Emirates sponsors the Dubai World Cup for tenth successive year

Emirates has been the title sponsor of this spectacular horse race since its inception in 1996 and has seen the event grow each year. It is the premier equestrian event in the region and one of the biggest and best horse races in the world. It is also the world's richest horse race with prize money of $6million.

For the second year running, Emirates is also the official airline of the Dubai International Racing Carnival, which starts on 20th January and culminates with the Dubai World Cup on March 26th. The Dubai World Cup brings together the very best thoroughbreds in the world to battle it out for one of racing's most prestigious titles.

Emirates believes that sports sponsorship is an excellent way of connecting with its customers. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates' Chairman, said: 'Sports sponsorships provide an international platform that we use to connect with our customers, sharing and supporting their interests and passions. It also helps us promote Dubai in the international arena as a premier business and tourist destination, as well as the 77 other cities across our network.

'Horse racing, with its global appeal is a perfect vehicle for this and we are very proud to once again be the title sponsor of the Dubai World Cup.'

In addition to world-class racing, the Dubai World Cup showcases the glamorous and social side of Dubai at its very best. It is a true family day with some 50,000 people expected to attend the race meeting this year where they can enjoy the activity in the International Village and be a part of a day that brings visitors and VIPs from around the world to Dubai.

As well as its sponsorship of the race meeting, Emirates contributes to the social side of the day with its sponsorship of the 'Skywards Thanks A Million Draw' - Skywards is Emirates Frequent Flyer programme.

The 'Skywards Thanks A Million Draw' is another hugely popular event with 1,000,000 Skywards miles up for grabs - that is the equivalent of 25 return trips to Europe. This is in addition to two runners up prizes of 250,000 Skywards miles, with the money raised from the draw going towards funding an air-conditioned arena and stables for the Riding For The Disabled Association in Dubai.

Emirates has a long history of supporting horseracing and equestrian events both in Dubai and internationally and last year became the title sponsor of Australia's biggest race, the Melbourne Cup, now called the Emirates Melbourne Cup. This is in addition to Emirates' sponsorship of the Emirates Stakes Day at the same meeting.

Emirates also sponsors the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, the Irish Oaks at the Curragh and the Singapore Derby, as well as having a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with Dubai-based Godolphin, the world's most successful international stable.

This worldwide sponsorship of the sport shows a true pedigree in equestrian events and Emirates' great commitment to horse racing around the world. It is, however, perhaps here in Dubai with its sponsorship of the Dubai World Cup that Emirates truly displays its love of racing and its ongoing commitment to Dubai as a centre for sporting excellence as well as a world-class tourist destination.