Warrawee Naaziq wins Wathba Cup in Australia
Mansour Festival events over weekend on three continents
Abu Dhabi: The Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival made its presence felt on three continents this week, as part of its mission to promote Purebred Arabian racing.
The Wathba Stud Farm Cup race was held on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, while Saturday night saw the Shaikh Mansour Festival play host to the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Group 2) race and the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) race at the Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas.
Meanwhile, Down Under, the Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup was run at Mansfield in Victoria on Sunday, with Warrawee Naaziq once again emerging as the champion Arabian in Australia, according to a press release.
Kim Noble, the owner, trainer and jockey steered Warrawee Naaziq to a great finish and won a close battle with two other horses in an exciting finish.
Coolinda Park Dance With Me, owned and trained by Anthony Mountney and ridden by Samara Johnston and stablemate Majelica under Aaron Sweeney gave the winner a strong challenge in the 1,750-metre race.
The three were involved in a close battle down the straight before Warrawee Naazi under Noble won by just half a length from Coolinda Park Dance With Me.
“In organising the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has the preservation of the UAE’s cultural heritage and traditions as its driving principle,” Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, said in a message.
“Equestrianism in general, and Purebred Arabian racing in particular, has been a part of the life and spirit of every Emirati and by promoting this sport globally the Festival seeks to enhance the status of Arabian racing,” he added.
“Under the directives and support of 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 Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Festival has achieved tremendous success and we intend to continue and build on this,” Al Muhairi said.
The Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
