A soft cheer rose from the Meydan barns as handlers brushed down fresh arrivals and cameras flashed around travelling star Audience — a moment that reflected the heartbeat of the Dubai Racing Carnival before a single flag has dropped. Horses shifted eagerly in their stalls, trainers swapped travel stories and even seasoned staff admitted there was something “different in the air” this year. Dubai feels ready, and the world has responded.
More than 300 horses from 19 nations have nominated for the 2025–26 Dubai Racing Carnival, shaping what many already consider one of the strongest international line-ups ever assembled at Meydan Racecourse. With 16 weeks of high-class competition underway since 7 November, the early arrivals alone have set a compelling tone for what lies ahead.
British G1-winning trainer Jamie Osborne was among the first to step onto the tarmac, bringing with him a team spearheaded by Heart Of Honor — runner-up in the G2 UAE Derby and fifth in the G1 Preakness. Norway’s Niels Petersen has also made an assertive early move, landing with 11 contenders including Norsk Derby hero War Socks. From the Czech Republic, Miroslav Nieslanik and globe-trotting sprinter Ponntos return once more, while Danish trainer Veronika Jandova is already established with seven, headed by Listed winner Hans Andersen, who flourished during last season’s Dubai campaign.
Newmarket’s Phil Spencer, backed strongly by Phil Cunningham, has assembled a ten-strong squad under their Rebel Racing arm. Their headline pair — Goodwood Stewards’ Cup winner Two Tribes and Ayr Gold Cup victor Run Boy Run — give early indication of depth and ambition.
Global Firepower Builds Momentum at the Dubai Racing Carnival
The programme runs through March, leading into the historic 30th Dubai World Cup on 28 March. Several stables are clearly playing the long game, holding aces for later meetings. Among them, Karl Burke plans a five-horse team including G1 Jebel Hatta third Holloway Boy, while David O’Meara returns with G2 Dubai Gold Cup third Epic Poet. Witness Stand — victorious in the G2 Lennox Stakes — is expected to target Meydan next year under the Dr Richard Newland–Jamie Insole partnership.
Sprinter Mitbaahy returns under Charles Hills, and one of the most anticipated runners, G1 Lockinge Stakes winner Audience, sets foot in Dubai for his second desert campaign under John and Thady Gosden.
Erwan Charpy, Head Of Racing Operations & International Relations, expressed the club’s enthusiasm:
“We are delighted to have acceptors from so many countries. It underlines Dubai’s position at the centre of the racing world, showcasing the strength of our facilities and our evolving racing programme. We look forward to welcoming elite global talent in the weeks ahead.”
Meydan hosts three December fixtures on the 5th, 12th and 19th, finishing with Festive Friday — a meeting headlined by two Group 2 contests, the Al Maktoum Mile and the Al Rashidiya. With the international cavalry arriving in waves, the stage is set for one of the most competitive and far-reaching racing seasons Dubai has witnessed.
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