This is a tremendously exciting time for racing enthusiasts in the country with the launch of the new racing season at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Saturday.
Even as we usher in a promising domestic calendar of meetings, where Meydan Racecoure, the UAE’s flagship venue, world attention is riveted on the Breeders’ Cup in California this weekend and the Melbourne Cup Carnival the coming Tuesday.
The UAE is a great place to live, work, enjoy sport and some of the best musical entertainment in the world with artists of the calibre of Elton John and Jennifer Lopez set to wow their following in the weeks to come.
But, for the time being, the world racing spotlight has been transfixed on the picturesque Del Mar Racecourse, a venue often referred to as a place where the ‘turf meets the surf,’ Southern California style.
It is in this most picture perfect of settings that dreams become a reality for some of the best horses, jockeys and trainers in the world.
The unique flavour of the Breeders’ Cup, thoroughbred racing’s year-end championships, and the Melbourne Cup, demonstrate the high status that the sport enjoys as the events attract enthusiasts from across the world.
Events like these have helped create a lasting legacy, not just for Del Mar or Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, but also for the growth and progress that the sport continues to enjoy.
These events help set the benchmark and inspire others to achieve.
The thoroughbred racing fraternity is massive but there are continuous efforts being made to encourage more people both to participate and watch flat racing but also to inspire the next generation of jockeys, trainers and owners.
This is something that Darley Flying Start, a full-time international management and leadership training programme for the thoroughbred industry, and the groundbreaking Masar Godolphin programme are dedicated towards.
Over the years, I have been fortunate, and privileged, to meet or get to know some of the graduates from Darley Flying Start.
More recently I caught up with graduates from Masar Godolphin, the programme devised for Emiratis. Almost all of them said that they were life-changing experiences and a fantastic opportunity for a youngster with an interest in the thoroughbred horse to gain an entry into the sport which will one day put them in the public eye and expose them to a global audience.
But for the moment, sit back and enjoy the best racing that the world has to offer over the next five months.
