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Jebel Ali Racecourse is set for a meteoric rise, thanks to the ambitious plans of its General Manager, Mohammed Al Ahmed.
He plans to enhance the racing experience for both connections and racegoers, while also aligning the track with the wider racing ecosystem of the UAE. Al Ahmed's vision is to take racing to even greater heights by improving the quality of races and facilities at the Jebel Ali track and aligning it with an unprecedented vision for the future. He has proposed the establishment of a regulatory body for Gulf racing to formulate and coordinate races that have potential growth, and for a system of pattern racing to be set up. Al Ahmed confirmed that the management will endeavour to develop the racing experience at JARC and maintain high standards according to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the patron and founder of the venue. In this exclusive interview, Al Ahmed praises the status of UAE racing both locally and globally, elaborates on planned immersive experiences at Jebel Ali promising further revolution, and lauds the efforts of various stakeholders towards creating an environment of cooperation and coordination between the various components of UAE racing.
I'm a fourth generation in my family working in this field. My Grandfather, one of the founders, arranged races in the GCC, collaborating with Bahrain, UAE, and Saudi races.
In the 1960s, my father attended a horse racing school in Pune, India, before returning to the Middle East. He's my mentor and inspiration, and he was the first proficient jockey in the region, winning races in Japan and Turkey when no one knew about races there. Growing up, I spent my days at the stables with him, learning the ins and outs of the sport instead of playing outdoors like other kids. This upbringing sparked my passion for racing, leading me to explore various roles within the industry, including as a rider and assistant trainer. These experiences have shaped my deep understanding and love for horse racing, driving my ongoing involvement in its growth and development.
I've also attended several courses related to the horse racing industry. With a background in business and having worked in various sectors, including government and banking, I've undertaken numerous projects. Combining this business experience with my racing background, my current endeavours reflect the culmination of these diverse exposures.
What exciting opportunities do you foresee for the future of horse racing in the UAE, particularly at Jebel Ali?
It's time to establish a GCC Jockey Club for the future of the racing industry in the region. I've advocated for this idea for the past two years, and now is the opportune moment to bring it to fruition. The main task of this club would be to organise the condition books for all significant racecourses in the GCC, facilitating international meetings in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. Additionally, the club would assign races, including international ones, which would serve as qualifiers for prestigious events like the Saudi Cup, Qatar International Cup, Jebel Ali Mile, and Dubai World Cup.
I propose having an Arab representative from each Jockey Club, rotating every three to four years. However, collaboration is vital if we want the GCC to become a racing hub. While healthy competition is beneficial, we must work together to establish a solid platform in the region, akin to the ease of travel between France, the UK, and Ireland in Europe.
Although there are minimal issues with the quarantine and boarding systems in countries like Bahrain, some countries need help with lengthy border waits, which can be stressful for the horses. A GCC Jockey Club would streamline communication with relevant ministries and authorities, making addressing such issues easier and organizing meetings efficiently.
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Yes, I currently serve as the general manager, and I'm pleased I can also inspire the next generation. I believe in providing them with the connection and encouragement to reach great heights, regardless of whether they come from a business or racing background. It's the passion that ultimately drives success.
I'm proud of my business achievements. One significant accomplishment was facilitating alliances worth €500 million between two countries, boosting exports and business relations. I also held high-level roles in banking at a young age. Throughout my career, I've balanced my business pursuits with my passion for racing. This included tradng in bloodstock internally as well as breeding high-quality thoroughbred horses.
Presently, large farms in France are also drawing quality stallions. For the industry, that's good. Their platform is appealing due to its capacity, which benefits racehorse breeders, owners, and those interested in starting farms. Accessible in France, the sector is advancing. A year or two before the pandemic, France introduced a strategy to enhance user-friendliness, especially in innovation and racehorses, indicating positive progress.
In the GCC, including the UAE, the government supports us, and some racehorses also have backing from Sheikhs due to their love for the sport.
Could you shed more light on your concept of the thematic race days?
Racecourses have found my strategy of introducing thematic racedays of great interest. These unique events, not only boost attendence but also help increase racecourse income are interested in my strategy of adding concepts to race days to boost attendance and solve business income challenges. In the GCC, including the GCC, the government supports us. In some cases cases we are also directly supported by members of the ruling families. I advise them that having a standard race day won’t attract enough people, especially those unfamiliar with racing. You need to make them enjoy the venue first to get them interested. Once hooked, they’ll naturally become more interested in the races and may even consider investing in the sport.
