Racing UK boost for Arabian races

The race is part of the Zayed Al ored by Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Racing Festival to promote the Arabian horse and support small owners around the world.

According to the course management, the race will be shown live for the first time by Racing UK (RUK) and Abu Dhabi Sports Channel.

According to Antonia Newman, Racing Manager at the British Arabian races governing body, the move of Racing UK gives the Arabian races the long awaited push to hit the highest levels of success.

Thursday’s race, which is held in coordination with the Arabian Racing Organisation Ltd, carries a purse of Euro 5.810.98 is open for three-year-olds Purebred Arabians rated 0-80 for national runners only, horses rated 0-80, breeders with less than five producing broodmares and contested over a mile (1600m).

However, 70 percent of the prize fund will be awarded to the winning owners of the first four horses; 30 percent of the prize fund will be awarded to the registered breeders. There will be no weight allowance in respect of sex and age.

The Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) in association with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and in coordination with Emirates Arabian Horse Society.

Meanwhile, seven British-bred runners have been declared to battle it out to the wire in the left-handed round course.

Ambrose, trained by W. M. Haddock and ridden by Simon Walker for owner Ms J. Haddock looks good to do the better work should the Amer son manage to handle the expectedly good ground.

Other runners include Pink Tuscadero who would break from gate two under Oliver Gamer for trainer Adam Newey and owners The Almost All Partnership, Samauring Zayin, ridden by B. Adams for trainer Adam Newey and owner Zayin Arabian Stud Paul Simmons, Whisper in the hands of Tom Gamer for trainer Adam Newey and owners The Almost All Partnership, WFA Leopard, ridden by Craig Thompson for trainer and owner Adam Newey, Verdora, ridden by M. Smith, trained by Gillian Duffield and owned by J. D. Kippen and finally Katwalk, ridden by S. Harrison for trainer G. Kiff and owner Glennkiff.

Lara Sawaya, Director of Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival said, “We are delighted to be in Newbury which we consider as one of the important homes for Arabian races. Our presence once again reflects the status of the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival’s race series here in the UK.”

Stephen Bowey, Executive Marketing Director Invest AD said: “We are pleased to continue our partnership and association with this great initiative by Shaikh Mansoor and truly proud of the success that this Festival has been achieving all the way.”

Ali Al Mulla, Chairman of Areej Al Ameerat said, “Purebred Arabian racing is part of the UAE’s heritage and culture and we strongly believe in our support to the activities of the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival.”

The Festival’s races are sponsored by Invest AD, Areej Al Ameerat, the UAE’s General Women’s Union , Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011,Wathba Stud Farm and AD Equestrian Club.

Abdulla Khouri, director of the Al Wathba Stables said: “The success which has been achieved by the Festival is phenomenal from the organisational and technical viewpoints.”

Shamma Al Ketbi, representative of the UAE General Women’s Association said: “The General Women’s Association is obliged to Shaikh Mansoor for availing them the opportunity to promote the women sports in the UAE. We are confident that there’s more to come from such activities.”

Musallam Al Amri, representative of the Al Wathba Stables and Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, trainer of Al Wathba Stables both agreed that the Festival has carried the Arabian horse to new heights and soon they will see the Arabian horses racing side by side with the Thoroughbreds.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com