Dubai Racing Club launches ‘Dar Al Khail’ programme for retired racehorses

Dubai Racing Club has announced the formation of its Dar Al Khail initiative, to rehome and retrain ex-racehorses across the UAE.

The launch of Dar Al Khail – which means ‘House of the Horse’ – will be celebrated by a parade of ex-racehorses at Meydan Racecourse on Super Saturday, 5 March.

14 ridden and in-hand off-track thoroughbreds, including several former Godolphin horses, will be in the parade ring before racing begins, at 2.30pm.

They will each display their current roles, which include eventing, show jumping and dressage.

The horses parading are all in different phases of the retraining process, from the recently retired Carnival winner Grand Argentier, to G3 winners My Catch and Shamaal Nibras, both of whom have embarked on successful second careers with their new owners.

Led in-hand will be 29-year-old First Flame, resident of DRC’s Rehoming and Rehabilitation Centre.

The rehoming centre has been looking after retired racehorses in Dubai since the inception of racing in the UAE in the early 1990s and will form the nucleus of Dar Al Khail. The parade is aimed at showing the racing public the variety of occupations horses can do after their racing careers are over, both in the flat and endurance disciplines.

Major General Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager of Dubai Racing Club, said: “The aftercare of racehorses is very important to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has established rehoming centres all over the world, including here in Dubai.

"This is why we have decided to launch Dar Al Khail - to ensure our retired stars are looked after just as well in their second careers as they were in their first.

“By including this parade on Super Saturday, we wish to show that racehorses can go onto to have long and happy lives after their days on the track are over, and the exceptional care that they are given throughout their lives."

“It’s very important that we showcase these horses and what they can achieve,” said Heather Copland, Manager of Dubai Racing Club’s Rehoming and Rehabilitation Centre.

“Racehorses retire at a relatively young age and the vast majority can go onto become riding horses, show jumpers, eventers or just companion horses. Those here today are just a tiny percentage of the hundreds who have been rehomed successfully across the UAE.

“I must extend my thanks to Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, for his direct involvement with this project.”

The parade will begin at 2.30pm local time and will be televised on Dubai Racing Channel and Yas TV.