Meydan builders race to China to create new course

The builders behind Meydan Racecourse, which hosted the Dubai World Cup on March 27, announced plans on Sunday for a JV with China, called Tianjin Horse City.

The development is similar to Meydan City and includes a racecourse.

The multiple-use development will be used to train 8000 equestrian professionals and “breed 1000 high-quality stud horses,” according to a Meydan press release.

Tianjin Horse City is to be jointly established by Meydan City Corp., TAK Design Consultants of Malaysia, and China-based Zhouji Jiye and Tianjin Farm Group.

Meydan expects to invest US $4 billion on the development and has developed two five-year plans, the second of which is to be completed in 2020.

“The commencement of the construction of a horse racing field will depend on the decision of the state on commercial horse racing,” Meydan said. “The group will be fully prepared for such a construction.”

Tianjin Horse City also will include five-star to seven-star luxury hotels, a clubhouse, commercial offices, and residential facilities by 2015.

Mohammad al Khayat, commercial director for Meydan, told The National that the project had the support of the Chinese government, which donated the property for the development.