Abu Dhabi Equestrian and Turf Club Embarks on Ambitious Expansion and Redevelopment

Horse racing in the UAE and the Meydan Racecourse have long been synonymous with equestrian sports in the Emirates. However, the Abu Dhabi Turf Club and the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club are forging their own unique path, driven by a fresh vision for the future of racing in the UAE. Founded in 1976 by the late UAE Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this milestone year, inspiring a bold new chapter for the institution.

Originally established as a riding club before evolving into a showcase for Arabian horses, the venue held its first official race in 1991. Today, the club is leveraging its anniversary as a launchpad for its most ambitious redevelopment to date. The centerpiece of this master plan is the Al Khail Square project, launched in December 2025 by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The initiative aims to advance Abu Dhabi's equestrian sector while seamlessly integrating it into a modern urban landscape, enhancing local quality of life and supporting the emirate's vision for new communities.

The site already encompasses a country club, a golf club, The Arcades, and a shopping mall, with the Al Khail Square development designed to unite these elements into a cohesive visitor experience. The master plan features advanced equestrian facilities, upscale housing, modern healthcare facilities, diverse commercial spaces, and a new world-class members' club, all interconnected by pedestrian walkways and open green spaces.

“The object of the redevelopment is to bring that all into one seamless journey for the customer,” Dayle Brown, chief sports & equestrian officer of Al Khail Square, told The National. “When they come to Al Khail Square, they can participate in all different elements. So we have to redesign and bring everything into play.” Positioned as a major upcoming lifestyle and real estate destination in the capital, Al Khail Square will remain anchored in the rich heritage of the Equestrian Club.

“It will be a destination in the future and we'll continue to grow,” Mr. Brown stated. “We want to stay true to our own DNA and history, but develop that internationally – become our own destination from a different perspective than what already exists in the GCC [Gulf Co-operation Council] and the UAE.”

While Meydan Racecourse hosts the prestigious Dubai World Cup with its $30.5 million prize pool, Abu Dhabi has cultivated its own flagship event, the $1 million Gold Cup, which successfully attracts international thoroughbred competitors.

“Dubai has been seen as the World Cup and Abu Dhabi realised very quickly that we have an excellent product from a racing perspective,” Mr. Brown noted to The National. “And hence we launched the Gold Cup, which a lot of international people came to compete in.”

According to Mr. Brown, the distinction between the two venues lies in the horses themselves. “Meydan's a different prospect to Abu Dhabi. Meydan is about the thoroughbred racehorse, whereas we have the purebred Arabian and the thoroughbred. We want both [Meydan Racecourse and Abu Dhabi Turf Club] to be part of the footprint going forward and have a different element to the UAE from a racing perspective.” This focus on the purebred Arabian tradition complements the nation's thoroughbred boom and strengthens the overall racing structure in the UAE.

Looking ahead, several prominent events are scheduled at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club, headlined by the UAE Presidential Cup and the Gold Cup. This year's UAE President Cup is set for December 12 with a total prize purse of $2.94 million, followed by the Gold Cup on February 7, 2027, offering combined prize money of $1.19 million.

The Al Khail Square project extends far beyond the boundaries of the club. During the launch, Sheikh Mansour emphasized that the development honors the organization's five-decade legacy within a contemporary urban setting, further solidifying the emirate's status as a global hub for horse racing and equestrian sports.