The inaugural staging of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup race day, a partnership between the Meydan Group and the Chengdu Municipal Government is scheduled for Sunday April 6, 2014.
The groundbreaking race meeting, which will be held at the Jinma Racecourse in the Garden City of Chengdu in Wenjiang District will consist of five turf races, highlighted by the 2200m Chengdu Dubai International Cup and the Wenjiang Meydan Classic over 1600m, both presented by Longines.
Three support races will also make up the card, including the Meydan Mile, the 1400m Guangsha Handicap and the 1200m Wenjiang Sprint.
The race meeting is organised by the Meydan Group, under the Emirates Racing Authority rules of racing (a signatory to the International Federation of Horseracing Authority), in partnership with the Chengdu Municipal Government, the Chengdu Sports Bureau, the Wenjiang District Government and China Gunagsha Group.
Race fields will consist of horses transported from the UAE to Chengdu. They will then be shipped back home to the UAE making this the first race meeting held on mainland China to feature international horses undergoing both import and export quarantine procedures.
The horses will be prepared by Dubai Racing Club trainers and ridden by the jockeys who take part in the UAE race season, including the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
Malih Al Basti, Meydan Group Board Member and Chairman Meydan Racing Committee said: “This is an exciting strategic partnership that we have entered into to assist the Chinese authorities in developing the sport of Thoroughbred racing. With this groundbreaking meeting we have opened up channels of cooperation that will continue to grow between the UAE and China.
“Meydan Racecourse, the Dubai World Cup Carnival and the Dubai World Cup are seen as pinnacles of racing excellence around the world, and we hope to share the strong equine culture that underpins the UAE’s passion for this sport with the people of Chengdu through this event.”
H.E. Chao Xie, Wenjiang District Party Committee Secretary said: “This is a landmark event for the city of Chengdu and will act as a major bridge for the continuing good relations between the District of Wenjiang, the city of Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates.”
H.E. Zhongfu Lou, Honorary Chairman of Guangsha Group said: “China Guangsha Group was the only foreign enterprise to be a main sponsor of the 2010 and 2011 Dubai World Cup days, a move which helped introduce the Dubai World Cup and international racing to Chengdu, China.
“As part of our commitment to social responsibility, Guangsha Group will use this inaugural race day as a platform to push the development of all aspects of the equine and racing industries such as racing, breeding and horse care.
Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, said: “Longines is very proud to be the Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup. Together with this event, we share common values such as tradition, performance and elegance. The Chengdu Dubai International Cup presented by Longines is the perfect venue to discover Conquest Classic, our watch collection dedicated to our passion for equestrian sports.”
Situated in the South West of China, Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province. It is a city of historical and cultural significance. As such it is attractive to tourists and acts as a centre for politics, culture, science, education, commerce, finance, military and international trade. An accessible transportation and communications hub, Chengdu also possesses the largest airport in the region. Dubbed the “Heavenly Land of Plenty”, it is one of the largest cities on mainland China.
Wenjiang, a district in the Garden City of Chengdu, is known for its green suburbs and holds the United Nations Environment Programme Foundation’s, ‘Outstanding Green City’ award.
Jinma Racecourse is a standout equestrian facility, the only one in the West of China and has successfully hosted the China Equestrian Festival for the last three years. As a legacy of the Chengdu Dubai International raceday, racecourse management will promote the continued development of the equine industry.
Accreditation for international media traveling to the Chengdu Dubai International Cup must be made by March 16 to meet visa and permit requirements for Chengdu, China.
Please contact Tony Terry, Media Relations Manager, Meydan for full details -- tony.terry@meydan.ae
Meghnad Warrier, Meydan Vice President Finance and Investments (left) and Malih Al Basti, Meydan Group Board Member and Chairman Meydan Racing Committee (centre) announce the Chengdu Dubai International Cup race day at a press conference in Chengdu.
Click here for the hi-res version of the above image.
