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prestigious championship, which was sponsored by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, and held for the first time in Russia. Unprecedented crowd attendance was seen near the historic Moscow Square, close to the dirt race tracks, to enjoy the Pure-bred Arabians run in their full form. The race was run over a distance of 2,000 metres with prize money of 60,000 roubles.
Though French-bred Benedick was the favourite of the day, as it had recently won the Moscow Derby, it had to be content in the second place. Benedick was ridden by A.V. Ivanskoi and owned by Jockey Racing Club. Third place went to Russian-bred horse Ellona ridden by P.M. Voronin and owned by Farm Stanica.
Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General, UAE Equestrian Federation and Musslah Iad Al Ahababi, UAE Charge de' Affaires in Russia, seen with the Derby winner Danpas.
Nine Pure-bred horses were in the field for the Abu Dhabi Championship which featured horses aged three and above with a distance of 1,800 metres. Russian-bred Drager, ridden by V.V. Melekhov and owned by Sk. Chrenowoje finished first. It was an easy win for Drager and this victory marked the fourth consecutive wins for the horse during the season. Second place went to Sokrushitel ridden by S.A. Ivko and third place went to Detriot ridden by D.S. Scherbakav. The purse was for 50,000 roubles.
Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, expressed his profound happiness over the success of the races in Moscow. He thanked His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and President of the Executive Council, for their unlimited support to boost the status of pure-bred Arabian horses in the international arena. He said the UAE Equestrian Federation has been highly successful in sponsoring races for the last one decade in many parts of Europe and the US, thanks to the initiatives of its Chairman Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who has encouraged personnel from different departments to acquaint themselves with the latest technology so that it could be utilized to upgrade the status of pure-bred Arabian horses all over the globe
Drager which won the Abu Dhabi Championship in Moscow
Hussein Mohammed Hussein said that the His Highness The President's Derby in Moscow was indeed one of the most successful events of the season. "We are moved by the love, care and the concern showed by Russian racing officials which were beyond our expectations. Fantastic facilities along with the warm reception and hospitality made the racing day a day to remember," he added.
Musslah Iad Al Ahababi, UAE Charge de' Affaires in Russia, who along with Hussein distributed the prizes, said that events like this contribute in improving the UAE-Russian bilateral ties. To continue the spirit, a Russian Emirates Day has been planned in Moscow in the coming year, he said.
Vladimor Chokovisky, Executive Director of Moscow Square and Member of Russian Racing Federation, profusely thanked Dr. Sheikh Sultan and the UAE Federation for considering Moscow as a venue to stage the races for Pure-bred Arabian horses which is certainly a step in the right direction to spread awareness about these noble creatures in the region.
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