The 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival, running from 7th November 2025 to 13th March 2026, marks its grand opening this Friday, 7th November 2025, at the iconic Meydan Racecourse. The day promises a thrilling lineup of seven races, highlighted by the fifth race, The Emirates Airline, which is the feature event of the evening and carries a prize of AED 250,000 over 1600 meters on the dirt track. Racing fans can look forward to elite Thoroughbreds, star jockeys, and an electrifying start to the Carnival’s season of high-stakes competition.
Adding to the excitement of the opening day is Indian jockey Suraj Narredu, fresh from his success in the Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse, England. He will be participating in Race 2 – Arabian Adventures, which carries a prize of AED 165,000. His presence promises thrilling rides and raises the stakes for an already competitive field, making the start of the Carnival even more captivating.
The race card kicks off at 17:30 with the Emirates Airline over 1200m, featuring five declared horses: Dark Saffron, Rammayy, Karama Valley, Arryaaf, and La Senora. The race carries a prize of AED 40,000, making it an exciting opener for the evening.
Following that, the Arabian Adventures maiden race at 18:05 will test the mettle of 12 three-year-old and older Thoroughbreds over 1400m, including Desert Horizon, Jubail, Mystery Chime, Nice Name, Chrono King, Gray Boss, Hidden Secret, Knockmark, La Yetal, Original Outlaw, and Vino Sauro. This race also offers a prize of AED 40,000, ensuring high stakes for emerging talent.
The action continues with the Emirates Courier Express at 18:40 for NH 2YO and SH 3YO Thoroughbreds over 1200m, featuring horses like Abyan, Abyroy, Benghazi Star, Dos And Donts, Ibn Zaydun, Imarat, Na Eem, Six Speed, State Glory, and Union Security. Competitors will vie for a prize of AED 40,000, adding competitive intensity to this young horse contest.
Next, the Emirates SkyCargo Handicap at 19:15 over 1900m will see a competitive field of 12, including Arabian Tale, Book Review, Ezaj, Kathab, Magic Petition, Shepperton Lodge, Arlan, Al Mukhtar, Moonshiner, Dubai Welcome, Deciduous, and Poster Paint. With a prize of AED 50,000, this handicap is poised to showcase thrilling tactical rides.
The night’s feature race, Emirates Airline, is scheduled at 19:50 over 1600m, promising an intense battle among 14 declared runners. Leading the field is Mount Kosciuszko with Patrick Dobbs aboard for trainer Julio Olascoaga, while Arabic Legend is partnered with Silvestre De Sousa for trainer Michael Costa.
Other notable contenders include Cupid’s Dream ridden by William Pereyra for trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri, Quality Humor with Saif Al Balushi under trainer Ahmad bin Harmash, and Kalidasa piloted by Chantal Sutherland for Bhupat Seemar. The field also features Laasudood with Tadhg O’Shea for Bhupat Seemar, Lahresh ridden by Richard Mullen for Musabbeh Al Mheiri, Al Jaddaf partnered with Connor Beasley under Ahmad bin Harmash, Arigatou Gozaimasu with Bernardo Pinheiro for Salem bin Ghadayer, Made In Dubai ridden by Qais Al Busaidi for Salem bin Ghadayer, Injazati with Sandro Paiva for Maitha Alsuwaidi, Smart System partnered with Ray Dawson under Ali Al Badwawi, and Million Doro ridden by Sam Hitchcott for Ahmad bin Harmash. With such a star-studded lineup of elite horses, top jockeys, and accomplished trainers, the Emirates Airline promises to be a thrilling contest for the prize of AED 250,000.
Racing continues with the Emirates Holidays Handicap at 20:25 over 1200m, featuring horses like Action Point, Road Bloc, Border Edge, Barq Al Emarat, Sunny Street, Al Muzn, Lajooje, Saarim, Dukedom, My Kinda Day, and Batraan. Competitors will battle for a prize of AED 50,000, adding intensity to this competitive sprint.
The night concludes with the Emirates Skywards Handicap at 21:00 over 1600m, boasting entries such as Dark Stream, Gamekeeper, Global Asset, Norato, Exculpation, Perfect Balance, Military Artist, Tolmount, Trip To Rome, and Nastase. This final contest offers a prize of AED 40,000, rounding off the day’s thrilling racing action.
Stay connected with RaceBuzz for all the live actions, results, and updates from the Dubai Racing Carnival’s exciting opening day at Meydan.
