October 2016, Abu Dhabi ~ Exciting announcements came out of the Conference in Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of the 2016 Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
The 2017 World Arabian Horse Racing Conference will be held in North African City of Marrakesh, Morocco, from 1-7 May 2017.
May Tentative Schedule:
2 – Press Conference
3-5 – Conference
6 – Race Day
7 – Guests depart
World-wide Arabian racing
Arabian data base
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival has taken up the challenge to create a world-wide database for Arabian horse racing which will include statistics of the horse, trainers, and jockeys with archives back to 2000. This is in the works for spring release.
Triple Jewel USA
The Arabian Triple Jewel races in the USA will be held on the coastlines of the three major Arabian racing areas: East coast, New Jersey; West coast, California; and South coast, Texas. Firm dates to be announced.
Emerald Jewel: July, Pleasanton, California, 6 F (1200m)
Diamond Jewel: 4 September, Monmouth Park, New Jersey, 1 mile (1600m).
The Triple Jewel winner will earn an additional bonus of US $150,000. Horses gain points based on their finish in each of the three races and the one with most points will collect the bonus.
Darley Awards
The 2017 Darley Awards, a red carpet affair, will take place the last week in March in Hollywood, California, at the Dolby Theatre. The Awards Ceremony will be 31 March. 1 April is the $100,000, 1 mile 1/16 race at Santa Anita Park, again with a $100,000 donation to the Disabled Jockeys Fund. 2 April will celebrate the Gala Dinner at the Four Seasons, Beverly Hills.
Endurance 2017
Endurance will add races in Hungary, Italy Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium. Brussels (BEEM) 3-day Championship endurance scheduled from 17-19 August, and will include the FEI 160-km European Championship, 120-km Young Horses Championship, and 120-km FEI Nations Cup for Lady Riders. There will be another Festival-supported race in Negrepelisse, France, and a new ride scheduled for Madrid, Spain. And another new race is the 2-day endurance event on the island of Sardinia, Italy, from 30 June – 1 July.
“One must not underestimate endurance,” said Ian Williams, technical endurance advisor to the Festival. “For many years, endurance was the fastest growing equestrian sport in the world. Endurance is unique and is run all over the world, in the Malaysian jungles, in the South African savannah, and in the USA heartlands. Do not underestimate what is achieved by our endurance athletes with the support of the Festival.”
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