Two ex-Arlington men play key roles in Dubai's $2 bil crown jewel
It features a grandstand that can accommodate 60,000 spectators under one spectacular, swerving roof.
It has a five-star hotel featuring a to-die-for view in every one of its 290 rooms.
There's a museum, a marina, a commercial business park and even an IMAX theater.
Oh yeah, and they'll also put on some of the best horse racing in the world over a short period of time on both the 11/2-mile turf course and one-mile synthetic track.
Welcome to the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, a place observers are describing as so breathtaking that words can hardly describe it. Type in Meydan on YouTube and see for yourself.
On Thursday, the facility built by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to replace the old Nad al Sheba Racecourse, at a cost estimated at $2 billion, was unveiled to the world as it kicked off its Racing Carnival and prepares for its season with the Dubai World Cup and grand opening in March.
And one of the key figures at the helm of the massive $2 billion construction project that began in 2007 is former Arlington Park executive Frank Gabriel, now the chief executive of the Dubai Racing Club.
Gabriel came to Arlington in 1990 as racing secretary and eventually moved up to executive vice president of racing before leaving for Dubai in 2005.
Joining him in at Meydan Racecourse is another familiar face, former Arlington track superintendent Javier Barajas, who left for Dubai early last year.
They are two key figures helping support Sheik Mohammed's investment and love for horse racing. Mohammed has spent tens of millions to buy, breed and race hundreds of horses for Godolphin Stables. He showcases them all over the world and at the Dubai World Cup, which he has made into the world's richest race with a purse of $10 million.
When Meydan has its official grand opening on March 27 for the World Cup, it will feature eight races with a total purse of $26 million, serving as the new crown jewel of racing in the Persian Gulf.
In an e-mail interview with the Daily Herald, Gabriel discussed the opening of Meydan, life in Dubai and how the experience compares to his former life at Arlington Park.
Q. How do you describe the whole Meydan complex to people who have never seen it?
A. It is a facility that is not just a racecourse, but an entertainment destination 365 days a year. From the Meydan Hotel (270 rooms) to Meydan Museum and Gallery, to the IMAX theater and then the Boat House Marina - we look at the Meydan Racecourse as the Heart of the Meydan City.
Q. What's it like for you watching the construction of this and finally realizing you are on the cusp of a historic moment?
A. The Meydan and Dubai Racing Club's entire team has worked very hard these past years and this is just a start of the realization of completing the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Q. Does opening day there compare to anything at Arlington. Maybe the Breeders' Cup?
A. This is very close to opening a Breeders' Cup - times five.
Q. In your eyes, what is the one or a few of the most amazing aspects of the whole complex?
A. Some of the Features are the Sky bubble roof, the Royal majalis, the Tunnels system that was produced for all horses to travel from the barns to the parade rings, the Meydan Hotel ...
Q. When Arlington was rebuilt it was state-of-the-art. How do the two compare?
A. I believe that there will be similarities that are offered for the hospitality guest, but each building is different because of (who) we are catering to.
Q. Talk about the job Javier has done and how is he adjusting to life there?
A. Javier has been a great asset for the Meydan project and fantastic help to me. This was not an easy task to develop these tracks in just six months' time (grass and the All Weather).
Q. What's the best part about living in Dubai and how often do you get back to the states?
A. For the past two years I have not been back because of the development, but I would say that it is a very kind and warm area to live in for my family ... and the weather is great.