Dozens of jockeys and trainers are among thousands of people stranded across the Gulf region as the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has closed large swathes of airspace.
Riders including Ryan Moore, Oisin Murphy, and Stephane Pasquier were among the fly-ins for the Feb. 28 Super Saturday meeting at Meydan, joining more long-term riders in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai International Airport has been confirmed as one of the locations to have sustained damage during Iranian attacks, and there is widespread uncertainty as to when those who have made the trip will be able to return to Europe.
Kieran Shoemark has been in Dubai for an extended stint over the winter and steered the Ed Walker-trained Fort George into second behind Rebel's Romance in the Dubai City of Gold (G2T) Saturday.
"I've been here for two months, and my contract ended (yesterday), so I was due to fly back this morning," Shoemark said. "The airport is shut, and there's just so much uncertainty, I don't think anyone really knows what's going to happen."
Emirates Airlines has issued a warning to passengers that all flights to and from Dubai International Airport are suspended until 3 p.m. local time March 2, though with the ongoing developments in both the UAE and across the region, the suspension of operations could last well past that deadline.
"I'm hearing that nothing is going to change for two to three days, and we've just been advised to sit tight," Shoemark said. "My apartment has been extended for as long as I need it. There are just a lot of unknowns here right now."
The Dubai Government media office has confirmed four injuries from a fire at the Fairmont Hotel in the Jumeirah Palm Beach area of the city and minor damage to the exterior of the iconic Burj Khalifa tower, as well as incidents of falling debris from intercepted drones or missiles at Jebel Ali Port and in a residential district.
Authorities confirmed minor damage to a terminal building at Dubai International Saturday, though no further details have been provided amid videos circulating of a second strike at the airport March 1.
The Defence Ministry says that UAE air defences have intercepted 137 missiles and 209 drones.
Dubai residents have very quickly become accustomed to the sounds of explosions connected to the intercepts, with Shoemark adding: "We were hearing it all through the night, and again this morning. It's very clear.
"I feel like we're probably in the safest place in the Gulf, and Sheikh Mohammed's presence at the racecourse last night was somewhat reassuring."
While the Super Saturday card went ahead as planned, the Emirates Racing Authority has postponed its March 1 card at Jebel Ali until March 15, with the course next scheduled to stage racing March 8.
No announcement has been made as to whether the Bahrain Turf Club will stage its two-day King's Cup fixture March 5-6.
