Dubai Racing Carnival To Be Increased to 14 Meetings

The Dubai Racing Carnival is to be increased to 14 meetings—excluding the World Cup card—and will run from November to March.

Every fixture at Meydan in the 2023-24 campaign will be part of the new-look program and open to international runners, with prize money up by 27%.

Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said: "The new shape and identity of the Dubai Racing Carnival has the potential of boosting Dubai's strategic position as a regional center for horse racing and a favorite racing destination. This is thanks to the rich races on offer and the expertise, services, and facilities at the iconic Meydan Racecourse.

"We have a proud history of racing in Dubai, but we're also known for our innovation. We're delighted to boost prize money and welcome international participation for the entirety of the season."

Purses for the Dubai Racing Carnival—the tweaked name for what was the Dubai World Cup Carnival—are up by AED$11 million (US$2,991,201). Three meetings, one in December, one in January, and "Super Saturday" in March, will be designated feature race nights, with combined purses of AED$24.7 million ($6,721,546).

Minimum prize money for non-stakes races will be returned to pre-pandemic levels, equivalent to approximately £35,000 ($43,792).

Cigar won the first running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996 at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.