by Steve Bailey

The Dubai Racing Club announced on Friday its plans to create one of the world’s most ambitious racing complexes, which will replace the aging Nad al Sheba racecourse.

The billion-dollar project, dubbed Meydan racecourse and constructed under the guidance of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, will include a state-of-the-art racetrack and stabling facilities as well as the world’s first trackside hotel, all constructed near the site where Nad al Sheba now stands.

The complex will include a 1,750-meter (8.70-furlong) dirt track and a 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) turf track, which will be surrounded by a massive grandstand, dozens of fountains, a round, open paddock and several waterways that stretch the length of the facility.

Further details were expected to be released during an official press conference on Saturday afternoon prior to the $21.25-million Dubai World Cup card.

The announcement was made amid fireworks, laser lights, dancers, acrobats, and the unveiling of two scale models of the project, which brought several gasps and bursts of applause from those in attendance.

The gala opened with images on giant video screens recalling the 11-year-history of the World Cup.

“When we dream alone, it is only a dream. When we dream together, it is the beginning of reality,” a narrator said as fireworks boomed beneath a bright, nearly full moon in the clear desert sky.

The name “Meydan” then was projected in huge green script by laser lights down the side of the massive sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel just on the horizon as the first of the scale models rose from beneath a platform in front of the royal family’s box.

“It is Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of the future of racing in Dubai and the world,” Dubai Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Frank Gabriel said following the presentation. “It’s a fabulous model, like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”

Construction continues to expand throughout Dubai as buildings spring quickly from what only recently appeared to be nothing more than desert sand. Much of Nad al Sheba will be razed over the next several years in order to make room for the project and an underground metro railway that will run through the area and into downtown Dubai.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times