The April 5 Dubai World Cup card this year falls a week later than is traditionally the case, a development in large part driven by the dates of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which comes to an end with Eid al-Fitr expected to fall Sunday evening (March 30).
The combination of Meydan Racecourse staging its biggest meeting later than usual and the Grand National being run three weeks after Cheltenham instead of four, has led broadcasters to reach for imaginative solutions to cater for the unusual clash between the two fixtures April 5.
As for the United States, the change in the Dubai World Cup (G1) date will see that card run on the same day as three major Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races.
Erwan Charpy, the former United Arab Emirates champion trainer and now Dubai Racing Club's manager of racing operations and international relations, has spearheaded efforts to ensure race times at Meydan complement the world's most famous steeplechase rather than being in direct conflict.
With the Grand National now scheduled for 4 p.m. British Summer Time due to safety measures introduced two years ago, the Meydan authorities have positioned the Golden Shaheen (G1) at 3:40 p.m. British Summer Time and the Dubai Turf (G1T) at 4:15 p.m British Summer Time.
That does not allow enough time to show the action from Aintree on the big screen at Meydan, given the horses will be in the paddock at the same time for the $5 million Turf, which will feature Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior.
Racecourse Media Group and its appointed distribution agency, HBA Media, oversee the global non-betting television distribution on behalf of Jockey Club Racecourses, owners of Aintree, and Dubai Racing Club, which stages the Dubai World Cup at Meydan. RMG is offering foreign broadcasters the choice of an international feed dedicated to either Aintree or Meydan, but reports that the 2 1/2-hour "best of both worlds" option has caught the imagination of broadcasters globally.
"With both main events run within 90 minutes of each other on April 5, this is a unique opportunity for audiences around the world to enjoy two of the most spectacular and contrasting race days on the calendar," said RMG's director of communication and international distribution Seb Vance.
"As well as offering broadcasters the choice of the full Aintree world feed, produced by ITV, and the full Meydan world feed, produced by RMG, we are pushing the 'best of both' Crown Jewels Racing condensed feed—a 2 1/2-hour program showcasing the Grand National and Dubai World Cup, as well as the Dubai Sheema Classic, from 3.30-6 p.m. BST."
Vance added: "We're delighted to say that the dual broadcast has really caught the imagination. We have more than 30 broadcasters taking coverage of Aintree and Dubai, with half of those opting for the 'best of both' Crown Jewels Racing feed. They include Sport 24, which offers live coverage on airlines and cruise lines, Fancode, which has 160 million users in India, ESPN in Latin America and the Caribbean, a first-time broadcaster in SportsNet in Canada, SuperSport in Africa, and Viaplay in Europe, which will dub into Dutch for their audience.
"In addition, Dubai Racing Channel and Dubai Sports will take full feeds from Meydan and Aintree respectively, Fox Sports in the U.S. will take live coverage of Dubai and show a recording of Aintree, and CNN International and Trans World Sport will feature both races in their World News and magazine programs. The Green Channel from Japan will show the full feed from Dubai, and are also at Aintree to film a documentary on the Grand National."
The regular slot for the Dubai World Cup previously resulted in a clash for U.S.-based trainers and jockeys with races such as the Florida Derby (G1). This year there will be three major Kentucky Derby prep races April 5.
The three important April 5 trials for the Kentucky Derby—the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and Wood Memorial Stakes (G2)—offer the winners guaranteed spots in the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
