An ambitious master plan has been unveiled to transform the area surrounding Dubai's historic Jebel Ali Racecourse into a sprawling urban district of islands featuring a network of walkable residential blocks with a public park at its heart.
The 5 square kilometre development will bring together equestrian venues, cultural institutions and mixed-use developments in what is being hailed as a “archipelago of urban islands in a sea of green”.
Jebel Ali Racecourse, which is located besides Emirates Golf Club, near to The Greens and Emirates Hills areas of Dubai, is to be preserved under the forward-thinking strategy.
The major project is being led by leading global architecture and design company Bjarke Ingels Group (Big) in partnership with A.R.M. Holding, a UAE-based private investment firm.
Construction is expected to begin early next year, with phased development across housing, education, hospitality and public infrastructure.
“Occupying the grounds of Dubai’s historic Jebel Ali Racecourse, this project is an archipelago of urban islands in a sea of green – reimagining the site not as a collection of objects in isolation, but as a living landscape of interconnected communities,” said Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of Big.
He said a large central park will serve as a “green spine” to a community with a focus on sustainability and the environment.
The urban district will featured shaded communal plazas and streets that encourage walking and cycling.
Self-driving shuttles will be in operation in the area to provide easy access to public transportation.
The initiative is just the latest large-scale development project to take shape in support of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to help the emirate oversee urban expansion to keep pace with rapid population growth.
The master plan envisions a '20-minute city' − allowing residents access to 80 per cent of their daily needs and destinations within 20 minutes on foot or by bicycle.
Mega projects take shape
The Jebel Ali Racecourse revamp is one of several major development plans already in the works to cement Dubai's status as an attractive destination to live, work and do business.
In October, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled an updated master plan to position Expo City Dubai as a catalyst for the emirate's development.
The district – which hosted Expo 2020 Dubai and the Cop28 climate talks in 2023 – would become a “hub for pioneers, entrepreneurs and investors” and was central to a long-term vision to “propel the UAE into a new era of prosperity”.
Spanning 3.5 square kilometres, Expo City Dubai will be home to more than 35,000 people and 40,000 professionals as it develops into a centre for businesses, investors, homeowners and visitors.
In 2023, Sheikh Mohammed set out a new vision for Palm Jebel Ali – a luxury lifestyle mega project that will occupy an area twice the size of Palm Jumeirah.
The long-planned tourist attraction – spearheaded by leading developer Nakheel – will include 80 hotels and resorts, green spaces and other leisure and retail amenities spanning 13.4 square kilometres.
The project will add about 110km of coastline to Dubai, offering beachside living to 35,000 families.
The Dubai Walk Master Plan, announced in December, 2024, is to feature more than 3,000km of walkways and 110 new bridges and tunnels.
It will include a walking network featuring 112km of waterfront paths, 124km of green walking paths and 150km of rural and mountain paths for pedestrians.
Rich sporting legacy
Jebel Ali Racecourse has played a pivotal role in Dubai's meteoric rise to become a global powerhouse in horse racing.
Its track and grandstand were constructed in 1990, with the inaugural racing season taking place the following year.
Renowned British champion jockey Lester Piggott was among the sporting stars to ride into action on the Jebel Ali turf in its early years, helping set the stage for the emirate's crowning glory in the sport of kings.
The first Dubai World Cup was held in 1996 and has since grown to become one of the richest races on the calendar, with a $12 million prize fund for grabs in this year's event.
Jebel Ali Racecourse still hosts more than 70 races each year, which regularly attract more than 10,000 spectators.
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
if you go
The flights
Fly direct to Kutaisi with Flydubai from Dh925 return, including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours. From there, Svaneti is a four-hour drive. The driving time from Tbilisi is eight hours.
The trip
The cost of the Svaneti trip is US$2,000 (Dh7,345) for 10 days, including food, guiding, accommodation and transfers from and to Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This summer the TCT is also offering a 5-day hike in Armenia for $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person. For further information, visit www.transcaucasiantrail.org/en/hike/
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m
Winner: AF Mozhell, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Majdi, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: AF Athabeh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: AF Eshaar, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi
4pm: Gulf Cup presented by Longines Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Al Roba’a Al Khali, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Younis Al Kalbani
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Apolo Kid, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muahiri
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
