Following the major increase in prize money, the Dubai Duty Free (Gr.I) received further recognition yesterday with the announcement that the race, now worth US$5,000,000, is to be included in the 2006 Asian Mile Challenge.

The Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, which is to be run on Dubai World Cup day at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Saturday, 25th March, will be the second leg of the four race Asian Mile Challenge.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Japan Racing Association established the Asian Mile Challenge in 2005 and due to the initial success of the Series invited the Dubai Racing Club to join the Challenge with its prestigious Dubai Duty Free.

Dubai’s inclusion in the Asian Mile Challenge was announced by Mr. Saeed H. Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, “I am very excited to announce that the Dubai Duty Free, one of the highlights of the Dubai racing calendar, is now part of the Asian Mile Challenge. The Challenge brings together four of Asia’s leading racing nations and is the perfect vehicle to showcase the quality of racing in this part of the world.”

Australia’s Group One Futurity Stakes run on March 7th at Caulfield Racecourse will be the opening leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, followed by the Dubai Duty Free on March 25th. The Challenge then takes in the Champions Mile in Hong Kong on May 7th before Japan hosts the final leg – the Yasuda Kinen on June 4th.

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: “We are delighted that our US$5,000,000 Group One race on the Dubai World Cup night is to be part of the Asian Mile Challenge. This race always produces an outstanding field and with this new development, we expect that the standard of entries will be even higher for next year.”

It's been a busy week for the Dubai Racing Club. They have also just announced the appointment of a new CEO - Mr. Frank Gabriel Jr.

Gabriel joins the Dubai Racing Club with over 30 years experience in the racing industry; the last 16 years being spent at Arlington Park in Chicago, USA, where he was Executive Vice President of Racing and Racing Secretary.

From 1998 – 1999 Gabriel was the Director of Racing for the New York Racing Association; after having risen through the ranks at a number of America’s racecourses.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Saeed H. Al-Tayer said, “It is with great pleasure that I welcome Frank Gabriel to the Dubai Racing Club as its Chief Executive Officer. We are very fortunate to be able to secure the services of such an experienced operator who has the knowledge and the leadership capabilities to continue the expansion of the Dubai Racing Club.”

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to join the Dubai Racing Club.” said Gabriel, “I have watched with interest the speed at which the Club has grown. I remember watching the first Dubai World Cup in 1996 and it is incredible just how far that event has come in 10 short years.

“It is a very exciting time to join the Dubai Racing Club, following last week’s announcement of the increased prize money for the Dubai World Cup racemeeting and with the start of the third Dubai International Racing Carnival only four months away. I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mr Al-Tayer and the Board of Directors of the Dubai Racing Club for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to all of the challenges that lie ahead,” Gabriel concluded.

Source: DRC media release