Huge development plans unveiled in Dubai

A massive prize fund of $10million will be up for grabs in the 2010 Dubai World Cup as part of a major development scheme.

The Dubai Racing Club have unveiled plans for a new racing city spanning 76

million square feet featuring state-of-the-art dirt and turf tracks, and a

grandstand boasting a capacity of 55,000 to 60,000 people.

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The venture will be called Meydan - an Arabic word meaning where people

congregate and race - and situated near the current Nad Al Sheba racecourse.

The target opening date is for the 2010 Dubai World Cup, and to mark its

launch, prize-money for the race will be almost doubled.

Dubai Racing Club chairman Saeed Al Tayer said: "We received the green light

at the Dubai World Cup meeting last year to develop the vision of His Highness

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and we are proud to reveal that to the

whole world.

"We wanted to develop a world-class facility and I cannot think of any other

racecourse in the world that will rival it.

"As we are setting the benchmark in terms of world-class facilities, we want

to complement that with increased prize-money of 10 million, to continue entice

the best horses in the world for the opening of Meydan for the 2010 Dubai World

Cup.

"It is going to be home to the business community, owners, trainers, riders.

You name it - it will encompass everything"

Other features of the development include a hotel, more than 10 restaurants,

the relocation of Godolphin Gallery, the home of Dubai Racing Club, a museum, as

well as covered car parking for 10,000 and a four-kilometre canal which will run

from Dubai Creek to the racecourse.

The grandstand will also serve during the off-season as a major dining,

business and conference facility.

Architects TAK have designed Meydan while the Joseph H King company will be

supplying the racetrack surfaces.

Frank Gabriel Jr, CEO of the DRC, added: "We have taken into account feedback

from all aspects of the industry - racegoers, trainers, jockeys, our partners,

sponsors, other racecourses - everyone - in making this racecourse the

magnificent development it will be.

"The racing season will carry on as normal up to the target date, as the

state-of-the-art grandstand can be completed without affecting the action at Nad

Al Sheba."