Thursday, September 3, 2009

Festival in Paris Boosts Arabian Horse Racing


According to an article in GulfNews.Com The Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival of racing in Paris is a major boost for Purebred Arabian racing. Dax racecourse in France witnessed the last and final race of the series.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Communications at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach) said at a press conference in France recently: "This success has been evident from the eagerness shown by the owners of Arabian horses in the world in general and Europe in particular, to vie for honors in the Zayed the First Cup."

The press briefing was also attended by Lara Sawaya, Director of the Festival, Martial Bousseuil, European manager for Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed's Stables and Jean-Loui Izeta Selimanjim, director of Afac, the French Arabian Horse Racing Association). Sawaya expressed her gratitude to all organizations and individuals who have helped in organizing the event so successfully.

"I would like to extend our special thanks to Afac and hosts Dax for their support to make the festival of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan a success. Sawaya added that the festival will be an annual affair.

The race was in preparation for the Saint Cloud Arabian Breeders Cup in Paris in October. The 174-year-old race course hosts 15 race meetings each season in France. The races are being held under the name "Zayed the First" by Adach in association with Breeding Stables of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Sorouh Real Estate, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, IAL Art Logistics and Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition supported the series.
Dr A S Johan of Richman's IMC said that he was very encouraged by the interest Arabian horse racing was attracting outside of the Middle East. This has prompted Richman's to consider Arabian horse racing at its Royal Nanjing Jockey Club in China - alongside thoroughbred horse racing. "We plan to set aside a certain number of days for Arabian horse racing. Of course to support this we will be importing and stabling Arabian horses" said Dr Johan.

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