Longines presents opening race card of 2016 Dubai World Cup Carnival

The launch of the 10-meeting Dubai World Cup Carnival signals the countdown to the world's richest day of racing, the Dubai World Cup, which also takes place at Meydan on 26 March and carries a prize purse worth $30m.

The opening meeting is highlighted by the first rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge races for purebred Arabians and thoroughbreds. It begins with the evening's only purebred Arabian race, the $60,000 Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge run over a distance of a mile and is followed later in the card by the equivalent $250,000 Group 2 race for thoroughbreds.

Each of the three rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge is seen as ideal preparation races for the $1m Dubai Kahayla Classic for purebred Arabians and the $10m Dubai World Cup for thoroughbreds.

The turf track will be opened for the first time this season with three handicap race taking place over distances of 2,000, 1,400 and 1,000 metres.

Speaking ahead of the opening night’s action, Juan-Carlos Capelli, vice president of Longines said: "We are pleased to be the official timekeeper of the important races taking place at this extraordinary facility.

“Longines' history with equestrian sports dates back to 1878. We are therefore very pleased to share this passion with Meydan as well as our core values: elegance, performance and tradition."

Malih Al Basti, Meydan Group vice chairman and chairman of the Meydan Racing Committee said: "The traditional Longines-sponsored first meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival is a highly anticipated raceday on the Meydan Racecourse calendar.

"Longines, our official timekeeper as well as a Meydan pillar partner, has been a constant presence at Dubai Racing Club since the earliest days of international racing in Dubai. This support has assisted racing in the emirate to achieve the global profile it now enjoys.

"Longines also presents the $6m Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup day - one of the premier turf contests anywhere in the world and we always look forward to welcoming the watch brand to Meydan."