Dubai: The Dubai Racing Carnival is set to open on November 7 at Meydan Racecourse, marking the beginning of the 2025/2026 season with an exciting card featuring over 70 horses.
The opening night will see 73 contenders across seven races with a total prize pool of AED 1.33 million ($362,000), bringing together top local and international trainers and jockeys.
The new season, spanning from November 2025 to March 2026, includes 17 race evenings, culminating in the prestigious 30th edition of the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2026. The event remains one of the UAE’s most anticipated sporting highlights, combining world-class competition with global participation.
Among the standout entries, Dark Saffron, a star performer from Dubai World Cup day in April, will look to continue his success in the Emirates Airline Conditions race, run over 1,200 meters.
Trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash, the three-year-old colt previously defeated older Group 1 winners, including Tuz, Straight No Chaser, and Nakatomi, in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
The feature race of the evening, a 1,600-metre handicap sponsored by Emirates, has drawn a field of 13, headlined by dual Meydan winner Smart System from trainer Ali Al Badwawi’s stable.
The final race, the Emirates Skywards Handicap over the same distance, features Dark Stream from Denmark-based trainer Veronika Jandova, alongside Brazilian-bred Norato, ridden by UAE Champion Jockey Silvestre de Sousa.
The card also features the Emirates Courier Express two-year-old maiden race, where emerging talents such as Benghazi Star and Six Speed will aim to make a strong impression, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling season ahead.
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