Emirates NBD sponsors Al Quoz Sprint for second successive year at Dubai World Cup Programme

Press release

Published March 23rd, 2011 - 08:25 GMT

Al Bawaba

Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today its sponsorship of the Al Quoz Sprint at the prestigious Dubai World Cup programme. The bank, which is sponsoring the race for the second successive year, will also offer its VIP clients a taste of corporate hospitality on the day of the race.

Held alongside the Dubai World Cup, the richest horse race in the world, Al Quoz Sprint carries a $1,000,000 purse as prize money.

“Horse racing is an inherent aspect of life in the Arab world and the Al Quoz Sprint attracts significant interest among racing enthusiasts,” said Rick Pudner, Group CEO, Emirates NBD. “This sponsorship is in line with our commitment to supporting the local horse racing community and promoting the national heritage of the UAE. A significant presence at the world’s premium horse racing event also enables us to reach out to our High Net Worth clients and offer them a memorable experience.”

Continuing its focus on product and service innovation, Emirates NBD will introduce cashless transactions via the “Cashless Premier Lounge,” at the Al Quoz Sprint. Launched in conjunction with the organisers of Dubai Racing Carnival, the Cashless Premier Lounge will enable people to purchase items in the exclusive premier lounge on a preloaded card. It will therefore provide a quicker and more effective means of transaction, while reducing risk of theft and cash loss.

“Al Quoz Sprint, which is a thoroughbred race, will run at 1000 metres on the straight Meydan turf course and is expected to have an audience of about 60,000 spectators. It is also expected to attract the best turf sprinters from across the world, since the highest rated sprinters are predominantly turf horses,” said Malih Al Basti, Meydan Board Member. “Given the magnitude of this event, we believe this is the right platform to launch the revolutionary concept of cashless transactions, and we anticipate it will generate considerable interest among the attendees.”

Emirates NBD is closely involved with many of the major sporting events including the FINA World Swimming Championships, the Omega Desert Classic Golf tournament, Al Habtoor Tennis championship and the Arabian Horse Racing Day in the UK and many more.

Background Information

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the region, was formed on 19 June 1963, when H.H. Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum signed the Charter of Incorporation of the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) which became the first National Bank established in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the blessings of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI) on 06 March 2007, to form Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region by assets. On 16 October 2007, the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The merger between EBI and NBD to create Emirates NBD, became a regional consolidation blueprint for the banking and finance sector as it combined the second and fourth largest banks in the UAE to form a banking champion capable of delivering enhanced value across corporate, retail, private, Islamic and investment banking throughout the region.