Abu Dhabi: Jebel Ali Racecourse will host a bumper day of racing this weekend highlighted by a double header — the Jebel Ali Stakes and Jebel Ali Sprint, a pair of Listed races together worth a whopping Dh1 million in prize money.
Both features are sponsored by long-time racecourse patron Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, through his breeding operation, Shadwell.
The Jebel Ali Stakes carries the name of Derrinstown Stud in Ireland, while the Sprint is sponsored by Shadwell, Shaikh Hamdan’s UK base for one of the most highly-regarded bloodstock operations in the world.
Support sponsors on the card include Al Sahel Contracting, Al Shafar Investment, Commercial Bank of Dubai and Beam Group of Companies.
Representatives of the sponsors led by Shadwell’s Salem Al Sabousi, Shaikh Hamdan’s UAE Racing Manager, Beem Group’s Richard K Preethan, Mohammad Bani Hammad from CBD and Al Sahel’s Mohammad Hammad, attended a press conference at the Jebel Ali Racecourse on Tuesday in the build-up to Friday’s races.
The conference was chaired by Shareef Al Halawani, Jebel Ali Racecourse Manager, and Yasir Mabrouk, the Emirates Racing Authority representative.
Sabousi conveyed Shaikh Hamdan’s message to all present at the event saying he was pleased to continue his support of racing at Jebel Ali Racecourse.
“Shaikh Hamdan is always happy to support racing at this lovely racecourse through his breeding operation, Shadwell,” said Al Sabousi, who is currently in his fifth year as Racing Manager to Shaikh Hamdan.
“Shaikh Hamdan has been a long-time patron of flat racing, for both thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians, and takes great pleasure from seeing a racecourse benefit from his patronage.
“Shaikh Hamdan is passionate about the sport and also delights in seeing his horses in action at Jebel Ali and all the other racecourses in the UAE.”
