Dubai World Cup Meeting 2010

Thought I would start a thread, any early fancies?
What is MDK planning?
Anyone planning a trip to Meydan? should be awesome

Golden Shaheen could switch to turf next year


THE Group 1 Golden Shaheen could be run on turf for the first time next year, as organisers of the new Meydan racecourse consider how to make up for the lack of a straight all-weather track.

The $1 billion racecourse, which is due to officially open on January 28 as a replacement for Nad Al Sheba, will have a 6f straight turf course, while sprints on the new artificial Tapeta surface will be contested around a bend.

The configuration has raised speculation that the Golden Shaheen, the sole sprint on World Cup night will switch to turf.
Frank Gabriel - CEO Dubai Racing Club


The exact composition of the 2010 Dubai World Cupmeeting is expected to be confirmed in the next few days with the Meydan Committee, Emirates Racing Authority and Dubai Racing Club said to be considering all options.

However, speaking on Saturday, Frank Gabriel, CEO of the Dubai Racing Club, said: “Everything remains under discussion.

“Regarding the Golden Shaheen we have to change the surface, as we no longer have a dirt track, but to move it to turf is a big decision. However, that option does keep the race on a straight track.

“Obviously we are considering input from the industry before we make a final decision. The [Dubai] World Cup itself will be contested on a new surface and we hope that it will attract a worldwide entry.

“The last two Breeders’ Cup Classics have been on a synthetic surface and attracted extra European interest.

“That could be a coincidence but is most probably surface related. We hope the Tapeta will appeal to everyone.”

Argentine Derby winner heads Dubai-bound trio

UAE: A second wave of South American equine talents have been swooped up by international interests with an eye toward the UAE 2009-10 season set to commence at the new Meydan racecourse complex on January 28 next year.

Dubai-based South African trainer Herman Brown has purchased Argentine Derby winner Storm Chispazo for a probable tilt at the 2010 UAE Derby.The Bernstein colt captured three of five starts in his native land.

Another name to be added to next year´s UAE Derby hopeful list is Quartier Latin, recently acquired by Hubie De Burgh of the Kildare-based De Burgh Equine Ltd.

The Orpen colt captured the Grade 2 Clasico Miguel Cane on dirt at Palermo before finishing second in both the 2,000 Guineas on dirt and the middle leg of that nation´s Triple Crownon turf.

The hugely exciting Dear Bela is the latest acquisition for Dubai´s lucrative three-year-old programme.

She won one of her two starts in Argentina, scoring by five length at Palermo in her career debut on September 25.

Facing a strong step in class, she did not disappoint when finishing second in the Argentine Oaks, which prompted her sale to undisclosed UAE interests.

Dave i've booked my trip back to SA next year to fly to via Dubai to Durban with 2 nights in Dubai, which has worked out perfectly as we get to go to the new Meydan track on Super Thursday, 04th March.

Going to be awesome, will take loads of pics and will post some on the forum. Hopefully loads of SA runners as it is the biggest meeting other than World Cup night itself. If any other clan members are out for same meeting let me know and can meet up for a beer.

Had to agree to a nice new outfit for the misses to wear on the night as she did see right through the "it was just a coincidence that there was racing on" story!

Hope I am reading this correct, you have bought a see through outfit for Mrs Southpaw, we are looking forward to seeing you both at the races

Dear Bela it was reported was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed, while Ramzan Kadyrov purchased Storm Chispazo...reported this last month

Wehttp://bit.ly/90v7sq

Cheers Sid

The race that J J won last year has had a boost in Prize money to $1m from $200k


Dubai World Cup night programme - Saturday March 27 2010



Dubai World Cup (Group 1), $10m, 1m2f, Tapeta AW

Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1), $5m, 1m4f turf

Dubai Duty Free (Group 1), $5m, 1m1f, turf

Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1), $2m, 6f, Tapeta AW

UAE Derby (Group 2), $2m, 1m1½f, Tapeta AW

Godolphin Mile (Group 2), $1m, 1m, Tapeta AW

Al Quoz Sprint (Group 3), $1m, 6f, turf

Dubai Kahayla Classic for purebred arabians (Group 1) $250,000, 1m2f Tapeta AW

Has the Al Quoz Sprint been added to the programme?....

This race may suit Our Giant

AW Sheheen around the turn

Turf 1200 straight.

My understanding

Sly is correct the Al Quoz will now be run on the Straight and not round a bend like last year, and the Shaheen will now be run round a bend the opposite from last year..

anyone know which SA horses are going out to Dubai for Carnival? Runners from Mike de Kock, Herman Brown, and perhaps Sean Tarry and maybe even Dylan Cunha?

South African trainers rev up to take on the world’s best

DUBAI’S new racetrack Meydan debuts in just over two weeks time and two South African trainers, Mike de Kock and Herman Brown, who has a small, select string of six horses, are revving up to take on the world’s best.

Meydan, which replaces Nad Al Sheba, has a state-of-the-art all-weather track inside a turf track and its new 1km-long grandstand will accommodate up to 60,000 people.

De Kock, who has saddled 78 winners in his seven years in Dubai, including 15 winners last year, has accumulated a high-quality string of 33 horses for this year’s Carnival and has high hopes for runners in all eight of the races to be run on Dubai World Cup night, Saturday 27 March.

Unlike last season when he saddled 15 winners, it’s all systems go for the stable.

He said on his website, mikedekockracing.com: "Last season we were way behind schedule, the horses arrived late and we had a few setbacks including respiratory problems. So far this season has been trouble-free - in fact we are a month to six weeks further ahead than we were at the same time last season. We are very pleased about that and I think we have the horses to be most competitive this year.’’

He said Eagle Mountain would be the stable’s principal hope for the Dubai World Cup, if all goes according to plan.

"We’ll give him a run on the all-weather surface and map out our plans from there,’’ he said. "The all-weather is a completely different kettle of fish to the sand.’’'

He is excited about four other newcomers.

Former Aiden O’Brien inmates Frozen Fire and Golden Sword were among the top major-race contenders in England last season and De Kock said Frozen Fire was likely to be seen in action first.

He has not had time to assess another two newcomers from Brazil, Boss Professor and Jody who are owned by De Kock’s new patron Mohd Jaber Abdullah.

The South African team has settled well into De Kock’s Dubai headquarters and he said: "Wonder Lawn and Our Giant are doing very well - I like what I have seen so far. The filly Zirconeum is an exciting prospect, she will follow the same route as Sun Classique, going for the Cape Verde and Ballanchine into the Dubai Duty Free.

"The young South African horses look terrific and are doing well. Solid Choice, in particular, has been impressive. He has taken to the all-weather track well. Musir and Mr Crazy Boy are also making good progress - as a trio we are looking forward to seeing them on the racetrack.

"The filly Raihana has really blossomed and is another we hope will hold her own.’’

Written By: Nicci Garner