ARABIAN HORSE INTL ISSUE 2

Arabian Horse Intl Issue 2 - February/March 2018

Paddy’s Day makes history Wathba Stallions Cup UAE Series Martina Spelanzon wins HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies ride Endurance in New Zealand Carlos Augusto A Paes second in Portugal Torres del Paine Park Eighth Wonder of the World Arabian Horse Intl

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Issue 2 - February / March 2018

Arabian Horse Intl

Editorial Dear Horse Lovers, Welcome to the second edition of Arabian Horse Intl.

In this issue we highlight the entire United Arab Emirates season of Al Wathba Stallions Cup, sponsored by HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival, whose final is played in November along with the other championships of the Festival.

Another major event in the Arab Horse racing is the HH The Emir’s Sword Festival, always held in February in Doha, Qatar, and Gazwan, Al Shahania Stables, won for the second year. And exciting Dead-Head by Quick Sand AA and Easter Man in Houston, in March 3.

And the cover could not be different. Paddy’s Day, horse that won several races in the United States in 2017, and this year in the UAE, in addition to conquering twice the Darley Awards.

In Endurance we congratulate the South Americans, both horse and rider who won important races: 8 Minute, Argentine mare great champion of HH The Presidents Cup; Martina Spelanzon, victorious of HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup; Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes, who finished second in Portugal; Hector Almeida and Nathalie Weemaels who will represent Ecuador in the 2018 WEG in Tyron, North Carolina. In addition to a delicious way to experience New Zealand via the Equestrian Endurance!

Maria Álvarez Pontón once again shows the world why she is one of the biggest names in the sport. In two days, she won a race of 160 km and was the runner-up in a 120 km ride in Barcelona.

And our touristic article is about Torres del Paine Park which in 1978 was declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO and since 2013 it is called the Eighth Wonder of the World, for the spectacular beauty of its nature.

We hope you enjoy it and have a good reading!

Cidinha Franzão Publishing Company RioSlum Productions / www.rioslumstudio.com 2800 Quebec St NW, apt 424, Washington, DC

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Cover:

Paddys Day Photo:

DRC/AW Chief Executive: Jesse Grainger Publishers: Cidinha Franzão, Favio Lorenz Art Directors: Pedro Jovelli, Paulo Alberto Marketing and Advertising: Lucia Furlan Social Media: Priscilla Garcez Contributors: Tales Azzi, Satya Narayan, Bharathi Gowda, Jonathan Horowitz, Marcel De Bruyne, Daryl Owen, Nathalie Weemaels, Município de Reguengos de Monsaraz, Reserva Cerro Paine Patagonia, Media Dept. Dubai Racing Club, QREC Media Dept, HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Media Office Photos: Favio Lorenz, Tales Azzi, Cidinha Franzão, Morhaf Al Assaf, , Giorgio Biffi, Ahmed Haldrami, Juhaim, Daryl Owen, Kule Hawkridge, Kiki Recalde, Fernando Carrillo, Pedro Godinho, Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, DRC/AW Contact: contact@arabianhorseintl.net

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10 10 Wathba Stallions Cup UAE Series

29 HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s international campaign begins in Oman

32 Bahrain’s Jasim thrills home fans with fine win

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Dynamites makes it a double delight for Dutch trainer

37 Sweden’s Henriksson wins HH Sheikha Fatima ladies race

41 Dynamites lights up snow tracks on St Moritz Lake

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Exciting Dead-Head by Quick Sand AA and Easter Man in the HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup – Amethyst Jewel

48 Seven students make it for IFHRA Scholarship Fund

50 With three more students, 10 finalised for IFHRA Scholarship Fund

52 Al Zahir Takes Abu Dhabi’s GR 1 HH The President Cup

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Millionaire Paddy’s Day Makes Arabian Racing History

56 Bertiaux and Bekaert defended the Belgian colors in the World Championship of Apprentices Jockeys and Lady Riders in Abu Dhabi

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60 GAZWAN wins his second HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1PA)

68 Al Juniabi on 8 Minute wins 160km HH The Presidents Cup for Wathba Stables

74 Argentina’s Spelanzon on Altariq wins 100km HH Sheikha Fatma Ladies ride

79 Al Attas rallies to victory on HH Buraq

82 Equestrian Sport New Zealand Endurance what a way to see a country

86 Championship series continues with ESNZ Endurance Nationals 2018

89 Al-Kitbi of Al Raood stud triumphs in HM the King’s Cup

91 Héctor Almeida and Nathalie Weemaels will represent Ecuador in the 2018 WEG

94 Emir Sword Endurance Ride winners honoured

96 Teenager Saif Almazrouei wins 11th running of HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup

100 Maria Álvarez Pontón finishes first and second in two days

103 Miguel Brasão repeats victory!

106 Torres del Paine National Park Eighth Wonder of the World

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Quick Sand AA (Nยบ 3) and Easter 8

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Man heading for the Dead-Heat Arabian Horse Intl

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La Yfootkum gives Saleha first win as trainer in Wathba Stallions Cup

The New Year seems have started on a perfect note for UAE lady trainer Saleha Ahmed Al Ghurair. And it was in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on Sunday, January 14, 2018 that Saleha recorded her first ever win as a trainer.

The Saleha-trained La Yfootkum came up with a searing run under Apprentice jockey Adam McLean to win the 1600-metre race. It was the 6-year-old grey’s first win in 14 starts and also opened the account for trainer Saleha Ahmed Al Ghurair for whom it was her first win with her 25th runner.

Earlier in the race Majd Al Gharbia under Paolo Sirigu looked headed for a win with about a furlong left. But McLean brought La Yfootkum from the outside and with about 50 metres left, hit the front to win by a length from Majd Al Gharbia. Buzet De Carrere under Jesus Rosales finished third in the Dh 80,000 race sponsored

by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

“Obviously I am very pleased,” said Al Ghurair.

“We hoped he would run well and the jockey has given him a very good ride.”

Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi- Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club along with other guests gave away the trophies.

“We congratulate Saleha Ahmed Al Ghurair on her first win as a trainer. The Wathba Stallions Cup is aimed at promoting UAE trainers and owners and since its inception this series has received a lot of success,” Ms. Sawaya said.

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O’Shea steers Wathba Stallions Cup winner for Neyadi Fresh from a three meeting suspension, multiple UAE champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea, wasted absolutely no time in returning to the winner’s enclosure, driving Inthar to a hard fought victory in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race.

Inthar finished ahead of AF Tebyan under Ioannis Poullis while AF Muwall’Aa under Xavier Ziani took third place to make it first and third for owner-trainer Neyadi.

O’Shea said: “The plan was to miss the break a little bit because he has been racing too keenly and that worked well so I was able to ride a The Festival’s race opened Friday’s meeting and proper race on him. I spoke to the trainer and carried a prize fund of Dh 80,000 for the 1400m he agreed that was the best strategy so; luckily it handicap. has worked out perfectly. It is great to be back in the saddle and, obviously, a winner straight up is Owned and trained by Khalifa Matar Al Neyadi, great!”

Inthar was recording a second career success, having previously won at Sharjah over 1200m in October 2016.

This was actually his sixth start of the current campaign and, having finished second on both his most recent outings, he arguably deserved to get his head back in front.

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Silvestre de Souza leads 1-2-3 for Al Naboodah and Ernst Oertel in Abu Dhabi The UAE’s Champion Purebred Arabian horse owner, Khalid Khalifa Al Naboodah and trainer Ernst Oertel combined to register a 1-2-3 finish in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race course on Sunday, January 21, 2018.

Al Naboodah and Oertel were responsible for three of the eight runners in the 1200m handicap which carried a prize fund of DH 80,000 sponsored by the Festival.

Jockey Antonio Fresu, who had opened the evening with a win on AF Waqas for Al Naboodah and Oertel had to settle for second on AF Thobor in the Wathba Stallions Cup. The pair tracked AF Ssayeb from the outset but were unable to get

past his stable companion, never headed under Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa, with AF Ashras staying on late to claim third for Tadhg O’Shea.

Like AF Waqas, all three are bred by the owner and by the same sire, AF Al Buraq, who he also bred.

Oertel said: “Obviously we have to be delighted with that and AF Ssayeb and AF Thobor were first and second the whole way with AF Ashras staying on nicely. The winner only ran last week when he needed the race after six weeks off and this was just his second start of the season. He has now won four times over 1200m, three of them here at Abu Dhabi and, all being well, he will be back here next Sunday for a race over 1000m as he has plenty of speed and has won over that trip before.”

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La Yfootkum gives Saleha first win as trainer

O’Shea steers Wathba Stallions Cup winner for Neyadi

Silvestre de Sousa leads 1-2-3 for Al Naboodah and Oertel 14

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Nizora pips AF Makerah on the line in Al Ain Once again it was the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race which kicked off the racing action on Saturday at the Al Ain race course and it produced an exciting finish.

AF Tathoor under Antonio Frescu finished third with both second and third placed runners coming from Ernst Oertel’s yard.

The Helal Al Alawi-trained Nizora is owned by the Byerley Team and it was a first career win at just the fourth attempt. Nizora was denied close It was a ‘nail-biting’ finish to the 1600-metre home in a maiden under Cosgrave over the same handicap in which Silvestre de Sousa and AF Ma- course and distance in his previous start three kerah cruised to the front 400 metres out with, weeks ago. seemingly, their nine rivals all beaten. However, Pat Cosgrave managed to produce a determined Al Alawi said: “He ran very well last time and was late challenge from Nizora and they gradually caught close home. That was his first start on dirt eroded the advantage throughout the final 200 and he ran well on turf the first time so is versatile. We were pretty confident coming here today. metres.

Pat has given him a great ride and hopefully this It was soon obvious it would be a case of when horse is improving.” the line arrived and, when it did, it was a stride too late for AF Makerah who was snared right on Source: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan the post by Cosgrave’s mount which was saddled with Inputs from ERA Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf

by UAE trainer Helal Al Alawi.

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An impressive win by Yalap Al Naif in Al Ain

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race opened Friday’s (February 2) card at the Al Ain race course with a Handicap over 1800 metres.

An impressive win by Yalap Al Naif served notice that his trainer Helal Al Alawi has his team back in form after a quiet spell having made a flying start to the season. Settled in the middle of the 14 runners by Anas Al Siyabi, he always appeared to be travelling well and, when asked to challenge by his jockey made smooth progress before hitting the front 300m from home after which they never looked in any danger.

Yalap Al Naif won by nearly three lengths with Jiniz under Patrick Dobbs finishing second and Cristal Des Vialettes under Gerald Avranche in third place.

It was a fourth career success for Yalap Al Naif but first for almost exactly a year when he won a 1600m handicap, also at Al Ain. Trainer Al Alawi said: “We know the horse likes it here at Al Ain and were hopeful he would run well. He has actually won nicely and it is a great start to the afternoon.”

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The HH Sh Mansoor Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, Al Massood Automobiles and Nissan Middleast as official car partners, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Omani Apprentice wins on Madjanthis Omani Apprentice trainer Saif Al Balushi scored an exciting win on Madjanthis in the Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse and attributed his current success to the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Nearer last than first throughout the first two thirds of the 1200 metre handicap aboard Madjanthis, Al Balushi did not panic and unleashed his mount with a withering late challenge to lead close home and deny Harry Bentley aboard Es Fatek. Trained by Ernst Oertel, Madjanthis was recording a sixth career win.

That is actually two more than his young jockey Al Balushi. The Omani Apprentice said, “Thanks to the support of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and his Festival,

spent six months in Newmarket at the apprentice school and learned a lot. This is my third winner this season, on just my eighth ride so I have to be very happy with that. Hopefully there will be more to follow.”

Sheikh Hamdan Surour Al Sharqi, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi- Director of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Khulood Al Nuaimi - representative of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, top Purebred Arabian horse breeder and owner Khalid Al Naboodah were among who gave away the trophies.

