Impressive draw kicks off 2018 finale of HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

An impressive draw ceremony at the National Archives kicked off the grand finale of the 2018 edition of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival here on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

In an innovative ceremony, the Dirhams five million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Group 1) race draw saw - RB Burn- 2016 winner and second in 2017, in gate 11 under Patrick Cosgrave.

Running in the colours of HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and trained by Eric Lemartinel, RB Burn will be challenged by some of the best Purebred Arabian horses with 4-year-old Fazza Al Khalediah also coming in with an awesome record.

To be ridden by Pierantonio Convertino, Fazza Al Khalediah will be looking for a 11th win in 12 starts with the second-place finish completing an impressive career so far.

The 14-horse field chasing a slice of the Dh 5 million prize fund has some classy contenders (detailed card attached) and will finish a great night of racing on Friday, November 9 at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse in the Year of Zayed.

Draws were also held for the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice Jockey Championship and the newly-added Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Pony race finals. The Wathba Stallions Cup will also be run on Friday, November 9.

The draw was conducted by Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of 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), Mubarak Al Nuaimi- Director of External Promotion Department, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Nadim Lahad - Representative of Emirates Airline, and Khulood Al Nuaimi - representative of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co.LLC.

Today’s draw will be followed on Wednesday with a ‘Meeting with the Stars’ that begins at 6.00 am at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse with live coverage on Yas TV and later at 3.00 pm a Press Conference will be held at the Anantara Ballroom.

On Thursday the Festival will host a meeting of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies, IFHRA. The same day the documentary, ‘Leg Up, a Journey back into the Saddle’ will be screened at the National Archives auditorium.

After Friday’s race meeting, all the visitors and participants will on Saturday attend the Al Wathba Endurance Challenge and later in the night a Gala Dinner will bring the curtain down on the Festival’s finale.

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 carrier, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFHRA, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nissan Middleast Al Massood Automobiles, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Equicare Veterinary Services, Alawal Stud, Cavalos Equine Care & Supplies, SET Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, Kabale, YAS Channel, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, 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 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Anantara Hotel.

Attached below are links to the draw of the races

http://www.emiratesracing.com/node/3?id=2904&tab=5#tab-11303
http://www.emiratesracing.com/node/3?id=2904&tab=5#tab-11301
http://www.emiratesracing.com/node/3?id=2904&tab=5#tab-11299
http://www.emiratesracing.com/node/3?id=2904&tab=5#tab-11300

Source: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan
Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf