DUBAI — This year’s Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup race series in California will come to a close with the fifth and final race to be held tomorrow (Saturday) at Fresno.

After the first four legs of the Wathba Stud farm Cup series attracted huge attention, Saturday’s Fresno race is expected to sign off in style with seven runners competing in the seven-furlong race.

The seven runners in the race are NC Casey Jones (TX), Anvirlik (FL), Im Adoraable Too (CA), Ofrank, Alongway Baby, Le Fromage and Jucy Pickins.

“The Shaikh Mansour Racing Festival unveiled this five-race series in California for the Wathba Stud Farm Cup to help boost Arabian racing in the US. So far all four races have met with tremendous success,” said Abdulla Al Qubaisi, director of communications, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH). “The fourth leg held at Fairplex Park attracted over 15,000 fans and the Wathba Stud farm Cup race series has gained in strength with each leg,” said Lara Sawaya, director of the Shaikh Mansour Festival.

Stephen Bowey, executive director of Invest AD, said, “It is an immense privilege for Invest AD to be part of the Shaikh Mansour Festival’s activities, particularly the Wathba Stud farm Cup races.”

Ali Al Mulla of Areej Al Ameerat and Mirna Youness of La Sirene hailed the success of the activities of the Shaikh Mansoor Festival.

The Shaikh Mansour Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Arabian Horse Society with support from Invest AD, Areej Al Ameerat, La Sirene, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.