World Cup Plans Promotional Campaign

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States, and the resulting situation internationally, organizers of the Dubai World Cup program plan an intensive promotional campaign to ensure the 2002 Dubai World Cup is well-received by horsemen, the Gulf News reported.

The first entries for the $15.25 million Dubai World Cup meeting are due Nov. 14. Representatives will attend major racing events, including the Oct. 27 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, to promote the World Cup program.

"We have been extremely fortunate to have enjoyed excellent entries in the past for the Dubai World Cup, and the strength of those entries has continued through to the day itself," said Les Benton, chairman of the Dubai World Cup Committee. "In the last two years we have created new records and set the mark for other international events with the number of overseas runners competing at one race meeting.

"We will be strongly represented at the Breeders' Cup in New York and the Melbourne Cup carnival (in Australia), and will be doing everything to ensure the Dubai World Cup meeting retains its position on the international calendar."

The Dubai World Cup Committee indicated that the 71 horses that shipped overseas to compete in 2001 may be topped in 2002.