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Al Walid ends Nafees’ unbeaten run

Prix du Haras de Gelos- Wathba Stallions Cup pursued by Bandar ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal with Nafees under Mickaelle also moving into top Once again it was Pau in France that staged the gear. first HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wath- But the Tim Fourcy-trained Walid was well in conba Stallions Cup series race on Monday, February trol and won smartly while a late surge by Nafees 6 and Al Walid under Quentin Houdoin gave Al saw the Omani raider fall short but good enough to pip the Frederic Sanchez-trained Bandar for Saqab Racing a winning start. second place.

Eight were in the fray in the Prix du Haras de Gelos- Wathba Stallions Cup which carried a prize It was a second career win in six starts for Al Walid, fund of Euros 17,000. a 5-year-old son of Dahess, and his win here haltNafees under lady jockey Mickaelle Michel running in the colours of the Royal Cavalry of Oman was unbeaten in four starts last year and seemed the one to beat along with Bandar, owned by Yas Horse Racing Management, the racing arm of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

ed the unbeaten run by Nafees. The winning time for the 1950-metre trip was 2:14.20 and the winning margin was one and a quarter length.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production Dalmaz Lotois did the early running with the Al and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The Saqab pair of Al Walid and Kashmir handily placed National Archives as the official partner and Emirwhile a little off the pace was Nafees with Bandar ates airline as the official carriers, Omeir Travels. further behind. At the penultimate bend Al Walid Source: Satya Narayan . under Houdoin forged ahead and soon was hotly 18

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With Dassan DA, Harry Bentley completed a double win With a large crowd in attendance including guests of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, another big winner of the evening Dassan DA also cornered some glory winning the Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race that was also part of Sunday’s (February 11) race meeting.

Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Musallam Al Ameri-Director of Al Jazira Stables and others It was a close finish in the Festival’s Wathba Stal- crowned the winners of the Wathba Stallions Cup. lions Cup For Private Owners Only which carried The main support race, rescheduled having been a prize fund of Dh 80,000. due to be contested two weeks ago, the 1200m Dassan DA from Hilal Al Alawi’s yard under Harry Group 3 Al Ruwais, was won in good style by RmBentley pipped MH Tawag under Connor Beas- mas, a second winner on the evening saddled ley while Noof KB ran into third place for Antonio by Jean de Rouale for HH Sheikh Mansoor’s Yas Horse Racing Management. Settled in the middle Fresu. of the field, taking the shortest route on the inBentley, who had earlier won on Sunday, com- side under Richard Mullen, when a gap appeared pleted a double when producing Dassan DA to 300m out they shot through, winning their race in lead close home in the lesser of the 1600-metre a matter of strides. handicap. Opening his local account, at the sixth Rmmas has now won two of his three local starts attempt, it was a second career win for the Khalid and is clearly held in some regard by his trainer, Al Shamsi-owned Dassan DA who landed one of who said: “As I said when he won at Al Ain, he is 15 outings in Europe. a nice, young, horse who we really like. He is versatile regarding conditions, both underfoot and Sheikh Hamdan Al Sharqi, Edward Hamod, Direc- distance so, hopefully, we have a few options with tor of National Feed and Flour Production and him.

Marketing Co. LLC, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf Arabian Horse Intl

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Saleha saddles La Yfootkum to another win

Abu Dhabi, UAE - Emirati lady trainer Saleha Al Ghurair scored her second win of the current season when La Yfootkum won the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on Sunday, February 18.

In a very tight finish, Apprentice jockey Adam McLean on La Yfootkum, held on to stave off a strong challenge from Make Me Rich under Dubai World Cup winning jockey Fernando Jara and Mujahad Qardabiyah under Xavier Ziani to win the 2200m handicap race. All three almost finished together but La Yfootkum finished a short head in front of Make Me Rich and another short head separated the third placed Mujahad Qardabiyah.

It was a second successive win for owner-trainer Saleha Al Ghurair and jockey McLean with the 6-year-old La Yfootkum.

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Top breeder Al Naboodah records a double wins

AF Waqas, ridden by Antonio Fresu One of the UAE’s top Purebred Arabian horse owners, Khalid Khalifa Al Naboodah, registered a double on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and one of his wins came in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race.

The final two races on the card were 1600m handicaps, both won by horses trained for reigning Champion Owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda,

by Ernst Oertel. First to step to the plate was AF Waqas, ridden by Antonio Fresu before stablemate AF Asheham followed up in the hands of Silvestre De Sousa.

AF Waqas, the 5-year-old son of AF Al Buraq, won the Dh 80,000 Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race over a mile’s distance in a time of 1:44:43. Recording his second win of his fledgling career, AF Waqas finished about a length in front of Dassan DA under Patrick Cosgrave while in third place was AF Ashras under Silvestre De Sousa.

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Earlier, Richard Mullen advertised just why he is the reigning UAE Champion Jockey when producing Rmmas fast and late to land the 1400m Group 2 Liwa Oasis, one of the Purebred Arabian highlights on the card.

Racing in midfield throughout the first half of the race, Rmmas made smooth progress at the top of the straight but still had plenty of his 14 rivals in front of him. However, once pulled wider, Rmmas who is trained by Jean de Roualle for Yas Horse Racing Management, owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, responded well to Mullen’s urgings producing a telling late dash to land the spoils.

Mullen said: “Fair play to the horse because drawn nine in a big competitive field like that is never ideal. He won nicely here over 1200m last time but that was from a nice low draw whereas today we were out wider.

The jockey continued: “That is now three wins for

the horse from just four UAE starts and, trip wise, he seems very versatile. I imagine that will be his Source: HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival / Satya last race of the campaign and, fingers crossed, he Narayan (Inputs from ERA) Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf will be an exciting sort for next season.�

Richard Mullen and Rmmas Arabian Horse Intl

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Men Alemarat cruises home under Al Siyabi

Men Alemarat under Omani apprentice jockey Anas Al Siyabi cruised home in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Al Ain race course on Friday, March 2, 2018.

that same year. He was then trained by Eric Lemartinel but is now in the care of Khalifa Al Neyadi who also owns him.

Al Siyabi said: “That was the first time I have ridden him in a race and he has quite impressed me; he carried me there going strongly and then ran Quite slowly away in the opening 2000m handi- on well.” cap, Men Alemarat was soon tracking the leaders under Al Siyabi and the pair were clearly travelling best of all when they hit the front 500m out.

Al Siyabi found he had a willing partner who galloped on relentlessly, defeating his ten rivals fairly comfortably.

MH Tawag under Tadhg O’Shea and Live Rich under Jesus Rosales finished second and third respectively in the Dh 50,000 race organized under the umbrella of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival.

It was a third career win for the horse but first since October 2016 when he won at Sharjah, having registered a first victory in an Al Ain maiden Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satia Naraya over this 2000m course and distance in January SourcePhoto: Morhaf Al Assaf

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Anas Al Siyabi wins with Af Gadeer

It turned out to be a battle between two Omani jockeys in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on Sunday, March 11, 2018.

He jumped well and I was able to get a nice position. Siyabi added: “When others started to drift wide, we had a lovely gap on the rail and were luckily able to take advantage.”

For owner and trainer Khalifa Al Neyadi, AF Gadeer’s win took his tally for the campaign to AF Gadeer, driven home by Omani jockey Anas Al nine, having only saddled three winners previSiyabi, did very well to stave off a late challenge ously from AZ Laheeb under Omani Saif Al Balushi to win the 1400-metre handicap sponsored by the Festival. AS Ansam finished third under Bernardo Pinheiro.

With several rivals drifting off a straight line in the straight and severely impacting their chances, Al Siyabi enjoyed a dream run along the rail, leading 150m out and denying a renewed challenge from Saleha Al Ghurair-trained AZ Laheeb who, if he had not forfeited considerable ground, would probably have won.

Partnering his sixth winner of the season, Anas Al Siyabi said: “Even though he had not won previ- Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satia Naously, this is a good horse and should improve. raya (Inputs from ERA). Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf Arabian Horse Intl

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AF Maher helps Oertel sign off with a win in the final card of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club season

Trainer Ernst Oertel got off to a great start as he saddled a 1-2-3 in the opening race of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only series opener at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on November 17, 2018.

On Sunday, March 18, he ended on a winning note in the Wathba Stallions Cup Championship For Private Owners Only Championship race, missing a clean sweep narrowly in the final of the series in Abu Dhabi.

Leading Purebred Arabian race horse breeder and owner Khalid Khalifa Al Naboodah and his main trainer, Oertel, combined with four of the 13 runners in the 1600m conditions race and landed the spoils with AF Maher, the mount of Antonio Fresu winning for a seventh time, fifth this season. Also victorious in the equivalent race last year, when it was over 1400m, AF Maher has improved throughout the season.

The Elise Jeanne-trained MH Tawaq under Harry Bentley finished second to spoil Oertel’s party for whom AF Al Almaa under Adrien Vries and AF Asheham under Tadhg O’Shea took third and fourth spots.

Fresu said: “He is a good horse in his grade and has had an excellent season as have the owner and trainer as well. I have ridden plenty of winners for them this year and have to thank them for their support throughout the campaign.”

Owner and trainer then completed a rapid double in the final race of the campaign in the capital, 26

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a 1600m maiden, with AF Esnad wining for the first time at the ninth attempt. It was also a second winner on the card for Jara who drove him to the front early in the straight and was rewarded with a fairly comfortable victory.

“This was the final race of the Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only series in Abu Dhabi and it carried a prize fund of Dirhams 100,000 as it was the championship race. We are happy with the great response from the small and private owners and this series has grown in quantity and quality,” remarked Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, Al Massood Automobiles and Nissan Middleast as official car partners, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort. (Inputs from ERA)

Source: HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan with Inputs from ERA

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HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s international campaign begins in Oman Ireland’s McCutcheon and Sweden’s Dalbark win openers

Ireland’s Evanna McCutcheon and Sweden’s Andreas Tapia Dalbark emerged as winners of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Horse Flat Racing Festival’s international openers for the year 2018 at the Al Rahba race course in the Wilayat of Barka in Oman on Friday, January 19.

class point-to-pointer “Long Strand” (Multiple Open Lightweight winner). In 2014 she had won this race here in Oman on Secret Treasour and then went on to finish 8th in the Abu Dhabi finale to Jadey Pietrtaziewicz.

qualify for this year’s final of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship to be held in Abu Dhabi,” said the 32-year-old Irish jockey who is a trainer. McCutcheon has also had great success as a jockey partnering Zeftan to win the Ladies Derby at the Curragh in 2014 & top

The Omani Derby Cup, organised by the Royal Horse Racing Club (RHRC), will also be held on on Friday at Al Rahba race course under the auspices of Sayyid Fahr bin Fatik bin Fahr al Said. 1st Brigadier Abdul Razaq bin Abdul Qadir al Shahwarzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, said that

In Friday’s race, UK representative Ellie Mackenzie was fourth saying: “Djent ran really well, just McCutcheon revived memories of her visit in getting up to beat France’s Perrine Cheyer on the 2014 to Oman when she won the HH Sheikha line. I am so grateful to the HH Sheikh Mansoor Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship Festival series for the opportunity to ride today.” race and was spot on again on Friday winning the The Festival’s HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak 1600-metre race on Al Sahm.

Apprentice World Championship race was well Karin Dieltjens from Belgium was second on Al contested though the cheering home fans were Saktoon while Hungary’s Rebka Gonczi finished denied when Sweden’s Andreas Tapia Dalbark on third on Jareer in the race which carried a prize Mawahib finished ahead of Omani Apprentice fund of Euros 30,000.

Saif Al Busaidi on BF Al Warith. Germany’s Maike “I am very happy to win here and be the first to Riehl was third on Sharood.

