The most anticipated horse race meeting of the year took place at the end of March 2012 at the Meydan Racecourse. This event is high on every socialite and horse racing enthusiast’s calendar, with the prize money running into millions of dollars.

The Dubai world cup is worth millions in prize money due to the success of the sport in Dubai, with the culmination of the main race which attracts the top horses and jockeys from all over the world taking place through invitation only. The main race, The Dubai World Cup is worth a staggering US$10 million in prize money alone, and is classed as a flat race group one raced over a mile and two furlongs. This main race was held on Friday 31 March and the initial view of the race was that the field of 14 horses declared for the race was wide open, with the winner very difficult to call before the race. That Dubai Site’s Editor at Large was adamant that the horse from USA “Game on Dude”, was certain to win after a long trip from America, and ridden by its regular jockey Chantal Sutherland, who made history as the first female jockey to take part in this main race.

The eventual winner was Monterosso which pleased the owner, his highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with his Godolphin stables taking the top two places in the world’s richest race. Godolphin stables belong to the Maktoum family, which are overseen by a huge number of experienced jockeys, stable hands managers and many more behind the scenes. The world renowned stables have worked hard to keep the good name it has made for itself over the years, with an impressive array of top quality world class thoroughbred “racing machines”. 

The Godolphin stables had a huge advantage in the World Cup with 4 runners for the main race, as well as having a total of 20 horses represented at the Dubai festival. Godolphin seems to be strides ahead of the rest of the field by becoming the leading horse stables, and winning owners at the Dubai World Cup Carnival for the fifth year in succession. Not only was it fantastic prize money for winning the top race, but to receive a gold trophy as well must have been a huge honour and a boost to everyone at the stables. This will obviously take pride of place in an already brimming trophy cabinet.

Over 50,000 spectators watched this race live from the track, with millions of TV viewers from around the world eagerly watching and willing their favourite horse to pass the finishing line first.

Amongst the jockeys and horses during the week there were a number of success stories such as jockey Frankie Dettori having two winners, Luca Cumani’s horse Presvis romped home again ridden by Ryan Moore to win the $5m race sponsored by Dubai Duty Free for the 3rd time, as well as the home nation of Dubai being represented by Godolphin with an array of race winners across the week.

Whoever you are and wherever you live in the world, it will be more than possible that you will have heard of the world islands development in Dubai. Until now most people would have only heard about them, or seen many pictures from aerial photos taken by the local aircraft, you may even have been lucky enough to have chartered a flight by the likes of Sea Wings, who offer flights over the islands on the way to or from the other surrounding landmarks and astonishing views of Dubai.

The World islands are 4km off the coast and are accessible by boat only at the moment. The majority of the islands are sold off now, however it makes you wonder why when the normal person could not buy their own piece of the world when prices being bantered about are in the region of “a few million dirhams” it is astonishing when you think that you could have bought your own United Kingdom, Brazil or Germany to name just a few. One of the islands sold was Shanghai island which went for $28 million, which was only 322,000 square ft in size.

Nakheel who arranged the construction of these islands have started a new venture, which offers the public the opportunity to see the project first hand by way of a two-hour cruise, with an added extra of being shown around the inside of the Palm to show what has been achieved there. This trip is expected to be a great tourist attraction, as most people would be intrigued to see the World Islands and the inside of Palm Jumeirah just to try and see someone famous, as well as seeing the astonishing properties that have been built on the Fronds of the Palm.

Nakheel have two trips scheduled; an hour long trip that just goes to the inside of Pal Jumeirah, and the two hour trip that, as mentioned, takes in the trip to the World islands.

For those who get seasick, this trip can be one of the calmest water rides that you will experience, due to the way the islands are constructed, making the waters around it very calm.

Cruise with Nakheel” is a unique leisure cruise facility for the Palm Jumeirah and the World Islands, touring the inner waters of Palm Jumeirah’s crescent and offering new views of the island’s luxury resorts, villas, apartment complexes and marina. Cruise with Nakheel offers trips for groups of up to 12, 15 or 25 people, using three sizes of vessel 38 ft, 52ft and 80ft, with indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Operating Sunday to Thursday between 9am and 3pm, trips last around one hour, and start from at the Nakheel offices on Al Sufouh Road, just before the entrance to Palm Jumeirah. From there passengers sail north between the tips of the island’s fronds and its 11.5 km long crescent, or breakwater, home to a growing number of hotels and resorts.

Nakheel’s tours cost Dhs700 per hour for 10 people, Dhs1,500 per hour for 15 people, Dhs3,000 per 2.5 hours (minimum cruise) for 25 people. The World and Palm Jumeirah cruise lasts two hours, with daily trips 9am-11am, 11.30am-1.30pm and 2pm-4pm.

For info, www.nakheel.com/en/news/nakheel-sets-sail-with-palm-jumeirah-and-world-islands-cruises or email cruise@nakheel.com.

The world islands has its own website allowing you to view further details, www.theworld.ae/

In a special event at the manufacturer’s plant in Everett,  Washington State, Emirates who have become the world's biggest customer of twin-jet Boeing777s, celebrated the unveiling of the 1,000th Boeing 777 to be built. Of this significant milestone that the whole workforce at Boeing will celebrate, and will be so proud of, the company will be providing additional employee thank-you events as the aircraft moves through the 49-day build process.

