Meydan Racecourse and Grandstand is the realization of the vision of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to create a destination that would lead the sport of thoroughbred racing into the next millennium. Over the course of no more than 924 days, Teo A. Khing Design Consultants delivered on his express wish, creating a centre of excellence that draws people from every corner of the world.
In its scale and complexity, Meydan is incomparable to any racecourse that preceded it or has followed. Its grandstand alone is a mile (1500m or equal to 22 Boeing 747s end to end) long and encompasses a six-star hotel, royal enclosure, extensive hospitality spaces, restaurants, private suites, Imax theatre and more.
The racecourse, parade rings, paddocks and arrival bays are connected by an intricate network of underground horse tunnels. These facilities also connect seamlessly with nearby training facilities and quarantine centres to meet the needs of regional and international based horses.
But Meydan is more than a racing venue, more than a grandstand. As its name hints, it is a meeting place. With a capacity to cater for the needs of up to 100,000 patrons, including UAE royal families, it is the epicentre of a more expansive plan known as Meydan City – a future cosmopolitan horse city.
The masterplan of Meydan was extensive and intricate, interweaving the imagery of local Arabic culture, new design technology, new and established transportation channels and future city planning. Meydan is rightly horse racing’s crown jewel as well as a virtue in the international identity of Dubai itself. Without surprise it quickly established itself as the venue for the most culturally diverse horse racing carnival in the world as well as a regional landmark.