On August 3, 2023, “Madrassa” and “Kahlie de Faust” were crowned champions of the Wathba Stallions Cup for Purebred Arabian horses held at the La Teste de Buch racecourse in the south West of France, under the sponsorship of the 15th edition of the Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival
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, “Madrassa,” owned by Khalaf Rabah Al Shemari, under the supervision of Thierry Lemer, and ridden by Jean-Bernard Eyquem, claimed the victory in the Wathba Stallions Cup – Prix Bourgeais “Listed” for horses aged four and above, covering a distance of 1600 meters with a prize of 20,000 euros. “Madrassa” emerged victorious with a neck’s difference ahead of “Hamzah” from YAS Racing Management, under the supervision of Thomas Fourcy, and ridden by Giulio Guadagnucci. The champion, a descendant of “No Risk Al Maury,” recorded a time of 1:48:26 minutes. “Casper Metera,” owned by Falas Dos Velosio and supervised by Comas Mollist, and ridden by Maxim Fofon, secured the third position.
In the second race, “Kahlie de Faust,” owned by Guillem Vande Kerckhove, won the Wathba Stallions Cup – Prix Dahman, covering a distance of 2200 meters with a prize of 18,000 euros, featuring the participation of 17 horses aged four and above. “Kahlie de Faust,” a descendant of “AF Al Bahar,” secured the victory with a 0.75 length lead over “Alzeer,” ridden by Valentin Segouin, and owned by Mohammed Fahad Al Atiya, under the supervision of Francois Rohaut. “Moftah,” ridden by Damien Morin and owned by Mohammed Fahad Al Atiya, under the supervision of Francois Rohaut, secured the third position.
The festival also includes the Jewel Crown of HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Cup, the HH 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.
