Dubai: Under the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Racing Club has announced a new structure for the upcoming 2023-2024 racing season, presenting an exciting transformation known as the Dubai Racing Carnival.
With a strong focus on Dubai’s rapid development and innovation, the Dubai Racing Carnival marks a significant milestone in the Emirate’s international racing history. The season has been revamped and rebranded to create a thrilling racing extravaganza, promising highly competitive fields and a substantial increase in prize money.
The decision to restructure the Dubai Racing Carnival reflects the remarkable improvement in the quality of local horses, as well as the exceptional world-class facilities available in Dubai, which provides an ideal base for international runners looking to participate in the flourishing racing scene of the region.
The benefits of training and racing in the Dubai sun are exemplified by the success of Mawj, a filly trained by Mr. Saeed bin Suroor. After securing two victories at Meydan Racecourse, Mawj returned to the UK and triumphed in the prestigious Group 1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. The extended duration of the Dubai Racing Carnival, spanning the entire season at Meydan from November to March, offers international trainers, jockeys, and horses a unique opportunity to compete in Dubai for an extended period compared to previous seasons.
In an impressive move, the total prize money for the Dubai Racing Carnival 2023-2024 has been increased by $2,9 million, representing a substantial 27 percent rise from the previous season. The season will feature three highly anticipated and lucrative race nights, commencing in December 2022 with a purse of $1.2 million, followed by a substantial $2.7 million, in January 2023, and culminating in the grand Super Saturday event in March 2023, also offering a purse of $2.7 million. The combined purses for these three meetings will reach an impressive $6.6 million. Furthermore, the minimum prize money for non-stakes races has been set at $44,550, reinstating the pre-pandemic levels.
The pinnacle of the Dubai racing calendar, the Dubai World Cup night, will continue to captivate racing enthusiasts, maintaining its substantial prize pool of $30.5 million.
The Dubai Racing Carnival comprises a total of 14 meetings, excluding Dubai World Cup day, with each gathering featuring between seven to nine thrilling races. Racing will predominantly take place on Fridays, except for the eagerly anticipated Super Saturday and the Dubai World Cup, which are scheduled for Saturdays.
Dubai Racing Club has plans to announce further details regarding the racing calendar and purse structure in the near future, building anticipation and excitement for the upcoming Dubai Racing Carnival. The transformation of the season promises to deliver an exhilarating and unforgettable racing experience for participants and spectators alike.