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

Official Website / CALENDAR 2012 / Photos by Morhaf

HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival set to create history with first-ever Ladies race in Poland

HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR race on
Sunday at Sluzewiec racecourse in Warsaw

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is also set to create another piece of history when a dozen lady jockeys, many making their debut on Purebred Arabian horses, race in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR on Sunday, August 26 at the Sluzewiec race course in Warsaw.

The Polish capital is all set to mark the third running of the prestigious Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan –Nagroda Europy- (Group 3) race on the same day making it a great attraction for racing fans here in Poland.
Addressing a press conference to announce details of the richest-ever and first running of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR, the UAE’s Ambassador to Poland HE Asim Mirza Al Rahmah thanked the UAE leadership.

“Sunday’s HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR reflects the great attention that Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women’s Union pays to women and their affairs all over the world,” HE Al Rahmah said.

“I also would like to thank HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs for bringing the Festival’s activities to Poland. Such events will strengthen the ties between the two countries and boost the |UAE’s heritage sport here in the region,” the UAE envoy said.

Ms Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and head of IFAHR ladies racing said, “The Festival has now made its presence felt in 13 countries with a total of 64 races in the current season.”

“I urge owners and trainers to enter good horses as th is is the richest purse for a ladies race. It will be a big boost to the amateur lady jockeys if they are supported by owners and trainers. The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR has put Poland on the world equestrian map,” she said.

“The aim of the Festival is to see more lady jockeys take part and improve and by including Poland we hope there will be a new trend in mor e lady jockeys taking to the sport,” Ms Sawaya said.

Khalid Hussein, Director of Sports Affairs at the General Authority for Youth and Sports said, “It is a matter of pride that these races are being held here at the Sluzewiec race course and I thank the UAE leadership for this endeavor.”

Meanwhile among the 12 lady jockeys in the line-up is Shathra Al Hajaj the UAE representative. “This is my first time here in Poland and we are all excited about the race. I will tr y my best and hope I get a good horse. It looks like a very open race,” said the UAE lady jockey.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized to promote purebred Arabians in different parts of the world with the sponsors being 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 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