The Emirates Racing Association, established in 1993 by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, has been charged with the responsibility of organising and supervising flat racing all over the emirates. In less than a decade the UAE has emerged as a world class flat racing venue with owners, trainers and top jockeys all recognising the country as a leading centre. Having consolidated and built upon the pre-1993 racing infrastructure, today the UAE boasts of some of the best facilities. The crowning glory has without doubt been the Dubai World Cup, which since its inception in 1996 has taken the racing world by storm.

Races, both for Purebred Arabian horses as well as Thoroughbreds, are held usually between the months of November and extend up to April. Races are spread among the five race courses currently existing in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jebel Ali, Sharjah and Ghantoot.

In the 2000-2001 season over 60 race meetings were held with 30 meetings in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, 15 at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse, nine at the Jebel Ali Racecourse, three at the Sharjah Equestrian Racecourse and two at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

Apart from the Dubai World Cup, the other top races staged during a typical calendar year are the National Day Cup, HH The President of the UAE Cup, three rounds of the Maktoum Challenge, the HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Triple Crown, Emirates Championship, Al Asayl Championship and many other top events which draw the best of riders and runners from all over the world.