June 6, 2013, Toulouse, France ~ The fourth edition of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference began today.
With Derek Thompson as moderator, the opening session at the 2013 World Arabian Horse Racing Conference dealt with the topic of breeding with the input of a select panel of experts.
Khalid Al Naboodah (UAE) and Ali Al Haddad (Iraq) highlighted the challenges they face in breeding in the UAE which include importing feed. “Breeding is a challenge for us in UAE. We import everything and the weather is not helpful. We are fighting hard and struggling against many internal and external factors and above all the tough weather conditions pose the real challenge,” said Al Naboodah.
Kathy Smoke and Sam Vasquez told conference attendees that breeding did not have the same problems in the United States but they do have the issue of having more races to fill than horses to fill them, and the problem of exciting a new generation of horse racing enthusiasts to the sport.
Kathy Smoke said, “We are doing a very good job to preserve this noble creature. Arabian horse breeding is flourishing in America, but like other industries, it was hard it by the recent economic problems. We have enough races but we don’t have enough horses and this is the dilemma. I invite others to send their horses to race in our country”
Sam Vasquez said, “We have good stallions and mares but the breeding industry needs to attract new owners. The whole process depends on what returns small breeders can earn and whether this is encouraging or rewarding is a very big question. At first I bred for my own satisfaction, but now I’m making profits,” he continued.
Catarina Genberg of Sweden her horses remain outside in all weather and they have excellent grass. Mrs. Genberg said that more information would be what they need in Sweden, including information on horse sales and breed lines to purchase.
Iraqi Ali Al Haddad stated that breeding was challenging in the UAE. “I’m living in UAE and find it always very difficult to breed and bring up good horses. The lack of natural feeding (grass) is a very big disadvantage,” he said.
Kishore Mirpuri (Indian/Poland) said, “We have good Arabian horses in Poland and they do well against their Russian-bred horses on many occasions. I think breeding is promising in Poland and I think we need to mix horses for example from Poland with stallions from Russia.”
Morhaf Photo
Marie Ange Bourdette of France, breeder of the 2013 Kahayala Classic winner, Al Mamun Monlau, said that her horses are her passion. She added, “I have bred some good horses that did well in races and became great stallions like Akbar and I don’t know why they have changed his name to Al Qahir.”
Martial Boisseuil, Director of Racing (Europe) of Wathba Stud Farm spoke of the challenges and success of breeding operations based in Normandy.
Two more sessions are slated for the afternoon on the opening day.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organized by 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 Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD Arabtec Holding PJSC, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Hotel and SPA and Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Galleries Lafayette and Toulouse Airport.
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