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

Sheikh Mansoor's horses in another 1-2 finish

It was another 1-2 finish for HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs in, the eight running of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival's Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan - Prix Cheri Bibi, on Saturday at the Craon Hippodrome race.

Ghalib, the three-year-old ridden by Christophe Soumillon and trained by Francois Bernard put up a good performance to record a one length victory from Aakif under Arnaud Bourgeais. Un'Art was two-length back in third place.

Ghalib won the 2,200-metre Group 2 race with a time of 02:31.07 in the presence of a large crowd. Both the horses were owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor.

In Frankfurt, too, less than three weeks ago, three year-old Naseem and Thakif captured the top two places in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival's Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup for a similar finish.

Mohammed Al Rashidi, Charge D'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in France, Khalid Al Kindi, Diplomatic Attaché, Lara Sawaya, Director of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing series, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC), Henri Malard, President of the Craon racecourse and Alain Desgrange, President of Toulouse racecourse were present during the prize distribution.

Ms Lara Sawaya, Director of the H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival said: "The unflinching support the Festival continues to receive from HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed enabled it grows bigger and better."" HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mubarak Ladies Fegentri Cup was another valued addition to this popular Festival giving an opportunity for Arab lady jockeys to compete with their peers from other countries".

Ms Sawaya also made an important announcement, saying that for the first time ever in France, the HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mubarak Ladies Fegentri Cup for Arabian racing will be held in Craon, in September 2012 and this will be followed by another in Toulouse in 2013.

"This is first time ever in France, a Ladies Fegentri Cup for Arabian racing is going to take place and with the addition of H.H Sheikha Fatma Cup in Craon, it will have nine races globally during 2012," she said.

"The 2011 Sheikh Zayed Cup series have already visited great racing venues including, one of our important stopovers at Craon, "Ms Sawaya concluded.

Stephen Bowey, Executive Director (Marketing) of Invest AD Said: "The Festival of Sheikh Mansoor has created a huge presence in the global racing arena and we are delighted to be part of it".

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said:" Today's race was the most prestigious one here as it was the only Group 2 race with handsome a prize money of Euros 20,000.

Ali Al Mulla, Chairman of Areej Al Ameerat said the growing popularity of the   Festival is the result of joint efforts all the parties involved. Mirna Youness of La Sirene said: "It is a matter of joy and pride for us to be part of the festival in promoting UAE's culture and heritage across the globe."

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Arabian Horse Society with support from Invest AD, Areej Al Ameerat, La Sirene, the UAE's General Women's Union, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Craon France to Host Arabian Field At
Sh Zayed Prix Chéri Bibi Group II

Friday 2 Septembre, Craon, France: The Prix Cheri Bib Group II will be held on Saturday, September 3 with a field of three year olds on one of the most beautiful racetracks in France.

ENTRIES FOR THE SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN – PRIX CHÉRI BIBI GR. 2 PA

15:25 Race Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan-Prix Cheri Bibi Groupe II

For 3YO only

Races supported by the H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival

Prize money: € 20,000
Distance: 2,200 m
Weight: 57 kg

1. AAKIF M.AR. – trainer R. Litt, owner Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed
2. Ghalib M.AR. – trainer JF. Bernard, owner Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed
3. Magua D.A. (BEL) – trainer M. Holzken, owner Michel Holzken
4. Un’Art M.AR. – trainer C. Gourdain, owner Xavier Mareschal
5. Chimco Da Bel M.AR. – trainer J. Verstrepen, owner Johan Verstrepen
6. Cheker M.AR. – trainer D. De. Watrigant, owner Jean-Marc de Watrigan

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan - Prix Chér Bibi
in Craon on Saturday

Craon, 2 September: The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival’s Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan – Prix Cheri Bibi will take place on Saturday (September 3) at the Craon Hippodrome, France

Reserved for three-year olds, the prize money on offer is Euro 20,000.

Six horses have entered the Group 2 PA race and the distance to cover on grass is 2,200 meters. The race, the second in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival series in France, this year, after the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Prix Carthage-Hannnibal inToulouse, is also the eighth in this year’s HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Racing Festival’s Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup race series.

Leading the six-horse field is Aakif, owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Trained by T.R. Litt, the three-year-old will be ridden by Arnaud Bourgeais. Ghalib, to be ridden by Christophe Soumillon, is another Sheikh Mansoor-owned horse and is trained by Jean Francois Bernard. Though the two are the favourites, strong challenges are expected to come Magua, the horse, finished third in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Listed) race held in Frankfurt, last month.

Un’art, Chimco and Checker are other horses in the fray.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Communications, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) said: “The Arabian horse has a significant presence in the UAE’s culture and heritage and in this contest we are committed to strengthen it thanks to HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affaires’ effort in promoting Purebred Arabians by hosting races in various parts of the world.”

Ms Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival said: “The Festival was organized for the first time in 2009 with few races and it has grown in stature. This year it has witnessed the debut of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Fegentri Cup in the Netherlands.”

“The passion for horses on the Arabian peninsula was and still is being transferred from generation to generation. The history of horse riding is centuries-old and our objective is to raise global awareness of this phpect among those who are involved in this sport,” said Ms Sawaya adding that the Saturday’s race guarantees an exciting one.

Stephen Bowey, executive director (marketing) of Invest AD said “We have been supporting HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Racing Festival’s races for quite some time and we are pleased to be working to achieve his initiative in promoting Arabian horses globally.”

Ali Al Mulla, chairman of Areej Al Ameerat said: “Arabian horses have been appearing on the French racetracks since the mid nineties and it has gained further momentum with the Festival’s races.

Mirna Youness of La Sirene stated: “Arabian horses have become a subject of interest of breeders from all over the world and all thanks go to HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his excellent support.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Arabian Horse Society with support from Invest AD, Areej Al Ameerat, La Sirene, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.