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Evanna McCutchen on Al Sahm the Royal Horse Racing Club has completed all HH Sayyid Fahr Bin Fatik Bin Fahr Al Said, the Emir preparations for the launch of the Omani Derby of Oman along with HE Mohammed Sultan Al SuCup and the Festival’s races. waidi, the UAE’s Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Khulood Al Nuaimi, rep“Like in the past we are kicking off in Oman with resentative of the National Feed and Flour Prothe ladies race and this HH Sheikha Fatima Bint duction and Marketing Co. LLC, and First BrigaMubarak Ladies World Championship series dier Abdul Razaq bin Abdul Qadir al Shahwarzi, is now known for its quality. This opening race Commander of the Royal Cavalry gave away the of the Ladies Championship as well as the HH trophies to the winning connections of the two Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global races.

Horse Flat Racing Festival has attracted a good mix of lady jockeys from all over the world and HE Al Suwaidi hailed the strong ties between UAE we expect an exciting race,” said Ms. Lara Sawa- and Oman and said both countries had a huge ya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor role in promoting Purebred Arabian horse racing.

Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat He thanked the UAE leadership for their focused Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stal- promotion of UAE’s heritage sport. lions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson Ms. Sawaya said, “Today’s races showed the qualof Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the ity of the Lady and Apprentice jockeys. We thank International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister Authorities (IFAHR). of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha “This year is a huge milestone for us as we mark Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General the 100 birth anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and we also mark the 10th Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the year of the Festival which was launched by HH Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy PM for the Festival’s success.” of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs,” “We will be unveiling the calendar of events of the she said.

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Andreas Tapia Dalbark on Mawahib HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival on February 17, 2018. It is a big year for us as the Festival marks 100 years of the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s birth as well as the 10 year since the Festival was launched by HH Sheikh Mansoor.”

Khulood Al Nuaimi, representing National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, said, “We are proud to be partners of the Festival for the third year and we wish the Festival’s activities in 2018 all success.”

Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf

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Bahrain’s Jasim thrills home fans with fine win

Bahraini Apprentice jockey Abdul Rahim Jasim thrilled his home crowd with a convincing victory in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship IFHRA race held at the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir, Bahrain on Friday, March 16, 2018.

third while Mlolshan 1649 ridden by Belgium’s Loid Bekaert took fourth place.

It was a big day for Jasim, who recorded his 11th career win in 101 starts, and it came on the biggest day of Bahrain flat racing as the three His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup races were also held on Friday.

In the day’s big races Shogun, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Frankie Dettori, and Milyar, owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Bin Isa Al Khalifa, trained

by James Naylor and ridden by Jimmy Quin, were the biggest winners of the day lifting His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Cups for imported and locally bred horses respectively, each carrying a cash prize of BD20,000.

Jasim partnered Al Hamdany 1697, owned by Safra and trained by Alan Smith in his victory in the 1400-metre event carrying a prize fund of BD10,000 and with this became the second Apprentice jockey to qualify for the 2018 HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship final to be held in Abu Dhabi in November.

Al Jellaby 1544, owned by Hamad Al Merisi, trained by Yousif Taher and ridden by Jimmy Quin, claimed the third trophy for His Majesty King Hamad Cup (for Arabian horses), carrying a cash prize of BD7,000, beating Kuheilan Aafas 1675 by three-fourth-length.

Jasim rode Al Hamdany 1697 to a one-and-threefourth-length win over Kuheilaan Aafas 1695 ridden by Zimbabwe’s Jordan Uys. Al Hamdaany 1680 under Ireland’s Laura Coughlan finished

His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier and other top Bahraini officials attended the race meeting.

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The UAE Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Abdullredha Abdulla Al-Khoori, HE Lulwa Al-Awadhi, Secretary General of Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Women, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and others gave away the trophy to the winning connections of the HH Sheikha Fatima race.

“Arabian horse racing both in the UAE as well as in Bahrain is given huge importance and this race is testimony to that. The Festival is doing a great job in promoting the UAE’s culture and heritage all over the world,” he added.

HE Abdullredha Abdulla Al-Khoori hailed the success of the race and congratulated the Bahraini jockey on his success. “I thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for the huge success of the Festival’s events all over the world.”

“Bahrain is a very important stop for the Festival and we thank the Bahraini officials for the fantastic approach to the Festival’s race. The Festival now heads for the US for the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Awards and the US Darley Awards. On April 6th we have the Awards function at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, followed by the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley International Stakes race at Santa Anita on April 7. On 8th of April we round off with a Gala Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel all under the umbrella of the Festival,” Ms. Sawaya said.

“It is always special when a jockey from the host country wins a race. This helps to motivate other young jockeys and aspiring jockeys to take up the sport and participate in international races like the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship IFHRA race,” said Ms. Lara Sawaya.

Source: HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Ahmed Hadrami Arabian Horse Intl

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Dynamites makes it a double delight for Dutch trainer

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HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies race on

With the victory, Rebecca Danz qualified for the Festival’s H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak LaWhite Turf in Switzerland dies World Championship final in November in In an exciting finish Dutch trainer Karin van den Abu Dhabi.

Bos and Dynamites completed a memorable “It was such a great race and all the seven profesdouble after winning the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint sional lady jockeys exhibited fantastic skills on the Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) tricky snow tracks. We are happy that it ended race on the ‘White Turf’ of St Moritz in Switzer- in a safe manner and I congratulate the German land on Sunday, February 18, 2018. jockey Rebecca and also the trainer Karin van den After winning the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Za- Bos who has scored another double triumph in yed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing our Festival races,” said Ms. Lara Sawaya, ExecuFestival-supported Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al tive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin ZaNahyan Cup here on the ice tracks on the frozen yed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing St Moritz Lake a fortnight ago, Dynamites won a Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, thrilling race under Germany’s Rebecca Danz on Chairperson of the International Federation of Sunday, the final day of this St Moritz White Turf Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the Festival 2018.

Both Dynamites under Danz and Toutatix under International Federation of Arabian Horse RacItalian Valeria Toccolini battled hard as first Dy- ing Authorities (IFAHR) after the prize distribution namites hit the front and then Toutatix also led ceremony. briefly. Dynamites, the 4-year-old chestnut colt by Nashwan Al Khalediya and owned by Landgoed Waterland, got back in front and was being hotlypursued by Toutatix on the home stretch.

“For us it is important that the safety measures taken last summer were effective, although we have been able to employ them only now, in winter. They give us an insight into the track at any Soon Lahoob under Hungarian Csenge Sutak un- given time”, was the satisfying outcome of White leashed a searing run on the outside and after Turf 2018 for Thomas C. Walther, President of overtaking Toutatix fell short, losing by a short White Turf. head to the favourite Dynamites. It was a thrilling HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan race watched by over 12,000 fans.

Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf

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Sweden’s Henriksson wins HH Sheikha Fatima ladies race

Sam Houston Race Park hosted the prestigious Arabian stakes on Saturday, March 3, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies IFAHR Cup, at a distance of seven furlongs and with a purse of $41,500.

The 4-year-old daughter of Burning Sand is bred by Krista Hennningsgard and owned by her husband, Jon. The couple, who live in Waller, Texas, had a large group of friends and family cheering on their talented filly.

Trained by Lynn A. Ashby, the gray filly was A field of ten Arabian fillies competed in the sent off as the favorite and did not disaprace that featured an international group of point. female jockeys as has been the tradition of the annual event After posting a comfortable win on Uptown Sandy Girl, the winning jockey Tina Henriksson said, It was an easy win for Uptown Sandy Girl under “She was a dream to ride. They told me that Sweden’s Tina Henriksson with RB Kinkie Boots she likes to be forwardly placed and she did under Dutch lady jockey Cindy Klinkenberg and it easily. This is like a dream come true, winning Pams Masquerade under UK’s Antonia Peck fin- the HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies race. I am very exishing in that order. cited and looking forward to participate in the Arabian Horse Intl

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final of the world championship to be held in No- to HH Sheikh Mansoor for giving us this opportuvember.” nity to be part of this huge success story that the Festival is all about. We at National Archives are This was fourth win from nine starts for Up- also marking our Golden Jubilee.” town Sandy Girl who covered seven furlongs in 1.32.70. RB Kinkie Boots, owned by Rose- Ms. Sawaya said, “This year the Festival is not only brook Farm, under Dutch lady jockey Cindy marking its 10th year but we are celebrating the Klinkenberg finished second with Pams Mas- Festival in the 100th year since the birth of Sheikh querade running third under UK’s Antonia Peck Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was a passionand Burning Vaz under Willa Schou from Nor- ate supporter of Purebred Arabian racing.” way, was fourth.

HE Saeed Mubarak Al Muhairi, Consul of the United Arab Emirates in Houston, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and Dr. Abdulla Al Raisi, Director General of National Archives gave away the trophies to the winners.

Dr. Al Raisi said, “The National Archives is thankful Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan 38

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Dynamites lights up snow tracks on St Moritz Lake Sheikh Zayed Cup 2018 series gets off the bocks Dutch trainer Karin van den Bos saddled a 1-2 including the winner Dynamites as the 2018 Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup race series got off the blocks on the ‘White Turf’ of St Moritz in Switzerland on Sunday, February 4, 2018.

Sunday’s Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Listed Cup was one of the two races for Purebred Arabian horses organized by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival on the ice and snow tracks on the frozen lake of St Moritz.

Dynamites, a 4-year-old chestnut colt by Nashwan Al Khalediya, owned by Landgoed Waterland, was the favourite in the small but quality field that included last year’s winner Nil Aziz as well as Athlete Del Sol, a consistent performer for Karin van den Bos. Dynamites under jockey Maxim Pecheur impressed as he made no mistake on the snow tracks to register his third success in the last three races in three different countries. The van den Bos-trained Dynamites had earlier won in TouArabian Horse Intl

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louse in France in November, 2017 and also in unteers in our team, who have worked towards Pisa, Italy in December and now boasts of three this event for a whole year. The atmosphere on wins in six career starts. the track was fabulous. We are just happy and Ridden by Josef Bojko, the 11-year-old Athlete hope that things will continue this way on the two Del Sol, second to Nil Aziz last year, once again coming race days”, commented Thomas C. Walfinished second but this time ahead of last year’s ther, President of White Turf. winner. Nil Aziz under Raffael Lingg lead the procession of four runners , the other three being Nil Ashal, Nil Alamoon and BC Nihal -all trained by Franziska Aeschbacher.

“It is a great start to the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup series as 2018 marks 100 years since the great leader’s birth,” said Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).

The 2018 White Turf meeting started under optimal weather conditions on the frozen lake of St. Moritz and around 8,000 spectators came to watch the action.

“We are grateful to nature and the numerous vol-

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority for Sports and sponsored

by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan - Photo credit: swiss-image/AndyMettler

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The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan 100 Years Cup (Grade 1) race at the Sam Houston Racing Park on Saturday, March 3, 2018 will be remembered for a long, long time.

The Grade 1 race carrying a prize fund of $54,500 and run over a distance of seven furlongs ended in a dead-heat and even the photo could not separate stable mates Easter Man under Rodolfo Guerra and Quick Sand AA under Quincy Hamilton. The result was equally memorable for trainer Jerenesto Torrez and owners Joseph and Betty Gillis as Easter Man and Quick Sand AA are trained and owned by them respectively while the horse chasing the duo home- RB Nash under Keiber Coa- is also handled by Torrez. Both Easter Man and Quick Sand AA are sons of Burning Sand and the winners crossed the wire in 1:32.19.

caught in the early traffic even as RB Nash and Easter Man battled each other further up. With about a quarter of a mile to go, Easter Man under Guerra looked to hold the edge with RB Nash under Coa in pursuit. But Quick Sand AA under Hamilton came with a terrific run on the outside and caught Easter Man on the line. The photofinish declared it as a dead heat between Eastern Man and Quick Sand AA while in third was RB Nash, completing a top three finish for trainer Torrez.

HE Saeed Mubarak Al Muhairi, Consul of the United Arab Emirates in Houston, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of “They know what each other can do because Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the they’re together every day and work out together. International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing And we love racing in Texas,” Joseph Gillis said.

Authorities (IFAHR) and Dr. Abdulla Al Raisi, Director General of National Archives gave away For good reason, Joseph Gillis said, “We love the trophies to the winning connections of the racing in Texas.” two races.

