White Turf challenge for Zayed Cup European Triple Crown from next year

Six cars up for grabs in Festival’s Endurance rides on Feb 26, 27

HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival has decided to make the European Triple Crown in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup series more exciting by naming the snow race track ‘White Turf’ on the St Moritz Lake in Switzerland as one of the venues from next year for three-race competition.

Addressing a press conference at the Kempinski Hotel in St Moritz, Switzerland on Saturday ahead of today’s HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) race on Sunday, February 21, Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), made the announcement in the presence of HE Sulieman Al Mazrouei, UAE ambassador to Belgium, and HE Saqr Al Raisi, UAE ambassador to Italy,  trainer Karin van den Bos, Swiss Arabian racing chief Urs Aeschbacher, Elizabeth Zindel  representing the  race organizers and White Turf Vice President Luigi Sala.

“The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup to be held here on the frozen lake of St Moritz will comprises one of the three legs of the European Triple Crown from next year,” she said.

Three races in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Series comprise the European Triple Crown and the horse that garners the maximum points in these three races earns the tag of ‘European Triple Crown’ winner and a bonus of Euros 50,000. Ameretto has won this over the last four years!

“Further in addition to the two races that we hold here – the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup and the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) – from next year we will add a third race – the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship race,” Ms Sawaya said.

Six cars for two Endurance Races in Abu Dhabi
“We take this opportunity to announce the details of two endurance races to be held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and the support of 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,” she said.

“Three cars for the top three finishers in the HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan 100km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on February 26 and another three cars for the top three in the 100km HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Race For Private Stables (Local citizens) only at the same venue on February 27 under the sponsorship of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival,” Ms Sawaya said.

Ms Sawaya said, “Under the vision of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, and in the light of the great success of the Festival in supporting the Arabian horse worldwide, the Festival has become a landmark in the map of international races.”

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, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The  National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with  and sponsored by Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland , Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  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 2016,  Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

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