The Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is set to create another piece of history when a dozen lady jockeys, many making their debut on Purebred Arabian horses, race in the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR on Sunday, at the Sluzewiec race course in Warsaw.
The Polish capital is all set to mark the third running of the prestigious Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan –Nagroda Europy- (Group 3) race on the same day making it a great attraction for racing fans here in Poland.

Addressing a press conference to announce details of the richest-ever and first running of the HH Shakha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR, the UAE’s Ambassador to Poland Asim Mirza Al Rahmah thanked the UAE leadership.

“Sunday’s HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR reflects the great attention that Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women’s Union, pays to women and their affairs all over the world,” Al Rahmah said.

“I also would like to thank Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, for bringing the Festival’s activities to Poland. Such events will strengthen the ties between the two countries and boost the UAE’s heritage sport here in the region,” the UAE envoy said.

Lara Sawaya, director of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and head of IFAHR ladies racing, said, “The Festival has now made its presence felt in 13 countries with a total of 64 races in the current season. I urge owners and trainers to enter good horses as this is the richest purse for a ladies race. It will be a big boost to the amateur lady jockeys if they are supported by owners and trainers. The HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR has put Poland on the world equestrian map.

“The aim of the Festival is to see more lady jockeys take part and improve and by including Poland we hope there will be a new trend in more lady jockeys taking to the sport,” Ms Sawaya said.

Khalid Hussein, director of Sports Affairs at the General Authority for Youth and Sports, said, “It is a matter of pride that these races are being held here at the Sluzewiec race course and I thank the UAE leadership for this endeavour.”

Meanwhile among the 12 lady jockeys in the line-up is Shathra Al Hajaj the UAE representative. “This is my first time here in Poland and we are all excited about the race. I will try my best and hope I get a good horse. It looks like a very open race,” said the UAE lady jockey.

The Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized to promote purebred Arabians in different parts of the world with the sponsors being the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2012, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.