Dubai, Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is set to host some of the UAE's racing, fashion and business leaders on September 21 at an event marking the 150th year of the Emirates Melbourne Cup, Australia's major annual thoroughbred race.
The exclusive dinner event will feature two champion jockeys who are well known among the UAE's racing fraternity, Michael ‘Mick' Kinane and Glen Boss.
The 18-carat gold Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy, valued at over Dh500,000, will be featured at an exclusive dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
The Cup went on an extensive 220-day global tour of more than 42 destinations across Australia and around the world to commemorate the race's 150-year milestone,
While horses trained in the UAE have competed in the Emirates Melbourne Cup since 1998, the trophy is one of the few elusive major horseracing titles never yet claimed by a UAE-based horse or stable.
UAE-owned horses have previously made three second-place showings.
"Since its beginnings in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has remained a constant in an ever-changing world," said Sue Lloyd-Williams, Deputy Chief Executive, VRC.
Revered event
"Through tears and triumphs, the Melbourne Cup has cemented its position as a revered sporting, social and cultural event, that continues to play a significant role in defining Australia's national identity, and the essence of ‘being Australian'.
"Our partnership with Emirates airline as well as the robust horseracing tradition in the UAE and wider Middle East continues to increase the profile of the race in the Emirates and around the region," said Lloyd-Williams.
