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

Official Website / CALENDAR 2012 / Photos by Pamela Burton

KadorN U lands Wathba Stud Cup at
Santa Rosa

Kador N U, ridden by Joy Scott, landed the 1200m seventh round of the Wathba Stud Cup for PA three-year-olds and above Maidens at the Santa Rosa Racecourse, California, USA on Saturday night (August 4).

The race which carried a total purse of $7300 was held as part of the activities of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs to promote small owners and breeders.

Trained by Diana Skinner, the four-year-old son of Kador de Blaziet, was a bit sluggish at the start, but he was carefully pushed to lead in the early stages before drawing clear when it mattered close home. The mount of Pedro Flores, One Hot Chick, who chased the winner home, loomed up but he flattened out in the final furlong. Second runner up Sammies Moment under Barrington Harvey, was also in the chase until turned wide as the pack approached the home straight and lost place.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi director of Communications of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority reiterated that the Wathba Stud Cup races are receiving the highest attention of the small breeders and owners in USA and Europe and the big numbers of entries and participants underline the great success which has been achieved by the festival.

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: “Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, preparations are on top gear for the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival to take part in the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX)scheduled to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from September 5 to 8, 2012.

"A special stand has been reserved for the festival during the exhibition which will witness for the first time the participation of the Texas Arabian Horse Breeders Society, US Purebred Arabian Racing Jockey Club, California Arabian Races Organisation besides the organisers of the annual Darley Awards in America,” she said.

“The H. H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak EARS Conference for Training and Education will be held for the first time in Abu Dhabi during2013 on the sidelines of the HH Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Ladies Championship ‘IFAHR’, and a new race will be hosted carrying the name of HH Sheikh Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of UAE, for apprentice jockeys from both sexes as from 2013.

"The Press conference to announce the championship will be held at the Marriott Champs-Elysees in Paris on August 30, 2012,” she said.