Dubai Racing Club Announces Enhanced Carnival Program

Dubai Racing Club has announced an enhanced program for the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival, which will see millions up for grabs across nine exciting weeks of action at Meydan Racecourse.

Established in 2004, the 20th edition of the Dubai World Cup Carnival will get underway Jan. 6, when the Al Maktoum Challenge (G2) and Al Fahidi Fort (G2) provide twin feature races. Alongside them on a pulsating night of racing is the Dubawi Stakes (G3) for the dirt sprinters, as well as the listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash—renamed in honor of Shadwell's seven-time course winner.

The second week of the Carnival, Jan. 13, also features a new race; the Thunder Snow Challenge, over 2,000 meters on dirt, which recognizes the dual Dubai World Cup (G1) winner and could provide a pointer towards that very race. Speaking of equine stars, the same night sees the inaugural running of the Ipi Tombe Stakes, for fillies and mares on turf over 1,400 meters, which honors the Zimbabwe-bred mare who won the Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Duty Free (G1) in 2003 on her way to Horse of the Year Title.

Major General Mohammed Al Essa, general manager of Dubai Racing Club, explained the new look of the Carnival program: "Under the guidance of Sheikh Rashid Bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Racing Club, we have been working hard on the Carnival program for 2023," he said. "We have reintroduced several handicaps which we hope will increase overseas participation and work well with the established group-race calendar.

"We look forward to welcoming horses, trainers, jockeys, and owners to Dubai for what we are sure will be an exciting and memorable 20th running of the Dubai World Cup Carnival."

In total, there are 21 group races for Thoroughbreds.

The 2023 Carnival will provide ample opportunities for handicappers, with 20 handicaps divided between dirt and turf, complementing the pattern races. The Jumeirah Turf Series for 3-year-olds returns for a second season with an enhancement of two Classic races for 3-year-old fillies events also on turf.

Super Saturday—the official 'dress rehearsal' for the $30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting—takes place March 4 and once again features two group 1s—the Jebel Hatta and Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3—and four group races, plus the new Ras Al Khor, which was oversubscribed for the inaugural running in 2022.

The official Horsemen's Brochure for the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival will be published shortly. The full program can be viewed online here: DWCC Program 2023.pdf (dubairacingclub.com)