UAE horse racing will continue behind closed doors due to coronavirus

Next four meetings – at Meydan, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali – set to go ahead without spectators, says the Emirates Racing Authority

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Reporter: Amith Passela: Bochart ridden by Richard Mullen wins the Tabloid during Dubai World Cup Carnival Week-7 at Meydan racecourse. Thursday, February 13th, 2020. Meydan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Powered by automated translation
RACE CARD

6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200

7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m

9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m

 

The National selections:

6.30pm Underwriter

7.05pm Rayig

7.40pm Torno Subito

8.15pm Talento Puma

8.50pm Etisalat

9.25pm Gundogdu

Horse racing in the UAE will continue to take place behind closed doors due to concern over the spread of the coronavirus.

The Emirates Racing Authority announced the next four meetings at Meydan, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi from Thursday to Saturday, and Jebel Ali on March 20, will take place without the public attending.

The ERA are monitoring the Covid-19 situation and are expected to make a call on whether the silver jubilee Dubai World Cup will go ahead on March 28, even if it is behind closed doors.

Meydan, meanwhile, kicks off the weekend's meeting with a six-race all-thoroughbred card.

One man who will be on the spotlight at Meydan is Richard Mullen, who is three winners away from reaching the 500-winner mark.

If Mullen achieves that milestone in the next few meetings he will become only the third jockey to achieve the figure in the UAE after Tadhg O’Shea, who is out in front on his own with 551, and the now retired Richard Hills's 504.

Mullen rides in all six races and with Satish Seemar’s horses in fine fettle the Zabeel Stables jockey appears to have strong claims on board Underwriter, Speedy Move and Welford.

Underwriter has twice come close in four starts to break his maiden tag, and he’s drawn in Gate 1 to be fifth time lucky.

Speedy Move has to deal with a wide draw from Gate 13 in the 15-runner field and Welford went down by a neck in his most recent start on the turf in Abu Dhabi.

Friday’s card, for both Purebred Arabians and thoroughbreds, include the Al Ain Derby and the final leg of the Al Ain Marathon Series, both races with Prestige status.

Abu Dhabi’s penultimate meeting is the highlight of the three races that include the Dh1-million Group 1 Emirates Championship, Group 3 Arabian Triple Crown, UAE Arabian Derby and the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship for the thoroughbreds.

The ERA have also approved an additional meeting at Jebel Ali on April 3, and the meeting scheduled for that day at Meydan has now been moved to April 4.

RACE CARD

6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200

7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m

9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m

 

The National selections:

6.30pm Underwriter

7.05pm Rayig

7.40pm Torno Subito

8.15pm Talento Puma

8.50pm Etisalat

9.25pm Gundogdu