Dubai Racing Club will stage a nine-race programme at Meydan on Friday, 19 December 2025, with an international field assembled for an evening that features several established fixtures of the winter racing calendar. The meeting is headlined by Race 7, the Al Maktoum Mile, run over 1600 metres for a prize of AED 1,000,000.
Racing begins at 17:30 with Race 1, the Al Maktoum Challenge R1, contested over 1600 metres and carrying AED 500,000 in prize money. The opening contest traditionally provides an early form reference among dirt performers at the start of the Carnival season.
At 18:05, Race 2, the Business Bay Challenge, will be run over 1400 metres for AED 500,000. The race is expected to suit horses with tactical speed, where early positioning and race tempo are likely to play a decisive role.
The programme continues at 18:40 with Race 3, the Shahama Stakes, another 1400-metre contest offering AED 210,000. While lower in prize money than some of the evening’s features, the race has often served as a platform for emerging runners seeking to establish themselves at this level.
Speed takes prominence at 19:15 with Race 4, the Ertijaal Dubai Dash, a sharp 1000-metre sprint worth AED 500,000. With little time for recovery once the gates open, early acceleration and accurate riding are typically decisive in this contest.
At 19:50, Race 5, The Entisar, shifts the emphasis back to stamina. Run over 1900 metres for AED 500,000, the race regularly rewards runners capable of settling early and sustaining their effort through the closing stages.
Quality rises further at 20:25 with Race 6, the Al Rashidiya, a respected 1800-metre contest carrying AED 850,000 in prize money. The race has long held significance on the Meydan calendar and often produces strong form lines for international targets later in the season.
The focal point of the meeting arrives at 21:00 with the Al Maktoum Mile (Race 7). The 1600-metre feature has attracted a competitive field of 13 runners, combining established names with upwardly mobile contenders. Among the leading entries are Imperial Emperor, trained by Bhupat Seemar and ridden by Tadhg O’Shea; Meshtri, representing Michael Costa with Silvestre De Sousa aboard; Tumbarumba, trained by Hamad Al Jehani and partnered by James Doyle; King Gold, from the yard of Nicolas Caullery with Adrie de Vries; and Mendelssohn Bay, also trained by Bhupat Seemar, with Richard Mullen taking the ride.
Also declared are Commissioner King, Morning, Castlewarden, Killer Collect, Masmak, West Saratoga, Musical Dancer, and David Of Athens, ensuring depth and variety across the field. With pace likely to be genuine, the outcome is expected to hinge on positioning, tactical judgement, and finishing strength.
Staying horses come to the fore at 21:35 with Race 8, the Dubai Racing Club Classic, run over 2410 metres for AED 300,000. As the longest race on the card, it places emphasis on patience and stamina, often developing into a steadily run contest before intensifying late.
The meeting concludes at 22:10 with Race 9, a 1200-metre sprint worth AED 210,000, providing a competitive and fast-paced finale to the night’s racing.
With a programme spanning sprint, middle-distance and staying contests, Dubai Racing Club’s December 19 meeting presents a balanced and high-quality card. The Al Maktoum Mile stands as the centrepiece of the evening, anchoring a race night that brings together international participation, established performers, and emerging talent.
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