Talented racing broadcaster PAT COMERFORD will quit Singapore and relocate to the United Arab Emirates, where he has been appointed Emirates Racing Authority Commentator for the 2023-24 season.
The 28-year-old Australian commentator has established himself as a top broadcaster on the international stage, starting his career six years ago in the Northern Territory, Australia, and from there, moving to New Zealand before becoming the voice of Singapore racing in late 2021. With the news that Singapore’s racing industry was being shut down in 2024, it is no surprise that the affable commentator was snapped by one of the world’s biggest and richest racing organizations.
COMERFORD will replace Alistair Cohen in the UAE, calling at all five tracks; Meydan Racecourse, Jebel Ali, Ali Ain, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
COMERFORD says that while he has enjoyed his time in Singapore, he is now looking forward to this new chapter.
“I’m looking forward to returning to a portable set up calling across multiple venues which I haven’t had since my time in New Zealand,” he says. “I have a soft spot for the dirt as it’s where I cut my teeth. If you told me half a decade later i’d be getting a chance to call at the world’s premier dirt surface in Meydan, I would have laughed at you!
“The Arabic names is always going to be an initial worry,” he says. “But I have followed racing in the UAE at an arm’s length over the years. It’s hard not to follow it as a racing fan with all the superpower nations and their best horses competing here each year for glory.
“To get this opportunity here in the UAE and follow a similar path to predecessors such as Craig Evans, who also came through Singapore, is truly a privilege and I’m looking forward to the experience.”
The 2023-24 UAE racing season gets underway at Al Ain on Saturday, October 28th.
