ERA gives green signal as racing at Jebel Ali returns on Friday
Amir Naqvi
A seasoned journalist covering major sports events around the world. Amir is Sports Editor with Gulf Today.
Jockeys during the trial at the Jebel Ali Racecourse on Monday. Haitham Al Khatim / Al Khaleej
Jebel Ali Racecourse was given the all-clear to resume racing activities after the assessment of the track condition on Monday morning by ERA and experts.
ERA conducted an inspection of the track surface with a delegation of jockeys and a representative from Jebel Ali Racecourse.
An official trial featuring 13 horses assessed the safety and kickback of the track, after which the surface was passed suitable for racing at the scheduled race on Friday.
In an official statement, the ERA thanked Jebel Ali Racecourse for addressing the concerns that led to three race meetings being cancelled during the 2019-2020 UAE racing season.
“Jebel Ali Racecourse has always been a valued Club for the Racing Industry in the UAE and their continued support in striving to provide a safe track, for both jockeys and horses is welcomed by the ERA,” said the statement.
“The ERA and Jebel Ali Racecourse will continue to monitor the track surface in the upcoming race meetings, working together to provide the best possible surface for the racing industry,” the statement concluded.
Racing had been temporarily abandoned since early week of December last year after an inspection by a team comprising officials from the ERA, Jebel Ali Racecourse and jockeys.
A group of jockeys approached ERA stewards on a matter concerning track safety. The riders found the track unsafe due to the kickback throughout the entire surface of the track.
Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, director of the office of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security and owner of Jebel Ali Racecourse, said: I would like to thank Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his continued support, and I would like to congratulate all the fans of Jebel Ali Racecourse as well as trainers and jockeys on the return of racing.
“All the experts have concluded that the track is in mint condition, the latest repairs helped reduce the kickback, and all jockeys and trainers in Monday’s test race have praised the track.
“Jebel Ali was and still is a safe racetrack; we brought in experts to cooperate with the jockeys’ complaints and to make sure safety measures are met.
“I would like to thank Shareef Helwani and trainer Nicholas Bachalard, who have kept up to date with the repair process step by step and led the journey to fix all issues, and also thanks to the ERA for their cooperation,” he added.
There are seven race meetings still scheduled to be run at the Jebel Ali Racecourse during the 2019-2020 UAE racing season.
Visibly happy after the clearance by ERA, Halawani, manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse, said: “This is fantastic news, not just for Jebel Ali Racecourse, but for all our patrons, sponsors and fans.
“We now look forward positively to bringing Jebel Ali Racecourse to the forefront of UAE racing and we will adhere to raise the standards of the track to ensure that it is among the best surfaces in the world. Some of the most memorable races have be staged at our racecourse and we hope that once racing resumes this weekend, fans in the UAE and around the world, will be once again treated to the thrilling finishes that the venue is renowned for,” he added.
