Hi, Sunil here to talk about Dubai horse racing

It is no secret that horse racing in Dubai is poised to revolutionize the entire sport.

Perhaps you could say it all started in 1996.

Back then, 11 of the world’s top horses took to the track of the Nad Al-Sheba racecourse and proceeded to run a race that was the dream of one man, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of the United Arab Emirates.

This was the very first Dubai World Cup, an invitation-only race that has run annually ever since, and now sports a remarkable 6 million US dollars.

Horse Racing in Dubai for Fame and Fortune

With the purse now so large, it is no surprise that the competitive nature of horse racing in Dubai really does shine through.


Generous as ever, Dubai flies these competitors over from wherever they may hail from, and the more ardent supporters of horse racing receive heavily subsidized travel packages as well.

Now expanded to be seven races, with a total of 21.25 million US dollars in purses, some of the other six races that may not be as rich as the main race still offer hefty purses of 5 million.

In fact, the very smallest purse is that of the Godolphin mile, and even that is 1 million US dollars.

Truly a spectacular event to behold, the fastest horses are guaranteed to compete, for the fortune, but more than that, fame. It was the American ‘Horse of the Year’, Cigar, that first set the standard by trouncing his rivals in the very first race, and set the tone for Dubai horse racing. Prestige is something the Dubai World Cup does not lack.

New Age of Dubai Horse Racing: Meydan City

If you thought that horse racing in Dubai could not get any better, then you were not alone. However, as always, Dubai never ceases to amaze, and their newly announced Meydan Horse Racing City looks to turn the page into an exciting new Age of Dubai horse racing.

Circumstances permitting, this city should open its doors to the world in 2010, right on time for the Dubai World Cup of that year. As a centerpiece, it will boast the Meydan Racecourse, a 76 million square foot race course that will be the biggest in the world and have the capacity to accommodate 60 thousand people in its stands.

Along with it, and also officially part of the racecourse, will be a 5 star hotel, racing museum, the Dubai Racing Club, an 18 hole golf course, and so many restaurants and bars that it is staggering to think of it.

On top of that the entire city to be built around it, from marina to business center to residential areas makes it a huge undertaking and one of those ‘only in Dubai’ cities. Already, the first phase of the development is completely sold out, as the idea ignites the fires of imagination within people across the globe.

Essentially, the future of Dubai horse racing could not possibly look brighter, as it continues to break new ground and offer up the best races, most thrilling experiences, and soon, the most revolutionary development centered around horse racing in Dubai.