ARABIAN RACING'S SHOWCASE EVENT

Arabian racing takes centre stage at Newbury on Sunday, 20 July with the return of the immensely popular Dubai International Arabian Race Day, a unique sporting event which drew a record crowd of more than 16,000 last year.

 

 

Now in its 26th year, it is Arabian racing's most important day of the year in Europe with a programme of events which features no fewer than three Group 1 races and a prize money offer topping £96,000.

It is also the sport's biggest ever give away with complimentary admission, car parking, thousands of free gifts and a host of valuable prizes to be won in a series of competitions and free draws.

The seven-race programme is again highlighted by the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes, a ten furlongs contest for four-year-olds and upwards and the richest races of the day with prize money of £30,000.

Joining the Shadwell Stud in its support of the meeting are Emirates Airline, Emirates National Bank of Dubai, Dubai Properties, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, the Jebel Ali Racing Club and the Emirates Breeders Association.

Promoted by the Dubai International Arabian Race Day Committee since 2003, the meeting enjoys the support of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has the distinction of being one of the world's leading owners and breeders of Arabian horses.

The Sheikh's generous patronage has helped deliver the sport to a much wider audience during the past 26 years, and has been fundamental in its Global growth and development. 

Promotional activities will feature highly on the list of the day’s many attractions and entertainments, and one racegoer is guaranteed to drive away with a brand new stylish Fiat 500. The latest must-have hatchback will be given away in the free-to-enter Mega Draw.

Other fabulous prizes on offer include two luxury holidays in Dubai with accommodation at the Jumeirah Beach hotel and the new Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residence, together with return flights provided by the multi-award winning Emirates Airline.

Both companies have also combined in support of a regional radio campaign to launch on Thursday, 14 July. Top DJ ‘Foxy’ will offer breakfast show listeners the chance to experience world-class hospitality at the breathtaking Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa.

With a huge crowd expected, there are sure to be plenty of runners in the ever popular 'best dressed lady' competition. The winner will receive an exquisite and valuable jewellery set designed in the UAE, and there will also be prizes for the two runners-up.

Children have the opportunity to win a top of the range games console and runners-up prizes for the most imaginative hat creation. Entries should either reflect the excitement of a day at the races or the splendour of Dubai, or both!

Further prizes including Nokia mobile phones, and £500 in cash given by racehorse ownership company, The Monarch Group will be drawn throughout the afternoon.

The Beaufort Embryo Transfer Centre has introduced an innovation this year which reflects the increasing recognition of the Arabian horse’s contribution to top class sport. The specialist equine embryo transfer operation, based in the Cotswolds, will offer a free embryo transfer to the best performing British-bred mare in the Emirates NBD Hatta International Stakes. 

Georgina Tomkins, Director of Racing at the Arabian Racing Organisation said, “We are delighted with the way year’s event is shaping up. The entries suggest that we can expect to see some of the most competitive Arabian racing anywhere in Europe, and the commercial support we have received has been outstanding.

“We are really looking forward to day that will showcase our sport and provide entertainment for the whole family.”

Aside from top quality racing, the event will also feature its largest ever exhibition dedicated to the promotion of tourism, commerce and culture in Dubai.

Many of the most influential companies in the UAE will have a presence at the exhibition, which will be held in a specially constructed marquee located behind the main grandstand.

The racing action on what promises to be a really exciting occasion, gets under way at 2.35 p.m. with the running of the Emirates Airline Premier Handicap Stakes and concludes at 5.40 p.m.

07.07.08