On August 3, 2023, the La Teste de Buch racecourse in the capital city of Paris will host two races for the Wathba Stallions Cup, featuring the participation of 24 purebred Arabian horses. The event is sponsored by the 15th edition of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival Races.
The organization of these races is a testament to the encouragement and support of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Minister of Presidential Court, to promote purebred Arabian horses and preserve the country’s rich heritage, as per the festival’s strategy.
In the first race, competing for the Wathba Stallions Cup – Prix Bourgeais “Listed,” there will be seven horses aged four and above, covering a distance of 1600 meters, with a prize of 20,000 euros. The nominations are led by “Hamza” from the stables of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, under the supervision of Thomas Fourcy and ridden by Giulio Guadagnucci.
Hamza, a four-year-old descendant of “Hilal Al Zaman,” has participated in eight races, securing one victory and finishing in second place three times. He will face strong competition from “Diamond Gem” under the ownership of Joseph Ghel, supervised by Jean de Mieulle, and ridden by Oliver Peslier, who has won five races.
The second race is the Wathba Stallions Cup – Prix Dahman, covering a distance of 2200 meters and offering a prize of 18,000 euros. It will see 17 horses aged four and above competing for the title, with “Rajih” from the stables of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan leading the nominations, under the supervision of Jean Lemer and ridden by Antoine Werle. “Rajih” is a descendant of “Razak.”
Among the contenders for the title are “Aniguma Code,” ridden by Maxim Forestier, and “Andelus USA,” ridden by jockey Annelie Mikhush, both under the ownership of Jay Neveux and supervised by Jean-Pierre Deroubaix. Also, “Alzeer” owned by Mohammed Fahad Al Atiya, under the supervision of Francois Rohaut and ridden by Valentin Segouin.
The festival also includes the Jewel Crown of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Cup, the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Cup, the Wathba Stallions Cup, and the International Arabian Horse Racing Forum.
The new edition of the festival started on January 11 of the current year, with the addition of new races for the 2023 season. A total of 152 local and international races are organized worldwide, including races classified into first, second, and third categories.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Horse Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed as strategic partner, The National Library & Archives as the official partner , MUBADALA as the official partner ,Emirates Airline as the official carrier, Etisalat as official sponsor & sponsored by Al Massood Automobiles Nissan, Areej Alameerat, Omeir Travels Agency, YAS Sports TV, Viola Communications, the UAE’s General Women’s Union , Emirates International Endurance Village, Emirates Arabian Horse Society & Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.