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Dubai Counts Down to Famed International Horse Race
by
findingDulcinea Staff
As part of its bid to brand itself as the land of opulence, Dubai continues to market the World Cup race to equestrian enthusiasts the world over.
30-Second Summary
The Dubai World Cup, the brainchild of the sheikdom’s ruling al-Maktoum family, faced what would seem an insurmountable obstacle for many racing devotees: Islamic law outlaws gambling throughout the United Arab Emirates.
To compensate for this drawback, the event has upped the style stakes, shifting attendees’ attention toward the off-track pageantry, where well-appointed women turn out in their finest frocks and millinery for prizes such as vacations in Thailand and couture shopping sprees.
The BBC says of the annual event, “The growth of the race has mirrored the growth of the city since the mid-1990s, and the Dubai World Cup can undoubtedly take some credit for the city’s success.”
The event seems to be a likely vehicle for the emirate to promote itself, since the land can draw on a centuries-old tradition of equine husbandry. Oxford Business Group, a financial publisher covering the Middle East, writes, “According to horse-breeding lore, every thoroughbred in the world today descends from three Arabian stallions originally exported from this part of the world.”
To compensate for this drawback, the event has upped the style stakes, shifting attendees’ attention toward the off-track pageantry, where well-appointed women turn out in their finest frocks and millinery for prizes such as vacations in Thailand and couture shopping sprees.
The BBC says of the annual event, “The growth of the race has mirrored the growth of the city since the mid-1990s, and the Dubai World Cup can undoubtedly take some credit for the city’s success.”
The event seems to be a likely vehicle for the emirate to promote itself, since the land can draw on a centuries-old tradition of equine husbandry. Oxford Business Group, a financial publisher covering the Middle East, writes, “According to horse-breeding lore, every thoroughbred in the world today descends from three Arabian stallions originally exported from this part of the world.”
Headline Links: The Dubai World Cup
The BBC describes the Dubai World Cup as an event that draws “all sectors of Dubai society.” As well-heeled expatriate women vie in fashion competitions with categories for “best hat” and “best-dressed lady,” South Asian day laborers take a rare break and sit in the bleachers underneath skyboxes whose patrons down Cristal champagne in air-conditioned comfort. The annual Dubai World Cup, held in late March and arguably the definitive event on the Dubai social scene, was initially conceived by the royal family of Dubai to be yet another way to raise the emirate’s international profile. The BBC says, “The growth of the race has mirrored the growth of the city since the mid-1990s, and the Dubai World Cup can undoubtedly take some credit for the city's success.”
Source: The BBC
Oxford Business Group, a financial publisher covering the Middle East and southeastern Europe, writes that it is only natural that the ruling family of Dubai would think of a horse race as a way to promote the emirate. “Horse racing was a natural choice for the UAE, which has a long history of horse breeding and racing. According to horse-breeding lore, every thoroughbred in the world today descends from three Arabian stallions originally exported from this part of the world.”
Source: Oxford Business Group
Related Topics: The emirates become a luxury brand
The United Arab Emirates has been making headlines recently through buying substantial holdings in a number of international companies, such as Citigroup and Sony. The emirates are awash with petrodollars at present and eager to place investments to ensure revenue continues to be created when the region’s oil reserves inevitably run dry.
In November, troubled banking giant Citigroup sold the state-run Abu Dhabi investment Authority a portion of the company worth $7.5 billion, a purchase covered in the Beyond the Headlines story “Flailing U.S. Bank Beckons Gulf Nation Investors.”
Source: findingDulcinea
The findingDulcinea story titled “Sony Sells Sizeable Stake to Dubai State Investment Fund” details how a Dubai purchase boosted the technology company’s share price last month.
Source: findingDulcinea
Background: ‘Where the stars come to play’
High-profile construction projects like the Palm Islands and the Burj Dubai continue to attract the world’s glitterati. Singers Robbie Williams and Rod Stewart, soccer players David Beckham and Michael Owen, and businessman Sir Richard Branson have all been rumored to have purchased land on the Palm Islands. It is also said that supermodel Naomi Campbell rented 18 floors of the Burj al-Arab Hotel, ensconced in the world’s tallest building, for a three-day party in honor of her 36th birthday.
Source: Gulf News
Reference Material: Guides to the World Cup
The Dubai World Cup has an official Web site, complete with party and race schedule and past winners.
Source: Dubai World Cup
The Dubai Racing Club carries information on the riders, seasonal racing schedules, outside events and ticket purchase.
Source: Dubai Racing Club
Gulf News compiled a “how-to” guide for expatriates living in Dubai on how to take advantage of racing at the Nad al-Sheba track, which is described as “one of the best value nights out in the UAE.”
Source: Gulf News
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