Dressed to impress

Sports and fashion are intermingling with ease this afternoon as the expansive Meydan Racecourse opened its doors to host the Dubai World Cup for the first time. The World Cup is as much about style – and showing it off – as it is about horses. After what must have been a busy morning of primping and preparation, Dubai’s well-heeled set are trotting in with their best dresses, suits – and of course, their finest hats.

As Isabel Boersing from Germany puts it, the Dubai World Cup presents an equal opportunity for both men and women to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

“For women, the biggest challenge is to dress elegantly and look as graceful as a horse. While for men, the horse racing is the exciting bit. You can feel the excitement in the air,” says Boersing. While men were armed with binoculars, the women were the first to grab the fans that were being distributed.

The venue – the Meydan Racecourse – was another talking point. Visibly enchanted with the new venue, Debbie Samoodi, a self-titled Dubai World Cup regular, is quick praise the venue.

“This time around we did not have to stand in the queue for long. It’s better organised than the last time. Also, we can stay indoors in the air-conditioning before venturing outdoors. It’s not just the lawns,” says Samoodi.

The Dubai Racing Club certainly is impressive, akin to entering a plush mall lined with innumerable seats.

And all eyes were not just on the tracks or the style. Many are looking forward to the concerts by Elton John and Santana. “This year, the World Cup is more promising. It has sports and music,” says music fan Shawn Lester.