Meydan opens a new season of promise with the Dubai Racing Carnival

The international circuit of the United Arab Emirates kicks off its 2026/2027 season this Friday, with Brotherly Love,Gun Carriage, and the veteran Colour Up among the headline attractions. The action will also feature debuting trainers and promising young prospects, alongside runners for Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates.— The international spectacle turns its lights back on at Meydan. This Friday marks the kickoff of the 2026/2027 Dubai Racing Carnival, a season promising once again to assemble figures from across multiple continents, featuring an opening card that blends seasoned campaigners, classic prospects, and contenders seeking a return to top form.

The main event will be the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, a handicap over 1600 meters that drew seven runners, where Brotherly Love (Zoustar) stands out as one of the most compelling entries.

Trained by Jamie Osborne, the British gelding returns following an extended layoff and a gelding procedure. During his previous Dubai campaign, he captured the Road to the Kentucky Derby (L)—formerly known as the Al Bastakiya (L)—before finishing fourth behind Wonder Dean (Dee Majesty) in the UAE Derby (G2).

“He ran respectably in the UAE Derby, though we were hoping for a bit more. He’s a big, still-immature horse, and I think that race proved a bit too demanding at the time. He’s had a long, quiet build-up now, and I hope he can continue to progress,” Osborne explained.

Another English visitor will be Gun Carriage (Gun Runner), presented by Dylan Cunha, who secured a runner-up finish on his local debut during the previous Carnival. Following a rest, he returned with a third-place effort at Goodwood.

“He’s in very good shape, and we hope to start the Carnival with a win,” his trainer commented.

Champion UAE trainer Bhupat Seemar will launch a two-pronged attack with Sirocco Winds (Dubawi), a winner over 1400 meters at Meydan selected by Tadhg O'Shea, and Laasudood (War Front), who will carry Ray Dawson.

The card will also feature the return of the popular Colour Up (Mehmas), an 8-year-old veteran making his 28th career start in the opening event over 1200 meters. Conditioned by Doug Watson, he has not raced since March, when he finished seventh in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).

“He’s happy, in great shape, and working very well. It’s exciting to see him back out there competing,” assured his owner, Sayed Hashish.

In that same sprint, Midland Money (Shancelot) will make his local debut following two wins in the United States under Bob Baffert. He is now under the care of Ed Crisford, the new head trainer at Jebel Ali Stables.

Among the 3-year-olds, attention will center on Ten Carat Harry (Ardad), another runner sent over by Osborne, who won seven of his fifteen starts in Great Britain. He will make his dirt debut in a 1400-meter conditions race.

“I’m not usually keen on switching horses from turf to dirt, but I think his style could adapt well. Plus, on his dam’s side, he has a pedigree strongly geared toward the surface,” the trainer noted.

Adding novelty to the fixture will be the participation of Saudi trainer Abdullah Al Monif, who arrives with two runners from Saudi Arabia. Allajayn, runner-up in her last two outings at Taif, will take on 3-year-old company, while Brave Vekoma (Vekoma) searches for experience in a maiden contest.

Also lining up in that maiden are Jeyoush (Army Mule) and Qasseer (Girvin) for Crisford, alongside American-breds Ops (Maximus Mischief) and Blanc Canvas (Maxfield), both trained by Seemar.

The card is completed by another 1600-meter handicap where Watson saddles three runners, led by Mawhoob (War of Will), a two-time winner at Jebel Ali. That field also features Nam Phrik (Hofburg), a Brazilian-bred running for Stud Las Monjitas who will shoulder top weight of 64 1/2 kilograms.

Nam Phrik forms part of the contingent conditioned by Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga, who also field the gray Norato (Kentuckian) with solid winning chances as he resumes after a long break in the Emirates Holidays (1900m,dirt).

It is merely the opening chapter of an extensive season, yet one loaded with enough key names to begin imagining what lies ahead. Meydan opens its doors to the world once more, and the road to Dubai's signature nights is officially underway.