“I wondered if maybe it was a dead-heat”, said HE Al Muhairi hailed the success of Saturday’s Torrez. “Easter Man ran second last year (to races and also the success of the HH Sheikh Paddy’s Day) and it was a great finish for Quick Mansoor Festival in spreading Purebred Arabian Sand AA.” horse racing.

Trainer Jerenesto Torrez was strongly represented “We thank HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al by a trio of horses in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Al Nahyan 100 Years Cup-Grade 1 Amethyst Minister of Presidential Affairs and HH Sheikha Jewel (the 1st Leg of the Triple Jewel) held at Sam Fatima Bint Mubarak, the Mother of the UAE for Houston Race Park, Houston Texas on Saturday, taking the UAE’s heritage sport to all parts of the March 3, 2018. world. It is a matter of pride for us to be here at This Houston leg is the first of three Jewel races these races,” the UAE envoy said. organized by the Festival with a bonus of US$ Dr. Al Raisi said, “The National Archives is 150,000 to the horse that earns the maximum thankful to HH Sheikh Mansoor for giving us points after the three ‘Jewel’ races. this opportunity to be part of this huge success Easter Man and Quick Sand AA had finished story that the Festival is all about. We at National second and third respectively to Paddys Day in Archives are also marking our Golden Jubilee.” this race last year.

Ms. Sawaya said, “This year the Festival is not only th but we are celebrating the A talented group of ten colts and geldings went marking its 10 year th postward in the HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Festival in the 100 year since the birth of Sheikh Nahyan 100 Years Cup in one of the most exciting Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was a passionate supporter of Purebred Arabian racing.” finishes of the respected championship.

“We will be back in the US for the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Awards and the US Darley Awards that will be held on April 7, 2018 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This will be followed by the third running of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Award Stakes- a US$100,000 Grade 1 Event at Santa In the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan 100 Anita Park in Arcadia, California on April 8,” Ms. years Cup (Grade 1) race, Quick Sand AA was Sawaya said.

Other runners in the race are Sammy V under Ernesto Valdez Jiminez, Lil Dude AA under Chris Rosier, Big Cork under Anardis Rodriquez, RB Hocus Pocus under Jason Eads, Zells Bells under Ivan Arellano and Mystical MHF under Adrian Ramos.

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Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan and Hal Lundgren Photos: Ahmed Haldrami Arabian Horse Intl

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Seven students make it for IFHRA Scholarship Fund

The International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) has approved seven names to receive the Racing Scholarship Fund (RSF), during the year 2018. The Fund, part of the IFHRA Mentorship Programme, is aimed to boost young professionals from the equestrian fraternity.

The list was finalised at an IFHRA board meeting held at Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort, on Friday, February 9, 2018, on the sidelines of the UAE President Cup endurance ride and Flat racing, scheduled for February 10 and 11, respectively in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital.

countries including Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Germany, Malaysia, New Zealand, Morocco, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay, US and UK, apart from the UAE, The IFHRA currently enjoys a membership of 56 countries.

The meeting which began with opening remarks

by Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), General Manager of Wathba Stallions and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), who hailed the success of the programmer during 2017, which had a group of 15 students travelling all over the world.

The selected students include Stephen Brown from Australia, Niamh Cassidy from Ireland, Jamie Gormley from British Racing school and Thomas Ryall from Northern Racing College, both from the UK, Kit Choon Khaw from Malaysia, Austin Motley from the United States of America and Nil Torries Reyes from Peru. �We are very happy with the success of the 2017 The meeting was attended by several member programme. In order to make the programme 48

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Remi Bellocq and Lara Sawaya more professional, we decided to reduce the number of students to 10 this year, out of which seven have been finalised.” The deadline has been extended up to March 7 for the selection of three more candidates as there was ambiguity in terms of minimum and maximum age for the applicants.

Ms Sawaya also requested the IFHRA membercountries to submit nominees for the Female Apprentice Jockey Darley Award based on the performance of the 2017 season before February 26, 2018. The award will be presented at Kodak Studio, Hollywood in April first week.

Ms Sawaya, however, clarified. “ÏFHRA has set the Ms Sawaya further added that henceforth all the age bracket from 16-30 for all its applicants and respective schools will be responsible for hanthis will be adhered to strictly by all means”. dling the financial aspects of the candidates during the Mentorship Programme. “An amount of Discussion on minimum and maximum age of the $5,000 will be handed over to the schools per stucandidates came under the scanner for a while dent for the programme and they should liaise with some member-countries requesting that with the prospective candidates,” she said. worthy candidates should be accommodated in the programme citing various reasons. Howev- The meeting was moderated by Remi Bellocq, IFer Ms Sawaya asserted that the rule cannot be HRA General Secretary and attended by all board members. changed under IFHRA guidelines.

“The success of our 2017 meeting strengthens our belief that we have to work harder and be more committed in the coming years. I am very happy to state that several beneficiaries of the RSF programme are doing well in different countries having taken advantage of the training they obtained during their stint at the programme.”

Two other issues which came under focus were insurance for the jockeys and on-line course curriculum for students, both of which will be sorted out very soon, according to Ms Sawaya.

She said the next IFHRA board meeting will be held in May, 2018, during the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference scheduled to be held in IFHRA comes under the umbrella of HH Sheikh Madrid, Spain, from April 30-May 7, 2018.

Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Text: Bharathi Gowda Horse Flat Racing Festival, which has enetered the Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf tenth year in 2018, having started in 2008.

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With three more students, 10 finalised for IFHRA Scholarship Fund

Three more students have been selected to strict the number of students to 10 this year,� she benefit from the Racing Scholarship Fund (RSF), added bringing the total to 10.

The next IFHRA board meeting will be held in The Fund, part of the IFHRA Mentorship Programme, which comes under the umbrella May, 2018, on the side-lines of the World Arabian of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Horse Racing Conference scheduled to be held in Nahyan Purebred Arabian Global Arabian Horse Madrid, Spain, from April 30-May 7, 2018.

Flat Racing Festival, is aimed to boost young professionals from the equestrian fraternity.

As many as seven students were nominated from different countries during the February International Federation of Horse Racing Academies, IFHRA, meeting in Abu Dhabi, with the scholarship fund being open for at least three more candidates. After successful voting from the member-countries, three more students were selected. The new beneficiaries include Jihane Feqri from Morocco, Andrea Rodriguez from Puerto Rico and Brady Betlamini from Canada.

These students will join earlier nominees who include Stephen Brown from Australia, Niamh Cassidy from Ireland, Jamie Gormley from British Racing School and Thomas Ryall from Northern Racing College, both from the UK, Kit Choon Khaw from Malaysia, Austin Motley from the United States of America and Nil Torries Reyes from Peru, to obtain training fro different equestrian centres from different countries.

The IFHRA, which is the brainchild of the UAE Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Presidential Affairs His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, currently enjoys a membership of 56 countries.

Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), General Manager of Wathba Stallions and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), thanked His Highness Sheikh Mansoor for his continuous effort in educating and providing young equine enthusiasts an opportunity to train themselves outside their country of residence by 2017 Students offering them the Royal Scholarship Fund.

Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Bharathi Gowda

�Inspired by the success of the last two years, and Photos: Courtesy Mara Coote Freeman. with the necessary experience, we decided to re50

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Student: Fionnan Mccarthy - from Ireland to Australia

Top: Gabriel Maldonado Rios, from Puerto Rico to Ireland Center: Jack Pilkington, from Ireland to Canada

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Al Zahir Takes Abu Dhabi’s GR 1 HH The President Cup

Owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance, Al Zahir won the Group 1 HH The President Cup at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Over 2200m and with a prize fund of AED2,500,000, the Group 1 HH The President Cup was the highlight at Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening (February 11), a contest very few of the 16 runners, , including two previous winners, were able to get competitive in, during what looked quite a rough race for those held up in rear.

Crowley is retained, Al Zahir made a winning local debut over this 2200m course and distance in March 2017. That was in the Arabian Triple Crown R2 and he promptly followed up in the 2400m Arabian Triple Crown R3 a fortnight later, his final start of last season. He was winning for the first time since.

Al Rayhi, who was completing a double on the card, said: “We have always thought this horse had a big prize in him and he has proved us right tonight. His last two runs were on the dirt at Meydan and he ran well enough, without really enjoying the kickback, but these conditions at Abu Dhabi, on the turf, really suit him. I am very One who was not was Al Zahir. Settled in fourth proud to win this race for Sheikh Hamdan and on the inside, his jockey Jim Crowley then sent congratulate him, as well as Jim Crowley who him to the head of affairs, quickly putting daylight gave the horse a very good ride. between themselves and Ziyadd, who had raced in third. Meanwhile, Ziyadd was able to hold on He has actually won on him all three times he has to second with his stable companion, Dahham ridden him. I am very grateful to His Highness for hic continued support and very lucky to train running on to take third. some very good horses for him.”

Trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi for HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, by whom Source: Media Department, Dubai Racing Club 52

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Millionaire Paddy’s Day Makes Arabian Racing History

Paddy’s Day riding by Pat Dobbs became the first Arabian racehorse in American history to earn more than $1 million with his victory in Thursday’s, (February 15), Mazrat Al Ruwayah Sponsored by Jaguar XF at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

Class prevailed in the opening Al Ruwayah Sponsored the only Purebred Arabian race on the card.

Over 1600m on the dirt and won by Paddy’s Day, a multiple G1 winner, including over this course and distance in Al Maktoum Challenge R1 on the opening night of the Carnival.

who owns Paddy’s Day with her husband trainer Scott Powell of the Quarter Moon Ranch. “It was never a goal we set, but this year it became a reality, and he keeps going strong.”

Now making a name for himself internationally while based in Dubai, Paddys Day is being pointed to the $1 million Kahayla Classic on the Dubai World Cup card, the richest day of horse racing in the world, at Meydan on March 31. This year, the 7-year-old bay horse won the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge on January 1, finished second in the second round on February 1, and scored a 1 1/4-length victory in the $50,000 Group 2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah over 1,600 meters on Thursday at Meydan.

The two-time Darley Award Horse of the Year in the United States has now earned $1,024,746 in an unprecedented career that includes 24 wins in 39 starts, including eight victories in Grade or “The ($1 million) Kahayla Classic (G1) sponsored Group 1 races.

by Mubadala on the (Dubai) World Cup card remains his main target, but this looked a decent “It’s absolutely unbelievable,” said Lori Powell, opportunity to get him back over 1600m on the 54

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dirt. He is a nice new horse and we will just see the $622,048 earned by DA Adios from 2001 to how he goes on the dirt in a race. He seems to 2006 to become the the highest-earning Arabian handle it well at home”, said Doug Watson his racehorse in American history. trainer in the UAE “It will be interesting to see how far he will take Since starting his career in Colorado in 2014, this until he retires,” Lori Powell said.

Paddy’s Day has won races in six different American states and in the United Arab Emirates. The The Powells have teamed with Dubai-based trainhorse’s earnings are made up of $574,746 in er Doug Watson for Paddy’s Day’s campaign in purses and $450,000 in bonuses for winning the the United Arab Emirates, and Pat Dobbs has Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s Triple Jewel series for been the horse’s jockey this year at Meydan. the last three years. Paddy’s Day has surpassed Article: Jonathan Horowitz. Photos: DRC/AW

Doug Watson and Pat Dobbs accept the trophy from Owais Tungekar (DRC/AW)

Paddy’s Day Horse of the Year US Darley Award winner

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Bertiaux and Bekaert defended the Belgian colors in the World Championship of Apprentices Jockeys and Lady Riders in Abu Dhabi

Alice Bertiaux and RB Inferno

Friday, November 10, 2017 the prestigious final of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival was held in Abu Dhabi. Belgium should be very proud, because with the participation of two Belgian jockeys, our small country was well represented. None other than LoĂŻd Bekaert and Alice Bertiaux defended the Belgian colors on the prestigious racetrack of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

been achieved through their victory in the qualifying series. Loid Bekaert, 16 years old and from East Flanders has secured a place in The final of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship in Abu Dhabi thanks to his victory at Hoppegarten (Berlin) with Le Jason, a four-year-old horse.

