Rome: The HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is all set to trigger a huge boost to the Purebred Arabian racing scene in Italy, when three of its major race series will be worked off on Emirates Race Day at the Capanelle race course in Rome on Sunday.
The festival, which has staged endurance rides in Italy, will be making its debut with Arabian horse flat racing through the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Listed) race, the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race and the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship race.
“This will be the biggest day for Purebred Arabian racing in Italy and with over 500 delegates from all over the world, who are here for the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference, in attendance on Sunday, it is a great opportunity for the Italians,” said Lara Sawaya, executive director of the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
The Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan race is a listed event with 10 runners contesting over 2,400 metres and Al Janoob under Anna Pilroth is the top weight.
The added importance of this race is the fact that it is one of the three legs of the festival’s European Triple Crown and this has attracted four international runners.
The one to watch is Ziyadd under Pierantonio Convertino, a four-year-old trained by Antoine Watrigant for owner Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The biggest danger for Ziyadd could come from Tornado Byzucchele under Antonio Fadda and Nasco under Domenico Migheli while Al Janoob, Fedayn, Nil Ashaal and Lares De Pine are all capable of finishing in the frame.
In the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race, 2015 world champion Astrid Wullschleger partners Mirko, the veteran runner starting as favourite despite being the top weight.
Irish lady jockey Lisa O’Neil on Sibillina should also fancy her chances as will Moroccan Bouchra Marmoul on Sole Di Chia, Poland’s Anna Gil on Tintudi Gallura and Australian Cecily Eaton on Tabasco.
The other jockeys and horses are Denmark’s Rikke Bay Torp on Tiffany, Germany’s Silvia Pattinson on Tersilia, Oman’s Fatma Al Manji on Quadrieoglio, South Korea’s Lee Keumjoo on Turriga and Jessica Marcialis representing hosts Italy on Monnalisa.
In the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship race, South Korean Jeonghee Jeong on the unbeaten Urge De Gallura will be the favourite.
Australian Jordan Childs on Ultzana, Italian Gabriele Cannarella on Triade, Great Britain’s Gemma Tutty on Usini and Argentina’s Lucas Berticelli on Usuym are all expected to be in the running for a place in the top.
Others in the fray are Belgian Zoe Vande Velde on Makbar Du Piboul, Brandon Duchaine of Canada on Unika Dorado, French jockey Adrien Moreau on Urlo Di Chia, Moroccan Omar Lakjal on Urugano Di Chia and Oman’s Saif Al Baloushi on Unu Di Gallura.
