The President of the UAE Challenge Derby for Pure-bred Arabian horses will be run in Newmarket, UK, on Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Three races are being organized by the UAE Federation as part of the Newmarket races. The races will be the highlight of the day one of the Ritz Club July Festival, which attracts a huge number of visitors.

The UAE-based realtors Hydra Properties are sponsoring the three races in the Newmarket for the first time. The races include UAE Hydra Properties Challenge Derby (Group I), Abu Dhabi Championship (Both for Pure-bred Arabians) and UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes for Thoroughbreds (Group I).

The sponsorship comes after a successful partnership with the UAE Racing and Equestrian Federation in sponsoring the Hydra Properties Cup, a Group-One race for Purebred Arabians, in Hamburg, Germany, held in June.

Eight Pure-bred Arabian horses are in contention for the 1,600-meter Abu Dhabi Championship, three of which are owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister for Finance and Industry. Horses owned by Sheikh Hamdan include Paris Gagner (jockey: Richard Hills), Paul De Faust (Jockey: Ted Durcan) and Petraunille (Jockey: T. Jamet). The other five horses vying for the 25,000 purse include Grandeur, Aberfeldy, Bachi Bouzouk. Miesque de L'Ardus and Somra.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the sponsors Hydra Properties jointly addressed a press conference in Abu Dhabi, before the races. Dr. Suleiman Al Fahim, CEO of Hydra Properties, said that the sponsorship was 'much more than a mere financial commitment.

"This sponsorship of races concerning Purebred Arabian horses is a responsibility which stems out of out commitment towards preserving the UAE's culture and heritage. Hydra Properties is involved in reshaping the UAE's skyline and the real estate sector with some of the most prestigious and innovative projects".

"However, we also realise that a country's strength lies in preserving the inherent culture and spirit of its people and Arabian horses are very close to the hearts of the UAE citizens," he said.

"We have already started this campaign with our sponsorship of the Hydra Properties Trophy 2007 which was held in Hamburg, Germany on June 24. It was a great success and we at Hydra Properties were highly satisfied with the success of the race and the keen following of the racing fans towards Purebred Arabian races".

Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General of the UAE Federation, said he was very thrilled with the support for the races from private sector.

Hydra will also be sponsoring the President of the UAE Hydra Properties Challenge Derby and the Abu Dhabi Hydra Properties Championship, both Group 1 races for Purebred Arabian horses, to be held in Deauville, France in August, 2007.

Two Group III races will be held as part of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation's The President of the United Arab Emirates Prize for Pure-bred Arabian horses at Duindigt, Holland, on Wednesday, June 27, 2007.

These races will herald the season for the races for Pure-bred Arabian horses, which are being organized by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation for the last 13 years. The UAE Federation has been organizing races for the Pure-bred Arabian horses in order to enhance the status of these horses not only in the UAE but also all over the globe, under the instructions from His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Federation. The races are held annually in major European cities, Canada and the US to spread awareness about the Pure-bred Arabian horses.

The races will be held under two titles: The President of the UAE Challenge Derby and Abu Dhabi International Championship. Apart from Holland, the current season will see these races in Newmarket in England, Deauville in France, Curragh in Ireland, Ostend in Belgium, Moscow in Russia, Sandown in England, Delaware in the US and Baden Baden in Germany.

Six horses are in fray for the coveted The President of the UAE Challenge Derby at the Duindigt racecourse, which will be run over a distance of 2000 metres. The race, featuring Pure-bred Arabian horses aged four, will be the fifth race on a day of many exciting races. It carries a cash prize of €10,000. The horses in the field include Bachu Bouzouk, Grandeur T, Jarnin (owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE minister for Presidential Affairs), Petula de Cassou, Schella and Somra.

The Abu Dhabi Championship, which will be the third race of the day, will have a field of 12 horses, aged three. The horses include Haboob (owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan), Ainhoa Al Akbar, N.D.'s Matrix, Nib Hiduc Star, Soumaoro, Acca DA, Caluncha D.A., Gazella T, Macha D.A. Melinah G, Popidoi Kossack and Queen de Faust. The race, to be run over a distance of 1,800 metres, offers a prize money of €10,200.

Since the season is just beginning, Hussein Mohammad Hussein, Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, has thanked all the international racing organizations and clubs for their support to the Federation, in making the annual Championships a success. "Words cannot express my gratitude to the organizations from several racing centres in Europe, US and other countries who have put in their might to make our endeavour a success. We would not have been able to achieve such a great success but for the support from these genuine people who understood our love and attachment for the Pure-bred Arabian horses."

The second leg of the UAE President Challenge Derby will be held on July 11, 2007 at the historical Newmarket racecourse.