The Gulf is often treated as one market, but its animal businesses are organised country by country. Official sources for the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar show separate racing authorities and calendars, a specialist equine hospital in Doha, a pet trade exhibition in Dubai and a new heritage championship for the Arabian Saluki in Abu Dhabi. This explainer sets out what each source states.

Three racing calendars

In the UAE, Dubai Racing Club says its 2026 to 2027 Dubai Racing Carnival opens at Meydan Racecourse on Friday 6 November 2026 and runs to March across 16 race meetings. Feature nights include Festive Friday on 18 December, Fashion Friday on 22 January and Emirates Super Saturday on 27 February, and the club gives the date of the Dubai World Cup meeting as Saturday 27 March 2027.

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, which says it was established in 1965, lists a Riyadh season at King Abdulaziz Racecourse from 16 October 2026 to 14 March 2027, following a summer season at King Khalid Racecourse in Taif from 24 July to 26 September 2026. It lists the Saudi Cup for February 2027 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse; its home page does not yet give the exact date.

In Qatar, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, which is charged with developing Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian racing and organising Arabian horse shows, has announced a 2026 to 2027 domestic programme of 70 fixtures at Al Rayyan and Al Uqda, running to a mid-April finale. HH The Amir Sword Festival is set for 10 February 2027.

Specialist equine care in Doha

The Equine Veterinary Medical Center (EVMC) describes itself as an equine referral hospital and veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and as a member organisation of Qatar Foundation located within the foundation’s equine facilities at Al Shaqab, in Doha’s Education City. Its published hospital services include surgery, internal medicine, sports medicine and rehabilitation, advanced reproduction, diagnostic imaging, dentistry, podiatry and farriery, pharmacy and ambulatory work. Its laboratory lists export testing, haematology, biochemistry, parasitology and molecular diagnostics among its panels, and EVMC says the laboratory has been accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. These are the centre’s own descriptions of its services, not an assessment of outcomes.

Canine trade and heritage

Petworld Arabia, a trade exhibition and conference for the pet care industry in the Middle East and the GCC organised by Al Fajer Information & Services, has been rescheduled to 17 and 18 April 2027 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The organisers said the decision followed concerns from international participants about recent developments in the region and the resulting travel uncertainty.

In Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Falconers’ Club and the Arabian Saluki Centre announced on 1 September 2026 an inaugural Arabian Saluki Championship for the 2026 to 2027 season, under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region. It opens in Al Ain on 7 November 2026, with a round in Al Dhafra on 14 November, and concludes with finals on 27 February, 6 March and 20 March 2027. Races are run over 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 metres for male and female categories under a points and ranking system, alongside a beauty contest (Al Mazayen) and a simulated hunting competition using a mechanical lure. The announcement does not state prize amounts.

Equanine’s reading

  • The three racing authorities run separate calendars and venues, so a supplier or sponsor needs a plan for each country rather than one Gulf programme.
  • The announcement says the Saluki championship is expected to stimulate the economy associated with breeding, rearing, training, equipment and heritage tourism. It gives no figures, so canine businesses should treat that as a stated aim rather than a measured market.
  • Dates can move, as Petworld Arabia’s rescheduling shows. Confirm arrangements with organisers before committing travel or stand budgets.