Dubai: Jebel Ali Racecourse has the honour of kicking off the 2014-2015 UAE flat racing season this weekend with a quality six-race card supported by familiar brands that have helped promote the venue’s reputation as a family racecourse.
Shadwell resume their role as traditional sponsors of the feature race of the day, a competitive looking 1,000m handicap, which has attracted eight runners led by six-time course winner and unparalleled crowd favourite Kilt Rock.
Trained by former champion Doug Watson, the EERC-owned seven-year-old is set to make his 20th appearance at the track since making his debut in November 2011.
His rivals include Jebel Ali-based Roicead, who handed him a six-and-a-quarter-length defeat in March, with third and fourth-placed Fityaan and Mujaazef also in the fray for the Dh120,000 purse.
Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman at Shadwell Estate, said the company will continue to support Jebel Ali Racecourse and was looking forward to growing the association during the new UAE racing season.
Al Sayegh thanked Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who has long supported Jebel Ali Racecourse through Shadwell, his thoroughbred breeding operation.
“Shaikh Hamdan is delighted to support Jebel Ali Racecourse to ensure that it can continue to develop and expand,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“Ever since racing began at Jebel Ali, Shadwell united with the track to identify new ways to grow racing and to carry forward the momentum that the sport has received from its strong all-round sponsorship.
“Shadwell is committed to developing racing and all activities that support the sport at Jebel Ali Racecourse.
“We look forward to an enjoyable new season and appreciate the support of various sponsors, organisations and companies.”
Friday’s card will also be sponsored by Al Shafar Investment, Al Redha Insurance Brokers, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Al Tal Engineering and Ascana.
Representatives at Tuesday’s press conference included Kamel Rammal (Al Tal Engineering), Badr Swaidan (Commercial Bank of Dubai), Mansour Khalid Habib Al Reda (Al Redha Insurance), Ahmad Hamad Al Suwaidi (ASCANA) and Basem Zakharia (Al Shafar Investment).
Jebel Ali Racecourse Manager Shareef Al Halawani revealed that the venue has secured sponsorship for the entire season, during which it will host 11 race meetings.
“On behalf of [Major General] Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum [Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security], we thank Shaikh Hamdan for his continuous support to Jebel Ali Racecourse.
“We also extend our sincere thanks to all the companies for their commitment.
“We will leave no stone unturned in our attempts to offer the best racing conditions, facilities and administration.
“We also thank the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) for their guidance and reassurance.”
