Silk Road Bloodstock

The Silk Road Journal · Ownership

Owning a Racehorse in Dubai: Your First Season, 2026-27

Paperwork, planes and one patient trainer. Here is how to plan your first UAE season backwards, from the race you want to the paper behind the horse.

By , Dubai-based bloodstock agent for owners worldwide · · 9 min read

A light-hearted look at the horse world. Faris, Auntie Mariam and the Trainer Who Sighs are invented. Facts are sourced at the end. Nothing here is financial or legal advice.

A field of racehorses on the dirt track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
Racing at Meydan, Dubai. Illustrative, not a Silk Road Bloodstock horse. Photo: Imadkayyali, "Horse race in Dubai", via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

The 2026-27 UAE season opened on 22 October and ends with the Dubai World Cup on 27 March 2027. Meydan's Dubai Racing Carnival starts on Friday 6 November. To race, you register as an owner with the Emirates Racing Authority, choose a licensed UAE trainer, and get the horse imported in time. Plan backwards from your first race.

Every first season starts the same way. Someone says, "How hard can it be?" Then a horse in Europe gets an import permit, a flight and a better seat than its owner.

Faris (invented, 41, sensible family business) said it last week in the family majlis. Auntie Mariam put down her coffee and asked for a timeline. This article is that timeline.

When does the 2026-27 UAE racing season run?

The season runs from late October to the end of March. The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) has reportedly scheduled 64 meetings at 5 racecourses, ending with the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on 27 March 2027.

The reported split is Meydan 17, Abu Dhabi 16, Al Ain 14, Jebel Ali 11 and Sharjah 6. The Carnival, Meydan's international series, is reported to have around 16 meetings. Always check the official fixtures before you book anything.

For the Carnival dates published so far, see our Dubai Racing Carnival guide.

How do I register as a racehorse owner in the UAE?

Owners register with the Emirates Racing Authority, which runs UAE racing. Its Registry Office registers horses for racing and handles every entry and declaration.

The ERA's ownership page simply says to contact the ERA. In practice, your licensed trainer usually guides you through it. Ask the ERA what applies to you for 2026-27.

Ask for 2 things in writing:

  • Owner registration: what you must provide, and the fee.
  • Racing colours: how to register them, and what happens if your design is taken. Faris wanted plain gold. So, it turns out, did a lot of people before him.

You do not have to live in the UAE. The ERA describes an International Stable at Meydan for owners who are not UAE residents. It sits beside the quarantine stables. You can plan a Dubai season from London, Riyadh, Hong Kong or New York.

How do I choose a licensed trainer in the UAE?

Choose from trainers licensed by the ERA. The ERA licenses all trainers, jockeys and stable staff in the UAE, so the licence is the starting point, not the finish.

Then ask the questions that matter to you:

  • Which races suit my horse, and at which course?
  • How do you report: weekly message, video, or a visit?
  • What is in the monthly fee, and what is billed on top?

A good trainer answers plainly. The Trainer Who Sighs (invented, and excellent) answers with sighs. A short sigh means the horse needs time. A long sigh means the vet is coming. A double sigh means the owner has started planning the trophy speech.

Licensed trainers train; we help you choose one, place the horse and supervise the plan.

How do I import a racehorse to Dubai, and how long does it take?

You need an import permit from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) before the horse leaves the exporting country. The horse then flies in by air, with official health papers and blood tests.

  • Permit first: permission to import must be granted before the horse leaves the exporting country.
  • By air only: horses arrive by air at Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. Sea imports are not allowed.
  • Tests: blood tests are usually needed within set days of export. Ask your shipper or MOCCAE for the current list.
  • After landing: the Carnival terms reportedly keep horses on journeys over 6 hours in their stalls for at least 48 hours after arrival.

Timing differs for every horse, so ask your shipper for a timeline before you buy. Then allow time to settle before a first run. The horse flies business class and complains about the hay. Faris flies economy and complains about the horse.

Horse's Diary: "Day 1 in Dubai. Warm. The human from Europe looks tired. I slept on the plane. I ate."

See racehorse transport and buying a racehorse in Dubai.

To pick a horse who copes with the flight, read what the Breeders' Cup teaches buyers about horses that travel.

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What does a first season look like, month by month?

Here is our planner for a first UAE season. The dates come from published schedules; check the official fixtures. The rest is our method, not a rule.

