Meydan update

[my miss storm cat]

The design.....

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/n...20070921bb.jpg

SCMP.....

Dubai on track with its sumptuous new course
(from a press release, no author)

The wealthy Gulf emirate of Dubai is pressing on with plans to build a US$1.2 billion track that will host the world's richest horse race in three years, The Khaleej Times reported.

The newspaper said a developer had been chosen for the Meydan Racecourse, near the existing Nad Al Sheba course, which will include a 60,000-seat grandstand and is set for completion in time for the 2010 Dubai World Cup.

The 67,000,000 square foot project - a brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin-Rashid al-Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai - will be upgrading the current facilities to become world's best racing, stabling and training facilities.

Al-Maktoum owns the prestigious Godolphin stables with locations in Dubai and Britain.

Meydan LLC, a joint venture between Dubai's Arabtec Construction and Malaysia's WCT Engineering, has been given the contract for the development that will also feature a five-star hotel, several restaurants, a museum and gallery as well as parking for more than 10,000 cars.

"Our board of directors has been given clear instructions to ensure this project is executed to the highest possible standard, setting a benchmark for the rest of the world," Meydan chairman Saeed al-Tayer said.

The Dubai Racing Club announced in March that prize money for the 2010 showpiece race will be about US$10 million.

Next year's Dubai World Cup will be held on March 29.

[my miss storm cat]

RP...

Dubai's new racecourse right on track

by Howard Wright at the annual International Federation of Horseracing Authorities conference in Paris
.

ON time, and on budget – whatever it costs: that was the progress report on Meydan, Dubai's fabulous new racecourse, from Emirates Racing Authority chief executive and project overlord Frank Gabriel.

Revealed in stunning fashion during the World Cup meeting only a little over six months ago, Meydan is already taking shape, and individual contractors were on site the day after being awarded deals for piling and construction of the 80,000 capacity grandstand and five-star hotel.

Each of the 400 hotel suites will have an unobstructed view of the race track, and at the other end of the stand a boathouse and marina will connect to other on-site residential and leisure developments.

Gabriel said: “Since the launch, the Meydan team has been travelling at light speed, because we are on a fast track. We are targeting the 15th World Cup in 2010, but the contractors have been given until November 2009 to have it ready for the hand-over.”

[my miss storm cat]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai.../shhots127.xml

http://www.meydan.ae/

[my miss storm cat]

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...NG_Meydan.html

DICKINSON SEALS MEYDAN DEAL


By Martin Kelly, PA Sport

Michael Dickinson has secured the lucrative contract to lay his Tapeta surface at the new Meydan racecourse in Dubai.

Work on the development is well underway ahead of its opening at the Dubai World Cup in 2010, when runners will race on Dickinson's all-weather surface.

Frank Gabriel jnr, chief executive officer of the Dubai Racing Club, said: "Safety of the animal was paramount in our selection and experience points to synthetic training and racing tracks reducing the number of injuries and prolonging the careers of the racehorse.

"We looked at all of the all-weather surfaces around the world and while we recognised that each is very beneficial to the horse, we decided to go with Tapeta.

"We believe it is the best choice for our environment and racing programme."

Dickinson added: "Obviously we are delighted. It is a huge honour for Tapeta and we are very proud that we will be a small part in the most innovative and creative project racing has ever seen.

"We believe that the Tapeta surface will provide international horses and trainers a seamless transition from any other type of training or racing surface."

[_ed_]

Just looked at the videos on their website. Wow.

[my miss storm cat]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48660.htm