Dubai Racing Club (DRC) is actively building stronger international ties ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival, with senior officials recently completing an extensive tour of UK training facilities. The visit underlines DRC’s ongoing efforts to expand its global footprint, attract top international participation, and further enhance the reputation of both the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Racing Carnival as premier international racing fixtures.
Leading the delegation was Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club, who was accompanied by Erwan Charpy, DRC’s Head of Racing Operations & International Relations. Over several days, Al Ali and Charpy toured prominent training centers in the UK, beginning in the Lambourn region—one of the country’s key racing hubs—and extending north to Yorkshire, where they also held discussions with York Racecourse officials and visited several renowned stables.
Speaking about the visit, Al Ali emphasized the importance of face-to-face engagement with international trainers. “We wanted to take the time to visit as many trainers as we can in the UK to thank them for their continued support of the Dubai Racing Carnival and to encourage them to send horses to Dubai for the 2025-26 season,” he said. “We are keen to establish more direct relationships with racing industries overseas to promote the Dubai World Cup and Dubai Racing Carnival.”
Al Ali highlighted the value of seeing first-hand how trainers operate in different environments. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming, and it has been fascinating to see the different approaches, facilities, and techniques used by UK trainers to prepare their horses. We have also learned a great deal, and we’ll be bringing several ideas back to Dubai as part of our constant drive to improve our racing program and facilities.”
Erwan Charpy echoed these sentiments, adding: “We are extremely grateful to all the trainers who made time for us, especially during such a busy period with Royal Ascot taking place this week. Their hospitality and willingness to engage have been very encouraging, and we hope to welcome many of them to Meydan Racecourse this coming season.”
The Dubai Racing Club delegation will remain in the UK throughout Royal Ascot, which runs from June 17 to 21, using the event as another valuable opportunity to network with international racing stakeholders. Following Royal Ascot, Al Ali and Charpy are scheduled to return to the UK in July for additional visits to Newmarket, widely regarded as the headquarters of British flat racing. During that trip, Dubai Racing Club will partner with The Jockey Club to sponsor a race at Newmarket on July 11, further strengthening ties between the two global racing centers.
With its proactive global outreach, Dubai Racing Club continues to position the Dubai Racing Carnival and Dubai World Cup as must-attend fixtures on the international racing calendar, attracting top-tier trainers, owners, and horses from around the world.
