Dubai World Cup - 2012

The Dubai World cup is the richest horse race in the world with a total purse equalling $10million. It's also one of the Dubai social events of the year, attracting thousands of visitors. People aren't just there for the racing, but also the fashion, firework show and this year Toni Braxton was headlining. So we headed off to Meydan again suited and booted in our Sunday best, as there is a formal dress code with ladies encouraged to wear hats. 

Couldn't find a hat I liked so made my own!

Tickets:
There are a few ticket options - a free ticket with limited access, or  Apron views which we bought @ 350Dhs (£60) a ticket. This gets you gets you access to the main area where the Jaguar Style stakes, the Alhan photo booth, The Bubble Lounge and The Irish Village are. This was our first time at the Dubai World Cup and I have to admit that although we had a lovely day I was a tad disappointed. 


Reason Why:
Considering the glamour stakes are high I was expecting a day of civilised refinement. However, the environment really isn't set up for a refinement unless you want to spend an absolute fortune. We wouldn't have minded spending a reasonable amount for some decent food a bottle of wine and a nice seat outside, but no could do. 


It's true we could have coughed up for the full hospitably package from 1,750 - 5,000 Dhs per person. But that would have mean't £600 for the two of us even for the cheapest option, before drinks, transport, outfits spend etc. Which seemed a bit excessive for a day at the races. 


Drinks & Seating: 
In the Apron Views there is The Bubble Lounge which you'll be surprised only serves bubbles, however the cheapest bottle of champagne was 1,000Dhs (£170). Just being the two of us and Johan not being that keen on bubbly (he likes one glass that's about it) we kind of felt it was;
a)Extortionately priced 
b)A waste for just the two of us....well for Johan anyway I could of happily quaffed 5 glasses of champagne all to myself! 

What we would have of liked was maybe one glass of bubbly to mark the occasion however you can only buy, by the bottle. Even if you do fork out 1,000 -4,000Dhs on a bottle there didn't seem to be any seating in The Bubble Lounge. There were these lean to bar tables and a few stools which were like gold dust. I'd have been livid if I'd forked out minimum 1,000 Dhs and couldn't even get a seat to enjoy my fizz in some comfort. 


Getting good seating in general is impossible, as the main seating area isn't that big considering how many people attend the event. It's quite funny to watch people stalking seats in the desperate hope that they'll catch someone leaving, I noted that older women seem to be particularly skilled at this. Like Lion's stalking Antelope, this is probably because of the high heel, foot pain factor for which a chair provides much needed respite. 

Beautiful but evil

Shoes:
Lots of women were hobbling around that day many no loger able to cope with the pain and abandoning sky high platforms altogether and going bare foot. I stuck it out as long as I could but with my new pink KG stiletto's torturing me we ended up having to sit on the grand stand seats, just to give my poor feet a rest. Again not very glam in your posh frock and hat. 



Food:
Other than the hospitality the food options are fast food outlets. Which were indoor, awfully littered, and under stocked it seemed. There were massive queues everywhere and it seemed surreal, everyone in hats and suits eating in the equivalent of a scruffy MacDonald's. 


So we ate Egyptian Pizza from a cardboard box, seated on concrete seats, drinking wine from plastic cups. 
Overall:
DWC was not the glamorous day out I had had in mind, maybe my expectations were just to high. It's not that I mind sitting in the arena or eating Egyptian pizza from a cardboard box per se. 


I just don't see the point of getting all dressed up and having to wear a fancy hat to do it, if I'd known I'd rather have worn my jeans and converse!! 


For example, one good thing about Ascot Races is you can take your own picnic. You can make your own affordable glamour - bring a proper picnic basket, sit on a nice tartan blanket, have nice cheeses & chutney's, some fizz or Pimm's making the whole day a little more refined.  

Perfect picnic for the races!

Of course, they have stricter rules about alcohol here, so I totally get you couldn't BYOB as at Ascot. However, maybe the rule at the DWC is you have to buy drinks inside but you could bring your own picnic. I don't mind paying for drinks I'd simply like the sophistication of being able to bring my own non plastic pint pot to drink them in. 


Most of the fast food kiosks had run out of food anyway by 6pm, so it's not like they'd loose revenue from food sales. 

This is what I wanted DWC to be like

My point is I expected and wanted a more tasteful day at the races without having to bankrupt yourself in the process. As money doesn't equals class - but hey why did I assume that logic after all this is Dubai. 


Highlights:
Of course there are some good things, the races are great and the closing show, fire works, Aero acrobatics were amazing. They certainly do know how to put on a good show.


However, nothing quite prepares you for the horror of two things. The queue for the ladies toilets and the taxi queue, I'm surprised we are not still standing in it. 


Conclusion:
I'd say if we go again best to;

• Go with a big rowdy group of friends 
• Get there early to secure a valuable sofa and table area
• Go in comfortable shoes 
• Don't wear spanx
• Bring my own plastic pinic wine glasses
• Have a big lunch before you get there
• Split the cost of a bottle or two of fizz between the group 
• Book a helicopter home;-)