subject: Mesmerising Nad Al Sheba Race Course [print this page] Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is now a cosmopolitan city with people of many nationalities working in and visiting the emirate. As the homeland of the Arabian horse, the ancestor of todays thoroughbred, the Arabian peninsula places great emphasis on the traditional Arab sport of horse racing.
Nad Al Sheba in Dubai is a famed horse racing course that hosted several races of significance. A thoroughbred racing track of note, Nad Al Sheba commenced operations in 1986 and consists of a turf course and dirt race track, both of a length of 2,200m. It featured two race start chutes providing two different starts providing a 2,000m start and a 1,600m start, of which the former was used for the showpiece Dubai World Cup. Operating from November through March, the course hosted many significant events such as the Dubai International Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup Night.
Although it is no longer used, the Nad Al Sheba in its lifetime was steadily improved with facilities like new and improved grandstands being added. Nad Al Sheba featured events for purebred Arabians as well as thoroughbreds, notably the Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Duty Free, the Maktoum Challenge and the Kahayala Classic in addition to the Dubai World Cup.
Due to recent developments the Nad Al Sheba course has now ceased operations and the races held here will be conducted at the new Meydan racecourse. These will include the Dubai International Racing Carnival extravaganza concluding with the worlds richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup.
The Meydan racecourse features a 2,400m turf course as well as a 1750m all-weather surface. The expansive Meydan grandstand can hold no less than 60,000 spectators. Other highlights include the worlds first trackside five star hotel, other attractions of note include the Meydan Marina, Meydan Museum and Gallery and the Falcon Commercial Park. With unsurpassed standards of technology, luxury and comfort the Meydan Racecourse and Grandstand will undoubtedly rank as one of the worlds premier racing arenas.
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