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Racing at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club on Saturday afternoon is highlighted by the inaugural running of an exciting new initiative, the AED200,000 The GCC Cup (Prestige). The 1700m race is restricted to horses foaled within the GCC countries—namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and, of course, the UAE.

Four runners from Saudi Arabia have been declared, with three trained by Mutlaq bin Mashref whose only previous UAE runner, Tallaab Al Khalediah, won last year’s Group 1 Kahayla Classic on the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan last March.

Racing at Al Ain on Friday is highlighted by Round 2 of The Al Ain Marathon Series, a 4100m handicap for which 11 have been declared, comprising many regulars in these staying events, including defending champion Shamikh Al Wathba. Trained on the Al Ain track by Jean de Roualle for Yas Horse Racing Management, the 7-year-old won the equivalent race last year, when it was over 3200m, before finishing second, over this 4100m, in the third round and then third in the series’ finale, over 5100m, in the final leg.

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WINSTAR THREE-WIDE IN WORLD CUP

Sunday’s meeting at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is one of the biggest of the season in the Capital with the 2200m Group 1 HH The President Cup for Purebred Arabians, in which Al Zahir bids to retain his crown. The card also includes the 1400m Thoroughbred equivalent, a Listed contest.

Thursday’s sixth meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse was highlighted by the Group 2 $450,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 sponsored by Al Naboodah Allied Products Division over 1900m on the dirt and boasting a purse of $450,000. Also on tap was the classic Group 3 $250,000 UAE 2000 Guineas, as well as multiple handicaps with Dubai World Cup night implications.

$450,000 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND 2 (GROUP 2)

Thursday’s sixth meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival is the third-richest day of the Dubai racing calendar, with prize money totalling $1.32 million from its six fixtures, plus a $45,000 non-Carnival race for maidens, which kicks off the evening at 6:30 p.m. The card is sponsored by pillar partner Al Naboodah Group, which also sponsors the Group 2 $2.5 million UAE Derby—a race that will undoubtedly have a few runners come from Thursday’s co-featured Group 3 $250,000 UAE 2000 Guineas.

At the halfway point of the 2018-2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival, the jockey, trainer and owner standings are led by James Doyle, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. While many of the top connections and horsemen are the proverbial usual suspects, they are closely followed by several who speak to the depth of this season’s Carnival.