Dubai race attracts rich and famous

By Julia Wheeler
BBC Gulf correspondent

The hat competition also set pulses racing

The Dubai World Cup race meeting is always the social event of the year in Dubai, and arguably the Gulf.

And the 10th running of the race was no exception.

Every sector of Dubai society is represented at the race meeting which has a total prize purse of $15.25 million (£8.15m).

At the desert track about 15km (nine miles) from the city, the billowing white robes of Sudanese men contrasted starkly with the brightly coloured hats of the western women.

South Asian racegoers, who during the week work on construction sites, watch from the grandstands while the corporate boxes above them flow with champagne.

At the popular International Village, women vied for the title of Best Dressed Lady. Hats and long dresses were generally the order of the day.

Back near the track, the American owner of Roses in May, the favourite in the $6m (£3.2m) Dubai World Cup, watched the race from the owners' stand which is surrounded by public seating.

'Fever pitch'

As Ken Ramsey's excitement grew, so too did that of the Arabs around him.

Roses in May was the favourite to win the race

They were reaching a similar fever pitch as the horse crossed the winning line at the Nadd al-Sheba track and congratulated him accordingly.

Mr Ramsey rushed through the parade ring and out on to the track to lead his horse back into the winners' enclosure.

Roses in May then seemingly nipped him above his eye, drawing blood. It did not seem to dampen his enthusiasm for the horse or the race though.

"I feel like I have climbed a mountain tonight," said Mr Ramsey.

He looked into a TV camera to tell his wife back in the US, that he was going to be late home and probably would not sleep on Saturday night.

Mr Ramsey and the horse's other connections together share $3.2m (£1.7m) prize money.

Australian joy

In the penultimate race, the Dubai Duty Free, Australia had its first ever win on Dubai World Cup night.

Owner Kenneth Ramsey was ecstatic

Elvstroem (known in Australia as Elvis) won the $2m (£1m) Group 1 race, much to the delight of the Antipodean supporters.

They began a chant of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" near the winner's podium, encouraging the jockey, Nash Rawiller, to give the crowds a closer look at his hard-won trophy.

Gambling is not allowed in the Emirates because it is against Islamic principles, but those at the race track are encouraged to take part in a prediction competition in which they stand to take a share of over $25,000 (£13,000).

There are also raffles for luxury cars - including a Rolls Royce.

Dubai's success

The Dubai World Cup day meeting has grown significantly from its origins.

The race card now boasts five Group 1 and two Group 2 races.

Horses, owners, trainers and jockeys travel from around the world to take part.

The Americans have dominated in recent years and this year was the first in which the Godolphin stable of the ruling al-Maktoum family of Dubai did not enter a horse in the main race.

The Dubai World Cup was designed as one of the means of raising the profile of the city of Dubai in order to attract more tourists and increase investment.

The growth of the race has mirrored the growth of the city since the mid-1990s, and the Dubai World Cup can undoubtedly take some credit for the city's success.