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

Official Website / CALENDAR 2012 / Photos by Morhaf

Shaikha Fatima Ladies World Championship promises more surprises

Casablanca – Morocco: Stage is set for the fourth leg of the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) series at the Casablanca-Anfa Racecourse here on Friday, May 4.

The event is organised under the umbrella of the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Racing Festival with 12 lady riders representing UAE, Oman, Qatar and other parts of the world lining up for honours in the world’s richest women race to be contested over ten furlongs.

According to the UAE ambassador to Morocco Alsari Saeed Al Dhahri, the support which is received by sports in the UAE underlines the keenness of the wise leadership of His Highness the President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his brother His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces coupled with the role which is played by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs to promote sports in general and Arabian horse races in particular.

Speaking to newsmen at the Casablanca Grand Hayatt on Wednesday, Al Dhahri said: “Holding the fourth round of the Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Championship (IFAHR) in Morocco is of great essence for the women sports in the world in general and within the UAE and the Arab world in particular,” he said.

Lara Sawaya, director of the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and head of women races at IFAHR said: “Bringing this highly prestigious race of the series to Morocco to be held on the International Day of Purebred Arabian Horse is a new breakthrough to promote this noble creature and the Moroccan races as well.”

Sawaya noted that the race carries more surprises for jockeys, media, spectators and all parties involved, but she declined to elaborate. “Under the directives of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, we are here to add Morocco to the great venues which host these unprecedented series,” she said.

“I would like to thank Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, Chairperson of UAE Women's Federation, Mother of the UAE, for her generous patronage of the series which carry the name of her highness. The support of Shaikha Fatima for the UAE women has enhanced their status and established a strong base for the women Arabian horse races worldwide,” she said.

It’s a great pride for the festival to see 12 lady riders from around the world gathering at this beautiful venue. German professional jockey Nina Wagner will take part in the race and her presence will present a new challenge for the amateur riders to benefit from her experience,” she said.

“All nine winners from the nine rounds will compete in the final leg scheduled on November 4 at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Three more jockeys will be invited by the organising committee at its discretion.

The world champion who does the better work on that day will walk away with the major share of the Euro 25.000 prizemoney plus a luxurious Mercedes Benz. “Moreover, the top three clubs from the ten rounds as per the collected points, will also claim their respective shares in the Euro50.000 prizemoney according to the established rules of the competition,” she said pointing out that Abu Dhabi has now become the capital of women in Arabian races.

Meanwhile, Musallam Al Amri, supervisor of the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Stables said: “Thanks to Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. We are happy that Morocco is selected as a venue to stage this prestigious race."

The festival is held under the directives of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs within the strategy of the festival features the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship, World Arabian Horse Racing Conference and Wathba Stud Cup.

The Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Arabian Horse Society and IFAHR, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports 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 Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2012, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Saada Saab Antypas
press coordinator