Lightning Bolt aims to strike again in Sheikh Zayed Cup

Strong fields for HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival races in The Netherlands

Lightning Bolt last year

The Duindigt racecourse in The Netherlands, where the international campaign of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival races began in 2009, is now all set to play host to the 10th anniversary of the Festival’s events here on Sunday, September 23, 2018.

The featured race on the card is the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, a Group 2 contest to be run over 1900 metres.

his race assumes added importance as the UAE is in 2018 celebrating 100 years since the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE and also one of the most passionate promoters of Purebred Arabian racing.

Eight runners are in the fray for this premier contest, the 9th of 2018 in the Sheikh Zayed Cup series and this Dutch leg carries a prize fund of Euros 35,000.

Trainer Karin van den Bos and owner Landgoed Waterland will be looking to strike again with Lightning Bolt. Lightning Bolt won the Sheikh Zayed Cup in Ostend, Belgium last month and will be under Tadhg O’Shea as the connections eye another victory in the Festival’s races this year.

But standing in the way of Lightning Bolt’s win will be Emiraaty, owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and will be ridden by Rob Fitzpatrick.

The other runners in the fray are Lightfeet under Glen Braem, Ziggy D.A. under Jurico Bogaerts, Meelad under Pelletan, Almaa under Faleh Bughenaim, Calitri D.A. under Mario Waterschoot and Jamas D.A. under Anna van den Troost .

Purebred Arabian fans will also see some of the top lady jockeys from around the world contest this Dutch leg of the Festival’s HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race series. The 2000-metre race carries a prize fund of Euros 20,000 and has attracted eight lady jockeys who will be racing on Purebred Arabian horses selected through a draw.

Ayman will be ridden by Slovakia’s Michala Kucharikova, Lets Do It under Italian Ilaria Saggiomo, Alazeez under UK’s Anna Wallace, Awzaan under Austria’s Manuela Slamanig, Viho D.A. under Germany’s Claudia Fleissner, Mirabella T under Denmark’s Linda Bro Olsen, Dabaab under Poland’s Anna Gil and Tasha D.A. under Nadia Ibrahim from host country The Netherlands.
“We are looking forward to an exciting race day with the two featured Arabian races under the banner of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival. We thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for their guidance and support in taking these races around the globe and providing a platform for the growth of Arabian horse racing,” said 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).

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, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

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