Cohen back home after Dubai renege on contract

Jack Milner

Race commentator Alistair Cohen has ended his contract with the Dubai Racing Club and has returned to South Africa.

It all came about due to a decision by the Club to engage another commentator to call the races on Dubai World Cup night, the pinnacle of the season and one of the biggest race meetings in the world, on 25 March.

It was not entirely the decision in itself that upset Cohen, but rather because they had done it all behind his back and he only found out about the move by accident.

“My contract with them was to call all races in the Emirates from 20 October 2022 to 7 April 2023, Dubai World Cup night included,” said Cohen on Friday.

“Behind my back, plans were made to fly another commentator to Dubai to call the Dubai World Cup meeting.

“This prestigious meeting is the reason any commentator desires to be in my position. For an organisation that prides themselves on being inclusive and honest, this doesn’t sit well, and I leave feeling I’ve wasted the last five months of my life, despite their breach of contract.”

When they finally admitted what they had done, saying they wanted “a different voice to do the Dubai World Cup”, Cohen handed in his notice with immediate effect.

While he technically had to give one month’s notice, Dubai Turf Club waived the notice period.

“When the story came out, I received support from various commentators around the world –Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore. That was overwhelming. Some people with whom I had not previously conversed, have given words of encouragement.”

Now back home, Cohen will take a few weeks off before deciding what his future will be. “I’ve set myself a target of coming back for April,” he concluded.