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Yazan wins Wathba Stud Farm Cup

Richard Mullen steered Yazan to a fine win in the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup race at the Abu Dhabi race course on the HH the President’s Cup race night, on February 3.

Yazan, owned by Ahmed Hareb Al Otaiba and trained by Anthony Manuel, got back to winning ways after two second-placed runs in his last two starts.

The Wathba Stud Farm Cup race, which is open to owners of Private Stables only, was held on the night when HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs scored a big double including the DH one million HH The President’s Cup.

After the Majid Al Jahouri-trained Thakif under Harry Bentley blazed to victory in the 5-furlong Al Ruwais (Group 3), the same trainer-jockey celebrated a bigger victory when Naseem won the Group 1 HH the President’s Cup.

HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan bin Khalifa al Nahyan along with Mr. Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Mr. Stephen Bowey of Invest AD, Mr. Saif Sultan Al Awani of Awani Enterprises gave away the trophies at the prize distribution.

Mr. Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism& Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) commenting on the Festival’s activities said, “In organising the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has the preservation of the UAE's cultural heritage and traditions as its driving principal.”

“Equestrianism in general, and Purebred Arabian racing in particular, has been a part of the life and spirit of every Emirati and by promoting this sport globally the Festival seeks to enhance the status of Arabian racing,” he added.

“Under the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood the Festival has achieved tremendous success and we intend to continue and build on this,” Al Muhairi said.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf