Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s Anoud Al Suwaidi will ride Coolinda Park Dance With Me and will start from Gate 5 in the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies’ World Championship race in Melbourne, Australia, on February 1.
The draw for the event, which is part of the calendar for the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival, was held at the Eastern Mangrove Hotel here on Monday.
Pablo King, Australian ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, Adnan Al Nuaimi, director general of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Lara Sawaya, director of the festival and chairman of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFHAR) Ladies Racing Committee, and Manar Al Hanai of Abu Dhabi Investment Company were present for the draw.
The Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup will be held on the same day and a total prize money of €35,000 (Dh175,622) will be up for grabs.
Al Suwaidi, who only made her racing debut earlier this month, said: “It gives me another opportunity to get a feel of competitive racing. My first race in Oman was a huge experience and I’m looking to build on it.
“Most of the riders come in with tremendous experience behind them. I got to meet them and talk to them — that was great. The more I take part in races, the better. The only way I can gain experience is by taking part in more races. This will be my second competitive race and hopefully I can do well.”
Al Suwaidi’s coach, Sofia Nordgran, was pleased with her ward’s progress but felt it would be too early to expect results.
“She needs time,” Nordgran said. “Her competitors have participated in over 250 races and more. They have the experience but Al Suwaidi has good potential and we want her to improve on that. As of now, she has to keep participating. She is very hard working during training and that’s a good thing.”
Al Suwaidi will be joined in the race by Oman’s Fatma Al Manji, who will be leading the Middle East challenge on Warrawee Naazia from Gate 3.
Sawaya said: “This year there will be two professional jockeys taking part in the event as per new rules. The prize money [has been] increased by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to encourage and attract more breeders of Arabian horses.”
Australian ambassador King said: “The Australian Cup and all the races around the spring racing festival have sponsors like Emirates. We always have strong support from the UAE. Godolphin always takes part in the races. Arabian racing is different but the amount of commitment put into the February racing will be a good initiative. I wish all the participants all the best.”