The participation of the 34-year-old Alice Bertiaux QUALIFICATION FOR THE WORLD CHAMPI- is entirely due to her victory in Toulouse with the ONSHIP six-year-old Sha’Hir. In April 2017 the HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies Championship became her 16th Their participation in the world championship has 56

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Loïd Bekaert winning in Berlin with Le Jason victory. A victory that the lady-rider does not only attributes to her horse, but also to the instructions from her trainer during this impressive race.

SHA’HIR was clearly the favorite for the race, but for Alice this probably put extra pressure on her.

“SHA’HIR is clearly the favorite in a 1.600m event, but today it is a 2.100m event and you cannot underestimate this difference. Fortunately, the trainer could give me the proper instructions to bring the horse in ideal condition to the finish line. Also the jockey who usually rides him, was present and very helpful”, said Bertiaux

Bekaert participates in the the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice Jockeys Championship with the five-year-old stallion AF Al Jahed against his opponents.

According to the forecasts, the horse of the Al Nabouda Stable should have a chance to end in 4th place, but finally the promising apprentice jockey had to be satisfied with an honorable 5th place. Honorable, because with starting box number twelve he had to start on the outside, but nevertheless made a good start. However, on the last 200m, he had to give up his position in the leading group because the necessary acceleration was missing.

The competition was ruthlessly, because yes... who doesn’t want to participate in the final in Abu The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Dhabi?

World Championship, where the Belgian Alice THE FINALS: BELGIAN PERFORMANCES IN A Bertiaux participated with the six-year RB Inferno, NUTSHELL provided the Belgian team a first place and an impressive victory in Abu Dhabi. Under the colThe start signal is given at 17h on the prestigious ors of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and racetrack of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Evtrained by Eric Lemartinel, Alice Bertiaux finished eryone holds their breath because tonight there in first place and so she crowned herself world will not be one but two world championships champion. A photo finish was unnecessary this where our Belgian jockeys take part in. Loïd Arabian Horse Intl

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time, because with a half-length lead and full of were phenomenal! This run will definitely remain enthusiasm Alice came energetically and exuber- one of my most beautiful victories in my career as antly over the finishing line in 1st place. an amateur rider”, she confides to us.

Before the race Alice had her doubts about her VERY HONORED TO REPRESENT BELGIUM chances of winning, but she continued to believe Both Alice and Loïd have beautifully distinin her horse. guished themselves, in a place like Abu Dhabi, “It THE RACE FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF ALICE is a unique experience and an honor to be able BERTIAUX to represent Belgium here in Abu Dhabi where the largest Arabian thoroughbreds are presents”, A few days after her victory, the lady rider looks according to the two participating jockeys. After back at her race: “It took a while before I realized her victory, Alice BBertiaux also shared a warm that I actually became a world champion. I think I message to the world in the microphone of Derek still do not realize it now”, the lady-rider entrusts Thompson, commentator for YassTv: “I do not reus. “The day itself I heard from the trainer, Eric alize yet that I am a world champion, but I am Lemartinel, that the horse is performing well on very proud that I could represent my country and 1.400m, but that 1.600m will probably means the I also want to thank the right people for it.” end of the world for him. He assured me that from the start I will be part of the leading group, In the first place, the Belgian jockey wants to but in fact my opponents started so quickly and thank the trainer of RB Inferno, Eric Lemartinel: they left me on the fifth place. This was less than “It was an honor for me to participate with this expected, but the race started so fast I could not horse. One day before race day we had an apexpect anything more from the horse.“ pointment with our trainer. This was a unique experience because after training we also had a Knowing that RB Inferno would have trouble to guided tour where we received more informaget the 1.600m, Alice Bertiaux chose to wait for tion about the operation and installations of their the last straight line: “200 meters from the fin- stables. I was really impressed. Do you know that ish line, I gave everything I had and I really could the horses there have a daily swimming session?” count on my horse. He responded exceptionally Alice confides with a smile. good, it seemed like he was on fire. The last 200m 58

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HIGH STANDING SPORT EVENT The participants do not only want to thank their trainers, but also the strong woman behind the organization of Sheikh Mansoor Festival, Mrs. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), because also this year she put up a high-level event. Both the organization itself, as well as the welcome and guidance of the jockeys were of a high level this year.

“As a jockey we are very satisfied. The organization is very good and we are very well guided.

The biggest difference with racing in Belgium is not so much the organization, but in Belgium we know the jockeys better and we know their tactics. Here it’s more difficult to estimate each other.

From the beginning you really must be 100% in the race or you don’t have any chance”, the participants explained.

PROSPECTS FOR NEXT YEAR Alice Bertiaux, high school teacher, remains realistic and keeps both feet on the ground after her victory. Before she explains her prospects, first of all, she wants to thank Marcel De Bruyne, director of the Belgian Federation of Horse Racing-Galop, for the opportunity he gives to the jockeys to participate in the qualification series.

“I hope that next year, just like the other jockeys, I can get my chance again to participate in the qualifying series for the final in Abu Dhabi. But before talking about the final, that race must be won and this is far from evident. Taking part to the final in Abu Dhabi is a dream for many of us, but I will go for it and give myself 100% to make my dream come true”, says 34-year-old Alice Bertiaux.

Last but not least, special thanks go from both jockeys to Ms. Nelly Philippot, president of the Arabian Horse Racing Club of Belgium and very appreciated in the Middle East, to put our country on the map in the Arabian Thoroughbred racing world.

Text: Marcel De Bruyne / Photos: Favio Lorenz and Cidinha Franzão

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HH The Emir’s Sword Festival 2018 GAZWAN wins his second HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1PA)

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Gazwan (Amer x Arc De Ciel) won the USD 1 million Purebred Arabian feature for the second time on the third and final day of H.H. The Emir’s Sword Festival at the QREC on Saturday, February 24. Unraced since his win in the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Chantilly, Gazwan, ridden by Cristian Demuro, was unmatched in pace once he got going coming off the final bend in the 2400m race. Olivier Peslier did have Umm Qarn’s Yazeed in pursuit on the straight, but couldn’t do much as the Julian Colin Smart ward built a healthy advantage closer to the post. At the post, a fast approaching EBRAZ (Amer x Massamarie), under Theo Bachelot, also edged out YAZEED (Munjiz x Al Dahma), who was running 2400m for the first time. This was Gazwan’s second straight win over Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle-trained Yazeed, who suffered his first defeat in Qatar this season.

H.H THE EMIR’S SILVER SWORD Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi’s first winner of the day was Easter de Faust (Mahabb x Ayisha De Faust), who led a one-two for the Champion Trainer in the 1850m run. The Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari owned filly had won four of her five starts coming into the race on Saturday, and she only enhanced her strike rate further with an impressive run on the home straight. The victory, first on the day for Champion Jockey Harry Bentley, saw Easter De Faust finish with a little more than a length 60

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to spare as Oisin Murphy-ridden Jethjath (Azadi x Ajdabya) emerged as a surprise runner-up. Tomas Lukasek helmed Evolution du Croate (Dahess x Salsa Du Croate) to a third place finish further down the line.

Harry Bentley and Easter de Faust

Gerald Avranche on Molheb Al Naif

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QATAR INTERNATIONAL CUP (GR1 PA) Yousef Ben Taher Mehaoued’s Molheb Al Naif (Amer x Kesbah) registered his sixth straight win in Qatar with a fantastic ride from Gerald Avranche in the mile long run. Armed with a superb strike and a C&D victory last time round, Molheb Al Naif won comfortably, beating 2016 Qatar Derby topper Ateej (AF Albahar x Sahara Croixnoire), trained by French trainer Francois Rohaut, by a length. Harry Bentley helmed Carab (Majd Al Arab x Cassels Celeste) was the first top three finish of the day for Champion Trainer Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, having edged out Umm Qarn’s Samaa by a quarter of a length at the line.

AL ZUBARA TROPHY (Local PA 4yo & older) H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Reda (Burning Sand x Ba’scherit) won the first feature of the HH The Emir’s Sword Racing Festival, when Theo Bachelot helmed the 6yo to a fine win in the 2000m race on QREC turf on Thursday. The opening day of the three-day racing extravaganza saw huge crowds even as many international trainers and owners soaked in the feel at the QREC’s Al Rayyan Racecourse. In the feature, Reda had finished second behind Umm Qarn’s TM Thunder Struck over C&D in December, but this time round did well to beat Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle’s wards, Majeed (Amer x Zabieh) and DAMAS (Mugadir x Kunooz), for the win. Julian Colin Smart’s ward beat Olivier Peslier-ridden Majeed by a little over a length, while Jean Baptiste Hamel helmed Damas to third place another length down.

Theo Bachelot and Reda

GULF CUP (4yo & older PA) A superb turn of foot by Omani contender Meblsh (Amer x Nyriad) on the home straight saw the 6yo Qatar-bred horse race to a big win in the penultimate race of the day, the feature for Purebred Arabians. Coming off the final bend, the Julian Colin Smart-trained Majnona moved up to take the lead before the likes of Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi’s Rassan and Zahwa (Aaber ASF x Mataleb ASF), and Pierre Jehan Andre Deymonaz’s ward, Sharesa (Burning Sand x Margouia), began a 62

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pursuit. Almotasem Al Balushi, riding Meblsh in the colours of Badar Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Hajri, had his mount pick up pace on the outside, and blitzed past for a two and a half-length victory, while the Gerald Avranche-ridden Zahwa managed edge out the Cristian Demuro-helmed Sharesa by a head for the runner-up spot.

Almotasem Al Balushi and Meblsh

PUREBRED ARABIAN SPRINT CUP (4yo & older) Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Caid De L’Aardus (Mahabb x Jelfa De L’Ardus) had a 50% strike rate from 20 starts coming into Friday’s six-furlong contest. Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi’s ward enhanced that success rate after the 6yo put up a fantastic run on the straight under Harry Bentley, pulling away for almost a three-length victory. The Ahmed Mohamad Kobeissi-saddled Almuheet’s (Af Albahar x Maboud) late surge under Pierantonio Convertino saw the 6yo beat the Mohammed Ali Yousef Al Sheeb-trained Kasser (Af Albahar x Wujdan) by three quarters of a length at the line.

Harry Bentley on Caid De L’Aardus

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Vaclav Janacek and Haddaj Dukhan

PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (85 & below) Mansoor Mesfer Al Hajri’s Haddaj Dukhan (Majd Al Arab x Gantra El Baraka) halted a winless run this season with a thrilling victory in the mile long run. The 6yo had six runner up finishes this season even as a win remained elusive. However, on Thursday, on the first day of HH The Emir’s Sword Racing Festival, Tomas Lukasek-ridden Haddaj Dukhan tracked leaders before taking the lead on the home straight, and held on just enough as Ahmed Mohamad Kobeissi trained Khor Al Adaid (Amer x Si Vous Plait), helmed by Vaclav Janacek, ran out of track and had to settle for second by a short head. Zakhir Stud’s AL ESHRAH (Majd Al Arab x Gold Label) was third under Marc Lerner.

PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE After shedding his maiden status over a mile on his Qatar debut in December, the Hossin Mohammad Ashour-saddled Al Mouzdaher (General x Al Zahrah) was too keen over longer trips. However, switching back to a shorter trip, seven furlongs, the 5yo picked up a comfortable victory for his second victory this season. Faleh Bughanaim guided the Al Shaqab Racing’s colt to a victory with a little more than two lengths to spare, while Mohammed Riyaz Ibrahim Kasim’s Anwaar (Af Albahar x Noisette Al Maury) was second under JP Guillambert, with Alban Elie Marie de Mieulle-schooled Diese (General x Divana), ridden by Jean Baptiste Hamel, in third.

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The draw ceremony for the two USD 1 million features, HH The Emir’s Trophy (Gr1) and HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA), was held at Doha’s Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday, February 21.

