HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Grand Finale 2016  

press-conf-day-1mhf_60046 September 2016, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ As many as 1,800 invitees, including endurance and flat racing jockeys and other officials, are expected to attend the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s ‘One World, Six Continents’ extravaganza to be held at Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 7-14 November 2016, marking the end of Festival’s events for the year 2016.

Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), announced this at a press conference on Wednesday at ADNEC Capital Suite 14, Abu Dhabi, on the sidelines of the 14th edition of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre premises.Ms Sawaya stated that the second edition of Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Group1) – the world’s richest Purebred Arabian race, will be the highlight of the grand finale of the His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. The race will field as many as 16 horses and the entries will close on 16 October.

Giving details Ms Sawaya stated that three horses will be invited from America-Paddy’s Day, Sand Victor and Thess is Awesome, whereas two will be from Europe, two from Qatar, and one from the Sultanate of Oman. The UAE owners will be represented by one horse each, be it locally trained or outside the country. Other Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and elsewhere will be invited from next year provided the rating is not be less than 106 and the standard is 113, she added.
This year’s event will be conducted under very strict security measures, with special accreditation for all those involved in the event, Sawaya stated.
Dr. Abdulla AlReyes, Director General of the National Archives, said it is always a pleasure to be part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival. “We are proud to be part of the One World,6 Continents program which puts slogans into action. The November activities will have a ‘special flavor and spice like never seen before.”

While thanking His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Al Reyes mentioned that the Archives will have a world summit of archives to coincide with the centennial celebrations of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 2018. He also announced that the National Archives has been chosen to host the International Conference on Archives to be held in 2020 and over 5,000 delegates from different parts of the world will be in attendance.

Pat Buckley of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said that after the marvelous success of the of Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Group1) – the world’s richest Purebred Arabian race in 2015, all the world has its eyes on Abu Dhabi, the capital of Arabian racing. “The only drawback for the American horses is the right-handed track but they will have enough time and the facility to exercise or gallop,” he said and offered all the assistance for the jockeys to use the club for training.

Ms Sawaya also stated that there will be a full field of 16 horses for the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship with lady jockeys who won in races held in Australia, Belgium, Bahrain, France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, The Netherlands, Oman, USA in Pleasanton, California, and Texas, Poland, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Sweden. Two additional jockeys will make up the 16 riders. The Moroccan lady jockey was picked in a wild card draw and the rider from Japan that was not able to ride in her competition due to an unruly mount.

“I would like to thank all sponsors and supporters for the success of the Festival. Our special thanks go to HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, whose unconditional belief in the success of the Festival has enabled us to move to greater heights over the years,” Ms Lara Sawaya concluded.

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, IPIC as Strategic Partner, 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 Al Aweer Stables, Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, 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, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, 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 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

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