There are fascinating developments in the region with regard to high-level stakes racing initiatives and the recent talk of a “joint” racing program that will encourage cross-participation of the nation’s racing horses, making this stakes-rich racing more openly available to raiders.

Dubai offers a great racing package for the owner or racing fan. Stakes-rich racing coupled with a fantastic racing carnival, the “jewel in the crown,” is Dubai World Cup night. Saudi Arabia has now seen multiple renewals of their Saudi Cup, supported by an undercard of stakes-rich races for raiders and locals. Bahrain has also introduced a “Turf Series” of stakes-rich races for this season. The team is in a fantastic position to maximize the potential of the region, with our Bahrain-based trainer, Fawzi Nass, being a highly successful trainer in the Middle East. Apart from a Bahrain base, Fawzi has a stable setup in Dubai at Meydan as well as in Saudi Arabia.

With an international outlook on racing, the team has the added benefit of having the Griffiths De Kock racing team as an option after the UAE season. The exercise of shipping horses to Australia after the Carnival is a beneficial one. It makes buying capable turf horses who can compete in Dubai worthwhile, as they can ship to Australia and compete for high-level prize money instead of resting during the off-season. This benefit has been seen already with our horse, Magical Land.