Two-day Dubai Future Champions Festival approved by BHA

A new two-day Dubai Future Champions Festival, worth more than £2 million,

has been approved by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) for 2015 and onward

and will take place at the Rowley Mile in Newmarket October 9-10.

Friday's card will feature the £500,000 Dubai Fillies' Mile (Eng-G1) for

juvenile fillies (up from £200,000 last year), while Saturday's card will host

the Dubai Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1) for the same pot (an increase of £100,000 from

last year), as well as the £250,000 Betfred Cesarewitch H.

With the prize money boosts, the Dewhurst and Fillies' Mile will be the most

valuable juvenile races in Europe. The support of Dubai has enabled Jockey Club

Racecourses to boost the prize money for the festival by more than £500,000.

Thursday's unveiling follows the news several weeks ago that the Middle Park

S. (Eng-G1) -- also for juveniles and run on the same card as the Dewhurst the

last few years -- would be moved to late September.

The Dubai Future Champions Festival will also focus on the local community,

fashion and education. The Friday will be promoted as Newmarket Racecourses'

Autumn Ladies Day, while the Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket will become

the Official Fashion Partner for the two-day festival. The Dubai Education week

will be repeated and culminate with racing on the Friday.

Both days of the festival will offer free entry to students, with an

after-racing party held on the Saturday.

"The Dubai Future Champions Festival brings together world-class two-year-old

races with premier older age contests, including two high value handicaps, with

more than £2 million on offer," said Amy Starkey, East Regional Director for

Jockey Club Racecourses. "It is all about the development and celebration of the

Thoroughbred, fantastic racing for the public and participants, and enhances the

autumn and two-year-old race program in the best long-term interests of our

sport, which is always our motive as part of The Jockey Club."

John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohamed, added, "His Highness

Sheikh Mohammed does an enormous amount to support British horse racing, and the

creation of the Dubai Future Champions Festival is yet another example of Sheikh

Mohammed's continued commitment to Newmarket and the horse racing industry at

large.

"The new format builds on the success of last year's Dubai Future Champions

Day and creates a stunning weekend for racegoers to enjoy the highest caliber

sporting action and the very best of British flat racing."

Newmarket trainers William Haggas and John Gosden were outspoken in their

support of the new concept on Thursday.

"This is terrific news, not only for the entire racing community in Newmarket

but also for our sport in general," Haggas stated. "This festival helps reaffirm

Newmarket's unique place at the heart of horse racing in Britain. These are two

fabulous days of the highest quality of flat racing, held between Book 1 and

Book 2 of Tattersalls Sales.

"Well done to Newmarket Racecourses and Dubai. Huge thanks, once again to

Sheikh Mohammed, who continues to stoically support our industry."

"Newmarket Racecourse has experienced a lot of changes to its racing program

over the last four years, and it's now extremely pleasing that they have been

able, in partnership with Dubai, to put together two fantastic days of racing

which suits both the racing and sales calendars," Gosden remarked. "This is a

program that will create a solid foundation which can be built upon for the

future."

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

Provisional Program

Friday, October 9:

Race 1: £80,000 Dubai Cornwallis S. (Eng-G3)

Race 2: £80,000 Dubai Oh So Sharp S. (Eng-G3)

Race 3: £150,000 Dubai Challenge S. (Eng-G2)

Race 4: £500,000 Fillies' Mile S. (Eng-G1)

Race 5: £140,000 Dubai Old Rowley Cup (Heritage Handicap)

Race 6: £25,000 Dubai Fillies Maiden S.

Race 7: £50,000 Listed Dubai Pride S.

Saturday, October 10:

Race 1: £60,000 EBF Fillies Nursery H.

Race 2: £80,000 Dubai Autumn S. (Eng-G3)

Race 3: £500,000 Dubai Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1)

Race 4: £250,000 Betfred Cesarewitch Heritage Handicap

Race 5: £50,000 Listed Dubai Zetland S.

Race 6: £50,000 Listed Dubai Boadicea S.

Race 7: £80,000 Darley S. (Eng-G3)

Race 8: The Bearstead Perpetual Challenge Trophy (Varsity

Race)

*Prize money prior to any supplemental entries

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