News & Media

Meydan Racecourse installs new Tapeta track

30. September 2009

The anticipation for the unveiling of the new Meydan Racecourse took another step closer with the installation of the Tapeta track ready for the commencement of the new racing season at Meydan Racecourse which begins on January 28 with the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival.

The new Tapeta surface, which will cover the 1750m all-weather track, is positioned inside the main turf track. The 2010 Dubai World Cup, now worth US$10 million, will be run on Tapeta for the first time on March 27th 2010.

Tapeta (Latin for ‘carpet’) is specially designed first and foremost to protect the horse's well-being, providing a cushion that protects the legs and feet of horses in training from the injuries common on industry-standard dirt surfaces. This all-weather surface was also selected for the training track at Meydan, a facility that opened in March 2009.

CEO of the Dubai Racing Club, Mr Frank Gabriel Jr said: “The Tapeta surface has proven to be a safe and reliable, and has shown outstanding durability in this climate, having already been in place at the Meydan training track. We look forward to a brand new era of racing at the up-coming 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup with this new all-weather surface course.”

Michael Dickinson, who is the creator behind the Tapeta surface, said: “Tapeta Footings are proud and honoured to be chosen to supply the racing surface for the largest and most exciting racing project of the 21st century.

“We are delighted that the world class trainers who have used the Tapeta training track at Meydan since it opened in March have given it rave reviews. We are sure Meydan will set the standard for racecourses and racing surfaces that the rest of the world will endeavour to match."

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