Dubai Racing Club announced Dec. 23 an expanded partnership with Churchill Downs and a new partnership with The Jockey Club (United Kingdom).
The agreement with Churchill Downs will make the Louisville, Ky., racetrack and home to the Kentucky Derby (G1) the title sponsor of the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial. The race will be run Jan. 3 at Meydan Race Course.
"We are constantly inspired by our leaders to set the bar higher, and in working with international partners such as Churchill Downs, we are enhancing racing's profile on the global stage," said Erwan Charpy, manager of racing operations and international relations for Dubai Racing Club. The UAE Derby (G2), to be run April 5, is a (European-Middle East) Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier that awards 100 points to the winner.
"We are fortunate that, thanks to the UAE Derby's inclusion on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, we already enjoy a strong relationship with Churchill Downs and this is the next step," Charpy continued. "It was fantastic to see UAE Derby winner Forever Young run so brilliantly to finish third in the Run for the Roses this year, and we hope to one day see a horse win both races."
Gary Palmisano, vice president of racing for Churchill Downs Inc., said the company was thrilled to further strengthen its partnership with the Dubai Racing Club through the sponsorship of this prestigious race.
"We hope to see the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial winner competing in the UAE Derby and ultimately earning a spot in the starting gate of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby next May," he said.
The UAE Oaks (G3), scheduled for Feb. 21, is a 50-point qualifying race for the Kentucky Oaks (G1). In recent years two winners of this race—Shahama and Mimi Kakushi—have gone on to be competitive in the Kentucky Oaks.
The Jockey Club (UK) and Dubai Racing Club also announced new title sponsorships in their respective jurisdictions. The Jockey Club will be the title sponsor for the Jan. 3 Jumeirah Stakes, a 1,400-meter turf stakes for 3-year-olds at Meydan. Later in the year, representatives of Dubai Racing Club will travel to England's Newmarket Racecourse for its prestigious July Festival that will include the 1,000-meter Dubai Racing Club Handicap Stakes.
With 15 racecourses in its group, The Jockey Club, which operates under a Royal Charter, runs racing at such world-famous venues as Newmarket's Rowley Mile and July courses, Cheltenham Racecourse, Epsom Downs, and Aintree Racecourse.
"Our leaders teach us always to look forward and in working with global partners to enhance the sport, we are embodying that," said Charpy. "Racing, now more than ever, is an international sport and we are very happy to work with The Jockey Club in boosting relationships between the UAE and the UK. The Jockey Club's values are similar to ours, of horse welfare, sporting excellence, and entertainment.
"What they contribute to the sport, in terms of the top-class racing and training venues they run in the UK, is unparalleled," he continued. "We thoroughly enjoy watching our Carnival runners in action at their tracks during the summer months."
Sophie Able, Newmarket Racecourse's general manager 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 programs to our horsemen, existing racegoers, followers of the sport, and to new fans.
"There is so much synergy between racing in Dubai and the UK in terms of owners, trainers, jockeys, and the horses themselves and we look forward to working with (Dubai Racing Club CEO) Ali Al Ali and his team to bring racing in Britain and Dubai even closer together," she continued. "That includes showcasing the thrilling sport, equine superstars, and fantastic racecourse experiences at our venues, while exploring new and innovative ways in which to promote racing globally."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
