Rave racing reviews for Dubai

Whichever way you look at it, the Emirates World Series Racing Championship cannot help but fascinate. The series, which brings together 12 of the world's most famous middle distance races on a Formula One type circuit, is moving closer towards its goal of establishing the event into a comprehensive international championship. The annual series, won last year by Godolphin's Fantastic Light, received a further boost when the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was included for the first time.

Louis Romanet, the Director-General of France Gallop, and a key player in getting Europe's oldest race included said yesterday: "We wanted the Arc to join the Emirates World Series because we want to promote inter continental racing. "I think it is the goal of every racing organiser to have their best race included in the Series. "The Dubai World Cup's role as a starting point for the Series cannot be stressed more," he said. "Look at what has been achieved in Dubai. More than 70 horses from 17 countries are competing in this race for a record purse of $3.6 million.

"The World Series is all about getting horses from all over the world and with the support of Emirates, who have made all the travelling much easier and affordable, the Series can only get better. It has been their aim to encourage owners, no matter where they are, to participate in Dubai, in the World Series. It is wonderful," added Romanet.

The World Series, won in the inaugural year by Daylami, perhaps is not the perfect championship. Critics had argued during the first year that it could not attempt to become the definitive global racing championship unless it included the Arc. Now that the Arc is the seventh race of the Series, chances are that it will be established beyond doubt as the racing world's global championship.

"Nick Clarke, executive director of the series, has said: "We are delighted to have the Arc in the Series. We have always seen this race as a key element in developing the Series. A genuine international balance has been achieved with racing coming in from across the globe." The Arc is the seventh race and will be held at Longchamp on October 7.

Commenting on Dubai's development as a racing centre of excellence Romanet said: "I came here for the first time in 1994 when Dubai hosted the International Jockey's Challenge. I came back in 1996 and ever year since I have been coming to Dubai to watch this fantastic day of racing. "It's incredible how it's developing. First came the Jockey's Challenge, then the Dubai World Cup started and now there is a full series of races which are growing every year in quality and quantity," he added.

"Last year there was only one stand, now there is this beautiful Millennium Grandstand. The whole city is developing. Everytime I come here more changes have taken place. It's fantastic. "The Maktoum Family together with Les Benton have been doing a wonderful job developing this full card with horses from all over the world. I want to congratulate His Highness and everybody for the excellent vision and work they have done," Romanet added.