Dubai: The HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship 2015 series, which boasts five new races, kicks off at the Kentucky Race Park in Lexington, Kentucky on Sunday.

Following it’s successful launch in 2014, five more races have been added to the series taking the total to nine events, which culminate in the grand finale in Abu Dhabi on November 8, 2015.

The series is run under the banner of the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Ten apprentice jockeys from around the world will be seen in action in the $25,000 (Dh91,808), 2,000 metre contest, with the winner securing a ticket to the season finale in the UAE.

The ten jockeys will be paired with one of ten horses by draw of lots.

Ireland’s Julie Burke, 26, is the most experienced apprentice with 86 career wins from 1,200 rides, while Puerto Rican rookie Jan Carlos Batista is looking for a first victory after three races.

Australian apprentice Ben Thompson, 18, who only took out a licence last season but has won 37 races, said: “I’m looking forward to showcasing my talent and hopefully I can come out with my head up and take a lot from it.”

Meanwhile Lara Sawaya, Executive Diretor of the Shaikh Mansour Festival said: “Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, are very keen to see young aspiring jockeys get more opportunities as they hone their racing skills.

“This year, with a total of nine races, the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship series becomes an important part of the Festival.”

The Shaikh Mansour Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare.

The National Archives is the official partner and Emirates airline the official carrier.

It is also supported by Invest AD, Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Centre, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels and the Racing Post.