Meydan's official launch to be a sensory spectacular

Meydan's official launch

to be a sensory spectacular

Meydan on Thursday revealed details of the official opening ceremony which concurs

with the 2010 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on Saturday. The day's program will include some of the

world's best known names in horseracing and, held in conjunction with the landmark

event inaugurating the official opening of Meydan, a new era in horseracing will

be introduced as the world's largest integrated racing facility is launched.

Throughout the day, performances across all entrances and Apron Views at

Meydan will take place, and these acts range from music and dance

performances to fire and light shows. Performances include but are not limited

to

bubble dancers, stilt walkers, caricaturists, light cube shows, human and adagio

statues, unicyclists, Arabic fusion bands, jazz quartets, flamenco guitarists,

breakdancers, comedy acts, fire shows, a police band, magicians and belly

dancers.

Saturday will see the culmination of the 7th Dubai International Racing

Carnival, and the first Dubai World Cup to be held at Meydan. What will be one

of

the most anticipated highlights of the evening will be the commencement of the

opening ceremony spectacular, a multi-sensory experience themed around "The

Vision of Meydan." Highlights will include media links

across

what is possibly the largest moving projected image screen in the world at 6,725

square meters across 15 projection wings. These will take audiences through a

myriad of elements ranging from the cultural to the historical and the

emotional,

including the greatest moments of the past 14 Dubai World Cups.

Other key points of the ceremony will include equine and falcon performances,

micro light and aerial displays, as well as a breathtaking pyro display by

world-renowned The Gruccis of New York. Widely recognized as the leading

pyrotechnics and fireworks company in the world, Gruccis has been responsible

for landmark displays across seven consecutive U.S. presidential inaugurations

and most recently the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The highlight of the evening is undoubtedly the namesake race, which is last on

the cards and occurs approximately at 1.45 p.m. (EDT). Fourteen of the world's top

Thoroughbreds will be vying to be crowned the first-ever Dubai

World Cup champion at Meydan in the $10-million event.

Capping off this exciting evening, the 15th Dubai World Cup will see a finale

that

showcases a double headliner concert by Sir Elton John and Carlos Santana,

internationally renowned artistes who have wowed audiences the world over with

their timeless appeal and stage presence.

"The

launch of Meydan makes a monumental mark in history," said Saeed Humaid Al Tayer,

Chairman of the Board and CEO of Meydan. "To accomplish building

the world's largest integrated racing facility is no mean feat and we are very

proud to have been able to do so in a timeframe that would have typically taken

twice as long for others, if not more. Meydan is the representation of the rich

history, culture and tradition of our people, born out of the vision of His

Highness

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime

Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

"To impress upon this momentous moment for us all,

this is the first time the Dubai World Cup is run on Tapeta, and it is also the

richest race in the history of horseracing at $10 million. Followed by an

opening ceremony and extravaganza planned to take all audiences on a

historical, cultural and emotional journey of Emirati culture and topped off

with

stellar performances by Carlos Santana and Sir Elton John, I am very pleased

indeed to finally say -- Welcome to Meydan."

Capacity crowds of up to 60,000 are expected, so race goers and visitors are

encouraged to turn up as early in the day as possible.

For more information, maps on how to get to Meydan and its facilities, and the

Dubai World Cup Stars on the Track Golden Circle concert ticket sales, please

visit www.dubaiworldcup.com.