It is the eagerly awaited second Meydan Masters jockeys’ challenge this weekend with 12 of the world’s best jockeys set to grace Meydan in three handicaps, two on All-Weather on Thursday and a Turf one on Friday.
Their mounts were decided by ballot and a stellar cast has again been attracted.
Martin Talty, Manager of Dubai Racing Club’s International Department, explained: “The Meydan Masters established itself in the Carnival calendar last year and in 2011 we will see the winning jockeys of the Kentucky, English, Irish, French and Japanese Derbies all riding against each other. It is certainly a unique occurrence and highlights the whole concept of the Dubai International Racing Carnival, not only attracting horses from around the world but also the best jockeys.”
This year’s line-up consists of Carnival regulars Richard Hills (last year’s winner), William Buick, Ryan Moore, Olivier Peslier, Frankie Dettori and Johnny Murtagh.
Richard Hughes, Gerald Mosse, Hiroyuki Uchida, Maxime Guyon, Calvin Borel and last year’s Dubai World Cup winning jockey Tiago Pereira complete the dozen.
Points will be awarded according to finishing position, with 75 for the winner, 20 for second place, 15 for third and ten for fourth down to just one for 12th. In the event of two or more jockeys accumulating the same number of points at the end of the third race, a countback will take place with the jockey riding the most number of winners being declared the victor. If it is still tied at that stage the winner will be the rider who has registered the most seconds.
Please click here to listen to Rupert Bell interview top American jockey Calvin Borel about his upcoming rides at Meydan… http://www.dubairacingclub.com/content/calvin-borel