HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s final extravaganza of 2016 begins with draw for Euros 1.2 m Sheikh Zayed Cup Crown Jewel-IPIC (Group 1)

Last year's inaugural Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel-IPIC (Group 1) race

The stage is set for a fantastic week of action both on and off the field as over 800 guests arrive for the "One World, 6 Continents, Abu Dhabi The Capital" extravaganza which marks the end of the 2016 year of activities of  the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the action kicks off with the Tuesday’s 12 noon Official Draw of the Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel-IPIC (Group 1) – the richest race in the world for Purebred Arabian horses which will be held on November 13, 2016 at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club as part of the grand finale.

The horses that have made the cut of 16 for the 1600-metre Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel-IPIC (Group 1 are Al Mourtajez, Thakif, AF Mathmoon, Paddys Day, Sylvine Al Maury, Kalino, Sand Victor, Loraa, Rb So Rich, Abhaar, RB Burn, Faucon Du Coup, Thess is Awesome, Sahabba, Mabrooka and AF Tawaq. Reserve horses Djet Taouy, Uptown Danny's Boy and Al Bastoon.

Tuesday’s event at the National Archives will also feature the draw for the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship final and the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship final.

“The invited guests and the cream of the world’s Purebred Arabian racing fraternity have already started arriving and after Tuesday’s draw we have the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) General Assembly at National Archives on Wednesday, November 9 followed by a ‘One World, 6 Continents, Abu Dhabi The Capital’ Press Conference at Hotel Anantara Pool Area,” said Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).

“We thank 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 in whose name we will be staging the important HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Conference for Training and Education at the National Archive Conference Hall November 10th and 11th,” she added.

Last year's inaugural Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel-IPIC (Group 1) race

“Some of the world’s top experts in various fields of flat racing will be on hand to share their expertise and experience in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Conference and the panel includes Chantal Sutherland (the Highest Earner as a Professional Female Jockey) and Julie Krone, the first female jockey to win a US Triple Crown race and a Hall of Famer,” Ms Sawaya stated.

On November 12, the Festival will stage an IFHRA student workshop at Anantara Eastern Mangroves with the best coaches and Professional Jockeys while on the same day the guests will get to watch the  Al Wathba Challenge Endurance Ride sponsored by National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co LLC at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba near Abu Dhabi city.

“Then on November 13 will be the big day when six races featured by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel-IPIC (Group 1) and the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship final and the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship final will be held to bring the curtain down on the 2016 activities of the Festival,” Ms Sawaya said.

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  and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, 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