Dubai
Purebred Arabian racing is looking healthier than ever with recently back-to-back announcements of massive increases in prize money.
Following news that the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic will now carry a purse of $ one million (Dh3.67m), the Group 1 National Day has been renamed the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown and will be worth a staggering $1.39m.
The hike in prize money ensures that the 1600 metre contest which is run on turf at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is now officially the richest Purebred Arabian race in the world.
The news was revealed during a press conference in Muscat where details for the 2015 Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Racing Championship on November 8 in Abu Dhabi, were also announced.
The prize money boost was delivered following the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs. This follows news that the Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival introduced a mouthwatering bonus for the American Triple Jewel and the upgrade of the prize money of the European Triple Crown series during the 2015 season to $150,000.
Earlier this month, IPIC, Meydan’s pillar partner signed a deal to empower the 2,000m Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians to the tune of $1million.
The increase saw the total purse for the Dubai World Cup day meeting, which takes place on March 28, rise to a whopping $30million.
The Dubai Kahayla Classic is the opening race on the Dubai World Cup card and is renowned as the ‘Dubai World Cup for Purebred Arabians.
