Jebel Ali racecourse renews partnership with leading universities

Jebel Ali racecourse has renewed its old partnership with three leading universities to support the sport of the kings as the popular venue hosts Bur Dubai Meet which has attracted 63 horses to battle it out up the hill in the all-thoroughbred six-race card at the outskirts of the city on Friday afternoon.

Sharief Al Halawani, director of the Jebel Ali Racecourse, thanked the partners of the hilly track and all the parties involved in the races. “I would like to convey the greetings of Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and promise all racegoers and their family to spend some lovely moments at the Yellow track,” he said.

Prof. Abdullah Mohammed Al Shamsi, vice-chancellor of ‘The British University in Dubai’ reiterated the determination to back horse races as they have played a big part in the country’s history, heritage and culture.

“We are delighted to return Jebel Ali to sponsor the fifth race on Friday as part of the commitment of ‘The British University in Dubai’ towards the community,” he said during the pre-race news conference at the Majlis Ballroom at the racecourse. “The students have so much passion for the sport and they will be glad to come racing in order to enjoy the thrill of the races and communicate with the other slices and members of the community on a family day-out,” he said.

Prof. Riyad Al Mehaidib said riding is part of the sports activities at the Zayed University and they have a team of girl students who are exercising regularly at the Royal Track in Al Khawaneej. “We are not concerned with academies alone though they are our major business, but the students have time to practice sports and other social functions which I believe are integral to their main focus.

“His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with the girls and listened to them as they spoke about their hobby,” he added.

Meanwhile, Charles Diab, speaking on behalf of the Abu Dhabi University, said: “We are pleased to be involved in this hugely popular sport and I would like to thank Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, and Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the patron of the venue for availing us the opportunity to show their support to Jebel Ali races.”

The other races on the card will be sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, Shadwel and Marsh Insco.

Yasser Maboruk spoke on behalf of the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), the governing body of the UAE horse racing and praised the hard work of the racecourse management to attract quality horses to the races. He said that they have big hopes to see the other two major races of the season, Jebel Ali Stakes and Jebel Ali Sprint, promoted to the group stage from next season.

“They are very close now and they are, in fact, knocking on the doors. I hope we will start our next season’s opening Press conference with the good news about the two events after the upgrade of Jebel Ali Mile to Gr-3 last season,” he said.

“The number of horses that have been entered was 83 and 63 of them have been declared to fight for a share of the Dh490,000 total prize-money. Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is still showing the way in the Jebel Ali owners’ championship with 4 wins, while former champion trainer Doug Watson is doing the better work in the trainers’ championship after his recent treble with his retained jockey Pat Dobbs alongside Richard Mullin and Dane O’Neill are topping the jockeys’ table.

“Last week, Doug Watson claimed the weekly prize with three wins and Dane O’Neill was the jockey of the day with two wins,” he said.

• Local Sports