Dubai: The HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Breeders Society Challenge for Purebred Arabians is scheduled to make a much-anticipated seasonal debut at Jebel Ali Racecourse’s second meeting of the new season on Friday.

The 1,200-metre contest, which is aimed at encouraging local breeders of Purebred Arabians, has attracted eight runners, including the Satish Seemar-trained Gustav, who was third in the race last season.

Friday’s card also features a 1,400-metre thoroughbred contest, the main event of the afternoon, which will be sponsored by the Shadwell breeding operation of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of Shaikh Hamdan’s Office, said on Tuesday: “Shadwell is delighted to return as the sponsor of the feature race at Jebel Ali. Shaikh Hamdan has undertaken to support the racecourse and sponsor its principal races to ensure that the venue continues to grow within the racing circuit in the UAE.

“Jebel Ali has a unique appeal. Not only does it lay claim to delivering some of the best racing, it is also proud to have earned a reputation as a family racecourse, which caters to all sections of racegoers.”

Al Sayegh also used the opportunity to praise the efforts of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to promote Purebred Arabian racing around the world.

“Shaikh Mansour is doing a phenomenal job fostering the traditional Purebred Arabian racehorse through the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, which has helped encourage owners, trainers and jockeys of Arabians in Europe, America and Australia to become actively involved in the sport,” he said.

“The results are showing as there is considerable interest among the Arabian racing fraternity in places like Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Germany. You name it and the Festival goes there.

“This is the boost that Arabian racing has been waiting for and, like Shaikh Hamdan, who is a passionate supporter of Arabian racing through the Dubai International Arabian Raceday at Newbury, the Shaikh Mansour Festival gives everyone in the sport an opportunity to compete and be involved.”

E-Sports will sponsor one of the races on the card and Gareth Mordey. its Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted and honoured to be once again involved with Jebel Ali Racecourse and would like to thank [Maj. General] Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum [Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security], Mirza Al Sayegh and [Shareef] Al Halawani for their kind words and for their support.”