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Racing conference to help preserve heritage: Mansour

ABU DHABI — Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, said that the first-ever World Arabian Horse Racing Conference will help in developing mechanisms to record and track the lineages and breeding processes of these wonderful horses.

The three-day event, which began on Thursday, is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The Conference is being organised by the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and is being held alongside the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2010 (ADIHEX) at ADNEC.

The event is being held in co-ordination with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS).

“It is our firm conviction that this conference shall provide a convenient forum for the interaction and exchange of information between breeders and enthusiasts of Arabian race horses. The conference shall also help in developing accurate mechanisms to record and track the lineages and breeding processes of these magnificent horses, in a manner that would protect them against any malicious attempts to distort or tamper with their genuine characteristics, or damage their international and historical status,” Shaikh Mansour said in a message read out by Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Culture and Arts Adviser at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court and Director General of ADACH.

“We should commend the outstanding effort, by many of our formal and private institutions, in the successful preparation for holding this conference and we hope that you seize the opportunity to acquaint yourselves with aspects of the traditional Emirati culture,” Shaikh Mansour said.

“This conference is held in the wake of the successful Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup races which were organized as part of the Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival. The fact that this conference is being held in concurrence with the launching of ADIHEX 2010 exemplifies the extent of interest, patronage and commitment towards equestrian sport shown by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,” Shaikh Mansour said.

“This unique conference, held in co-operation with IFAHR is part of the strategy adopted by the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, which is developing initiatives to promote the global status of Purebred Arabian horses,” Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan said and added: “By enhancing interest, it is hoped that it will help preserve this significant component of our innate Arabian heritage and continue the development of this rewarding investment. This conference is also an opportune avenue for tackling the challenges within the industry and increasing support strategies.”