Horse racing is in UAE's DNA, says Dubai Racing Club CEO

Arab News

17-03-2025

DUBAI: With less than three weeks left before the Dubai World Cup, Ali Al-Ali can look back with more than a measure of satisfaction on another successful racing season calendar at Meydan.
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On Saturday, April 5, the racing world's attention will again turn to the emirate as the globe's best horses, jockeys and trainers take part in the 29th edition of the thoroughbred race. However, for the CEO of Dubai Racing Club, as well as many racing enthusiasts, the Dubai Racing Carnival has been up and running since November and concluded its last pre-World Cup event on Friday.
'The Carnival was restructured last year, season 2023-2024, and this is the second iteration of it,' said Al-Ali. 'We have had a lot of feedback from both the racing side and the guest side, great feedback coming from both of those, talking about how the Carnival has created a whole new experience for the people that are coming to the course and enjoying a time out on a Friday night, as well as creating a very competitive atmosphere for international horses coming from all over the world.'
One of the highlights of the calendar took place on Saturday, March 1, and for some of the participants provided a path to the main card of the Dubai World Cup.
'Emirates Super Saturday has always been a great night,' said Al-Ali. 'It's a mini rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup. It was the first time that Emirates Super Saturday falls under Ramadan, and I think we created a beautiful mix of Ramadan vibes, culture, horse racing, hospitality and entertainment on that night.'
The Dubai Racing Club was established in 1992, and the Dubai World Cup had its first run four years later. From its origins at Nad Al-Sheba Racecourse to its current home of Meydan, it has become one of the world's most famous racing events, featuring a total prize of $30.5 million for nine races, of which $12 million is set aside for the showpiece race.
'Well, horse racing has always been in the DNA of Dubai and the UAE as well,' said Al-Ali. 'The vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum was to bring the horses back to their original home.
'From there began the mission of His Highness to create a hub and to create a racing environment that suits everyone coming into the region,' he added. 'And (he also wanted) to prove that these horses entering here in Dubai do always have a better chance of winning outside as well. Going back to how it has evolved, I believe with His Highness' directions and continuous support, we are at a pinnacle at the moment and we're only pushing forward.'
Having the right facilities and talent is what helped Dubai become a regional and global racing hub, according to Al-Ali.
'I see Dubai as a great hub due to the infrastructure, and most importantly, the know-how of flying in international horses and providing them with the right atmosphere, the right facilities, the right supplies, the right support to race in a very safe and enjoyable racecourse.'
The 2025 Dubai World Cup will take place only days after Eid Al-Fitr, but Al-Ali says that preparations have been going on for some time now.
'We've been preparing since almost a year now. That's how we do it and that's always what we try to achieve. We always try to achieve absolute excellence when it comes to the Dubai World Cup,' he said.
The CEO says that technology is increasingly playing a major part in maintaining that excellence.
'From a technological perspective, we see that the Dubai Racing Club is going to be one of the pioneering jurisdictions in implementing both artificial intelligence within our operations, as well as enhancing the technology that is helping and aiding horse racing around the region.'
Al-Ali is now looking forward to the start of this year's festivities on April 1.
'The Dubai World Cup Week is full of activities and entertainment, and we've got the Post-Position Draw, the Post-Position Gala, the Dubai World Cup Gala, and the breakfast of the stars as well, which is now called the Morning Gallop.'
Horses and trainers are already making the move to Dubai ahead of the big week.
'We have received some of the horses that are going to be running on the Dubai World Cup night and we're expecting more of them to come throughout these weeks,' Al-Ali said.