Horse racing returns to Meydan with Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid saddling Etijaah and Jeeran

Etijaah will be in action when horse racing returns to Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, on Thursday, November 3, 2016. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Meydan Racecourse in Dubai will host its first meeting of the new season on Thursday with a card worth Dh1,155,000 in prize money up for grabs across seven races.

First race since March

The nation’s racing fraternity returns to Meydan for the first time since American horse California Chrome claimed the US$10 million (Dh36.7m) Dubai World Cup in March. Seven races provide the evening’s entertainment, highlighted by the featured Handicap over 2,000 metres, with the race carrying a prize money of Dh195,000.

Watch out for Watson

UAE champion trainer Doug Watson holds a strong hand with four runners declared. Last time he was at Meydan, Watson achieved a 1-2-3 in the $1 million Group 2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night. The American handler does not appear to have lost his touch over the summer break after achieving the same feat at Sharjah Racecourse last Saturday.

Etijaah top contender

Of the four Red Stables runners, Etijaah – owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Minister of Finance and Industry – seems to hold the advantage after winning the equivalent race 12 months ago. Victorious on his most recent appearance, at Al Ain Racecourse in March, Etijaah will be ridden by Dane O’Neill.

Rivalry

Stablemate Jeeraan, also from the Sheikh Hamdan string, is another course and distance winner and has battled it out with Etijaah, pictured, in the past. Jeeraan managed fifth to Etijaah at this meeting last term, but the tables were turned last December when Jeeraan, who will be ridden by Sam Hitchcott, beat Etijaah into fourth.

Tickets

Tickets are available at store.meydan.ae and may also be purchased on race day from the Meydan Ticket Sales Office located between Gates B and C.

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