The glitzy ceremony, hosted by Nick Luck and Gina Harding, was attended by Qatar Racing Equestrian Club Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, General Manager Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, besides other officials, owners, trainers and dignitaries.

The three-day HH The Emir’s Sword Racing Festival started on Thursday, February 22, and concluded with the two features on Saturday, February 24.

“This event is the most prestigious event in Qatar. We are very proud to have very prestigious guests with us. This year the field is of a higher quality than ever before. I think it will be a very tactical race.

Some of the best jockeys have been entered and I think it will be a very difficult race. I hope the best horse wins. Now in Qatar, we are in the top level in Arabian racing. It is very difficult to compete with the Qatari horses. We go to Europe, America, we have done well. Now that we have international exposure with the Arabians, we have some really good horses, broodmares; owners”, QREC General Manager Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi said.

Source: Qatar Racing Equestrian Club Media Dept.

Photos: Juhaim

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Al Juniabi on 8 Minute wins 160km HH The Presidents Cup for Wathba Stables The winner was awarded a Mercedes Benz S450, the second-placed rider got a Range Rover Sport

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Rashid Hamoud Al Junaibi riding 8 Minute, a 12-year-old mare won the prestigious 160-km HH The President of the UAE Endurance Cup ride. at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday, February 10, 2018.

Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Chairman the General Authority for Sports and a number of officials and guests of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival attended the ride.

The ride which attracted 270 riders, was held under the directives of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the direct supervision of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The winner represented the Al Wathba Stables owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and the winning horse was trained by Majed Khalfan Al Jahouri.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, H.E. Major General

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the victory of the horse 8 minutes from Al Wathba Stables.

Al Junaibi riding 8 Minute completed the 160-km distance in a time of 6 hours 12 minutes and 30 seconds and finished ahead of Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri on Faraan with Layla Al Marzooqi on AP Birmano was in third place.

The winner was awarded a Mercedes Benz S450, the second-placed rider got a Range Rover Sport, Arabian Horse Intl

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Layla Mohd Obaid Al Marzooqi / AP Birmano Third Place, Al Wathba Stables 70

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Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf and Giorgio Biffi

and riders finishing third to tenth drove away with HE Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Chairman a Nissan Patrol 4WD car each. All those who com- of the General Authority for Sport. She said the pleted the ride received DH 100,000 each. workshop was fruitful and the activities of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival were highlighted.

Dr. Maj. Gen. Ghanim Al-Hajri, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin “Congratulations to all the young riders, particuZayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Rac- larly Rashed really well to win this race for our ing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stal- stables. The organisers of the race have done a lions, Chairperson of the International Federation fine job in putting it all together,” Sheikh Mansoor of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson was quoted as saying. Al Junaibi said he was optiof Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the mistic about his chances aboard 8 Minute. “It was International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing a tough ride with a lot of competitive riders parAuthorities (IFAHR), Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Di- ticipating in it, but I am happy to have won it. It rector General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, makes it all the more special to have won in front Ahmad Al Qubaisi, Khuloud Al Nuaimi, Musallam of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed and HH SheiAl Ameri and Mohammad Abdullah crowned the kh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum because winners. they raised the morale of the riders through their presence,” he said.

Ms Lara Sawaya said the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed, HH Sheikh Hamdan and HH Sheikh A total of 120 riders completed the race from a Mansoor was a morale booster to the contestants starting field of 270. throughout their ride.

1 - Rashed Hamoud Humaid Al Junaibi / 8 Minute (06:12:30 / 25,77 km/h)

Ms Sawaya expressed her happiness to partici- 2 Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri / Faraan pate in the first youth workshop organized by (06:13:36 / 25,69 km/h) the Abu Dhabi Youth Council in the presence of 3 - Layla Mohd Obaid Al Marzooqi / AP Birmano (06:13:59 / 25.67 km/h)

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Alejandro Echezarreta, Senior Veterinarian Al Wathba Stables

“The Argentine mare was authoritatively awarded The last 3 km, implied a Faraan superior to 8 Minversion 2018 of the UAE President Cup that had ute even entering with more than 20 meters of been denied two seasons ago. distance to the finishing line. But it was in the last 1,600 meters in which Rashid, rider of 8 Minutes, With a formidable strategy during the first three showed that the mare was able to demonstrate loops that covered more than 100 km of the track, her full potential. He approached Faraan, tried to which consisted of a shield of 6 horses around 8 overtake him on the right, intent that was blocked Minute, with the aim of avoiding galloping with- by the grey horse of F3. So he tried it later on the out control and protecting her from other teams, left and again on the right, unsuccessfully. the mare left to the 4th stage and to be able to define the race.

Finally and in the most difficult way of all, Rashid opened several meters to 8 Minute on the left of This was not possible as it took her to recover Faraan and with a tremendous sprint, he left beagainst top class horses as opponents, among hind the grey horse without any opportunity. them Shaddad (winner of the last two President Cups) and Shaaran (winner of multiple races).

She crossed the finishing line that he had been denying so much. That glory that did not reach In the start for the last loop found 6 horses to- her. That crown that finally made her queen. gether practically. Throughout the first 8 km, two of them left the definition for Shaddad, 8 Minute, No arguments, no buts, no questions. Leaving Faraan and AP Birmano. behind all the best of her time.

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The 3rd place went to AP Birmano, also from Al Wathba Stables and the 4th place to Shaddad.

The stable also finished in 6th place, with Fox Lark, winning the team prize.

Zafira was bought in Argentina. Owner Josefina Razzuk sells her to Al Wathba Stables in 2014. In her first season she runs 4 races of 120 kms. With two wins, one classified and one fourth place.

Her name changes to 8 Minute when she wins her first race; precisely leaving almost 8 minutes behind the first, reaching everyone and claiming victory.

In 2015, 8 Minute wins the National Day Cup and in 2016, leading the President Cup, the rider is eliminated for not reaching the weight. In November 2016 she revalidates her 2 stars in the FEI; and in the President Cup 2017 she finished in the 2nd place behind Shaddad from MRM Stables.

En Agosto 2017 corre el Mundial Juvenil de Endurance y ganando en la pista con su jinete Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, es eliminada en el último control por claudicación.

In August 2017 she competes in World Endurance for Juniors & Young Riders in Verona and winning on the track with his rider Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri she is eliminated in the last control by lameness.

And finally in February 2018 she crowns the world with this President Cup.”

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Argentina’s Spelanzon on Altariq wins 100km HH Sheikha Fatma Ladies ride In a terrific late surge, Argentina’s Martina Spelanzon riding Altariq scored a fantastic victory for M7 Endurance Stables in the 100-km HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Friday, February 23, 2018.

The 100-km ride was organized by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and run in four loops of 40kms, 25kms, 19kms and 16kms.

The UAE’s Afra Al Suwaidi on MM Bufa looked to be heading smoothly after she was leading in the second and third stages. However going into the final loop of 16kms, it was Spelanzon on the 8-year-old bay gelding Altariq, who set the pace and moved from fourth place to the lead and finally won in a time of 3 hours 21 minutes and 02 seconds. She finished 18 seconds ahead of Italian Guilia Vigevani on Tudo Du Cambou while the UAE’s Maitha Alkaabi on Djarena finished third a further seven seconds later. Afra had to settle for 6th place.

It was a great win for the M7 Endurance Stables owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Rul- HH Sheikha Lateefa with the HH Sheikh Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan World Championship er of Dubai.

“I am very, very happy. The best of my life: my friends, my family and the horses! I cannot name all those who are unconditionally and rejoice for me, it is very strong but they are many! I am very, very happy”, said Spelanzon.

Earlier in the morning 123 lady riders from the UAE and other countries around the world took part in the annual ride held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The top three lady riders won a car each while those who finished between 4th and 10th also received cash awards.

Meanwhile on the sidelines of the ride a lot of

for Ponies Cup

events were lined up for young girls and their families.

HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and her sister HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Adnan Sultan, Director of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Musallam Al Amri, Director of Al Jazeera 1 & 2 stables, crowned the first three winners.

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Ms. Sawaya said the ride provided the perfect opportunity to discover fresh talent particularly from the UAE lady riders and this would boost the UAE national ladies team which takes part in international endurance competitions.

“It was great to watch a large number of girls attend today’s ride and also many young girls take part in various competitions. A team of French acrobats performed various tricks and the girls and their families enjoyed it. A number of female artistes taught girls the art of drawing, and special prizes were awarded to girls in the age category of 7-9 years,” Ms Sawaya said.

1st – Martina Spelanzon (ARG) / Altariq – 03:21:02 – 29,84 km/h 2nd – Giulia Vigevani (ITA) / Tudo du Cambou – 03:21:20 – 29,80 km/h 3rd – Maitha Obaid Saeed Alkaabi / Djarena – 03:21:27 – 29,74 km/s 4th – Afnan Abdul Hamid Mohd Abdulla (UAE) / HCE Magfayka – 03:22:06 – 29,68 km/h 5th – Ana Cecilia Garcia Pereira (URU) / GH Mulai – 03:23:01 – 29,55 km/h

HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor and HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor handed the prizes to the winners.

HH Sheikha Fatma also presented to her sister HH Sheikha Lateefa the HH Sheikh Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan World Championship for Ponies Cup. The 10-race series for the HH Sheikh Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan World Ponies Championship will be run as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and will culminate in the grand final in November in Abu Dhabi. Source: HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf

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Mariano Salinas and Martina Spelanzon

Martina Spelanzon: “One year ago, some- to 12 seconds of the first, for the last stage. Still body told me: ‘To be last doesn’t mean you are losing; perhaps you are getting ready to a big victory’. Today, I feel fortunate to live these moments with such passion and love for what I do.

You have to work hard and have a lot of patience, everything comes in life.

nothing was sure, but we had a lot of faith that I could do it very well. There was a horse from Al Jazeera Stables (TUDO DU CAMBOU), which was run by the Italian Giulia Vigevani who was the one who gave us a fight until the end, and a long one with a lot of force for the last one.

Altariq led all the last stage, while the group of 3 more horses that rode with me, went back. Missing about 4 or 5 km; Giulia “squeezed” a bit, and then I felt my horse got mad and went to get her.

When we got together and for more than 4 km were missing, I was sure that I would define as Ladies races in UAE, like most races, are very fast a champion; so it was. We wait and when Giulia and there are quite a lot of horses, so in the early decided to go on the straight, Altariq with all his stages we try to look at the big group at the tip, strength never let him go; and when I called him for the final sprint he took off easily like the good from behind. horses, the champions!

I started the third stage 1 minute and a half from the tip. At first it was hard for me to arrive, since Not just one more experience, but one of the Altariq did not really want to go alone. When 3 most beautiful for me, since I had been waiting MRM horses came from behind, he got together for this moment for a long time, and I dreamed with them and they were up to the leaders of the of winning nothing less than with my M7 team, race. Arriving from the third he had a very good where there are people who trust me and work recovery as in all the stages, and he finished third hard every day. It was all very exciting beyond Altariq was a very good horse considered in the stable, his trainer and his veterinarian knew that he could win this race. While it is not an easy horse, and in these fast races everything can happen, they trusted him a lot.

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the victory to be able to surround myself with so many people who are happy with me. Many years of work, many horses and more races, but passion makes each one a reason for enjoyment and full happiness.

finished third in the Bahrain National Day Cup, A S Emponchado who had already won a 120km race in Dubai, an Al Jazeera horse that finished third in this same event last year. It means, very competitive horses.

Mariano Salinas team vet of M7 stable Five horses dropped almost together for the The races of ladies are very aggressive of a lot of speed and a large group at the tip. We dropped to a safe distance from the group and without losing them, but with our four endurance ladies together and close to the group and the quietest horses and be able to have the greatest amount of water as possible since it is very difficult to give the necessary assistance when if you have a group together. We did the first two loops with one minute difference from the tip group. In the third stage Martina had to tighten the pace to approach the group since at this stage all demand the maximum of their horses, which they did not in the previous steps to ensure good positions.