MonthWhat is onWhat the owner doesAuntie Mariam asks
Oct 2026Season opens 22 Oct, Abu DhabiSend your brief. Choose the trainer. Start owner registration."Who signs?"
Nov 2026Carnival opens Fri 6 Nov, MeydanBuy, vet, apply for the import permit. Book the flight."Is the permit approved, or hoped for?"
Dec 2026Racing at all 5 coursesHorse arrives, settles, starts work."What is the monthly bill?"
Jan 2027Carnival continuesFirst entry, if the trainer agrees."Why is there a vet invoice?"
Feb 2027Abu Dhabi Gold Cup, reported for 7 FebRace, review, adjust the plan."Is the horse happy?"
Mar 2027Dubai World Cup, Sat 27 MarEnjoy the biggest night. Plan the summer."And next season?"

Faris added a column for the trophy speech. Auntie Mariam deleted it. She was right.

Racehorses in the final furlong of a flat race at the Curragh, Ireland
Flat racing at the Curragh, Ireland. Illustrative, not a Silk Road Bloodstock horse. Photo: Florian Christoph, "Finish!", Curragh, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

What costs should I ask for in writing?

Ask for every cost in writing before the horse travels. Costs vary by trainer, horse and year, so we will not guess.

Your written list should cover:

  1. The horse: price, sale-house charges and any tax.
  2. Vetting: X-rays, a wind scope and blood tests before you buy. See racehorse vetting explained.
  3. Export and import: permit, health papers, flight, and arrival costs.
  4. Training: the monthly fee, and what it includes.
  5. Extras: vet, farrier, transport to the races, and insurance.

Our management service starts from US$2,000 per horse per month. For a full worked example of buying and running costs, read what a racehorse really costs.

Owning a racehorse is a passion, not a way to make money. The bills arrive every month. The good days arrive when they like.

What is race day at Meydan like for an owner?

Race day is mostly waiting, then 2 minutes of no breathing at all. You meet the horse in the parade ring, shake hands with the jockey and try to look calm.

Arrive early, because Dubai traffic has no interest in your post time.

Carnival tickets reportedly start from Dh10, with Paddock Garden entry from Dh75. A night at Meydan before you buy is the cheapest research in racing.

Then the gates open. Whatever happens, the horse comes back, and you thank the team. The best owners thank the groom first.

A plain word before you start

A first season in the UAE is very achievable. It needs a licensed trainer, clean paperwork, a vet you trust, a horse that suits the races, and time. Most problems we see are timing problems, not horse problems.

We cannot promise a win, a place or a prize. Nobody honest can. What we can promise is a careful search, an independent vet, clear terms and plain reports from the sale to Meydan, by email, wherever you are.

Faris now has a timeline, a trainer shortlist and no trophy speech. Auntie Mariam has the only copy of the timeline. That is the correct arrangement.

Start your first Dubai season properly, from anywhere.

Email us your budget and your target month, wherever you live. We source Thoroughbreds from all over the world, with independent vets and licensed trainer partners. Racing somewhere else? We plan seasons in Europe, Hong Kong, Australia and America too.

Email us now

Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com first, from anywhere in the world. Phone +971 52 311 2385 second (Dubai, GMT+4). WhatsApp as backup.

5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first.

Tell us what you want

Already own a horse?

Licensed trainers train; we help you choose one, place the horse and supervise the plan.

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Twice a month: the sales worth watching, what horses really cost, and the catalogue jokes nobody tells you. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to live in the UAE to own a racehorse there?

Not always. The ERA describes an International Stable at Meydan for owners who do not live in the UAE. Ask the ERA what applies to you.

When should I buy a horse to race in Dubai this season?

As early as possible. Work back from your first target race, allowing for vetting, the permit, the flight and settling.

Who registers my horse for races in the UAE?

The ERA's Registry Office registers horses and handles all entries. Your licensed trainer normally makes the entries for you.

Does Silk Road Bloodstock train horses?

No. Licensed trainers train. We help you choose one, place the horse and supervise the plan.

Do you work with owners outside the UAE?

Yes. We are based in Dubai and buy for owners all over the world. Most clients never need to visit: we send notes, video and the vet's report by email.

Spotted an error? Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com and we will fix it within 48 hours.

Sources

Checked 22 October 2026.