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FEEL THE PULSE OF THE DUNES
RACING IN
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)

ABU DHABI -
ABU DHABI EQUESTRIAN CLUB

The Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) is a central hub for horse racing and equestrian activities in the UAE, hosting both local and international races, drawing participants and spectators from around the globe.

The Abu Dhabi track is a right-handed track with a total circumference of 2,200m, and it is the only track in the UAE that races on Turf for the whole season.

The Abu Dhabi racing season starts from 26 October 2024 to 12 Apr 2025 with a total of 16 race meetings.

DUBAI -
MEYDAN RACECOURSE

Opened on 27 March 2010, the Meydan Racecourse replaced the former Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, which occupied the same site. The racecourse includes a horse racing museum, gallery and five-star hotel, and nine-hole golf course. When not in use for racing it serves as a business and conference centre.

The racing season starts from November to March, running about 13 race meetings every year.

The race meetings are designed to promote the rising talent of the UAE and are regarded as a stepping stone to the prestigious Dubai World Cup Carnival (DWCC).

TRACK INFORMATION

(images and information copyright of Dubai Racing Club)

STARTING GATE POSITIONDIRT & TURF TRACK

Racecourse

DIRT TRACK

  • Left-Handed
  • Oval Distance: 1750 metres (8¾ furlongs)
  • Width: 25 metres (approx. 82ft)
  • Banking on the turns: 5.5%
  • Distance from final turn to finish line: 400m (2 furlongs)

TURF TRACK

  • Left-Handed
  • Oval Distance: 2400 metres (12 furlongs)
  • Width: 30 metres (approx. 98ft)
  • Banking on the turns: 6%
  • Distance from final turn to finish line: 450m (2.25 furlongs)

FIELD SIZES

(Meydan Racecourse)

DIRT TRACK

Distance Max Runners
1200m 14
All other distances 16

TURF TRACK (For All Distances)

Rail Position Max Runners
True 16
Out 4m 16
Out 8m 16
Out 12m 14
Out 15m 12

RACE SYSTEM

Weight:

  • Weights specified in the body of the conditions are for horses bred in the northern hemisphere. If a horse bred in the southern hemisphere which is entitled to give/receive weight-for-age is declared, a subsequent change in the weights for horses bred in the northern hemisphere may be noted at the bottom of the condition.
  • Full weight-for-age and sex allowances will be applied in most cases, however the maximum weight at publication will be 62.0 kg and any horse which is subsequently weighted below 53.0 kg will be adjusted to the minimum weight of 53.0 kg.
  • If the lowest weighted horse is above 57.0 kg, it will be lowered to 57.0 kg and the weights of all other horses will be lowered by an equal amount. Conversely, if the highest weighted horse is below 57.0 kg, it will be raised to 57.0 kg and the weights of all other horses will be raised by an equal amount.

Never Won Two/Three Races:

The order of preference to run shall be:

  • (a) Horses with no official rating (NOR) that have won at least one race
  • (b) Highest rated horses that have won at least one race
  • (c) Horses with NOR that have been subject to ballot since their last run
  • (d) Horses with NOR that have not raced
  • (e) Horses with NOR
  • (f) Highest rated horses that have never won a race
  • (g) Further provided, without affecting the conditions above, when possible, the field will be reduced in the following order:
    • (i) Any horse which is in the same ownership as a horse(s) which has been included in the field (this includes reserves), shall not be allotted a start to the exclusion of any horse with no common ownership in the race.
    • (ii) Any horse which is in the name of a trainer that has a horse(s) which has been included in the field (this includes reserves), shall not be allotted a start to the exclusion of any horse with no common trainer in the race.
    • (iii) Preference to run will be given to horses that have been subject to a ballot since their last run.
    • (iv) To be drawn by lot in the presence of the ERA Stewards.

In Handicap Races:

  • Maximum weight (excepting penalties following publication) 62.0 kg (Thoroughbreds), minimum weight 53.0 kg.

Penalties In Set Weight & Condition Races:

  • Penalties are not cumulative. Further, Group equates to Graded and vice versa.

Turf Races at Dubai Racing Club:

  • The Club reserves the right to switch Turf races to the Dirt if deemed necessary.

Group & Listed Races:

  • No allowances for Apprentice Riders.

TRAINERS’ RANKING FOR THE PAST SEASON AT MEYDAN RACECOURSE
(YEAR 2022/2023)

BHUPAT SEEMAR

PRIZEMONEY US$8,667,550

226 TOTAL RUNS

Win: 17

2nd: 21

3rd: 19

4th: 25

5th: 30

MUSABBEH AL MHEIRI

PRIZEMONEY US$6,841,345

111 TOTAL RUNS

Win: 17

2nd: 15

3rd: 15

4th: 11

5th: 9

DOUG WATSON

PRIZEMONEY US$5,609,835

185 TOTAL RUNS

Win: 17

2nd: 17

3rd: 13

4th: 19

5th: 12

JOCKEYS’ RANKING FOR THE PAST SEASON AT MEYDAN RACECOURSE
(YEAR 2022/2023)

WILLIAM BUICK

PRIZEMONEY US$8,668,258

51 TOTAL RIDES

Win: 12

2nd: 7

3rd: 9

4th: 2

5th: 2

MICKAEL BARZALONA

PRIZEMONEY US$3,756,938

84 TOTAL RIDES

Win: 14

2nd: 7

3rd: 9

4th: 4

5th: 10

ANTONIO FRESU

PRIZEMONEY US$3,068,214

121 TOTAL RIDES

Win: 13

2nd: 11

3rd: 14

4th: 12

5th: 17

For more information on Dubai Racing, please visit Emirates Racing Authority