Luckily, Martina finished the third loop in first place and the horse recovered very well. There were four horses with 20 seconds of difference and very competitive. Among them the one that

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fourth and final stage, i.e. a very competitive final but we trusted in Martina and mainly Altariq which is an animal with a lot of experience and end speed.

Martina led the group from the start and following the pace we proposed to stay in the lead and from the return, in the last eight kilometers, two horses distanced themselves and Martina increased the pace. In the final stretch, Giulia Vigevani with Tudo Du Cambou, reached her and Martina with great prudence kept to the side waiting for the indicated moment to give more speed and to dispute in sprint the victory.

In the final 1,500 meters was when the final sprint was given and Martina with all her experience and technique knew how to drive and what to ask the horse that matched and was superior to the other. We won with a good difference and this achievement is due to the work of the whole team M7 Endurance Stables and especially to Martina.

Al Attas rallies to victory on HH Buraq

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Al Attas rallies to victory on HH Buraq in HH HH Buraq, from Al Hazim 4 Stables, completed Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al the ride in 03hrs 08 mins 12 secs.

Nahyan Endurance Cup Humaid Al Balooshi on Imsakit gave Al Marri StaMohammed Saleh Al Attas riding HH Buraq came bles the second place while Uruguay’s Facundo up with a superb display in the final 16kms of the Leites on AP de la Muerte and Italy’s Giulia Vi100-km ride to win the HH Sheikh Mohammed gevani on Chiquilin prevented a UAE sweep. AbBin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup dul Rahman Al Ghailani on Kazoo Park Avis took for Private Owners at the Emirates International the 5th place for the UAE. Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Giulia Vigevani narrowly missed winning her secSaturday, February 24, 2018. ond car in two days as the Italian lady had finThe 100-km ride was organized by the HH Sheikh ished second to Argentina’s Martina Spelanzon in Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Friday’s 100-km HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Horse Flat Racing Festival and run in four loops Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup ride. of 40kms, 25kms, 19kms and 16kms and the top HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed three riders were awarded a 4WD car each while Al Nahyan, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director those finishing 4th to 10 were given cash awards of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in this ride open only to horses and stables of priGlobal Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General vate owners.

Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the Going into the final stage of 16kms, Al Attas International Federation of Horse Racing Acadeand his 8-year-old horse owned and trained by mies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Ahmed Mohammed Abdulla Al Suwaidi, were ly- Racing Committees in the International Federaing in 5th place while the leader with an advan- tion of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), tage of a little over two minutes was Humaid Al Adnan Sultan, Director of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Mohammed Abdulla -Sales Manager of Balooshi on Imsakit.

Al Massood Automobiles and Nissan Middleast But Al Attas got his horse to improve his speed in and Musalam Al Amri, Director of Al Jazira 1 & 2 the final stages and he overtook the top four to stables, crowned the first three winners. win by a comfortable margin. The winning horse

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Winning owner and trainer Ahmed Mohammed Abdulla Al Suwaidi said he was very happy with his horse HH Buraq. “I thank HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and the Festival for organizing these rides for Private Owners. This gives us a great opportunity to compete at our level and the prizes are an encouraging factor,” he said.

Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni representing the Abu Dhabi Sports Council hailed the success of the ride. “This ride was a total success and it is great to see so many families including fathers, mothers and children taking interest in our heritage sport.

Ms. Sawaya said, “Today for the second day we had a lot of activity for children and especially those in the age group of 10 and below and they took part in many competitions. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was keenly involved in the activities and also gave away prizes to the winners of the various competitions.”

The results (top five): 1. Mohamed Saleh Al Attas (HH Buraq) 03hrs 08 mins 12 secs; 2. Humaid Al Balooshi (Imsakit) 03:36:59 3. Facundo Leites – URU - (AP de la Muerte) 03:37:18 4. Giulia Vigevani – ITA - (Chiquilin) 03:37:32 5. Abdul Rahman Al Ghailani (Kazoo Park Avis) 03:42:43 Source: HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf

“Such activities make the Endurance rides organized by the Festival unique and unparalleled in the world. Today we had 100 riders competing on horses owned by Private Stables and the small owners were very happy with the success of the event,” she said.

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Equestrian Sport New what a way to

Text and photos

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w Zealand Endurance see a country

s By Daryl Owen

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Endurance riding in New Zealand takes in a wide range of terrain, from very flat land to beach rides to very hilly ‘technical’ courses. The endurance season begins around August and builds up to the National Championship event, normally held over Easter weekend. ESNZ endurance compiles and publishes a calendar of rides to avoid conflicting dates across the country. Geographically New Zealand is a small country and the ESNZ endurance scene has a real community feel.

The rule book for ESNZ Endurance largely mirrors the FEI rule book to avoid confusion. Multi loop rides are run with a vet gate to hold, and heart rates at 64 bpm, just the same as under FEI, and the vast majority of rides have loops coming back to a common ride base (rather than outpost vetting) – most riders operate as individuals, rather than as big teams, so a single base makes this much easier. Most own and train their own horses – no big endurance stables in New Zealand.

Ride distances range from 5km lead rein classes up to 160km events at the three Championship rides each season. During the season there are usually rides about every two weeks, with distances up to 80km. Competitive Trail Riding (CTR) is also very popular for those riding shorter distances, or those brining novice horses out to begin their endurance careers. CTR allows people to compete for placings from the very beginning because it’s not about being the fastest; it’s about finishing closest to the time with the fittest horse – great training for a new horse to teach them about pace.

At the end of season prize giving there are awards for the greatest distance completed by horse, rider and also for horse & rider, both junior and senior. There is also a point series calculated on performance. During the season there are a number of FEI events – up to seven each season, including three championship events – and these also have a separate series of awards.

In the true spirit of endurance riding, it’s not all about winning. It’s about completing the distance with a happy, healthy horse. To be able to compete for placings all horses and riders must complete a novice qualification period – two 40km rides and two 80km rides. By the time these have been completed they should be strong enough and know what they’re doing enough to be trusted with being allowed to race. If a rider doesn’t want to compete distances over 40km they can complete novice rides up to a total of 200km and then be classified an Intermediate rider, and be allowed to compete at unrestricted speed in the shorter distance rides. Most winning speeds in 84

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Fancy dress lead rein class heading out at Bulls, North Island, New Zealand

New Zealand are around 14-16kph. It’s unusual to see higher speeds.

In recent years there have been increasing numbers of foreign riders coming to ride in New Zealand. Social Media has done a lot to help people reach out and make contacts internationally, and Australians in particular are making use of the number of FEI rides in NZ to qualify for international competition. The fact that the rules are standard makes this easier.

Endurance riding in New Zealand is all about individual goals, building a relationship between horses and riders and developing horses to have long successful careers. It’s also about enjoying a relaxed social atmosphere with like minded people, and riding through amazing country that is usually not accessible to the public. What a privilege to be able to see my amazing country from horseback.

New Zealand has a grading system based on levels.

From Novice, Intermediate & Open through to FEI Level. To move through the grades kilometres are awarded for successful completions and these are recorded on a central database as well as in the horse’s logbook which is compulsory equipment.

Once the horse has done the required kilometres A lot of effort is put into encouraging junior riders at each level set out in the Discipline Rules, the Photo

by Kyle Hawkridge horse is re-graded Arabian Horse Intl

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Championship series continues with ESNZ Endurance Nationals 2018 Text and photos Daryl Owen

Naomi O’Shaughnessy and Castlebar Party Girl this year’s South Island Champs

The first of the Championship rides on the ESNZ Endurance ride calendar for the 2017-18 season this year was the North Island Champs, held at the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo in January, 20-21. The forecast wet weather never arrived and instead the weekend turned very hot and humid, providing an extra challenge. Even without the weather this venue is always a test of riders and horses. Despite the high number of vet outs (mostly for uneven gait) the treatment hospital remained empty – horse welfare was well protected.

event heading out. Jenny Champion and Barack Obama had a set performance target for the weekend, which they achieved, laying emphatic claim to the win. Hannah Whitehead and Dundevale Nazecca took the JY title.

The final endurance championship event for this year’s North Island Champs was the 62km. This year it was very much about the Ireland family, with Patricia Ireland winning the Junior division on Supre Zerlina and sister Leanne Ireland back on Alshar Blue Levi to take the senior event,

A month later, on February 10-11, Cannington Deirdre Bartlett and Craig Royston Zaria took the in the Canterbury region was the venue for the win in the 160km event, and Lisa Southon claimed South Island Champs. Alison Higgins took the the 106km title on Tararua Sharman.

160km win on North Winds Apollo, and then also In his first 160km JY start, Jayden Loveridge, on claimed the win on the second day in the 126km Makahiwi Phoenix, rode a careful ride to take the on Twynham El Desiree, the first time in a number JY title, and the JY title was decided in an excit- of years that one rider has held both titles at this ing gallop finish which saw Rowan Redmond on event.

Martika Fire in the lead over the line.

As at the previous championship it was a first time Sunday saw another early start with the 126km JY 160km rider, Kate James and her pony Chartei, 86

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Kevin James / Glendaar Fire Maid and Jenny Champion / Barack Obama

who took the title in this event

so all three will be looking for completion first and foremost.

Carla Barakat and Nina claimed the win in the 105km Championship, with Deirdre Swain and The Saturday competition is mostly about CompetiBlacknight Mako taking the speed event, the tive Trail Riding. The Canterbury region is particularly strong in CTR, and the start lists across all distances 55km Championship. show that there will be exciting competition all day.

The final event in the Championship series is the Also on the Saturday is the 64km Endurance ChamESNZ Endurance Nationals, this year being held pionship. Notable among the entries for this class is at Springfield, again in the Canterbury region. EnPhillip Graham and Wolfgang Amadeus, recognised tries from both the North Island and South Island for a Decade team award three years ago. will contest over three days at the Easter weekend. This region is renowned for challenging con- Sunday will again mean an early start for a number of ditions and rocky ground so it will certainly be a riders entered in both the 160km and the 120km. Altest of rider judgement and training. The start list exandra Toft adds to the Australian contingent at this as it stands two weeks out gives an indication that year’s event and the competition at this point is anythe competition will be strong across all classes. body’s.

Australian riders Naomi O’Shaughnessy, Christine With just under 100 entries for the weekend almost Stomps and Penny Toft are back for a 160km ride one third are entered in CTR classes, a testament to the on New Zealand soil. Current title holder from the amazing effort put in by local club, Canterbury Endurrecent Island Champs, Alison Higgins is also set ance and Trail Riding Club, to promote this sport. CTR to go for it again, this time swapping distances has a definite place in teaching ride pace and in bringfor her two rides. It will be an interesting event. ing people into endurance sport. With the Champs beEndurance being what it is anything can happen ing held in the South Island this year there is a strong out on track. presence of South Island horses, with only 20 percent In the JY 160km, South Island Champs 160km of endurance entries being from the North Island. In winner Kate James and sisters Hannah and Ana the end the results will be up to the individuals inWhitehead will square off. To complete is to win, volved, with a strong helping of luck.

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Sean Trafford on Prince Eligani

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Al-Kitbi of Al Raood stud triumphs in HM the King’s Cup The Cup was attended by HM the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, Honourary President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF), crowned Salem Hamad Al Kitbi of Al Raood Stud as winner of HM the King Endurance Cup, featuring a 120-km course.

The event witnessed the participation of a pool of prominent local competitors as well as from UAE. The eventual victor completed the race in 4.07.50 hours, travelling at a speed of 29 km/h, leaving the second place to UAE’s Rashid Al Baloushi (4.08.31), while third place went to his country fellow Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri (4.08.45).

The Cup included an event for young participants, which was won by Abdulla Ali of UAE, who posted Arabian Horse Intl

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UAE’s Rashid Al Baloushi

a time of 4.40.10 hours. In second came Bahraini pany to the race GFH for contributing to its treparticipants Dana Abdulrahman Al Saeed, while mendous success.

