Emirates will sponsor the full card at Jebel Ali Racecourse this Friday (February 9) as the company underlines its support for horse racing in the United Arab Emirates.

The Emirates Airline Race Day – the eighth meeting of the 2017-18 UAE racing season – will feature five competitive handicaps and a maiden race.

“Emirates is happy to continue its relationship with Jebel Ali Racecourse by sponsoring a full card,” Shaikh Majid Al Mulla, Emirates Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations, said.

“Emirates’ support of horse racing, here in Dubai and elsewhere, is well known and has been one of the mainstays of our sports sponsorship portfolio for a long time. We believe that sports sponsorship is an excellent way of connecting with our sponsors, by sharing in and supporting their interest and passions.”

As well as the Dubai World Cup – the jewel in the UAE’s horse racing crown – Emirates also sponsors events across the world including meetings at Newmarket and York in the UK, the Breeders’ Cup in the USA and the Melbourne Cup in Australia.”

Shaikh Majid added: “These and other sports sponsorships have helped to build Dubai’s credentials as the regional premier tourist, business, sports and financial hub.

“I would like to thank [Major General] Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, [Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security] and the Jebel Ali Racecourse for their cooperation in making the Race Day possible.”

The UAE horse racing season includes 20 race meetings at Meydan, 11 at Jebel Ali Racecourse, 15 at Abu Dhabi, 10 meetings at Al Ain Racecourse and six at Sharjah Racecourse.

The opening Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting took place at the Meydan Racecourse on January 11. The 23rd renewal of the Dubai World Cup is scheduled for March 31.