On September 10, 2023, the Capannelle Racecourse in the Italian capital, Rome, will host the races for the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup and the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup for purebred Arabian horses. These races are held under the umbrella of the fifteenth edition of the Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival.
The organization of these races is aimed at encouraging and supporting the heritage of the United Arab Emirates through Arabian horse races. This initiative is supported by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (Mother of the UAE).
The Sheikh Zayed Cup for purebred Arabian horses, aged four years and above, “Listed,” covers a distance of 2200 meters and offers a prize of 30,800 euros. It features a selection of elite horses, with the standout being the colt “DIAMANTEDITREXENTA”, who has won the last two editions of the Wathba Stallions Cup.
Strong contenders in this race include “DEU DI GALLURA”, a three-time winner, and “Domas” trained by Christian Metini, who chased “DIAMANTEDITREXENTA” to second place twice. Also competing the filly “MAK’AMERA”.
The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, covering a distance of 1800 meters and offering a prize of 19,800 euros, will feature nine fillies and mares aged just three years. The standout is the undefeated filly “ELLENODITREXENTA”.
Competing for the title are the colt “Elidor”, who has won twice, and the filly “Elda”, a two-time winner. Other contenders include the filly “EMBAJADOR GO”.
The festival includes races such as the Jewel of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s Crown, the Zayed Cup, the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, the Wathba Stallions Cup, and the International Meeting for Purebred Arabian Horse Racing.
The festival’s inaugural race started strongly on January 11 of this year. With the addition of new races in the 2023 season, the festival includes a total of 152 local and international races around the world, covering various categories such as first, second, and third-class races.
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.