Meydan, an Arabic word meaning ``where people congregate and race’’, will encompass two tracks, a 1750m all-weather surface inside a 2400m turf course. The grandstand is unprecedented in the world of horseracing. It accommodates 60,000 people and includes a five-star hotel, marina, IMAX cinema, six haute-cuisine restaurants and a museum.
``The opening of Meydan will be a defining moment in the sport's global history. Unparalleled levels of luxury, customer comfort and racing technology will be combined to create the ultimate horseracing experience,’’ said Al Tayer, chairman of Meydan.
Each raffle ticket costs R750 and only 750 will be sold. All proceeds go to Witwatersrand Hospice and the Highveld Horse Care Unit.
The first prize comprises five days and four nights, including a lavish breakfast daily, at the amazing Atlantis Hotel. The prize includes two return air tickets, grandstand seats at 2010 Dubai World Cup and transfers to and from Dubai International Airport and Meydan.
There are also two consolation prizes of great weekend getaways at Sun International resorts.
It’s easy to buy a ticket and get in the running to be at the 2010 Dubai World Cup. Go to www.tabonline.co.za and click on the Hospice banner on the home page or call Alicia on 011-483-9170 or 078-434-2004.
The draw for the winners will take place at the Hospice Raceday at Turffontein on Sunday 26 July.

About Hospice:
The Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand cares for the terminally ill in the greater Johannesburg area. Hospice offers professional palliative to patients and their families focusing on the quality of life and promoting physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Hospice receives no state funding and relies on its own fund-raising initiatives.
All funds raised from the Hospice raceday will be used to sustain Hospice’s existing services comprising:
* Home care to more than 2,000 terminally ill patients and their families in any given month;
* In-patient care, including paediatric care;
* Psycho-social and bereavement support;
* Day care for semi-ambulatory patients;
* Pre-school care for children of patients both past and present.

About the Highveld Horse Care Unit:
The Highveld Horse Care Unit (HHCU) is a Section 21 company responsible for its own management, funding and operations and is the largest equine welfare organisation in the southern hemisphere.
The HHCU was started in 1991 and two years later moved to its current premises in Valley Settlement near Meyerton. Initially started to care for abused and neglected ex-racehorses, it soon expanded to assisting part-breds and later even donkeys.
The HHCU assists equines in various ways. In cases where neglect is due to ignorance, the HHCU educates owners in basic equine care and then monitors horses’ wellbeing. In other instances horses are treated and then rehomed if possible.
Thousands of horses, ponies and donkeys have been assisted. Free or discounted veterinary care is provided to over 2,000 horses and donkeys in townships. The HHCU also assists with second-hand equipment and has started a responsible breeding programme in townships.
Potential stallions are identified and the rest are gelded in order to breed better stock into the future.