Untiring efforts pay off as racing returns to Jebel Ali on Jan.24

Untiring efforts of experts to restore the iconic Jebel Ali’s racecourse track at the earliest — following temporary suspension of races over the ‘kickback issue’ — will yield positive results as racing is scheduled to resume on Jan.24.

The six-race meeting scheduled to be held on Jan.24 includes the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, the track’s biggest and most prestigious meeting of the season.

Racing has been temporarily abandoned since early week of December after an inspection by a team comprising officials from the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), Jebel Ali Racecourse and jockeys.

The inspection followed a complaint by a group of jockeys, who approached Emirates Racing Authority stewards on a matter concerning track safety. The riders found the track unsafe due to the kickback throughout the entire surface of the track.

The jockeys reported that the kickback was hard, causing injury to themselves, potential injury to horses and resulting in riders riding their mounts in a manner they felt was detrimental to their chances of finishing in the best possible position.

On Dec.13 the race meeting was cancelled in light of the feedback from several jockeys related to the unusual kickback that they had encountered at the previous race meeting on Nov.29.

However, after consulting a team of international experts and working round the clock the Jebel Ali Racecourse management have announced officially that they are close to finishing the restoration work and are looking forward to host the race at the three-decades-old racetrack.

“Work is currently under way on the track aimed at pushing the safety and security to the highest levels for which Jebel Ali Racecourse is famous,” said Jebel Ali Racecourse manager, Engineer Shareef Al Halawani.

“The racecourse boasts 26 years of safe operation with an excellent safety record and we are scheduled to resume racing and host the five remaining meetings on the season’s calendar starting from Zabeel Raceday scheduled for Jan.24.

“Work is progressing at a fast pace to finish the required jobs and to bring it up to the required and excellent standards that ensure the safety of both horse and rider,” Halawani added.

The ERA have advised Jebel Ali Racecourse that prior to racing recommencing at the venue, the surface will have to pass an official inspection, at which time a gallop will be conducted to assess the safety of the track regarding the kickback.

The ERA maintains a guiding, collective principle that the safety and welfare of jockey and horse are absolutely paramount.

Mohammed Al Shehhi, Director of the Office of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktuoum, the founder and patron of Jebel Ali Racecourse, said: “Following the directives from Sheikh Ahmed a team of global racing experts are currently on the job working to develop sustainable and long-term solutions for the historic racetrack.

“Sheikh Ahmed is keen to ensure the track is safe for horses and jockeys. The track has served us well for over two decades, with highest levels of safety and versatility as it suits both turf and dirt horses. It is only the issue of increased kickback which has created the situation, which is being rectified.”

Shehhi said that all the elements that made Jebel Ali Racecourse a fair venue for racing will be retained as part of the plan to preserve the legacy and status of the track.

“The Jebel Ali track is impartial to dirt and turf horses and provides both with an equal opportunity, with the unique climb making racing more exciting and competitive until the finish,” Shehhi added.

Both Shehhi and Halawani also thanked the Emirates Racing Authority for its involvement and cooperation in ensuring racing is run successfully at Jebel Ali in full adherence with international standards.

They also stressed on the fact that the issue of horse and rider safety is a top priority for both parties.