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Bachi Bouzouk wins Arabian meeting

Hot favourite Scandinavian Arabian champion SR Dorwan came in second while the French duo Sartejano and Senanhk BA followed closely behind in this Group-3 PA race.

Iraqi contender Gharraa was scratched from the twelve-horse line-up after dismounting its jockey before the start.

It was the fourth event in a 21 stage world-wide series designed to reinvigorate and encourage the Arabian horse racing industry globally to preserve Arab culture and traditions.

UAE ambassador to Sweden Shaikha Najla Mohammad Al Qasimi gave awaythe trophies and prizes to the winners.

Owner-cum-trainer Nibbering said: “It’s all down to the jockey. Those who don’t attack with my horses are always too late. Normally Bachi is a long distant horse. I told the jockey not to wait but attack and he did just that.”

Jockey Shane Karlsson who partnered the winner said: “I thought I had a chance on the homestretch but I never thought I was going to win. I had to push him all the way. He has no speed he just goes. I thought he was done towards the end so it’s kind of a surprise to win.”

The eight-year-old Bachi Bazouk has now won four races out of his 19 starts. The last three victories came in the last three years. This latest victory almost doubles the chestnut’s overall career purse to approximately EUR34,000.

Shaikha Najla Mohammad Al Qasimi said: “The organisation of such an event in Sweden for the first time puts the UAE on the sports and cultural map. It will encourage further positive relations between the UAE and Sweden beyond just the political.”

With Sweden well and truly added to the festival’s map director Lara Sawaya said: “The most important thing is that we have established a base in Sweden with this debut event from which we can grow and further encourage local Arabian breeders internationally.”

Mats Genburg, chairman of the Scandinavian Arabian racing Association (SARA) added: “Our inclusion in the Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival is an important sign of credibility which will put Arabian racing up where it belongs in Scandinavia.”

The Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is a three-pronged competition in its third year since inception.

Aside from The Wathba Studfarm Cup there is also the parallel-running Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan Cup and the Shaikha Fatma Bint Mubarak Ladies Fagentri Cup. Races are held all over the world from April through to October. Organisers are looking to add Australia to the list of destinations in 2012 while the Ladies Fagentri Cup could be increased from two competitions to five to further develop the sport.

The festival is organised by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by Invest AD, Areej Al Emarat, La Sirene, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Wathba Stud Farm and the General Women’s Union.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com