Meydan lauds partners of world's richest race

Since the first running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996, a distinguished group of businesses have worked to lend their invaluable support in partnering to bring the excitement and spectacle of this international event to the racing world and the world at large.

This year the Dubai World Cup will celebrate its 17th running and will offer another first in its prestigious history as the programme has grown to include nine spectacular races and prizemoney of a world record $27.25 million.

A tradition of greatness that features the finest international horses in racing is presented through the commitment and vision of a group of sponsors that share the quest for excellence that the Dubai World Cup racing programme represents.

Meydan Chairman of the Board and CEO Saeed Humaid Al Tayer said: “Each year we are honored to team with leading business partners to present an event that truly showcases the biggest and brightest stars of the racing world. This is truly an international test and Dubai serves as a crossroads in bringing these horses and their connections to test their greatness. This would not be possible without the dedication and vision of our partners. Their immense support allows us to bring the Dubai World Cup experience to tens of thousands of race fans at Meydan, and countless millions more around the globe that view the spectacle on television. Teamwork is vital for the success of this event and the dedicated team of partners we share will once again lend support to bring the greatness of the Dubai World Cup experience to the world.

“I welcome and thank all of our sponsors for helping to create and promote this the 17th running of the Dubai World Cup. This group includes: Emirates Airline, sponsors of the Dubai World Cup since its inception in 1996, Longines, serving in their first year of sponsorship for the Dubai Sheema Classic, and also the official timekeeper of the Dubai World Cup; Dubai Duty Free for their support of the what has become one of the world’s richest turf events, the Dubai Duty Free; Gulf News, the esteemed partners of the Dubai Golden Shaheen, a test for the fastest sprint distance horses in the world and for the first time part of the Global Sprint Challenge; The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, our proud sponsors of the test for 3-year-olds in the UAE Derby; Emirates NBD our highly committed partners of the Al Quoz Sprint, Al Tayer Motors, serving in their first year of sponsorship for the newly added event, the Dubai Gold Cup;  Etisalat a truly valued partner of the  Godolphin Mile and Emaar for bringing the spirit of the Arabian horse to this event with the sponsorship of the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians."

Ahmed Khoory, Emirates Airline, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, GCC, Middle East & Iran said:  “Emirates has a long standing partnership with the Dubai Racing Club and has been the Title Sponsor of the Dubai World Cup since the first running of the race back in 1996 when it was won by the great Cigar. Both the event and the airline have grown together and continue to work hard to promote Dubai as a leading sporting, business and tourism destination. Emirates is also committed to the sport of horse racing on a global level, through events such as the Emirates Melbourne Cup, the Emirates Singapore Derby and the His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Series.”

Walter von Kanel, President, Longines said: “Longines shares the passion of equestrian sport as it transmits elegance, tradition and performance. These are the values which form the very foundation of Longines’ watchmaking tradition, 180 years ago. Based on our great history in sports timekeeping and our expertise of supporting equestrian sports, we are delighted to be the official timekeeper of the Dubai World Cup as well as the race sponsor of the Sheema Classic. In our prestigious racing calendar, it was obvious that the Dubai World Cup, the richest race in the world could not miss.”

Dubai Duty Free, Executive Vice Chairman, Colm McLoughlin said: “Horseracing plays an important part in Dubai Duty Free’s sponsorship portfolio and as one of the founding sponsors of Dubai World Cup, we are proud to now be a Pillar partner with Meydan. Of course the racing highlight of the Racing Carnival is the Dubai World Cup itself and we are looking forward to being part of this wonderful racing spectacle that firmly puts the spotlight on Dubai as a leading racing, sports and leisure destination. The Group 1 $5 million Dubai Duty Free race always attracts a fantastic field of runners and it looks like this year will be no exception.”

Gulf News, Executive Director Marketing & Sales, Duleep George said: “Gulf News has been associated with the Dubai World Cup since its inception in 1996 as race sponsor and the Official Newspaper and Publisher of the official magazine.  And this year we have further enhanced our relationship by taking on the mantle of a Pillar Partner of Meydan. We are proud to be an integral part of the 17th running of the Dubai World Cup at the spectacular Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse.”

Emirates NBD, Group CEO, Rick Pudner, said: “Horses and horse racing are a UAE national institution, and one that we share a passion for at Emirates NBD.”

The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, Chairman, Abdullah Mohammed Juma Al Naboodah said: "The recent racing events run at Meydan this January and February in which we have been involved have been a great success.  We are now very much looking forward to the actual Dubai World Cup Day and in particular our race, The UAE Derby.  The event always generates much excitement and gives us a wonderful platform to profile our Group."

Al Tayer Motors, Chief Executive Officer, Ashok Khanna said: “The Dubai World Cup is one of the world’s leading equestrian events and among the highlights of the city’s sporting and social calendar. We are pleased to be associated with this event, which will provide great visibility for Al Tayer Motors and position us with the one of the best experiences that Dubai has to offer.”

Etisalat, Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Ali Alahmed, said: “Etisalat has actively supported Dubai Racing Club initiatives as the Title Sponsor of the ‘Godolphin Mile’ race. We are excited to continue our partnership with the event for the sixth year in a row. Etisalat is the country’s largest telecom operator and as part of our corporate social commitment, we strongly believe that our success in technology has to benefit the community. Our strategic partnership is aimed towards encouraging world-class sporting events and in particular, those which are strongly attached to the nation’s heritage. Associating with a world-renowned horse racing event such as the Dubai World Cup also helps extend Etisalat's reach and reputation on a global level.”

Emaar Properties, Managing Director, Ahmad Al Matrooshi, said: “One of the most eagerly awaited events in Dubai’s social and sports calendar, the Dubai World Cup puts the global spotlight on the city, and energises its tourism and hospitality sector. Emaar Properties supports world-class events that underline the premier position of Dubai as a lifestyle and business destination. Our support to the Dubai World Cup, which celebrates the Arab world’s rich equestrian heritage, also complements the equestrian focused developments that Emaar has pioneered in the city.”
 

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