Dubai: The Dh10-billion historic Meydan grandstand and racecourse — home to the world's richest horse race — is set to open on Thursday night with the first race meeting of the Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Speaking to Gulf News, Saeed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Meydan, said: "The facilities have been ready for sometime. We have done the trials and are happy with them. The future of racing will be cemented with the introduction of Meydan. This project is a landmark not just for racing but for the country and Dubai."
Positive assessment
Today's meeting will culminate in the staging of the Dubai World Cup on March 27, with prize money of $10 million (Dh36.7 million) on offer for the feature race. By March, all components related to the project, which include the Grand Stand and the Meydan hotel, should be completed.
"Within the next few weeks you will see how this project is moving," said Al Tayer, assuring that the blueprint for a return on investment was firmly in place. "We have hired specialists who have viewed this enterprise both as a model and as a clinic. The assessments that they have come up with are positive."
The Meydan grandstand is the world's largest at 1.6 kilometres, or the equivalent of 22 Boeing 747s.
