Behind the Scenes of the Dubai World Cup
Sold-Out Event Needs Larger Venue to Accommodate International Audience
For all of us in racing who despair low race attendance, the 13th Dubai World Cup is the wonderful exception. Its large facility at Nad Al Sheba is already sold out.
The event is growing so fast that it will move to the new, larger 76 million square foot Meydan Racecourse as soon as it is finished in 2010 with a 60,000 seated and 20,000 standing capacity.
Press and officials were given an excellent preview of the construction immediately behind Nad Al Sheba.
The new facility will include the Banyan Tree Meydan Hotel with 270 suites overlooking the racetrack and adjoining the grandstand, covered parking, quarantine stables, new track stables with a tunnel entrance to the paddock and course, the Meydan Museum, grandstands, Royal Box, The Boathouse Club with a canal diverted to it from the Dubai Creek (river flowing into the Arabian Sea), and a city of its own--Meydan City.
The overall design of the facility is that of a falcon--beloved symbol of Arabia--with the wingspan of 1.3 km covering the parking area.
There will be a new course with the turf track (2,400) surrounding the dirt track (1,750) because over 60% of the races in Dubai are on turf.
Visibility of the paddock and racetrack from every position at ground level to the highest box is a key requirement along with sustainability in the design.
Two levels of the grandstand are completed, pilings are sunk for the overall project and construction is well on the way with workers from all over the world. Many components of the project are Chinese and many of the workers are Chinese.
Knowing that the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, gets what he wants when he wants it, there is no question the racecourse will be finished for the 2010 Dubai World Cup.
In the biggest deal in bloodstock history, he just bought Australia's Woodlands Stud for over £200 million. His Darley Stud interests in Australia combined with these horses will make his operation the most powerful stud in Australia dwarfing his old Irish rival Coolmore.
What is the secret of the Dubai World Cup's success? Vision, timing and money turn the imaginative, aspiring dreams of the Ruling Family for their country into reality. For racing is the leading brand of the country.
They find the best people, horses, ideas, projects, and equipment in every area to produce to the standard of 'excellence'.
And, in the best of theatre, they never forget to play to the audience.
Good examples are this year's DWC itself, the Australian stud purchase, the preview of the Meydan Racecourse plus the announcement that the Meydan Arena (an outdoor desert arena for concerts, gala dinners and horse shows) will be unveiled at the DWC Arabian Night show near the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort.
There are lessons here for international racing on how to build its audience if it is sensible enough to learn.
For all of us in racing who despair low race attendance, the 13th Dubai World Cup is the wonderful exception. Its large facility at Nad Al Sheba is already sold out.
The event is growing so fast that it will move to the new, larger 76 million square foot Meydan Racecourse as soon as it is finished in 2010 with a 60,000 seated and 20,000 standing capacity.
Press and officials were given an excellent preview of the construction immediately behind Nad Al Sheba.
The new facility will include the Banyan Tree Meydan Hotel with 270 suites overlooking the racetrack and adjoining the grandstand, covered parking, quarantine stables, new track stables with a tunnel entrance to the paddock and course, the Meydan Museum, grandstands, Royal Box, The Boathouse Club with a canal diverted to it from the Dubai Creek (river flowing into the Arabian Sea), and a city of its own--Meydan City.
The overall design of the facility is that of a falcon--beloved symbol of Arabia--with the wingspan of 1.3 km covering the parking area.
There will be a new course with the turf track (2,400) surrounding the dirt track (1,750) because over 60% of the races in Dubai are on turf.
Visibility of the paddock and racetrack from every position at ground level to the highest box is a key requirement along with sustainability in the design.
Two levels of the grandstand are completed, pilings are sunk for the overall project and construction is well on the way with workers from all over the world. Many components of the project are Chinese and many of the workers are Chinese.
Knowing that the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, gets what he wants when he wants it, there is no question the racecourse will be finished for the 2010 Dubai World Cup.
In the biggest deal in bloodstock history, he just bought Australia's Woodlands Stud for over £200 million. His Darley Stud interests in Australia combined with these horses will make his operation the most powerful stud in Australia dwarfing his old Irish rival Coolmore.
What is the secret of the Dubai World Cup's success? Vision, timing and money turn the imaginative, aspiring dreams of the Ruling Family for their country into reality. For racing is the leading brand of the country.
They find the best people, horses, ideas, projects, and equipment in every area to produce to the standard of 'excellence'.
And, in the best of theatre, they never forget to play to the audience.
Good examples are this year's DWC itself, the Australian stud purchase, the preview of the Meydan Racecourse plus the announcement that the Meydan Arena (an outdoor desert arena for concerts, gala dinners and horse shows) will be unveiled at the DWC Arabian Night show near the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort.
There are lessons here for international racing on how to build its audience if it is sensible enough to learn.
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