International Companies and Racecourses Bring in New Year at Meydan

International entities The Jockey Club and Churchill Downs combine with top Middle East-based companies Zoho, Daman Markets by Daman Securities, Phi Advertising and Binghatti to sponsor the Sword Of Honour racemeeting at Meydan on Friday, 3 January.

The meeting will be the sixth of the 2024-25 Dubai Racing Carnival and the feature race sees top class turf horses clash in the G2 Zabeel Mile (sponsored by Phi Advertising), which last year went to San Donato, who is in the field again.

The meeting also features the G3 Dubawi Stakes (sponsored by Binghatti Developers), over 1200metres on dirt, won last year by Tuz, who also defends his title.

The opening race, a competitive edition of the Zabeel Turf, will be sponsored by Daman Markets by Daman Securities, whose CEO Samer Mourched commented: “Partnering with Dubai Racing Club for this prestigious event reflects our commitment to supporting world-class sporting experiences in the region. Meydan is an extraordinary venue, and we are proud to be part of a platform that celebrates excellence on a global scale.” 

It is also a strong evening for three-year-old races, with the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial getting a new sponsor in the Kentucky Derby, arguably the most famous three-year-old race in the world.

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

The Jockey Club, the biggest racecourse group in the UK, lends its name to the Jumeirah Stakes, race seven, over 1400metres on turf.

Sophie Able, Newmarket Racecourses and International Director for The Jockey Club, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Dubai Racing Club in 2025 and to be working together to promote each other’s race programmes to our horsemen, existing racegoers, followers of the sport and to new fans.”

Races two and three, the Sword of Honour Stakes (sponsored by Daman Markets by Daman Securities) and the Sword of Excellence Stakes (sponsored by Zoho) are both named in honour of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who received both of these awards on his recent graduation from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Zoho also sponsor the final race on the card, an intriguing 2810metre turf conditions event.

Commenting on the strong card, Al Ali Ali, CEO and Board Member, Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are delighted to have strong support from our partners Daman Markets by Daman Securities, Binghatti, Zoho and Phi Advertising, all of whom are back at Meydan Racecourse for the second time this year.

“We also welcome new partners, The Jockey Club and Churchill Downs, and we are very happy to work with them to promote racing as a global sport.

“Thanks to all of our partners and sponsors for their backing and we trust they will have an enjoyable evening at the world’s most iconic racetrack.”

Gates open at 4pm, with the first of eight races due off at 5:30pm. To book, go to dubairacingclub.com