Newmarket: Saudi Arabia's Nashwan Al Khalidiah ridden by Jean-Baptiste Hamel won the Abu Dhabi International Stakes at the Newmarket Racecourse on Wednesday.
Eight runners went to the post in the race which was part of the His Highness The President of the UAE Championship Cup Series 2010, which is sponsored by the Emirates Equestrian Federation, with the support of Abu Dhabi Brand, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Etihad Airways. Tahweek finished second and Mu'azzaz, owned by Qatar's Shaikh Khalifa Bin Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, finished third.
The Julian Smart-trained Jaafar, winner of the US $250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1) on Dubai World Cup meeting in Meydan in March and owned by Shaikh Khalifa Bin Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Thani failed to make a mark.
Nashwan Al Khalidiah had finished seventh in the Kahayla Classic. UAE Ambassador to the UK, Abdul Rahman Ganem Al Mutaiwe'e and Secretary General of Emirates Equestrian Federation, Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, presented the trophies to the winners.
Praiseworthy efforts
"These races boost the spirit of equestrianism and provide an ideal platform to promote the Pure-Arabian breed globally," said Al Mutaiwe'e. "The efforts of the organisers are praiseworthy as the UK one of the world's top racing countries which also lays special emphasis to Purebred Arabian horses."
Al Muhairi thanked His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, for attending the races. Newmarket Racecourses has been a keen supporter of the President of the UAE Cup Series for Purebred Arabian horses, which takes place annually in European cities throughout the summer.
It is the first international series of this kind and continues to be regarded as the premier series for the breed. Newmarket itself has a rich racing history dating back to hundreds of years. After successful racing in Curragh in Ireland, St Cloud in Paris and Moscow in Russia and Newmarket, the series will move to Ascot later in July followed by a race in the US in October.
