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Home / Video Releases / Press Conference with James McDonald at Meydan Racecourse, April 2, 2025

Press Conference with James McDonald at Meydan Racecourse, April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

James McDonald, rider of Romantic Warrior

Press Releases

Barocio In Search of Hollywood Ending With Lovesick Blues
Archivist Seals Superb Carnival for Wathnan Racing
Internationals go for more Glory as Carnival Comes to a Close

Video Releases

Race 5 – Post-race press conference: $1,000,000 UAE Derby Sponsored by Atlantis the Royal Dubai (G2), April 05, 2025
Post-race press conference: $1,000,000 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Emaar (G2), April 05, 2025
Post-race press conference: $1,000,000 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (G2), April 05, 2025

Race Results & Replays

Emirates Super Saturday – Race 9 – Jumeirah 2000 Guineas sponsored by Emirates Holidays (TB Listed, 1600m Turf)
Emirates Super Saturday – Race 8 – Burj Nahar sponsored Emirates Airline (TB Group 3, 1600m Dirt)
Emirates Super Saturday – Race 7 – Dubai City of Gold sponsored by emirates.com (TB Group 2, 2410m Dirt)

Gallery

Barocio In Search of Hollywood Ending With Lovesick Blues
Archivist Seals Superb Carnival for Wathnan Racing
Internationals go for more Glory as Carnival Comes to a Close

Press Releases

Barocio In Search of Hollywood Ending With Lovesick Blues
Archivist Seals Superb Carnival for Wathnan Racing
Internationals go for more Glory as Carnival Comes to a Close

Latest News

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Race Results & Replays

Emirates Super Saturday – Race 9 – Jumeirah 2000 Guineas sponsored by Emirates Holidays (TB Listed, 1600m Turf)
Emirates Super Saturday – Race 8 – Burj Nahar sponsored Emirates Airline (TB Group 3, 1600m Dirt)
Emirates Super Saturday – Race 7 – Dubai City of Gold sponsored by emirates.com (TB Group 2, 2410m Dirt)

Video Releases

Race 5 – Post-race press conference: $1,000,000 UAE Derby Sponsored by Atlantis the Royal Dubai (G2), April 05, 2025
Post-race press conference: $1,000,000 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Emaar (G2), April 05, 2025
Post-race press conference: $1,000,000 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (G2), April 05, 2025

Gallery

Barocio In Search of Hollywood Ending With Lovesick Blues
Archivist Seals Superb Carnival for Wathnan Racing
Internationals go for more Glory as Carnival Comes to a Close

Blog

No posts found in this category.

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Al Meydan Rd – Nad Al Sheba 1
Dubai – United Arab Emirates

For general enquiries, please contact the Dubai Racing Club office.

T. +971 4 327 0077
E. [email protected]

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Horseracing began in Dubai in October 1981, when the Camel Track hosted the first Thoroughbred race meeting. Three races were run – over a sprint distance, a mile and a mile and a half – organised by the office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Approximately 10 years later, in early 1992, the Dubai Racing Club was established under the chairmanship of Colonel Ali Khamis Al Jafleh, a UAE Air Force commander. In March 1992 came the official opening at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, where the highlight was the appearance of some of horseracing’s biggest stars at the time – jockeys Lester Piggott and Willie Carson. A year later, in March 1993, with limitations on the free movement of horses shipping in and out of the UAE, the Dubai Racing Club selected the next-best option, jockeys. On 26 March that year, Nad Al Sheba Racecourse hosted the inaugural Dubai International Jockeys’ Challenge (DIJC). Five groups of two jockeys were invited to compete, with senior riders representing the USA, Europe, Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

The DIJC would eventually pave the way for the creation of the Dubai World Cup. The first Dubai World Cup was held in 1996 and thrust both Nad Al Sheba Racecourse and the UAE onto the global stage as American wonder horse Cigar claimed the inaugural running. It was at the event’s 14th running in 2009 that another American brilliantly bookmarked the Dubai World Cup and brought to an end the chapter at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. Well Armed romped to a 14-length success, a record-winning distance, to herald the end of the Nad Al Sheba era.

The next Dubai World Cup, in 2010, introduced the iconic Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse to the world. The architectural masterpiece is the permanent home for the Dubai World Cup and is the world’s largest integrated racing facility, with a Grandstand seating capacity for more than 60,000. The spectacular structure sits alongside The Meydan Hotel which boasts 285 elegantly appointed rooms and suites.

The excitement of the first Dubai World Cup hosted at Meydan was equaled on the track that year as Gloria de Campeão emerged the winner in an exciting three-horse finish to become the event’s first Brazilian-bred champion.

In 2011, Victoire Pisa and Transcend gave Japan a first win and a one – two finish in the coveted race and in 2012 Godolphin repeated the feat with Monterosso in first and Capponi in second.

Fast forward to 2017 and the USA was once again successful when world champion Arrogate stunned the crowd and millions watching overseas with an impossible last-to-first victory.  The Saeed bin Suroor-trained, Godolphin–owned Thunder Snow then created history by becoming the first horse to win the Dubai World Cup twice, with victories in 2018 and 2019.

Godolphin’s American based Mystic Guide, trained by Michael Stidham, gave a brilliant performance in the 25th running of the Dubai World Cup in 2021, as he roared home in impressive style, a year before Country Grammer made it two in a row for America.

In 2023, the great race went to Japan for a second time, with Ushba Tesoro taking the trophy while in 2024 more history was made when Laurel River, trained by Bhupat Seemar and ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, became the first locally-trained winner of the race, outside of the Godolphin operation.

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About us
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Contact Us

Al Meydan Rd – Nad Al Sheba 1
Dubai – United Arab Emirates

For general enquiries, please contact the Dubai Racing Club office.

T. +971 4 327 0077
E. [email protected]

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