H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival

Official Website / CALENDAR 2012 / Photos by Morhaf

Phraseur Kossack lands the Wathba Stud Farm Cup

Muelheim/ Rhur – Germany: Top German jockey Koen Clijmans partnered Phraseur Kossack to glory to land the 1600m Wathba Stud Farm Cup III – International, the final round of the 18 Eurpean series of the competition at the Muelheim Racecourse (turf) here on October 13 afternoon.

The race is held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival which is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Spo rts Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2012, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

“It’s the first time for me to ride this horse,” a jubilant jockey said later. “He ran a big race and when he hit the front, it seemed to me that he was enjoying the trip. He’s a very easy horse to ride,” he added.
Detroit, ridden by amateur Dutch lady jockey Jane Pietrasiewicz broke well and showed the way in the early stage of the competition, but soon beaten and dropped back as the pack took the home turn.

“He was unbalanced and didn’t settle right from the start and went wide when entered the home straight,” the young lady said.

At this stage, the winner worked his way through and challenged for the lead to pick up very strongly in the concluding stages to prevail by a length and a half on the line.

“He did a very nice job and responded impressively when asked the question in the final two furlongs. I think he won easy and deserves better company in the upcoming challenges,” Clijmans noted.

Lady trainer M Weber commented, “At first, Phraseur Kossack was difficult to handle, but he’s right now training well and improving from one race to another. We will see how he would come out of this mission and may probably go for a bigger test at the Baden Baden racecourse next weekend,” she said.

“He’s a very good horse,” said the winning owner H. Otermans “He well-bred Dutch horse and I would like above all to thank HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for all his support for small breeders and owners of Arabian horses. I have four horses in my small stable, but with the strong support of HH Sheikh Mansoor, I have genuine plans to buy more horses. The number of races is increasing and the prize-money is on the rise thanks to the Wathba Stud Farm Cup series and the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival,” he said.

Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said, “In organising the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has the preservation of the UAE's cultural heritage and traditions as its driving principal.

“Equestrianism in general, and Purebred Arabian racing in particular, has been a part of the life and spirit of every Emirati and by promoting this sport globally the Festival seeks to enhance the status of Arabian racing.
“Under the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood the Festival has achieved tremendous success and we intend to continue and build on this.”

Yaser Khamis Al Shemaili, head of Bonn Office of the UAE Embassy in Germany added, “We are truly obliged to HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the great success which has been achieved by the festival under the directives of HH the President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the support of HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.”

Lara Sawaya, Director the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and head of IFAHR ladies racing said, “Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the prize-money for all the Wathba Stud Farm Cup series in Europe will be raised from Euro 2000 to Euro 5000 in each individual race starting from next season. US and GB prize-money at $5000 and GBP 6000 respectively will remain unchanged. Holland races will be reduced from 10 to 5 rounds.”

Sawaya also announced that: “Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE lady jockey Shathra Hajjaj will represent the UAE and HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival at the Wuhan Equestrian Festival in China during the period from October 23 to 29, 2012,” she said.