8th edition of WAHRC kicks-off in Marrakesh on Thursday

Purebred Arabian racing fraternity members From 86 countries set for three-day conference

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s eight edition of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference begins in Marrakesh, Morocco on Thursday, May 4, 2017 with 86 countries being represented as experts debate and discuss various aspects connected with racing.

Seven sessions of the WAHRC will discuss seven different topics over three days while the third and final day will also see a workshop and then on Saturday the Festival’s four different races will be held as part of the ‘UAE Abu Dhabi Day’ meeting.

Addressing a press conference at Adam Park hotel on Wednesday, The UAE’s Charge D’ Affairs to Morocco HE Mohammed Al Yamahi said, “We thank HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs for bringing this great event to Morocco.”

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 said, “History will be made on Saturday, thanks to HH Sheikh Mansoor, when the world’s latest racing venue, will see horse racing being staged in Marrakesh for the first time.”

“After three days of discussions and debates in the WAHRC, the Hippodrome Marrakesh will come alive with the Festival’s Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship race and the Wathba Stud Farm Cup race,” she said.

Edward Hamod, General Manager of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, the main sponsors of the WAHRC, said, “We are delighted to be partners for the second successive year. We urge all those present to use the next three days to share their expertise and experience which will help the growth of Purebred Arabian racing.”

Omar Skalli, Director General of SOREC (Moroccan Racing Society) thanks the support of HH Sheikh Mansoor and the Festival for staging races and the conference on Morocco. “This opens a new chapter for racing in our country,” he said.

The PC was also attended by HE Saqr Al Raisi, UAE Ambassador to Italy, HE Mohammed Sultan Saif Al-Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman and many other important officials, sponsors’ representatives along with Moroccan officials.

Later the draw for the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship was also held.

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, 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 Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC,  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 2017, 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 / Bharathi Gowda
Photo: Cidinha Franzão / Nilza Felice