At the Meydan Racecourse, the early morning atmosphere is tranquil. The sounds of horses’ hooves resonate softly on the track, breaking the calm as they rhythmically make their rounds.
Following the horses, a tractor works to smooth the sand, filling in the gaps created by their powerful strides. Mohamed Abbas Youssef, the racecourse facility manager, emphasizes the importance of this maintenance. It ensures that the horses can reach their maximum speed without encountering any uneven surfaces.
The viewing area for spectators is simple yet sufficient, accommodating roughly two dozen people. On this occasion, the typically VIP-only deck is open to the public, allowing visitors to observe the horses closely. From this vantage point, the heavy breathing of the animals can be distinctly heard, reminiscent of a human panting.
Horse trainer Julio Olascoaja begins his day at Meydan as early as 2:45 AM, a full hour before the first group of horses arrives. His primary responsibility is to ensure that the horses are adequately prepared for racing. This includes managing their exercise routines, monitoring their diet, and performing physical checks to assess their readiness.
Currently, there are 35 horses in the stables that Olascoaja splits into five separate groups. These horses train daily, with one designated day off per week. Typically, they engage in intensive “fast work” sessions every 7 to 10 days, during which trainers evaluate their readiness for upcoming races.
Training sessions generally wrap up around 8:00 or 8:30 AM to protect the horses from the increasing heat and humidity. The stables also house international competitors participating in the Dubai Racing Carnival, necessitating a coordinated training schedule to accommodate all horses.
Olascoaja notes that training starts by gradually conditioning the horses. Some of the international horses arrive from various countries such as those in Europe and South America, most coming in fit and ready to race. His focus quickly shifts to maintenance once they are settled.
The horse racing season at Meydan, particularly during the Dubai Racing Carnival, runs from November to March when temperatures are milder. However, Olascoaja stresses that proper training begins well before the season starts, often kicking off in early July to ensure the horses are primed for competition.