6th WAHRC ends on a positive note in Warsaw

Workshop with Lara Sawaya and Derek Thompson

US$ 50,000 HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak open race in Los Angeles announced

Warsaw, Poland - The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s 6th World Arabian Horse Conference at the Ufficio Primo in Warsaw came to a close on Saturday, May 30, with a lively Workshop during which a series of announcements were made.

It was the final session of the three-day conference.  The Workshop, conducted by Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and noted TV race presenter Derek Thompson produced a range of healthy exchanges between delegates.

Top of the list was the frustration of owners/breeders with regard to the rules and it was decided that a concerted effort will be put by International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) on the World Arabian Horse Organisation, WAHO, with regard to uniformity of rules to enable free movement of horses and other aspects dealing with Stud Books.

Ms Sawaya urged the nearly two dozen-strong UAE owners and breeders to meet under the umbrella of the Festival and find solutions to their problems mainly those dealing with transportation of their horses and also with regard to handicapping.

A majority of the delegates opted for a three-member Handicapping body to rate the Purebred Arabian horses and the members decided to work towards it.

Ms Sawaya urged the UK Arabian racing officials to try and ensure that Purebred Arabian races in the UK were included in live TV coverage as well as in betting houses.

The various Arabian bodies of the USA were urged to make a united effort in promoting Purebred Arabian racing and Ms Sawaya announced a new race to be run during the annual HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Awards and the USA Darley Awards.  

“We are happy to announce another big race event and this time it will be held on the sidelines of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Awards and the USA Darley Awards.  It will be in the name of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, Chairperson of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Mother of the World,” she said.

“This open race for Purebred Arabians will be held in Los Angeles and will carry a prize fund of US$ 50, 000,” Ms Sawaya said.

The members of IFAHR were urged to take a decision on the IFAHR International Agreement. The agreement allows each member country to choose what articles they accept and in this way at least all trainers, owners, sponsors etc will get a clear view on the situation in each country.

Ms Sawaya said the IFAHR member-countries must take a decision on whether to sign in full or in part or not at all and she urged them to do this as soon as possible.  

Earlier in the morning, an optimistic outlook was shared by Will Smith (UK), Pat Buckley, Ms Lara Sawaya, Ahmed Abdelrazek (Egypt), Sam Vasquez (US) and Kishore Mirpuri (Poland) on the future of Arabian Racing in the light of the surrounding circumstances. The session was moderated by Philip Brannan from UK.

Future of Arabian Racing Panel

Finally the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference pledged to do everything possible in a united effort to ensure the Purebred Arabian horse is protected and the Arabian racing is promoted effectively.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing  Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC),  Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Bloom, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Petromal, Hayatna, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels, Racing Post.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Cidinha Franzão