U.A.E. Derby

The UAE Derby is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai. It takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in late March.

It was first run in 2000 and attained Group 2 status two years later. The distance of the race was increased to 2,000 metres (10 furlongs) in 2002, before reverting back to 1,800 metres in 2004. The race is open to both Northern and Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds, with colts carrying 55kg (8st 9lb) and 59kg (9st 4lb) respectively, and fillies 2kg (4lb) less.

The UAE Derby currently offers a purse of US$2 million and with its dirt surface and time of year lends itself to being a prep race for the American Triple Crown series.