Friday night racing will once again take centre stage at Meydan Racecourse on 20 February 2026, where an eight-race card will unfold under the floodlights in Dubai. The programme, scheduled from 17:30 through to 21:45, will feature a mix of dirt and turf contests, ranging from competitive handicaps to high-profile Group events. With total prize money in excess of AED 4 million, the evening will be headlined by the Group 2 Balanchine, which will offer the highest purse of the meeting at AED 850,000 and is set to attract leading fillies and mares from across the region and beyond.
The action is set to begin at 17:30 with Race 1 – DEEPAL S05, a Maiden contest for three-year-olds and upwards over 1400 metres on dirt, carrying total prize money of AED 165,000. The opening race is expected to feature lightly raced runners looking to establish early-season form on Meydan’s main track.
At 18:05, Race 2 – DEEPAL S07 will follow, a 1000-metre turf Handicap (80–100) for three-year-olds and older. With AED 250,000 on offer, this sharp sprint is likely to reward early speed and tactical positioning on the straight course.
The first feature of the evening arrives at 18:50 with the UAE Oaks Sponsored by DEEPAL, a Group 3 contest for three-year-old fillies over 1900 metres on dirt. Offering AED 800,000 in prize money, the race is set to play a key role in shaping the Classic narrative in the region, with progressive fillies stepping up in distance.
Race 4 at 19:25, titled Touch The Future, will see older runners compete in a Handicap (85–105) over 1900 metres on turf. With AED 300,000 at stake, the contest will test stamina and balance around Meydan’s sweeping turns.
The programme continues at 20:00 with Race 5 – DEEPAL Super Hybrid, a 1400-metre dirt Handicap (80–105) worth AED 300,000. The intermediate trip is expected to suit versatile performers capable of handling Meydan’s demanding surface.
The evening’s centrepiece will take place at 20:35 with the Balanchine Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, a Group 2 event run over 1800 metres on turf. Carrying the highest prize money of the night at AED 850,000, the race is open to four-year-old and older fillies and mares, along with Southern Hemisphere three-year-old fillies. As the richest contest on the card, the Balanchine is set to attract elite female turf performers and will stand as the headline event of the meeting.
At 21:10, attention will switch back to dirt for Race 7 – Dubai Road To The Kentucky Derby Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, a Listed contest for three-year-olds over 1900 metres. With AED 800,000 in prize money, the race is poised to serve as an important stepping stone for developing colts aiming for international targets later in the season.
The card will conclude at 21:45 with Race 8 – Nad Al Sheba Trophy Sponsored by DEEPAL G318, a Group 3 event staged over 2810 metres on turf. Worth AED 700,000, this extended-distance contest will provide a searching stamina test and is expected to draw seasoned stayers capable of seeing out the demanding trip.
Friday’s Meydan meeting will therefore present a balanced blend of maiden opportunity, competitive handicaps and high-level Pattern races. With the AED 850,000 Balanchine topping the bill and strong support from the UAE Oaks and Dubai Road To The Kentucky Derby, the 20 February 2026 programme is set to deliver another significant chapter in the Dubai racing season under the lights at Meydan.
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