21 November 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ The 2019 edition of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is all set for a grand finale and kicked off with the barrier draw for the 24 November race meeting which will feature the world’s richest race for Purebred Arabians – the Dh 5million Group One Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown.
Al Shamoos, winner of last year’s race, is back to defend her title, and seems to have earned a favorable draw in gate 3. The five-year-old mare, trained in France by Charles Gourdain and ridden by Frenchman Julien Auge, is owned by Abu Dhabi’s HH Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and will take on 13 other top class Purebred Arabian runners in the 1600-metre contest on Sunday night.
Also in the contest are Hayyan and Belqees in the silks of Yas Racing Management, owned by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Saudi Arabian raider Mashhur Al Khalediah, the highest rated horse at 121 in the field, French horse Bel’izam, another Saudi runner Shareq Al Khalediah, undefeated filly RB Money To Burn and Darius Du Paon are also in the 14-strong line-up.
Sunday’s race meeting will also see the action in the following races: HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Jockey Championship; HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR); HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Int’l Pony Race while the support card includes the Martyrs Cup, the Wathba Stallions Cup and the Martyrs Trophy.
Race Card for AED 5M Richest Race:
Loading...
Reload document
Open in new tab The draw was held on Tuesday at the UAE National Archive auditorium and was attended Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, President of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, 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), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Edward Hamod, Director of the National Company for Feed and Flour Production and Marketing and representatives of other sponsors.
Ms Lara Sawaya said, “We thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak
Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for all their support and guidance through the entire year of the Festival’s activities.”
“We have guests and officials from around the globe attending and they will be visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque on Thursday. On Friday, November 22 the ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ event will be held at the City Golf Club and later in the evening the guests will attend a race meeting for purebred Arabian horses at the Al Ain Race Course,” she added.
Lady endurance riders from around the world will showcase their long distance riding skills to the guests on Saturday in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup which will be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Ms Sawaya stated.
“Sunday’s finale Jewel Crown Event will start with UAE Traditional Music (HARBYA), followed by Parachutists show and a series of other shows in between the seven races including free raffle draws for the fans”, Ms Sawaya said.
~ end