Dubai:
Meydan Group will pay a third visit to Chengdu in China on Saturday when the Chengdu Dubai International Cup returns to the Jinma Lake Racecourse.
The event, which was staged for the first time in 2014 consists of five turf races and is highlighted by the featured RMB1.5m (Dh850,000) Chengdu Dubai International Cup presented by Longines and run over 2218m. Computer giant, Dell has also come on board as an event sponsor.
Also on the card is the Wenjiang Meydan Classic over 1600m, The Meydan Handicap over 2418m, the Guangsha Mile and the 1400m Wenjiang Sprint. The total prize purse for the event is RMB3.75m (Dh2.22 million; $604,536).
The race meeting is organised through a partnership between Meydan Group, the Chengdu Municipal Government, the Chengdu Sports Bureau, the Wenjiang District Government and China Guangsha Group.
The Chengdu Dubai International Cup was won in 2014 by the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Mutual Force ridden by Royston Ffrench and in 2015 by recent Dubai World Cup runner, Special Fighter from the yard of trainer, Musabah Al Muhairi. Special Fighter was ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, the 2014 Dubai World Cup-winning jockey.
Walter von Känel, President of Longines, said: “In recent years there has been tremendous new growth in China’s equestrian scene and it is an exciting time for modern equestrian sports in this country. One prime example is the Chengdu Dubai International Cup, the first event organised in mainland China with international horses, and we look forward to being the Official Partner and Timekeeper of this prestigious race day for third year running.”
Lou Ming, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Guangsha Group said: “We are proud to once again be teamed with the District of Wenjiang and the Emirate of Dubai as we present the third running of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup. This event is more than a race day, the Chengdu Dubai International Cup showcases the cooperation between China and the UAE. We at Guangsha salute this teamwork and look forward to continued success for all our endeavours.”
A spokesperson for the Wenjiang District Government said: “China’s long and storied history is closely tied to the horse and we are pleased that this passion for the horse continues to this day. We became a part of history in 2014 as the partnership with the UAE brought international racing to the District of Wenjiang with the first Chengdu Dubai International Cup. Now we prepare for the third running of this raceday as we develop the sport of horse racing in China. We are proud of this event and our bond that has grown between the District of Wenjiang, the Emirate of Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates.”
Meydan Group Board Member, Mohammad Al Shehhi said: “It is with great pleasure that we return to China for the renewal of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup. We welcome the continued presence of Longines, a long-term and much-valued Meydan Pillar Partner.
“Now in its third renewal, the Chengdu Dubai International Cup allows us the opportunity to further strengthen ties with our partners in China. Through this race day we are able to share our passion for the sport of racing with the people of Chengdu.”
Chengdu is situated in the South West of China and is the capital of Sichuan Province. It is a city of historical and cultural significance and acts as a centre for politics, culture, science, education, commerce, finance and international trade. An accessible transportation and communications hub, Chengdu also possesses the largest airport in the region. It is one of the largest cities on mainland China.
