Dubai Racing Club Partners with Churchill Downs

Dubai Racing Club has announced a new partnership with Churchill Downs, home to the Kentucky Derby.

The arrangement will see Churchill Downs sponsor the AED300,000 UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on Friday, 3 January. In 2024 the race was won by the US-bred Ma Yetal, trained by Michael Costa.

Commenting on the partnership, Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club, said: “Churchill Downs is home to one of the most famous races in the world, the Kentucky Derby, and it is an absolute pleasure to have them as partners this season.

Commenting on the alliance, Erwan Charpy, Manager, Racing Operations & International Relations for Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are constantly inspired by our leaders to set the bar higher and in working with international partners such as Churchill Downs, we are enhancing racing’s profile on the global stage.”

“We are fortunate that, thanks to the UAE Derby’s inclusion on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, we already enjoy a strong relationship with Churchill Downs and this is the next step.

“It was fantastic to see G2 UAE Derby winner Forever Young run so brilliantly to finish third in the ‘Run for the Roses’ this year and we hope to one day see a horse win both races.”

Gary Palmisano, VP of Racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated, added: “Churchill Downs is thrilled to further strengthen our partnership with the Dubai Racing Club through the Kentucky Derby’s sponsorship of this prestigious race.

“We hope to see the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial winner competing in the UAE Derby and ultimately earning a spot in the starting gate of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby next May.”

The G3 UAE Oaks, run in February, is also a 50-point race for the Kentucky Oaks which is staged at Churchill Downs on the first Friday in May. In recent years two winners of the Meydan race, Shahama and Mimi Kakushi, have gone on to run with credit in the Kentucky Oaks.

For more information, visit dubairacingclub.com or churchilldowns.com