Dubai-owned port operator DP World has signed a five-year strategic sponsorship agreement with Meydan Group to becoming a Meydan Pillar Partner and Race Sponsor of the Group 1 race, Dubai Turf, in the Dubai World Cup.

The Dubai Turf, one of the world’s premier Group 1 grass races, formerly known as the Dubai Duty Free, is run over 1800m.

The honour roll of previous winners includes the two Mike de Kock-trained runners, Ipi Tombe (2003) and Right Approach (2004), Japanese galloper, Admire Moon (2007), local hero, Al Shemali (2010) international globetrotting star, Presvis (2011) and runaway winner, Just A Way (2014), said a statement from DP World.
 
In addition to permanent branding at Meydan for the duration of the agreement, the deal will see DP World sponsoring the Dubai World Cup Carnival card today (January 15) and a Racing at Meydan meeting held before the Carnival each year.

The card today features the high-class UAE 1000 and 2000 Guineas Trials as well as the Listed Dubawi Stakes, it stated.
 
On the deal, DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: "We are proud supporters of Dubai as a premier destination for prestigious sporting events and have supported the European Tour’s ‘Race to Dubai’ golf championship for many years."

"We are delighted to join the impressive list of Pillar Partners for the 20th running of the world renowned Dubai World Cup.  As an international company with operations across six continents, we are looking forward to connecting with the world through this important race, promoting Dubai as a centre of excellence for sport, tourism and trade," he stated.
 
According to him, the Dubai World Cup has rapidly developed into a unique and hugely popular event on the global racing calendar at one of the world’s leading sporting venues.

"We are honoured to be sponsoring one of the major races on that night, the Group 1 Dubai Turf, which was won by Japanese star, Just A Way in 2014, and to support the event for the next five years in the run up to the World Expo in 2020," stated bin Sulayem.
     
Meydan Group chairman Saeed Al Tayer said DP World’s commitment to racing was a significant development for Meydan Group.

"As a renowned global company with a considerable interest in Dubai, their partnership represents the continued evolution of first-class horse racing in Dubai and the wider promotion of racing in Dubai and the UAE around the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service