The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), the body governing flat-racing in the United Arab Emirates, has received the ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification for the very first time this year. Following a survey of staff, the ERA was awarded the certification, making it one of the few equestrian organisations, alongside Dubai Racing Club and Dubai Equestrian Club, dual winners of the prestigious certification, having been certified in 2022 as well, to receive the award.
The ERA administers all aspects of the sport, including the implementation and application of the UAE Rules of Racing through its Stewarding and Veterinary Departments. This includes the licensing of all trainers, jockeys, officials and stable personnel. Furthermore, the ERA Registry Office manages and processes the registration of horses for racing, and all entries and declarations for all race meetings in the UAE.
The ERA also oversees the internationally- approved Emirates Thoroughbred Stud Book. Engineer Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, the General Manager of Emirates Racing Authority, was thrilled to have received news of the certification and said the achievement is significant as it bears testimony to the constant efforts and investments being put in by the management to ensure staff- welfare is at the forefront of the agendas of the organisations. “We have been awarded the Great Place to Work certificate and I think it’s a great testimony to the hard work and the great work the team has been doing,” Al Shehhi said. “I am a small part of the team and I truly appreciate every single member of the team. It is a very diverse team and everyone brings in a different range of experience.
SERVICE COMES FIRST
“We have a lot of young Emiratis who are up and coming and a lot of people who are leaders in their field and we have created a great atmosphere and environment that is built upon teamwork, trust and serving the industry. We look at ourselves not as an authority, but as a service provider who enjoys servicing the racing industry and the equestrian community.
I would like to thank the Human Resources department at Dubai Racing Club for their continuous support and all the support functions they have given us and for giving us a great place to work, which has helped us achieve this certification.” From start-ups to the world’s largest multinational companies, Great Place to Work® acknowledges the best in workplace culture. It recognises companies of all sizes and in all industries and offers the only programme that recognises workplaces in more than 60 countries. Partnering with leading media publishers around the world, it helps brands gain the best international exposure.
