Futuristic new racecourse planned in Dubai
by Howard Wright
THE world's richest race, the
Dubai World Cup, will be staged in 2010 at the world's most futuristic racecourse, Meydan City, a short hop from Nad Al Sheba but as far away as anyone could possibly imagine in terms of concept and construction.
The initial design stages of the project were completed only shortly before the start of the 12th World Cup meeting, staged only 15 years after the present site was brought into use.
Sheikh Mohammed gave his approval for the latest far-reaching venture eight weeks ago, when Meydan - Arabic for “a place where people congregate, compete and aspire to win” - was chosen as the name.
Work on the linear grandstand-hotel facility, which will stretch more than half a mile and seat up to 40,000 people, plus a vast area for new stabling, villa accommodation and an array of water features, will begin within a month.
Dubai Racing Club chairman Saeed Al-Tayer promised that the entirely new venue would be ready to stage the 2010
World Cup, which he announced would be worth “approximately $10 million (£5.15m)”, compared with Saturday's purse of $6m (£3.1m).
Al-Tayer was not so forthcoming when asked about the cost of the project, saying he could not comment.
However, judged by size, scope, emphasis on quality and determination that
the venue should be“the best in the world”, there is unlikely to be much change out of $1 billion (£515m), compared with the start-point of £210m for Ascot.
The nature of the plan, which has been developed with the Far East-based architect TAK and a host of Dubai government departments, means that racing will continue while building goes on at the back and to the west of the current grandstands, which will eventually be demolished to take in some of the new facilities.
The sheer scale and opulence of the public areas, which will probably comprise five grandstand storeys and definitely include 10,000 car-parking spaces, are sure to generate huge interest over the coming years.
However,
horsemen will concentrate attention on the track, which will be the opposite of the current Nad Al Sheba racing conditions by having a 1m4f turf course on the outside of the 8.75f dirt circuit.
Dubai Racing Club chief executive Frank Gabriel has travelled the world over the last year in search of the best ideas, including visiting the new Ascot, his previous stamping ground of Arlington and Far East courses.
Al Tayer said: “We have so many people to thank for their contributions to the masterplan, even if they were not aware of it at the time.”
Gabriel said thatthe decision to follow the UK example of putting dirt inside turf was taken from a consensus view of horsemen and trainers.
He added: “
We also bore in mind that 67 per cent of races at the Dubai carnival are on grass, which will be brought closer to the public.”
The decision on the type of dirt surface to be used will be made over the next year. There is sure to be no shortage of interest from the promoters of such as Polytrack and Tapeta, although other, even newer synthetic materials will be considered.
The next 12 months could also decide whether the Dubai World Cup meeting is stretched to a second day.
Gabriel said: “We looked very closely at the idea last year, but I take the view that you never do something if you risk weakening what you already have. Since then, of course, we have had other things to think about.”
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