When we love something, we naturally want to learn more about it. This can happen through education, group experiences, or exposure to relevant data.
My approach involves attracting diverse communities to the sport. For instance, we dedicated a day to motorsport enthusiasts, inviting them to enjoy the races and immerse themselves in the atmosphere. As they engaged in horse racing, they started asking questions, learning, and developing a genuine interest. This technique effectively introduces new audiences to the world of horse racing.
I'm pleased to see others in the GCC embracing this concept. Taking the initiative to announce our themes before the season began has inspired other racecourses to follow suit. It's fulfilling to witness this positive change and contribute to it.
Passion is at the core of everything I do. Some were surprised to see me doing hands-on tasks like setting up or inspecting the track. But for me, it's not about titles—it's about passion.
I believe in being hands-on to ensure everything is perfect for the race. My advice to those interested in this industry is simple: follow your passion. in horse racing, there are various roles available, from accountants to doctors, and ample opportunities to invest in breeding or buying racehorses, especially with the generous prize money offered in the UAE.
I'm thankful for the support from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar rulers, who deeply cherish the sport's tradition. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum dedication to the sport is particularly inspiring. They have been a role model for me, and I've witnessed firsthand the success his passion brings.
We made several changes at Jebel Ali Racecourse. Firstly, we revamped the race concepts in collaboration with the Emirates Racing Authority to attract more horses without disrupting other racecourses. This attracted international horses to Jebel Ali, and we also increased prize money for certain races.
Additionally, we improved facilities such as corporate suites and jockeys' rooms. One significant change was the addition of a garden. Jebel Ali lacked a cozy countryside atmosphere, so I proposed the idea of a garden to management. It has since been expanded and has become a favourite spot for visitors to enjoy small activities in a picnic-style setting.
I proposed shifting the presentation area inside to ensure everyone could view it and upgraded catering services, offering complimentary specialty coffee, acai, ice cream, and more.
We decided to modernise the building for saddling, including a terrace for future post-race events. Plans are in motion to enhance the receiving area, barns, and stables to meet international standards, ensuring greater visitor comfort. With plans already underway, we aim to attract international horses to race at Jebel Ali actively. Our long-term plan involves establishing international relations within the racing community and hosting suitable international races. This approach is crucial for our success.
One of the changes we made was to have the Jebel Ali Sprint and the Jebel Ali Mile in one race meeting. To be honest, it was a successful and beneficial decision. After implementing this change, we saw an increase in the number of horses rated 100 plus, which was a significant victory for us. Additionally, we maintained the Jebel Ali Classics and Jebel Ali Stakes while introducing two new races on the final day.
We initiated the Emirates Sprint Series last year, featuring Sharjah and Jebel Ali races. This year, thanks to their support, we've expanded to Meydan. We aim to develop and adjust the calendar further, potentially adding trial races and enhancing the reporting system to encourage horse participation from all over. I'm committed to involvement and am currently exploring opportunities and negotiations.
The primary goal of the series is to connect all racecourses and elevate racing in Dubai as a whole, not just at Jebel Ali. I believe in leveraging my capabilities, mission, and vision to enhance racing across Dubai. To achieve this, I'm actively engaging in discussions with various stakeholders and exploring new resources.
We face numerous challenges, but the biggest one revolves around securing sponsors. Thankfully, our rulers support the sport out of their love for it, as sponsorships are crucial for our income. We aim to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves. Personally, my goal is to increase awareness of racing among various societies.
My dream of making Jebel Ali the top racecourse in the GCC will come true soon. It’s all about the quality of facilities and the environment. The atmosphere is unique and hard to replicate. We're planning to host international meetings and increase prize money, but the most crucial factor is the environment, and the positive energy people bring. That's what truly makes Jebel Ali unique.
Mohammed Al Ahmed's leadership has revitalized horse racing, inspiring a new generation with his innovative spirit and unwavering dedication. His vision, a beacon for the future, promises a dynamic and thriving sport fueled by passion and ingenuity.