Musharab the one to beat

ANGERS (France) — The Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-Prix Cheri Bibi (Gr-2 PA) has attracted quality field of eight runners who will fight for the honours at the Craon Racecourse here on Saturday.

By Hisham Al Gizouli

Published: Sat 4 Sep 2010, 11:43 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 5:29 AM

The race which will be contested over 2200m is held as part of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Flat Racing Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Culture & Heritage (ADACH), Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Wathba Stud Farm with support from Invest AD, Bonyan International Investment Group (Holding) LLC and Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2010.

Musharab, ridden by Fabrice Veron for trainer F. Rohaut, has every chance to deliver in the silks of the leading horse owner and breeder Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minsiter of the Presidential Affairs.

The three-year-old brilliant son of Njewman from Koraalya De Nerak has never finished out of the three top runners in his four starts. Having smashed his opponents on debut at the Toulouse Racecourse in the hands and heels of Bertras over 1400 metres last April, Musharab has just failed on reappearance over course and distance under Morisson. Last June, the colt made his biggest step in class when he was reunited with his original jockey Bertras in a Group-1 company at the Chantille Racecourse. He finished respectable third over an extended distance and returned to the winners’ enclosure after he was back to the 1400m distance at the Dax Racecourse.

However, the horse is in a very good form according to the connections, but the extended distance of 2200m is a very big question mark.

But, the mount of Michel Saltana, Omni D. A. Bel Mar is the immediate danger. After winning as he likes in Hamburg, Germany, the colt was sent to a Group-2 race at Newbury Racecourse where he finished second.

Meanwhile, all preparations are well in place to stage the sixth round of the series for the second straight season.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Communications Manager of the ADACH, said they are delighted to return to the home of the Arabian horses and the starting point from which they have launched their 2010 campaign.

“The festival has so far achieved its original goals and beyond. We are right on the track in our effort to raise the status of Purebred Arabian horses around the world and carry part of the UAE’s heritage and culture.

“The continuity of the series is a gesture of respect and appreciation to late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who laid down the foundation stone for the promotion of this noble creature around the globe and we are celebrating his successes by following in his footsteps,” he said.

“The objectives of the series come in line with the policy and strategy of the Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage which aim at preserving the history of the nation.

“We can safely say that most of the objectives of the festival have been accomplished as far as the history and importance of the Arabian horses are concerned and we are looking forward to do more,” he concluded. The same opinion was echoed by the representative of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council Talal Al Hashemi,

“We are truly delighted to be associated with the festival since its inception and this is a natural outcome of the sincere cooperation between the parties involved,” he said.

Lara Sawaya, director of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is of the opinion that the harmony in which the team is performing has paid off.

She said: “We are working in accordance with the established policy and strategy. The smooth progress of the plan is another evidence of the great vision of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minsiter of the Presidential Affairs.

“I would like to thank all our partners who made our job easier. I would like also to thank the media for all what has been done to ensure the success of the festival,” she said. “The Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival has been attracting huge crowds and the Pick & Vote, a free to participate in tipping competition, has been gaining in popularity ever since the start.

“The prize-money is Dh100,000 and the competition is open for all racegoers who are 18+. For more details visit www.sheikhmansoorfestival.com,” concluded Sawaya,

On his part, Mosallam Al Amri, supervisor of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayan horses, said the future of the Arabian horse is very bright thanks to the vision of the patron of the festival.

“Al Wathba Stud is always keen to support the Arabian horse races to underline the important role of the Arabian horse in our lives,” he said.

Abdullah Atatra, Chairman of the Bonyan International Investment Group (Holding) LLC, thanked Shaikh Mansour for availing them the opportunity to be part of this prestigious event. “We are becoming partners and keen to see the festival accomplishing its planned objectives,” he said.

Stephen Bowey, senior advisor of the Invest AD, said the festival is a big step which aims at promoting the Arabian horse and they are pleased to be part of it.

“There’s no doubt that it gives us a great pleasure to show our support to this noble creature. The Arabian horse is part of the country’s history and heritage and for this reason Invest AD is truly delighted to continue its support to the festival,” he said.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com