It is fitting and particularly poignant that Emirates will be the airline to be in receipt of this milestone aircraft. The particular model will be the extended range 777-300ER, which will take Emirates total of 777’s on its fleet to 102 with a further 93 Boeing 777 . Ever since the 777s entered service in the 1990s, Emirates had begun to rely on the twin-engine jet that is much more fuel efficient compared to its rival models.

Emirates will continue to order the Boeing 777 to step up their market holdings in the supply and demand of travel throughout the world. Boeing meanwhile will capitalise on the delays at Airbus, by having the capability to supply the 777 quicker than its rivals.

Emirates Airline has over 160 wide body aircraft which are operated over 115 destinations in 67 countries, which connect to major cities in the world on the six continents. Emirates total fleet size is 161 aircraft and will continue to grow steadily to meet demand.

The factory celebration was attended by more than 5,000 Boeing employees, suppliers and government officials, including Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, a delegation of dignitaries from the UAE and senior Emirates executives.

“Emirates are honoured to be the recipient of Boeing’s 1000th 777, an aircraft whose advanced, long range capacity has been instrumental to our success in becoming a truly global airline,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “Emirates is already the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777 and our order for an additional 93 is further testament to our belief in the product and the role this aircraft will play as we build our fleet for tomorrow and further establish Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading air travel hubs.”

Emirates operate Boeings and Airbus aircraft predominantly which are of the highest built quality and specification. The aircraft on its fleet, show to great effect how the standard of aircraft along with the extremely high standard of customer service employed by the company, go hand in hand together to provide the ultimate partnership which in turn provides the best customer flight experience available.

Boeing aircraft are operated by 63 other airlines around the world, having received or ordered between them all nearly 1300 aircraft, Emirates are one of Boeing’s biggest customers with many models of the 777 being constructed and supplied to them. The 777 is fast becoming the most popular operated passenger aircraft, as well as being the most preferred aircraft by airlines.

Saj Ahmad, a UK-based aviation analyst says: “Leading the charge for Emirates' growth has been the expansion of its Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 777-300ER fleets, so that fuel and emissions costs have been cut despite increases in fuel, while at the same time leveraging its strength as a wide body, long haul operator to launch new routes at a time when most other airlines have been reticent to do so.”

Emirates, the biggest Arab carrier, recently reported a net profit of Dh827 million ($225 million) on Dh30.3 billion ($8.3 billion) revenues for the first six months of its current financial year ending 30th September 2011. They are now the largest world airline in relation to its “international Revenue Passenger Kilometres”

Following the success of the 2011 show, which generated estimated sales in excess of AED 1 billion as a direct result of the last show, this year is expected to smash that figure due to the continued growth of the marine trade around the world. With some of the world’s most prestigious super yacht builders association (SYBAss) exhibiting, this will help the cause to exceed the previous year’s sales.

The 2012 boat show was a massive success which was particularly poignant for its 20th years hosting the event. This show is one of the largest exhibitions of any trade to be held in the UAE, with over 750 leading companies and brands at the show, from approximately 24 countries around the world with over 430 boats on show.

The event which took place between 13 – 17 March 2012 was opened by HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

There were a total of 430 yachts and boats being exhibited which were valued at a staggering Dh960 million ($261.4 million). Among the highlights of the show were over 20 super yachts, 33 regional launches and 9 global premieres from the world’s best boat makers in the boating industry. There were also first time exhibits from countries such as Austria, Cyprus, Egypt, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Poland, and Tunisia. Other notable major highlights at the show taking centre stage were Gulf Craft, the leading UAE-based manufacturer, unveiling a 135 ft super yacht, Sunseeker who launched their 63 and 65 ft yachts; Samawy Marine launching their Samawy Marine 44,  and Koot Yachts launching the Koot 54.

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event, said: “Over the last two decades, the Dubai International Boat Show has served as a key business driver for the marine sector boosting the regional industry.”

“The impressive evolution and growth of the show from an event focused on the UAE boating market to the leading maritime industry event in the Middle East and one of the most lucrative in the international arena supports the ideal platform that Dubai offers for global trade and business opportunities,” he said.

Saeed Hareb, senior advisor, Dubai International Boat Show, said: “Dubai is increasingly becoming a top destination for the leisure marine community and the Dubai International Boat Show plays a leading role in that success.”
 
Other key segments of the show include the marina display area, comprising of the largest on-water display in the Middle East; the luxury supplies & services, housing the finest luxury boat builders from around the world; and equipment supplies & services, an indoor area filled with exhibitors specialising in products essential to the supply and servicing of the leisure marine industry.

As we reported last year, the phenomenal success of parading super-cars alongside super yachts has seen the return of this joint exhibition. Some of the most expensive cars and super-cars in the world were on show for this growing market. The ideal accompaniment to the must have yachts, the must have vehicles on show include some of the world’s fastest cars such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drop head Coupé, Mercedes-Benz awesome SLS AMG, the Bentley Continental Series 51. Other exhibitors included Mc Laren, Porsche, Nissan and Brabus.

The majority of the vehicles on show being capable of 200mph and costing upwards of £200,000 were able to be purchased at the show and driven off the site. Whereas the boats and yachts would need to be ordered and delivered, and some of them would cost in excess of £10m.