Germany’s Melina Ehm became the first woman jockey to race in Algiers
18 October 2017, Algiers, Algeria ~ Algeria’s Abdelkader Boulosba became the final Apprentice jockey to qualify for this year’s HH Sheikha Fatima Apprentice World Apprentice Championship (IFAHR) series final which will be held in Abu Dhabi on 10 November 2017.
In Monday’s leg of the HH Sheikha Fatima Apprentice World Apprentice Championship held at the Caroubier Racecourse in the Algerian capital of Algiers, Abdelkader Boulosba on Fakhr Ezaman had a stroke of fortune in his qualification. Jockey Ali Jabbar finished first but was demoted to fourth place for intervention and causing hindrance following a Steward’s inquiry and Abdelkader Boulosba, who finished second was declared winner.
The Apprentice race along with a Wathba Stallions Cup race was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
While the Algerian jockey’s qualification was cheered on by the home fans there was another historic first on the Algerian racing circuit. Germany’s Melina Ehm, one of the Apprentice jockeys among the ten who started the 1800-metre race, became the first woman jockey to race in Algiers.
HE Yousef Saif Al Ali, UAE Ambassador to Algeria along with Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and other Algerian racing officials gave away the trophies.
Later H.E Ali hosted the Festival’s team for dinner at his residence. H.E Ali praised the great interest of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the General Women’s Union, the Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
The envoy stressed that these joint meetings between the UAE and the Republic of Algeria reinforce and reflect the strong historical relations between the two countries, praising the role played by the wise leadership in the UAE and the Republic of Algeria.
He said that the races had left a good impression for everyone from the UAE, pointing out that one of the goals of the Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Horse Festival is to create relationships and contacts with owners and those interested in the Arabian horses around the world.
Ms Lara Sawaya said HH Sheikh Mansoor was keen that Algeria be a part of the Festival. “We are delighted with the success of the event here and the great interest of owners and trainers in Arabian horses. The German lady jockey also created history by being the first woman to race and such factors boost the sport,” she said.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2017, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.
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