Today, Meydan Racecourse hosts the first major 'Festive Friday' evening of its current season, as part of the Dubai Carnival, organized by the Dubai Racing Club. The event features nine races on both turf and dirt tracks, with 94 of the best local and international horses competing for a total prize money of AED 4.57 million, sponsored by Emaar.
Among the key races of the evening is the first leg of the 'Al Maktom Challenge' championship, dedicated to Purebred Arabian horses, over a distance of 1600 meters for Group 1, with prize money of AED 500,000. Additionally, the 'Al Maktom Mile' race for Thoroughbred horses of Group 2 will be held in the seventh race, with a prize fund of AED 1 million. This race is one of the most important on the calendar and serves as an early indicator for potential contenders for the 'Godolphin Mile' title at the 'Dubai World Cup' in March.
In the seventh race, 13 of the best milers will compete, led by the defending champion of last year, the horse 'Mushatreek' under the banner of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktum and trained by Michael Costa. Last month, he kicked off his season by finishing second in the 'Dubai Creek Mile' over the same distance. Also entering the title race is the highest-rated horse, 'Imperial Emperor', owned by 'Deva Racing' and trained by Bob Simaar. In March, he was crowned champion of the 'Al Maktom Classic', and in January, he won the 'Al Maktom Challenge' for Group 1 over 1900 meters on dirt.
Trainer Bob Simaar is putting forward the horse 'Mandelson Bay' for the seventh race. Last month, he demonstrated his readiness by winning the 'Dubai Creek Mile' from 'Mushatreek' by a margin of 6.03 lengths.
The 'Rashidiya' Race
The strong races continue with the start of the 'Rashidiya' race for Class 2, with prize money of AED 850,000. It will be held in the sixth race over 1800 meters on turf. For this race, the Godolphin team and trainer Charlie Appleby will field three of their top horses under the 'Blue Banner', led by 'First Conquest', who won the 'Dubai Millennium Stakes' for Group 3 in January. Appleby will also field the horse 'Nations Pride', who was crowned champion of the 'Sandgbill Stakes' for Group 2 in March.
'Dubai Dash Improvisation' Championship
The British horse 'West Ecker', trained by George Scott and winner of the 'Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint' in March, returns to Meydan to compete for the title in the 'Dubai Dash Improvisation' championship. The race will be held in the fourth race over 1000 meters on turf and is one of three Listed-class races of the evening, each with a prize fund of AED 500,000.
'West Ecker' will face 10 other top-speed horses, with the standout being the Godolphin representative 'Dubai Treasure' under the guidance of national trainer Saeed bin Surour. In October last year, she concluded her British season by winning a Listed race at Newmarket, beating her closest competitor by three lengths.
