Dubai: The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) has released the calendar for the 2016-2017 UAE racing season, which holds no significant changes from last year’s schedule. The fixture list was approved by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the ERA.
A total of 62 race meetings will be held across five race tracks in the UAE in what promises to be a highly competitive and exciting five months of racing.
Commenting on the new calendar, Shaikh Mansour said: “We are pleased to release the fixtures for the 2016-17 UAE racing season. The schedule offers trainers and race goers a comprehensive season across our five tracks.
“We offer racing for domestic and international horses in both the Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian ranks and look forward to the start of another successful season of racing in the UAE on Friday (October 28) at Jebel Ali Racecourse.
The action moves to the Sharjah Racecourse a day later while Meydan Racecourse hosts it’s first meeting of the new season on Thursday, November 3.
Abu Dhabi Racecourse begins its season on Sunday November 6, while Al Ain Racecourse hosts its first meeting on Friday November 18.
In a change to the 2015-16 season schedule, the Dubai World Cup Carnival double-header moves from the first weekend in March to Thursday (February 9) and Saturday February 11 with Super Saturday, the official prep for the Dubai World Cup, taking place on March 4.
The UAE racing season will include 10 meetings at Al Ain Racecourse, 15 at Abu Dhabi Racecourse, 11 at Jebel Ali Racecourse, six at Sharjah Racecourse and 20 at Meydan Racecourse.
Each of the five ERA racecourses will stage a signature day of racing with Abu Dhabi Racecourse offering the world’s richest Purebred Arabian contest, The Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown and Al Ain Racecourse the Al Ain Mile for Purebred Arabian horses on dirt.
The Ruler of Sharjah serves as Sharjah Racecourse’s signature event while Jebel Ali stages three Black Type races in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile and the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes and Jebel Ali Sprint.
The UAE’s racing season ends with the Dubai World Cup meeting, held at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday March 25, 2017.
