the upcoming season and noted that they have been dedicated to expanding the championship since the previous season's conclusion.