Sport | Horse Racing
Al Quoz sprint added to glittering Dubai World Cup card
Al Quoz Sprint, a 1,200-metre contest for turf specialists, will be the latest attraction
- by M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 December 25, 2009
Dubai : Some of the world's best race horses will head to Dubai to compete in the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint on March 27, an exciting 1,200-metre contest that has been added to the 2010 Dubai World Cup programme.
The decision to include a sprint for turf specialists is certain to receive an enthusiastic reaction from the top owners and trainers in the world. It also represents another validation of the event's expansion plans with the opening of the iconic Meydan racecourse on January 29.
The card currently features the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sprint which is run on dirt and has traditionally been one of the highlights of the Dubai World Cup meeting.
The $200,000 Al Quoz Sprint, which was won last year by Saudi Arabia's J J The Jet Plane, will now be worth $1 million in prize money taking the overall prize money on offer at the Dubai World Cup meeting to $26,25 million.
Left-handed track
The Meydan racecourse features a left-handed 2,400-metre turf track built outside of a 1,750-metre all weather Tapeta surface. A feature of the new turf track is the 1,200-metre straight course which makes it ideal for a straight grass sprint which will increase opportunities for the best horses from around the world to compete and win on.
Commenting on the new race, Saeed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Meydan, said: "The Dubai World Cup is a highly-regarded fixture on the international racing circuit, and the new Meydan Racecourse is set to further enhance its global standing and appeal.
"This year's Dubai World Cup will not only be a milestone for the sport in the UAE as Meydan begins to fulfil its core mission to be the thoroughbred destination of the world."
Malih Lahij Al Basti, Meydan board member, added: "With the rich history of the Dubai Golden Shaheen attracting the best from the US, we will now attract the best turf sprinters in the world with the addition of Al Quoz Sprint."
2010 agenda
Now, an eighth wonder
Dubai World Cup (Group 1), $10,000,000, 2,000-metre, All Weather
Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1), $5,000,000, 2,400-m, Turf
Dubai Duty Free (Group 1), $5,000,000, 1,800-m, Turf
Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1) $2,000,000, 1,200-m, All Weather
UAE Derby (Group 2), $2,000,000, 1,900-m, All Weather
Godolphin Mile (Group 2), $1,000,000, 1,600-m, All Weather
Al Quoz Sprint (Group 3), $1,000,000, 1,200-m, Turf
Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1), Purebred Arabians, $250,000, 2000-m, All Weather
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