Pisarek wins Shaikha Fatima race in Newbury

Abu Dhabi: Marta Pisarek became the fifth lady jockey to book her ticket to Abu Dhabi for a dream line-up in the final of HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) in November, after the Irish woman brought Altesse Kossack home in the UK qualifier of the series at the Newbury Racecourse in UK on Saturday.

The UK qualifier was staged as part of an eight-race programme which featured the Group-1 JLT Lockinge Stakes and was broadcast live in the UK and the United Arab Emirates via Racing UK and Abu Dhabi Sports Channel as well as on line through the web TV at http://www.sheikhmansoorfestival.com/.

“This is the most exciting moment of my life,” said a delighted Irish lady jockey later.

“Altesse Kossack didn’t break well and I had to push hard to get him right on track. I think he’s a very good horse and deserves all credit,” she said. Jennie Cook, riding Hajes, looked like a winner in the concluding stages of the race before she was relegated to second closer to home.

“I hope I will go one better in my next attempt. My horse did a very good job and he was always going well. He was apparently beaten by a better horse,” she said.

Hareer walked away with the third place honours under Jessica Macialis to give Omani trainer Salem Al Hakamani a second and third-place finish.

“It was a tough race and the Irish lady made the best of the unfortunate poor finish of my horse after Hajes edged left in the last 100 yards. But, I’m happy with the result and hopefully Hajes would improve over recent form,” the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s handler said later.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, First Secretary at the UAE Embassy in London, said: “The support of His Highness President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his brother His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, is the real boost for the UAE sports in general and the equestrian discipline in particular which enhances the strong presence of the UAE at all international arenas.”

Noura Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE General Women’s Association, said: “I would like to thank HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, Chairperson of the UAE General Women’s Federation, Mother of the UAE, for her generous patronage of the championship. The support of HH Shaikha Fatima for the UAE women has enhanced their status and established a strong base for the ladies Arabian horse races worldwide.”

Lara Sawaya, director of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Head of International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Ladies Racing, said: “The race has hit the higher levels of success as reflected in the huge numbers of racing fans who have turned out to watch the international lady jockeys in action on Arabian horses backs. Furthermore, the online streaming of the race and news conferences enabled the spectators from the US, Australia, Europe and elsewhere to watch the events live as and when they take place.

“The great support of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Arabian horse races and the backing of HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, gave us the required push to go ahead,” she said.

Adnan Sultan, director general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, highlighted the contribution of the festival to the development and promotion of the women sports in general and the UAE culture in particular.