Dubai: Jebel Ali Racecourse has long been considered the pioneer of the family-oriented sports venue in the UAE.
On Friday, the racecourse will celebrate UAE National Day with an array of events and activities throughout the six-race programme, with organisers confident that racing fans will undoubtedly enjoy the variety of off-course activities taking place.
According to Shareef Al Halawani, Jebel Ali Racecourse Manager, the event will be a unique opportunity for families to enjoy the Jebel Ali experience.
"Families are the foundation upon which the racecourse's success has been built so it is only appropriate that as we celebrate an important occasion like UAE National Day, we will focus on welcoming families with open arms," he said during a press conference yesterday.
"With this in mind, we have created a festival that will allow our visitors the opportunity to experience our traditions and trademark hospitality while at the same time enjoying all the action on the course."
Al Halawani revealed that 20,000 giveaways, sponsored by Jebel Ali Racecourse and chief-sponsor Shadwell Farm, will be distributed to racegoers at the venue. In addition, over 130 gifts including electronic items and home appliances will be awarded to winners of the raffle which will be drawn between races and at the end of the sixth race. Raffle coupons will be distributed at the entrance gates to the racecourse.
Strong supporter
Al Halawani also thanked Shadwell Farms, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, for their continued support.
"Shadwell Farm has long been a strong supporter of racing at Jebel Ali Racecourse and have repeatedly shown their commitment to our racecourse by sponsoring the feature race at each meeting," he added.
Shadwell will sponsor the featured conditions race over five furlongs which will see the return to action of Satish Seemar's evergreen sprinting star Terrific Challenge, who was a two-time winner at this course last season including the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint.
Also present at Tuesday's press conference was Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of the Office of Shaikh Hamdan; Dr Hussain Al Redha, President of the UAE Breeders Society, which sponsors the race for Purebred Arabians, and representatives of other sponsors — Al Hudaiba Contracting Co, Al Shafar Investment, Al Shafar Group and Commercial Bank of Dubai.
Commenting on Shadwell Farm's sponsorship at Jebel Ali Racecourse, Al Sayegh said: "Shaikh Hamdan has always been a keen supporter of racing at the Jebel Ali Racecourse and we hope that racegoers will enjoy the festivities."