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Hamdan praises festival organisers

NEWBURY — Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, praised the hard work of the organising committee of the Dubai Summer Festival, which is being held here, saying that it’s going to grow bigger and bigger in the coming few years.

Speaking to newsmen at the racecourse, the leading horse breeder and owner said he was particularly delighted with the colour competition for the school children.

Meanwhile, he also reconfirmed that they are focusing on European races more than the American ones and pointed out that the Jockey Club has been always against the idea of promoting Arabian races in the old continent which made their job very difficult.

“Most of our breeding is for the European races because of their vicinity to the centres of our operations and easy access from the region.

“I don’t agree that the American horses are superior to our horses or the American races are somehow tougher.

“I have won two American classics in two years and I have topped the owners’ table in Belmont for two years where the majority of my horses are based. Jazil won the Belmont Stakes in 2006 and Shaikh Mohammed’s Bernardini claimed the Preakness Stakes the same year,” said Shaikh Hamdan who has also won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2007 with Invasor before Raven’s Pass followed in the footsteps for Princess Haya in 2009.

“You will never enjoy horseracing unless you watch it and this is quite difficult for the American races considering the long distance and time difference.

“But, still we are planning to increase our presence in the US as well,” he confirmed. For me, the toughest race on earth is the Epsom Derby. The horse must possess the necessary stamina, balance and speed to win the English Derby while speed alone is the decisive factor or element to win American races,” he clarified.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Hamdan said the Derby winner was not the ideal horse for him.

“I would like to win the Guineas and Saint James Stakes,” he added.

Regarding the recent development that brought the Purebred Arabian races to the heart of the European racecourses in the Royal Ascot, Shaikh Hamdan said it was step forward — even though it was not an ideal move.

“The Jockey Club has repeatedly rejected the idea of racing Arabian horses in Europe and no one can force them to do something which they didn’t like in their countries.

“We have started with few races and the people gave us their support. Ironically, the local support in UK is far less than the support we have been receiving in other European countries.

“But, the organisers would have not accepted to take the Arabian races to the Royal Ascot without the direct support and backing of the Government of Abu Dhabi and I wish them every success.

“However, it’s my believe that racing Arabian horses as part of big events like the King George and the Arc will not help the situation, because people will focus on the main function and nobody will remember the supporting races.

“It’s brilliant idea to sponsor races, but the most effective solution is to have one full day like the Dubai Summer Festival in Newbury,” he said.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com