Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, has pledged to extend his support of racing at Jebel Ali Racecourse.
Shaikh Hamdan will for the first time, sponsor three full race days at the track next season, in addition to supporting the feature race at all meetings.
This was revealed by Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of Shaikh Hamdan’s office, and himself a key patron of racing administration at the popular family racecourse.
“I take this opportunity to represent His Highness Shaikh Hamdan who has directed me to offer his thanks to all the sponsors who have been with us from day one at Jebel Ali Racecourse,” he said.
“He has also asked me to extend his appreciation to the media, television, newspapers — daily, weekly or monthly — who have presented Jebel Ali Racing to the outside world in a professional and beautiful way. This ultimately projects the UAE’s sporting image and sporting integrity to the world.
“Shaikh Hamdan also confirmed he will sponsor three full days of racing next season and one race on every day through his breeding operations Shadwell. Should the opportunity arise to replace any sponsor who does not continue, he is willing to step in and offer support to Jebel Ali Racecourse.”
Al Sayegh pointed out that Jebel Ali Racecourse owes its success to the racing fans and their families who have helped raise the profile of the venue. Over 8,000 fans on average attended each of the 10 meetings this season, with record crowds expected to witness the track’s final race meet of the season on Friday.
“Shaikh Hamdan, in particular, asked me to send his regards to the masses, the crowds, the public who have been a supporter of racing at Jebel Ali from the start. They have been with us from early morning each race meet, standing shoulder to shoulder with the wonderful Jebel Ali Racecourse organising committee headed by Shareef Al Halawani and his team,” he added.
“We now turn our attention to the following Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting, the richest race day in the world, where over two billion people worldwide will be looking at Meydan Racecourse, to see what Dubai has to offer.
“In this regard I would like to raise my appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whose vision and passion has contributed to the racing industry, both locally and international, and is much appreciated by the whole racing community around the world,” Al Sayegh said.
“I would also like to thank Shaikh Majed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his continued support of Jebel Ali Racecourse.
“Regarding Shaikh Hamdan’s passion to support racing around the world, I would like to thank Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs for his contribution.”
Al Sayegh also said that Shaikh Hamdan was looking forward to extending his support to key race meets in Italy, Germany, the UK and Australia during the summer.
“Thank you all and look forward to seeing you again next season in order to start another chapter in the partnership that we have built together over the years,” he concluded.
