The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) is all set to welcome back fans for 2021-2022 racing season of UAE. The season is to start from 29 October. Before the commencement Authority has announced many revolutionary initiatives. Once such programme seeks to nurture Emirati management talent in the sector while working towards development of the sport in the UAE.

Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmouk bin Juma Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the ERA, announced the re-opening of racecourses and welcomed the decision of resuming normal activity at all the five UAE racecourses. "We greatly missed our fans in the past season, and we look forward to welcoming them back following the go-ahead given by UAE authorities to return to normal operations while comprehensively observing all COVID-19 protocols," Sheikh Rashid told a gathering of ERA officials at a recent meeting at the Authority’s offices. "As we begin to host a series of exciting races and implement new strategic initiatives, we will continue to work with our stakeholders, club management and relevant authorities to ensure that the return to full capacity crowds at our racecourses is done in a controlled environment that prioritises safety."

Sheikh Rashid also praised UAE’s leadership and all stakeholders for planning and decision-making process leading up to the new season. He also said a new set of protocols will be announced soon.

Highlighting the upcoming season, that assures to be the biggest and best in the Emirates Racing Authority’s history, Sheikh Rashid said, "We already have substantial involvement from Emiratis through racehorse ownership, and we are pleased to be able to extend this opportunity to competent individuals to help steer and support our operations on race days.”

The meeting was also attended by Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, who has been recently appointed as Director General of the ERA. He offered his full support for boosting growth and development of sport in UAE under a well-conceived strategic plan. Al Shehhi further thanked UAE authorities for their efforts to overcome the pandemic, thereby helping all activities in the country to return to normal.

He said that the decision-making on protocols will be left to the individual clubs and authorities. "Guided by the vision of our leaders, the UAE has successfully transitioned past the pandemic to a brighter sustainable future," said Al Shehhi. "However, we urge people attending racing events to fully abide by precautionary measures and respect the protocols to create a safe environment at our racecourses."

"We are delighted that our partnerships with neighbouring countries promote close coordination and united efforts among horse racing authorities," said Al Shehhi. "We will expand our cooperation with our counterparts in Gulf countries and share ideas and expertise that will help the sport to develop further and create promising opportunities for the entire horse racing community and equestrian industry."

Al Shehhi said that Mark Bird, the Irish Turf Club handicapper with over 20 years of experience in racing, will also be joining the ERA in same capacity for the 2021-2022 UAE racing season. The meeting also discussed various recommendations that were proposed at the previous ERA meetings and directed on the follow-up and implementation of decisions.

One of key initiatives of ERA is to provide owners with more badges that will help them bring more friends and family to race meetings, thus expanding the fans community at UAE racecourses. Two other decisions will split races into two divisions if a large number of declarations are received. ERA will compensate for prizemoney to be shared in case of a split. For the first time, connections will only have to pay a single entry fee for attending all entered races. Connections include people who are connected to a horse that is entered in a race and include the owner, trainer, rider and stable employees.

Another revolutionary decision was made to assess possibilities of allowing horses that were entered for the Dubai World Cup Carnival for competing at races in Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali Racecourse in major Patter Races like the National Day Cup, Jebel Ali Stakes, Mile, and Sprint, should quarantine regulations allow.

On the management side, a Racing Secretary will be appointed to manage drafting of conditions that govern races and coordinate between UAE racecourses and the ERA management. A new Trainer’s Committee will enable communication between connections and authorities on racing issues including rules and general inquiries. All meeting attendees agreed that the Committee will go a long way in helping engagement between connections and authorities.

 WAM