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UAE Federation sponsors Seven races in Moscow
The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation is sponsoring seven races for Pure-bred Arabian and thoroughbred horses at the Moscow racetracks in Sunday, September 18, 2005.The races are part of the UAE President Challenge Derby for Pure-bred Arabian horses . This the first time that the Federation is sponsoring races in Russia and of the seven races, three will feature pure-bred Arabian horses exclusively.
The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation has been organizing races for the Pure-bred Arabian horses for over a decade now with an aim to enhance the status of these horses not only in the UAE but also all over the globe. The Federation's unstinted support to these races has taken the Pure-bred Arabians racing to new heights.
On the eve of his departure to Moscow, Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General of the Federation, stated: "It is certainly a great day for us to be part of the racing day in Moscow where we are sponsoring seven races. We were looking at ways of making foray into Russian Arabian horse scene and now it has paid off. Russia, like the UAE, pays great attention to the pure-bred Arabians and it will give us ample opportunity to have discussions with some owners there so that they can also visit the UAE."
The first race of the day is the 1600-metre The UAE Autumn Stakes (Gr.2) races which will feature two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. Ten horses are in the run for prize money of 60,000 Russian Roubles. Seven two-year-old thoroughbred fillies are in competition for The UAE Autumn Stakes (Group 3) race which will be run over a distance of 1,600 metres for prize money of 50,000 Russian Roubles.
The 2000-metre "The UAE Farewell Stakes", will feature 11 pure-bred Arabian horses and mares aged four and above and a purse of 60,000 Russian Roubles has been earmarked for this event. Another event featuring the Pure-bred Arabian colts and fillies is "The UAE Closing Race Season" which has attracted a field of nine horses aged three and above. The third race featuring the Pure-bred Arabian colts and fillies aged three and above has a field of 11 horses and will be run over a distance of 1,200 metres. Nine horses have entered "The UAE Closing Race Season" Stakes for Pure-bred Arabian colts and fillies that are aged three and above. It will be run over a distance of 1,999 metres for prize money of 50,000 Russian roubles.
"The UAE Farewell Stakes", for thoroughbred horses and mares aged four and above, will be run over a distance of 3,200 metres and five horses are in the field for prize money of 50,000 Russian Roubles. Seven thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three and above are in the field for "The UAE Closing Race Season" Stakes which will be run over a distance of 3,000 metres and the prize money is 50,000 Russian Roubles.
The UAE has made extraordinary progress in horse racing not only in the country but also outside particularly Europe and America. The attempt to boost Pure-bred Arabian horses in the international arena was flagged off by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is equally keen to ensure that the Pure-bred Arabian horses. Constant guidance and support also comes from His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Racing Federation, who paved the way for the success of the Pure-bred Arabian horses.
This year the races have already been successfully run in Newmarket, UK, Deauville, France, Ostend, Belgium, Delaware Park, Philadelphia, US and Holland and from Moscow, the races will move on to Newmarket and Baden Baden, Germany.
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Pascha Z wins UAE Challenge Derby in Holland
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Abu Dhabi Championship
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Pascha Z ridden by Daniel Klomp won The President of the UAE Challenge Derby, by just over a length at the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation-sponsored races held on Sunday, September 11, 2005 at Duindigt track close to Amsterdam in Holland.
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The winner's sire Chindaka is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry.
Though seven horses started off vying for the 2000-metre Championship, featuring four-year-old Pure-bred Arabian horses, the numbers were reduced to six as the French-bred Nytro unseated his rider Raymond Chang on the way to the start. The early leader was the French- bred Prince des Cedres ridden by John Smith who headed the field until challenged down the home straight by the Belgium bred Jeanee d'Arc and Pascha, who eventually won the race.
Skan Skan, ridden by Daniel Klomp again, won with ease in the 1800-metre The Abu Dhabi Championship for three-year-old Pure-bred Arabian horses. In fact it was no contest as it took the race wire to wire making it a double for his jockey Klomp who now heads the jockey's championship. The breeder and owner Turquoise Arabians is owned by Anita Blankler, a former singer in the Dolly Dots. Skan Skan is sired by Djebbel who won 11 races and is owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani.
UAE Derby
The favourite of the 11 starters, Grace T ridden by Terry Cain, made his bid too late and finished second for its owner, trainer and breeder G.T.Zoetelief. It was a long journey to the Duindigt by road and ferry for Zoetelief whose trains on an island on the northern tip of Holland. Ex- marathon runner Zoetelief does most of his training on the beach and employs an unusual method of exercising his young horses behind a horse and carriage, using his older horses to pull the carriage.
However, the sponsorship by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation races brought a ray of sunshine to Arabian Racing in Duindigt on Sunday, an overcast and humid day. The UAE Equestrian Federation has been organizing races for the Pure-bred Arabian horses for over a decade now with an aim to enhance the status of these horses not only in the UAE but also all over the globe.
Ali Thani Al Suwaidi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Netherlands, expressed his respect and gratitude to HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the special attention he paid to horsemanship and the sport of Arabian racing, a sport which reflects the Arabian heritage. He later distributed the awards.
A small band of dedicated owners, trainers and officials are the core of Arabian racing in Holland which hold all their fixtures at the Duindigt track. This sponsorship under the direction of HE Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, is the highlight of their racing season. Mrs Hanneke Brand, Secretary of the Arabian Racing Society in Holland, said that the UAE sponsorship significantly promoted the breeding, training and ownership of Arabian horses in Holland.
This year the races have already been successfully run in Newmarket, UK, Deauville, France, Ostend, Belgium, Delaware Park, Philadelphia, US and from Holland will move over to Moscow, Russia, Newmarket and Baden Baden, Germany.
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