Dubai World Cup story turns new chapter on March 26

A new chapter in the history of the Dubai World Cup will be written on Saturday March 26, 2016 when some of the world’s highest-rated horses vie for a share of the $30m purse.

The most anticipated event on Dubai’s social and sporting calendar, the Dubai World Cup has attracted the partnerships of some of the UAE, and the world’s, most distinguished brands.

Meydan’s seven Pillar Partners, Emirates, Longines, DP World, Gulf News, the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, Al Tayer Motors and Meydan Sobha, race sponsors, IPIC and Meydan Hotels and Hospitality as well as international media partner, CNN are key to the event’s success.

Title sponsor, Emirates is one of the raceday’s longest-serving partners, having maintained a relationship with the $10m Group 1 Dubai World Cup since its very beginnings in 1996.

Last year Prince Bishop claimed the race for the home team of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.

This year the pre-race build-up has centered around two USA stars, Godolphin’s Frosted and California Chrome.

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Centre said: “Just like Emirates, the Dubai World Cup continues to grow each year. We both are truly international - be it in terms of destinations we fly to or countries that will have horses competing next Saturday. We look forward to next Saturday to celebrate another historic Dubai World Cup.”

Official Timekeeper Longines is another brand that has enjoyed a long association with the Dubai World Cup. The global luxury watch brand presents the Group 1 $6m Dubai Sheema Classic, one of the world’s most prestigious turf races, won in 2015 by Dolniya.

Walter Von Känel, President of Longines: “We are proud to be the Official Timekeeper of all events organised by the Meydan Group and to share with them our passion for equestrian sports as well as our core values: Elegance, Performance and Tradition. Longines is looking forward to timing the impressive performances of the world’s best horses during the Dubai World Cup and to be the partner of a highlight of the day, the Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines.”

DP World, is celebrating its second Dubai World Cup day as a Meydan Pillar Partner, having come on board for the Group 1 $6m Dubai Turf in 2015.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said: “The patronage and personal engagement in the sport by our royalty, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has firmly placed the Dubai World Cup at the top of the international horse racing calendar.

"As the richest racing event, the Dubai World Cup attracts the greatest international horses, the best horsemen and elite horse owners from around the globe. This top-level international interest and participation provides our customers an opportunity to meet with dignitaries and business leaders who make a difference. It’s an occasion for DP World, as sponsors of the US$6m Group I Dubai Turf race, to showcase its exceptional rise as an enabler of global trade during this celebration of excellence.”

Gulf News has been the sponsor of the $2m dirt sprint, the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen since 1996. Local hero, Reynaldothewizard, trained by Satish Seemar bids to capture a second successive victory in the race.

The second sprint on Dubai World Cup day is the $1m Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Meydan Hotels and Hospitality and 2015 winner, Sole Power will attempt to defend his crown on Saturday.

Mohamed Aghoury – Cluster General Manager, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa and The Meydan Hotel said: “Meydan Hotels and Hospitality is pleased to sponsor the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at the 2016 Dubai World Cup. With prize money of $1 million this 1000m turf dash is one of the world’s premier sprint contests and we look forward to seeing whether Sole Power can defend his title on Saturday.”

The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group sponsors the $2m Group 2 UAE Derby, an important race for Classic-aged colts and fillies and won in 2015 by Mubtaahij who went on to contest the 2015 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in the USA. This year the unbeaten filly, Polar River will take her chance against the colts for trainer, Doug Watson.

Abdullah Mohammed Juma Al Naboodah, Chairman of the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group said: “The Dubai World Cup 2016 is nearly here.  It doesn’t seem long ago since the raceday in 2015, and we are again very much looking forward to probably the most prestigious day in the Dubai calendar."

The Group 2 $1m Dubai Gold Cup is held on Meydan’s turf track and is now in its fifth year of sponsorship by Al Tayer Motors. Brown Panther, who was owned by former England footballer, Michael Owen claimed the race in 2015.

This year the stayers’ contest boasts an open field and includes the Alain De Royer Dupre-trained Vazirabad, Andre Fabre’s Manatee and Japanese contender, Neo Black Dia.

Al Tayer Motors, one of the UAE’s premier automobile dealerships, has been associated with equestrian sports for many years. It sponsors two race evenings every season, which are part of Racing at Meydan and Dubai World Cup Carnival, in addition to the Gamilati Endurance Cup for Mares.

The dealership is sponsoring the Dubai Gold Cup on the main race day for the fifth consecutive year.

Development company Meydan Soba sponsors the $1m Godolphin Mile.

Ajay Rajendran, Vice Chairman at Sobha Group said: “We are truly honored to be a part of a globally recognised and momentous day in the sport of horse racing, the Dubai World Cup, as it marks its 21st renewal this year. The sponsorship positions Meydan Sobha as a supporter of the rich UAE horsing racing heritage and we are delighted to join the impressive list of Pillar Partners.”

The Group 1 $1m Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians carries a prize purse of $1m and is powered by IPIC.

The race was claimed in 2015 by the Erwan Charpy-trained and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum-owned Manark.

Sheikh Hamdan holds a strong hand in the 2016 renewal after the runaway victory of Handassa, trained by Frenchman, Francois Rohaut in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Super Saturday.

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), said: “We are proud to sponsor the Dubai Kahayla Classic race for another year. The Dubai World Cup confirms our support at IPIC as a partner to Meydan and it enhances our position as an international business leader that is also linked to the UAE’s heritage and history.”

For the second year in a row the Dubai World Cup has teamed up with International Media Partner, CNN.

Rani R. Raad, President, CNN International, said: “We have a long-standing commitment to Dubai, and indeed the region as a whole – most recently through the launch of new studios in Dubai Media City.”

Saeed H Al Tayer, Meydan Group chairman said: “The involvement of so many distinguished brands in our showpiece race day is a testament to the support and passion that exists for horse racing in the UAE. The Dubai World Cup is one of the most important race meetings in the world and serves a dual purpose of marketing our wonderful and innovative city to both visitors and to the millions who watch this event on television as well as bringing together the world’s best racehorses in the spirit of competition."

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