S+V, NEP Visions and ACS supply international coverage of Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, once again saw an unfancied runner scoop the $10 million prize for the fourth time in five outings as Silvestre de Sousa on African Story rode to a relatively easy win, shown live in HD by broadcasters round the world.
Host coverage of the event was provided by Dubai Sports TV, with the international feed produced by Sunset+Vine (S+V). Jeff Foulser, chairman of S+V, comments that the race footage “from gate to finish” supplied by the host broadcaster was taken and used as the centrepiece of a five and a half hour programme distributed to 134 countries, including the US, China, many in South America and the UK, where it was transmitted by Sky Sports.
Production facilities for S+V were provided by NEP Visions, which began rigging for this year’s event a week before the race. Foulser says in the region of 30 cameras were used for the international coverage, with access to most areas of the racecourse, including the jockeys’ room.
A 412 helicopter was used to provide aerial general views from the racetrack into Dubai City. These were shot by Dave Manton of ACS (Aerial Camera Systems) using a HD Cineflex V14 camera and also formed the basis of a tracked replay of the race.
Other ACS equipment on site including a tracking vehicle fitted with two Cineflex V14s, one set for wide shots, the other for tight angles, minicams for the stalls and remotely controlled SMARThead system, supporting a Sony HDC-P1 camera. Eight ACS staff were in Dubai to run the systems.