Top horses from Britain, France, Sweden and Germany will line up for the inaugural race of the HH The President of the UAE Cup for pure bred Arabians set to kick off at the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday.

The Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani mare, Raqiyah will face five tough opponents including the German trained Terach El Sawawi, Sanovagan trained in Sweden and ridden by Pat Smullen and a strong British trained challenge lead by the Bill Smith trained Theoretically.

The race will be held as part of the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas (Group 1) on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Guineas Festival.

Ultra prestigious race day with the top fillies competing for Classic race honours in the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas and the middle distance champions of Europe compete in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Music Show trained by Mick Channon and the Godolphin owned Anna Salai are among 19 fillies declared to run in the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas taking place at the Curragh this Sunday.

Ladbrokes have installed both fillies as joint favourites at 7/2. The home trained team is led by the Tommy Stack trained Lolly for Dolly who is currently at 5/1, with English 1000 Guineas third Gile Na Greine at 6/1.

The Aidan O’Brien trained Lily Langtry and last year’s Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Termagant are currently priced at 9/1.

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Fame and Glory and the Godolphin owned Cutlass Bay head the six strong field for the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

The Aidan O’Brien trained Jan Vermeer will be on trial for the Epsom Derby when he lines up in the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes.

Ladies Day

Sunday is The Louise Kennedy Tipperary Crystal Ladies Days in association with Etihad Airways and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. A great prize is up for grabs for the lady deemed to be the most stylish by the celebrity judges which include broadcaster and presenter, Mary Kennedy, celebrity hair stylist, Dylan Bradshaw and Lisa Duffy, wife of Boyzone singer, Keith Duffy.

The most stylish lady will win a host of Tipperary Crystal products valued at €3,000 and a holiday to Abu Dhabi with flights from Etihad Airways and accommodation from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

Tipperary Crystal will entertain a host of personalities in their private suite including some of the celebrities who design for them including designer Louise Kennedy, celebrity chef Rachel Allen and acclaimed artist, Graham Knuttel among others.

Shaikh Dr. Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahya, Chairman of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, reiterated that in the light of the unlimited support of His Highness the President Shaikh Khalfa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to promote the Arabian horse at the international levels they were able to stage the race as part of Europe’s Classic events.

He said: “Once again, Purebred Arabian horses received the recognition of European racing communities and fans as well. Arabian races have become part of the racing calendar which is integrated within the most prestigious races worldwide,” he said.

UAE fillies

UAE horses have won the Irish 1000 Guineas in 1985 when trainer Harry Thonson Jones saddles Al Bahathri under Tony Murray in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

In 1986, The Michael Stoute-trained Sonic Lady won it for His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in the hands of Walter Swinburn.

Ray Cochrane rode Ensconse to victory for trainer Luca Cumani in 1989 to make it a double for Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

John Dunlop teamed up with Willies Carson to land the title in 1994 with Mehthaaf for Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum recaptured the crown in 1996 with Matiya, trained by Ben Hanbury and ridden by Willie Carson.

The fifth title for the UAE fillies went to Shaikh Marwan Al Maktoum with he Clive Brittain-trained Crimplene under Philip Robinson.