HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival support for disabled jockeys

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Santa Anita Park donated US $ 50,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) on the sidelines of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley International Awards Stakes $100,000 Grade 1 race which was held on Saturday, April 7 here at the Santa Anita Park racecourse in Arcadia, California.

HE Abdulla Al Subose- UAE Consul General in California, HE Mohammed Al Suwaidi -UAE Ambassador to the Oman, Sheikh Hamdan Al Sharqi, Edward Hamod, Director of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director of Global Promotions- Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Ahmed Al Qubeisi of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Nadim Lahad of Emirates Airline, Mohammed Abdulla of Al Massood Automobiles, Dr Stephano Daneri of Equicare Veterinary Services, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) were present along with the jockeys who took part in the HH Sheikha Fatima Stakes race during the hand-over of the check to PDJF.

 “In addition to promoting the Purebred Arabian horse racing around the world the Sheikh Mansoor Festival is dedicated to celebrating jockeys as some of the finest professional athletes in any sport. It gives us great pleasure to support the PDJF,” said Ms. Lara Sawaya.

“We thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Emirates, President of the General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for their support,” she added.

The PDJF is governed by an independent board comprised of stakeholders from a broad cross-section of the horse racing industry.

The mission of the PDJF is to promote awareness of the needs of permanently disabled jockeys through public advocacy; to provide financial support to permanently disabled jockeys to help defray everyday expenses associated with living with a catastrophic injury; to provide financial support and assistance in obtaining medical coverage for permanently disabled jockeys; and to promote medical research dedicated to reducing catastrophic injuries within the horse racing industry.

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