Dubai: The fifth edition of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference, supported by the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, began at the St James Theatre in London on Wednesday.

Over 350 delegates assembled at the prestigious venue to kick start a five-day programme which includes three days of seminars, an endurance ride and two flat races, all under the umbrella of the Festival.

In a welcome message, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, said: “We are in the fifth edition and it certainly has been a journey that has not only brought together all sections of the Purebred Arabian fraternity onto one platform but has also thrust into focus many issues and obstacles in the progress path of Purebred Arabian racing.”

“The Festival believes that discussing and exchanging ideas is the only way forward for the sport of Purebred Arabian racing and the Fifth World Arabian Racing Conference in London will certainly be another positive addition to this march.

Abdul Rahman Al Mutawee, UAE ambassador to the UK, welcomed the delegates and said: “We are happy that there are representatives from 32 countries and over 55 speakers at the seminars over the next three days. This is a significant event and we are glad that it is being staged here in London which is a prominent centre for horse racing.”

Sami Al Boueinen, chairman of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR), hailed the conference: “Ten years ago, IFAHR consisted of amateurs but since the support of His Highness Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, both [the] IFAHR and Arabian horse racing have received a huge boost.”

Noura Al Suwaidi, director-general of the UAE General Women’s Association also highlighted the achievements of the event.

“The HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s World Arabian Racing Conference has served as a huge boost for women involved in Purebred Arabian racing,” she said. “Every edition of the Conference has had a topic concerning women in Arabian racing and with the fifth successive event now set for London we hope it will be another event of success.”

Commenting on the progress of the sport, Lara Sawaya, executive director of the Shaikh Mansour Racing Festival and Chairman of Ladies Racing at IFAHR, said: “We are happy to announce that a Korean lady jockey won a race and in this week’s race we also have a Japanese lady rider taking part.”

“We started on a small note in 2009 but today we have 94 races scheduled for 2014 and that has triggered tremendous commenting on the progress of Purebred Arabian racing.

Meanwhile, Yasir Mabrouk, representing the Emirates Racing Association (ERA) said: “We thank Shaikh Mansour and Her Highness Shaikha Fatima for giving the Arabian racing world this great initiative. This conference brings the Arabian horse racing world together and the exchange of views and expertise will go a long way in promoting the sport of Arabian racing.”