Situated in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the Meydan Racecourse was developed on a site adjacent to Nad Al Sheba racecourse and replaced it at the very end of 2009. The course was the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum and was ready to open its gates on Thursday 28th January 2010, although its first meeting was held on 27th March 2010. It is an impressive development covering 76 million square feet and has the capacity to seat over 65,000 racegoers. It boasts an impressive one mile long grandstand which is the most spectacular in the world. The course was completed in 2009 and was ready to host the 2010 Dubai World Cup in March 2010. The final World Cup at Nad Al Sheba was won impressively by the 10/1 Well Armed ridden by Aaron Greyder and trained by Eoin Harty. The Dubai World Cup is contested over 10 furlongs and is billed as 'The World's Richest Race'. On the closure of Nad Al Sheba the course began to host the World Cup. In 2010 it was won by the French trained Gloria de Campeao ridden by T.J.Pereira and trained by Pascal Bary. To show the universal nature and appeal of the race, in 2011 the Japanese trained, owned and ridden Victoire Pisa was successful in the hands of Mirco Demuro and trained by Katsuhiko Sumi. In the most recent 2012 running Monterosso ridden by Mickael Barzalona and trained by Mahmood al Zarooni was triumphant.
The Emirates World Series was launched in March 1999 and was won by the Godolphin trained Daylami. By 2000 the Series was extended to include 11 races at venues around the World. The overall winner, Fantastic Light, was successful in the final race, the Hong Kong Cup, held at Sha Tin.
The Series has now been extended again to include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and consists of 12 races which are listed below:-
Arlington Million, Breeders Cup Classic, Breeders Cup Turf, Canadian International, Cox Plate, Dubai World Cup, Hong Kong Cup, Irish Champion Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Japan Cup, Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, United Arab Emirates Grosser Preis von Baden
The Al Maktoum Challenge is contested over 1 mile 2 furlongs of the dirt track and was won in 2011 by the Henry Cecil trained Twice Over, ridden by Tom Queally. In 2012 Capponi, trained by Mohammed Zarooni and ridden by A.Ajtebi was successful. More recently, in 2013 the S.Suroor trained Hunter's Light was ridden to victory by Silvester De Sousa. The badges shown below are courtesy of Richard Gauthier.
