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HH THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UAE CHAMPIONSHIP DERBY
Federation in five-year
tie-up with Ascot Racecourse |
The Pure-bred Arabian horse racing will make its foray into
one of the best race courses in the world, Ascot Race Course
in England this year, under the patronage of the UAE
Equestrian and Racing Federation.
Giving details regarding one of the milestones for Pure-bred
Arabian racing for the UAE at a press conference at the
Emirates Palace Hotel, on Monday, March 30, 2009, Taleb Dhaher
Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Federation, stated that a
Purebred Arabian race will make its debut at the Ascot
Racecourse on one of UK's most important race day - the King
George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, on July 25, 2009, with a
prize money of £50,000.
Her Majesty The Queen of England is the patron of the Ascot
Race Course.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes commemorate Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s late parents. The supporting races
are the totesport International Handicap and the Group Three
Princess Margaret Independent Newspaper Stakes.
To put a seal on this deal, the Secretary General signed a
five-year contract with Charles Barnett, Chief Executive of
Ascot Racecourse Limited and it promises to be an annual
event.
The President of the UAE Cup for Pure-bred Arabian horses
Championship has been going on the last 14 years in major
European countries including Newmaket in England, France,
Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, Germany and Moscow.
Taleb Al Muhairi said: "This is the first year the Federation
decided to host a race at the Ascot Racecourse. It is a big
step for us and the race will give owners of Purebred Arabians
around the world the chance to run their horses on this
important race meeting. It is equally significant that such a
race is being held considering the important bilateral
relations the UAE shares with the UK."
Mr. Barnett aid that The King George is the most important
Thoroughbred race of the year, and this day provides an ideal
platform for our inaugural Arabian race" "With the backing of
the UAE's Equestrian Federation, the addition of a
high-profile Arab race marks a great success and we believe by
incorporating this strand into any high-profile card is
interesting and exciting for the race-goers and the Arabian
breed," the Ascot chief said.
"The Purebred Arabian race is the seventh in a card of eight
and with a Handicap race to follow; the race-goers will
definitely watch it. It does make an interesting card on that
day for we also have a race for lady jockeys only and a
concert to follow the end of racing," said Barnett.
While talking about sponsors, Taleb Al Muhairi said: “The
Government of Abu Dhabi and the UAE Equestrian and Racing
Federation are sponsoring this race and if anyone else wants
to sponsor, they are welcome.”
The Ascot Race Course has been in existence for over 300 years
and it was Queen Anne’s idea to have a race course at the
place which was called East Cote in those days.
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