The milliners are manic and the tailors tied up as the Dubai World Cup returns to the iconic Meydan racecourse this Saturday.
Last year Thunder Snow, owned by Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and ridden by Christophe Soumillon and, took the spoils on home turf for the Godolphin stable.
One of the biggest days on the UAE’s sporting calendar, the Dubai World Cup can be a slightly overwhelming experience for first-timers so Sport360 have enlisted our five top tips for surviving at Meydan.
1) PLAN AHEAD
With 60,000 plus race goers flocking to Meydan you can imagine the logistical nightmare facing organisers come 10pm.
Booking a Careem or Uber taxi to pick you up at a set location and time will not only save you the headache of queuing for hours but also ensure your are home at a reasonable hour.
Alternatively, if you’re down with the cool kids and plan on partying the night away with Gwen Stefani at the post-racing concert then again make travel arrangements in advance.
2) PICK UP A PROGRAMME
While Dubai World Cup night is as much about the vibrant social scene as it is the world-class racing, it’s well worth keeping the official racing handbook close to hand.
Not only will it win you brownie points among the true horse racing aficionados, but will also ensure you’re not left with that nagging feeling that you’re missing out come the start bell.
There is also no greater thrill than selecting a winner on the night, especially if that means getting one over friends or those who claim to be ‘in the know’.
3) DRESS TO IMPRESS
This is a once-a-year chance to lose your inhibitions and go all out in the style stakes. The weirder and wackier the better.
Those who put in the most effort and originality into their World Cup outfits will be rewarded handsomely. A Jaguar F-Type coupe for a weekend, a Longines watch and cash prices are all up for grabs in the Jaguar Style Stakes.
4) IT’S NOT FASHIONABLE TO BE LATE
Get there early. And no, that’s not just to avoid the heavy traffic on the journey in but, more importantly, it gives you a chance to sample the Meydan Racecourse in all of its glory.
The mile-long grandstand, which opened in 2010, is the biggest anywhere in the world. It’s a thing of beauty although capturing all of it in a photo is impossible.
Getting there before the masses gives you the rare opportunity to embrace the calm before the storm, and of course scout for the perfect vantage point.
Gates open at noon with the first race, the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, scheduled for 3:45pm GST.
5) PACK THE CAMERA
Such is the glitz, glamour, pomp and ceremony of the night you’d be foolish not to pocket a camera or fully-charged smartphone.
Whether it’s the horses battling for supremacy on the track or the fashionistas seeking your attention off it, the World Cup is an all-out attack on the senses. Making sure you document every bit of it is simply a must. If anything, it will help give your Instagram following a boost.
