How do racehorses fly?

In special stalls on cargo aircraft, usually two horses to a pallet, with experienced flying grooms and sometimes a vet on board. Specialist shippers arrange the flight, papers and ground transport.

Does a horse go into quarantine?

Usually yes. Most exports need pre-export isolation, and the destination sets the rules on arrival. Meydan in Dubai has international quarantine stables for visiting horses.

Racehorse transport: from Newmarket to Meydan, and beyond

Silk Road Bloodstock · Transport and logistics

Racehorses and jockeys in the starting gates before a race — Illustrative image, not a Silk Road Bloodstock horse. Photo: Rennett Stowe, CC BY 2.0

Every winter, racehorses fly from Europe to Dubai, Riyadh, Bahrain and Hong Kong. Done well, it is calm and routine. Done badly, it can cost a season. We arrange every step with licensed, specialist shippers, so your horse arrives ready to race.

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How a racehorse flies

Horses travel in special stalls on cargo aircraft, usually two to a pallet, looked after by experienced flying grooms and sometimes a vet.
Specialist shippers such as Peden Bloodstock and IRT fly horses worldwide. For the 2026–27 Dubai Racing Carnival, shipping for visiting horses is coordinated by Janah Management in Newmarket, with charter flights where possible.
Dubai World Central airport has a permanent ramp for horses. At Meydan, visiting horses stay in international quarantine stables.

Step by step: Europe to the Gulf

Plan back from the race. Pick the target meeting and allow time for isolation, the flight, quarantine and settling in.
Pre-export isolation. Most exports need the horse isolated before departure. The destination country sets how long.
Health tests and papers. Official health certificates, blood tests and the import permit, prepared with the shipper and vets.
The flight, with flying grooms, and ground transport at both ends.
Arrival and quarantine, under the destination's rules, then the move to your trainer.
Insurance in transit. Make sure the policy covers the flight before the horse leaves.

For the Carnival, Dubai Racing Club pays the return flight for invited horses rated 105 or higher. Other horses travel at the owner's cost.

What it costs

It depends on the route, the date, charter or scheduled flight, and the isolation and quarantine needed. Published figures are old or vary widely, so we get a current written quote from licensed shippers for each horse and pass it on at cost.

What we handle for you

Choosing the shipper and booking the flight
Coordinating vets, papers, isolation and quarantine
Transit insurance
Handover to your trainer, and reports to you at every stage

Transport is part of our racehorse management service, or can be arranged on its own.

Need a horse moved?

Tell us where the horse is, where it needs to go and the target race. We will come back with a plan and a written quote.

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Prefer email? Write to info@silkroadbloodstock.com

Sources: Dubai Racing Carnival 2026-27 terms and conditions, Khaleej Times, IRT, Veterinary Practice (Peden Bloodstock), SPL (Saudi Cup shipping). Rules change, so we confirm them with the shipper for every move.

Also: Racehorse management · Ownership consultancy · Dubai Racing Carnival