In 2010, Dubai staged their seventh International Racing Carnival which was Meydans first; a brand new state of the art racecourse featuring a 1750m all weather surface and 2400m turf course with a grandstand capable of holding 60,000 spectators.
The unique development also incorporated the world’s first five-star trackside hotel named The Meydan, including Grandstand suites, the Meydan Museum and Gallery and the Meydan Marina. Amazingly, the Grandstand spans 1.5kilometres propelling the United Arab Emirates to new levels on the global scene.
The Dubai International Spring Carnival kicks off on January 13, culminating into the Group 1 USD$10,000,000 Dubai World Cup run on March 26th.
2011 will be the second year hosted at Meydan which promises to be the best yet with a huge International flavour expected to join the carnival and the promotion of several races to higher group status.
Horses to follow over this year’s carnival:
Strawberrydaiquiri:
Highly performed UK filly who joins Bahrain trainer Fawzi Nass for a sole Dubai stint who surprisingly is yet to train a winner.
Twice Over
Halicarnassus:
Strong performance on the opening night of the carnival finishing a close second to Rock N Roll Ransom.
Redwood
Greyfriarschorista
Wajir
Mendip:
Effortless winner at a short quote in round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge, the feature race on the opening night of the 2011 Dubai Carnival.
Bold SIlvano:
One of many Mike de Kock runners who won South Africa’s greatest race, the Durban July.
Irish Flame:
Voted South African horse of the year after the colt was a runaway victor in the South African Derby.
Mahbooba:
Champion 2yo filly
Written by Xavier Blair