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Great success for Austrian jockey Manuela Slamanig

Casablanca-Morocco: Manuela Slamanig rode her 13th career’s winner after the Austrian veterinary student partnered Tidjan Maamora to victory in the in the third round of the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) 2013 at the Hippodrome De Casablanca-Anfa here on April 12 afternoon. Majde finished a length back in second under the French lady jockey Pauline Boisgontier as Wassim Lblad came with a late run to take third on the line in the hands of the Spanish representative Cristina Buesa.

The race is organised under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of the Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Racing Festival in collaboration with the Moroccan Royal Company for the Encouragement of the Horse, the Kingdom’s horse racing governing body.

“Tidjan Maamora didn’t start as good as I have expected him to do. He was a little bit reluctant and slow moving and I had to ride him patiently. But, with the progress of the race he began to pick up and showed good desire to improve,” said a jubilant 27-yearold young lady later.

“Trainer Redha Haddioui told me to race him from the centre of the field and he will do all the work when it matters. Unfortunately, the awkward start made me confused and the horse dropped to the tail of the field. This was not the plan for him, but it came to happen. Things began to change when the pack approached the home turn and Tidjan Maamora made a forward move to settle second before he hit the front and stormed home impressively,” she added.   

“I think it was a very tough race. It’s good news to book a line up in the final round scheduled later in November in Abu Dhabi,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, the International Day of Purebred Arabian Horse kicked off early in the afternoon with the Prix Zerkatouni which was easily won by Yaasoub Imadil, in the hands and heels of J. Khayate. Mayar, ridden by St. Coerette travelled very strongly to claim the Grand Prix De SAR Le Prince Moulay El Hassan Group-3 the second feature of the afternoon.

The UAE ambassador to Rabat Alasri Saeed Al Dhahri said: “There’s no better way to enhance and develop the bilateral relationship than what sport could do. It was a beautiful family out day out in this beautiful place and fascinating surroundings. It’s a brilliant move that would help to strengthen the ties between UAE and Morocco in the light of the strong foundations which were laid down by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Al Hassan II, and reached new heights under His Highness the President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Mohammed VI. Sport brings together all family members and combines culture with history, geography and more importantly economy.”

Lara Sawaya, director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Racing Festival and head of women races at IFAHR said: “I would like to thank HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, Chairperson of the UAE General Women's Federation, Mother of the UAE, for her generous patronage of the series. The support of Sheikha Fatima for the UAE women has enhanced their status and established a strong base for the ladies Arabian horse races worldwide.”

However, seven lucky Moroccan journalists (4 ladies and 3 men) won the draw and received invitations from the organisers to attend the 4th session of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference to be held in Toulouse, France early June. The draw was supervised by the UAE ambassador to Morocco.   
According to Sawaya, HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs is giving all his support to the women’s sport and its positive impact on the whole society.

Stephen Bowey, Executive Director (Corporate Development) Invest AD reiterated their determination to continue their partnership with the festival in order to achieve all its goals.

Mubarak Rashed Al Nuaimi, international Promotion Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said: “The farsightedness vision of HH Sheikh Mansoor has paid off and the festival is introducing UAE while strengthen its ties with the rest of the world.”

Rashid Al Ardha, director the Emirates Airline in Casablanca welcomed the attendants and reassured them that the UAE national carrier will remain faithful to all the national campaigns which promote the country and boost its culture and heritage.

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, Arabtec Holding PJSC, SAS Investment, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Shaikha 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