Dubai opens billion dollar horseracing complex
Dubai has opened the 4.6 billion-dirham (AUS $1.35 billion) Meydan horseracing complex that can hold 80,000 people and includes a 290-room five-star hotel.
The course will host the first of 10 events of the Dubai Carnival this morning. The Carnival season culminates with the Dubai World Cup on 27th March.
The Meydan complex also includes a racing museum, an IMAX cinema and a marina. It took 34 months to build.
Frank Gabriel, Chief Executive of Dubai Racing, "the vision was always that Meydan would be used 365 days a year, which is why there is so much adding that can be used outside racing times.
"In terms of racing you always have to be very conscious of the temperature here but in future we will definitely look at ways to expand the racing program and add more days if that would be possible. It is still very hot in September but the temperature starts to drop around October."
Dubai is ruled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the biggest spender on horses in the world. He has about 700 animals in training, according to UK newspaper The Times.
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