The New Year will be ushered in under the floodlights at Meydan Racecourse on Friday with a competitive eight-race programme that brings together established winners, emerging talent, and familiar Carnival storylines. With Group-class performers returning to action and several stables keen to set an early marker, the opening meeting promises depth across the card rather than reliance on a single headline act.
Meydan New Year Race Day
That sense of quality runs deep, starting with a programme that blends proven Group performers with lightly raced types looking to establish themselves at the Carnival. Attention will naturally turn to the day’s feature contests, but intrigue is spread evenly across dirt and turf, sprint and stamina, experience and potential.
The G3 Dubawi Stakes, a 1200-metre dirt sprint, brings together a compact but closely matched field, with several runners re-engaging after meeting earlier in the season. The absence of the defending champion opens the race up, and previous form suggests small margins could again prove decisive. Dark Saffron, a top-level winner earlier in the year, is among those expected to improve after an eventful previous start, while Mufasa’s connections believe circumstances last time masked his true ability.
The race’s tactical shape is likely to be crucial, with pace expected from multiple angles and the emphasis on who can settle and finish strongest on the Meydan dirt. Connections across the field appear quietly confident, pointing to sharper fitness, lessons learned, and the expectation of a more even contest this time.
The official highlight of the afternoon arrives with the G2 Zabeel Mile, a race with a rich recent history and a field that blends youth with experience. Aomori City, a Group-winning juvenile in Europe, returns after a long break and a change in approach, with his trainer hopeful that a fresh start and the Meydan configuration will bring out his best. His past success on turning tracks offers encouragement as he steps back into Pattern company.
Standing in his way is Audience, a proven Group 1 winner whose arrival at a new stable adds an extra layer of interest. Although this marks his first appearance for his new connections, early reports from the yard suggest satisfaction with his work and readiness to return to competition. He faces seasoned rivals as well, including previous Carnival performers and multiple Group-race winners, ensuring no shortage of depth in the mile contest.
Earlier on the card, the Zabeel Turf sets the tone with a large and varied field over 2000 metres. Several runners arrive with solid Carnival credentials, including last season’s form lines that suggest little separates the principals. Age, experience, and race fitness all come into play here, making it a race where positioning and patience may outweigh raw speed.
Another competitive highlight comes in the Jumeirah Stakes, where a sizeable field lines up over 1400 metres on turf. Course-and-distance form features strongly among the contenders, while a handful of lightly raced improvers add uncertainty to the outcome. A promising filly takes on male rivals, while others seek to confirm progress made earlier in the season, giving the race a genuine open feel.
The UAE Guineas Trial introduces several three-year-olds with Classic aspirations, including an impressive debut winner who now steps up in class. The field includes both local runners and European visitors, with the emphasis on development rather than final polish at this stage of the season. For some, this is a stepping stone; for others, a test of how far they can realistically climb.
Stamina comes to the fore in the concluding long-distance handicap, where proven versatility and adaptability will be key. Among the runners is a dual-purpose performer making the transition back to the Flat, with connections viewing this race as part of a wider Middle Eastern campaign. European challengers again feature prominently, reinforcing the international flavour that has become a hallmark of the Carnival.
Sprint handicaps complete the card, providing opportunities for sharp, established sprinters and fresh faces alike. With large fields and varied profiles, these races are expected to deliver early pace and competitive finishes, ensuring sustained interest from start to finish.
Racing gets underway at 5:30 pm, marking the first major statement of intent for the new year at Meydan, where ambition, preparation, and opportunity meet once more.
Stay tuned to racebuzz for indepth coverage of UAE racing.