Dubai: Shadwell continues to support Jebel Ali Racecourse by lending its name to two of the six races scheduled for Friday’s eighth meeting of the season, where the highlight is a six furlong handicap.
Nine sprinters will face the starter to lay down their credentials for the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint, the third and final major race of the season at the hilly track, which is scheduled for March 7.
The field is headed by Mujaazef, a prolific performer at Jebel Ali, where he has notched six wins over three seasons, resident runner Sholaan, who was third in the Sprint last season, and Fityaan, runner-up to Russian Rock two years ago.
Mirza Al Sayegh, adviser to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, said Shadwell — the breeding arm of Shaikh Hamdan’s racing empire — remains fully commited to sponsoring racing at Jebel Ali.
“Shaikh Hamdan continues to underline his full support to Jebel Ali Racecourse. He sees it as a great responsibility and one that he also enjoys,” Al Sayegh told a gathering of racing officials at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Tuesday.
“Shaikh Hamdan believes that supporting horse racing at the venue is very positive for Shadwell and hopes that the sport will emerge stronger from this partnership.
“In terms of an overall commitment, Shaikh Hamdan says he is willing to support horse racing at Jebel Ali, which together with the support of its other sponsors and partners, will help it grow stronger. This is the clearest message about his priorities to give horse racing the push that it requires to take up the challenges and emerge bigger and better.”
Shareef Al Halawani, manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse, thanked Shaikh Hamdan and all other sponsors, including the Emirates Horse Breeders Society, Ascana, Frayland and STS, for their backing.
“On behalf of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security, and Chairman of Jebel Ali Racecourse, I want to impress his keenness to ensure that Jebel Ali Racecourse offers the best racing and off-course entertainment to its patrons,” he said.
“Shaikh Ahmad is continually impressing upon us to raise the standard of facilities and entertainment at our racecourse, keeping in mind the fans and their families.”
M.L. Augustine, managing director of School Transport Services LLC, who sponsor the concluding race on the card, said he hopes that young people will benefit from sports likes horse racing.
“It is a great honour for us to be associated with a popular and successful event like Jebel Ali racing,” he said. “Horse racing is part and parcel of our activities in the UAE and the qualities associated with the sport are inspiring. We hope that this association with Jebel Ali will help us to take the message to the students who use our services.”
