The
Dubai World Cup is a thoroughbred horse
race event held annually since 1996 at
the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, s10 minutes
away from the city centre of Dubai, United
Arab Emirates. The race was the creation
of Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, emir
of Dubai, who owns Darley Stud, one of
the world's leading thoroughbred breeding
and racing operations. It is the world's
richest horse race, with a purse of USD
6 million since 2004.
The
late His Highness Sheikh Zayed was registered
as owning the largest stock of Arabian
horses in the world. He had established
the first Emiri stable in 1969 with 12
horses. Today, his sons have taken it
to full membership of the World Arabian
Horses Organization. The Maktoum family
of Dubai with their 1000 horses in training
around the world have stormed the international
racing scene.
The
Dubai horse racing track at Nad Al Sheba
has both a dirt track and a turf track.
The dirt track has three chutes, a 2,000
metre (1 1/4 mile), a 1,600 metre (1 mile)
and a 1,200 metre (3/4 mile) chute. The
2,000 metre chute will be used in the
Dubai World Cup. The track is well maintained
and has the latest equipment fitted to
guard against the possibility of rain.
The turf track is 2,200 metre (1 3/8 mile)
laid with United States grass. During
the winter, rye is planted to add cushion
and colour.
There is a designated car park for coaches
and plenty of parking for visitors. A
taxi service will also be operational.
The
Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Sheema Classic,
Dubai Golden Shaheen and Godolphin Mile
complete a night of history. This is also
a rare opportunity for ladies to wear
hats to the occasion.
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