Rashid Ahmed Al Marri of UAE took third place.

In the same context, HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid After rewarding the winners, HH Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Supreme Council expressed his utmost thanks and appreciations to for Environment (SCE), President of (BREEF) exHM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of pressed supreme happiness following the enorthe Kingdom of Bahrain, for sponsoring this race, mous success of the event. HH Shaikh Faisal bin stating that such a sponsorship was a source of Rashid valued the directives of HH Shaikh Nasser motivation to all the participants to produce their bin Hamad to prepare early for organising HM maximum efforts. the King Endurance Cup to ensure its enormous success.

HH Shaikh Nasser dedicated Al Ruood Stud’s victory in the race for HM the King; stressing that in the prosperous era of HM the King Bahrain has achieved many top honours in the horse endurance sports thanks to the constant support of HM the King.

Moreover, HH Shaikh Nasser welcomed HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai as well as HH Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai in their second home Bahrain on the occasion of their visit to the Kingdom to follow the Cup events.

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Héctor Almeida and Nathalie Weemaels will represent Ecuador in the 2018 WEG The first FEI ride organized by Endurance Ecuador took place the 24th of February in Malchingui, a small village located at almost 3000m of altitude.

Riders of all levels up to CEI3* enjoyed the sandy and slight slope tracks with extraordinary views on the Andean valley.

In the CEI3*, Hector Almeida won the competition mounting Aventurero with a ride time of 10h44, while Nathalie Weemaels took the second place with CG Allaski, with a ride time of 11h03, an Argentinian mare with who she participated at the 2016 World Championship in Slovakia. Hector Almeida is the current endurance leader of Ecuador as he won, in 2017, both the Ecuadorian Championship and Ecuadorian Ranking. With this ride, Nathalie and Hector get their qualification for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA.

“It was very exciting to qualify for the Endurance World Championship of the Equestrian Games of Tyron USA. Winning also fills me with joy, but more important is to classify with my own horse Aventurero. My horse finished very well, he recovered in a minute on the last lap. That pleases me as a coach and as a rider. It also invites us to dream that we can qualify with greater speed in the Championship. I have culminated a stage of efforts, sacrifices, with a lot of dedication and perseverance to reach this goal. Now, at 64 years of age, I hope to achieve a good position in this WEG 2018 and / or in the Pan American 2019 for my country Ecuador. Then I do not know how far I go. I have all the energy, necessary will, good physical condition and health, which I thank God very much, it is a privilege “, declared Almeida.

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Both riders have international experience as Nathalie Weemaels participated with her same mare in the Slovak Endurance World Championship in 2016, while Hector Almeida represented Ecuador at the Pan-American Endurance Championship in Uruguay last year.

“We achieved it for the second time! With CG Allaski we finished our second CEI3 * - 160 km, qualifying for the World Equestrian Games 2018. A beautiful race full of emotion and professionalism thanks to my super team composed by Patrick Mormal; Dr. Sebastian Mejia, Eduardo Yanes, Jean Michel Grimal (in the distance), Felipe Portilla, Dorota Raciborska, Pati A Guerra and Andres.

And with the permanent support of Biosalmi “, said Weemaels.

In CEI2* (Copa Nutrifort), the winner was Jose Daniel Andrade with Quita Penas, an Ecuadorian horse who participated at the 2015 World Young Riders Championship in Chile. Although only 18 years old, Jose Daniel Andrade has good international experience thanks to its participation at the 2015 World Young Riders Championship in Chile, the 2017 Pan-American Championship in Uruguay, the 2017 Crown Prince Cup in Dubai and the HH. SH. Al Maktoum Cup 2018. He was followed by Pablo Vintimilla on his mare Bianca who completed the podium. Armando Serrano won the CEI1* on Monarch while Armando Lozada on GH Pshyro arrived second.

Next to the CEI rides, national rides of 40 and 80 kilometers were also organized, with most participation in limited speed rides. Although the participation at national and international level was quiet low, probably due to bad climate conditions at this time of the year, many new riders participated in Malchingui at their first 20 kilometers ride. This enthusiasm for endurance is, without doubt, the result of the communication campaign started last year by Endurance Ecuador in order to inform main Ecuadorian public and riders about the practice of our sport. It is hoped that in the near future, the number of endurance riders in Ecuador will dramatically increase.

Ecuador, a small Latin American country located in the middle of the Andes, is well-known for Its biodiversity and wide variety of climates and topography. Nevertheless, not only is the environment idealistic to practice endurance, but also the traditional horse culture, a key factor for the development of the discipline.

Armando Serrano on Monarch

the main endurance association, is celebrating this year its tenth anniversary. Together with Endurance Azuay, from the Southern part of the country, they organize 12 official competitions a year, 4 of them being CEI/YJ. Despite his recent incursion in the world of Endurance, Ecuador has been active at international level with riders participating at World Championships in 2012, 2014 and 2016; World Championships for Young Riders and Juniors in 2011 and 2015 and at Pan-American Championships in 2011, 2012 and 2016. Since 2015, the qualification of horses in Ecuador allowed some riders to compete abroad with their own horses.

However, unlike in other Latin American countries, the story of endurance riding in Ecuador is a Text: Nathalie Weemaels and Cidinha Franzão relatively recent one as Endurance Ecuador, Photos: Kiki Recalde 92

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Jose Daniel Andrade with Quita Penas (left) and Pablo Vintimilla on Bianca

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Emir Sword Endurance Ride winners honoured Doha: The Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali honoured Al Shaqab Endurance Team as a champion of H H the Emir Sword Endurance Ride at the end of the race which took place today at the Endurance village, Sealine. The 130 km race saw a large participation and strong competition among 66 riders.

After the race, Hassan Tahoos Al Nuaimi, the captain of the Al Shaqab Endurance Team, received the Golden Sword from the Minister of Culture and Sports. Al Shaqab team was led

by Hassan Tahous Al Nuaimi with Perlado HLM, from Haras de Los Mendez (Uruguay). The pair completed the 130 km in 05:12:02 and average speed of 25km/h. He was trained by Mohammed Tahous Al Nuaimi. Reem team led by Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Faisal Al Thani and Mohammed Al Jumaili mounting Qualy de la Fontaine finished in the second with ride time of 05:14:51 and average speed of 24,77km/h place, while another rider from Al Shaqab Team, Khalid Sanad Ali Al Nuaimi on Kinaye de Sinuhe (05:15:24 and 24,73km/h) came in third position.

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President of Qatar Equestrian Federation Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah said that the competitions of HH the Emir Sword Endurance Ride were very strong, congratulating the Al Shaqab team for winning this year’s Golden Sword.

Al Attiyah thanked HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali for attending the race and honoring the winner of the Golden Sword, which is a great support for the Qatari Endurance Race. He also thanked all those who contributed to the success of the great race, especially the technical staff, referees and doctors.

Minister of Culture and Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al-Ali and Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah with the winners of the HH The Emir’s Sword Endurance Ride (130km-CEI2*) at Sealine.

PICTURES: Juhaim

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Teenager Saif Almazrouei wins 11th running of HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup

Source: Dubai Equestrian Club, Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf

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Saif Ahmed Mohammed Ali Almazrouei aboard Nopoli Del Ma emerged victorious in the 11th edition of the CEI 3* 160km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Presented

by Longines, on Saturday January 6, 2018 at the purpose-built Dubai International Endurance City.

Nuance do Bom Viver was the first set overseas to finish the race in 08:23:16 averaging 19,08 km/h.

The showpiece of HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup Festival 2018, the 160km ride, had a total of 360 competitors starting the ride, from 44 countries, with former European Champions, The HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup and former World Champions joining a host of headlines the four-day HH Sheikh Mohammed local and international horse-rider pairings in the bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival competition. which opened on Thursday, December 28, and The first group of riders embarked upon the concluded on Saturday.

160km, five loop course at 7 am, with the sun Speaking after the event 18 year-old Saif rising in the backdrop. The distances for the five Almazrouei said “This was a very important race loops were 40km, 35km, 35km, 32km and 18km for me to win, because it is named after HH Sheikh respectively.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and we are so proud we won this race. My horse Nopoli Del The HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Ma is a champion horse, and this is definitely the Cup Festival opened with the two Azizi Developments sponsored rides. The first was a biggest win of my career.”

CEN 100km race, restricted to private stables The victor Saif Almazrouei announced his talent & individuals, on December 28, which was won to the world in 2015 when he won Gold at the by UAE rider Ghaith Abdul Saqer on board his 120km FEI World Endurance Championships for champion horse nine year old bay Al Adham. The Young Horses in Valeggio Sul Mincio, Italy. pair completed the 100km in a timing of 03:16:32.

Trained at MRM Stables, Almazrouei’s horse 14 year-old Nopoli Del Ma is the same horse that was ridden by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, when he won the 2015 edition of HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup.

This was followed by the CEN 100km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup for Ladies, on December 29, where Polish rider Kamila Kart aboard nine year old Razorback Mechano emerged victorious. Kart who hails from Poland and rides for MRM stables completed the 100km three loop ride with Razorback Mechano in HH Sheikh Hamdan also won the 2016 running 03:11:11. of the prestigious competition, in 2017 Humaid Matar Rashed Al Mazrooei emerged victorious A day later the Al Tayer Motors sponsored CEN aboard Rajas.

120km Gamilati Cup for Mares, added variety and significance, to this already exciting and unique Almazrouei and Nopoli Del Ma completed the event. Rashed Hamoud Al Junaibi and his mare, 160 km in 06:32:20 with an average speed of Eo Raghd emerged victorious and completed the 24,47 km/h. Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri came in 120km ride in 04:28:15. a close second (06:32:21 AND 24,47 KM/H); trained at F3 Stables he was riding 11 year old Faraan Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager of and finished the race in. Saeed Mohd Khalifa Al Dubai Equestrian Club, said: “Our congratulations Mehairi riding Nabi Du Cassou, also from F3 was go out to the winner Saif Almazrouei, we would in third with ride time of 06:32:45 and average also like to congratulate all the placed winners and speed of 24,44 km/h. every single competitor for their participation.”

Brazilian Monica Pinto Lima Graziano riding “This Festival began as a single race of great Arabian Horse Intl

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Monica P L Graziano and Nuance do Bom Viver

significance, the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, and has now extended to four prestigious competitions underlining it as the main focus of the UAE endurance season, which we know was greatly anticipated by both competitors and spectators.

“Expanding into a four-day festival of rides is a small effort to pay tribute to the vision, leadership and deep commitment of His Highness Sheikh Rashed Hamoud Al Junaibi and his mare, Eo Raghd Mohammed towards the sport of endurance winners CEN 120km Gamilati Cup for Mares riding.

“We would like to extend our appreciation to our key sponsors Longines, Al Tayer Motors and Azizi Developments, who are major supporters of equestrian sports in Dubai and around the world.

“We are very proud to have organised such a prestigious festival, during the course of which a total of more than 1200 competitors took to the field from over 45 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and South America.”

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Maria Álvarez Pontón finishes first and second in two days The three main races of the IX International Endurance of Tordera were dominated by the binomials of the Juma’s Team

Source: RFHE

On the weekend of 9 and 10 March the IX International Endurance of Tordera Races (Barcelona) were disputed with a CEI3* of 160 kilometers in 5 phases, a CEI2* and a CEIYJ2* of 123 kilometers in 4 phases, and two CEI1* of 85 kilometers in 3 phases. In total, 119 pairs from Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Ireland, Oman, Portugal, Czech Republic and Switzerland took the start.

in both the CEI3 * and the CEI2 * and the CEIYJ2 *.

María Álvarez won the three stars race with Qualif du Poncelet, Omar Blanco the two stars ride with Uranie D’AX and Elisabet Corominas the two junior stars race with Alys Lys De Candesir.

In the CEI3* only three Spanish riders, of the twelve participants who took the start, finished the five phases of the race. The best time was for María Álvarez Pontón and Qualif du Poncelet that The three main races were dominated by the bino- with an average speed of 18,460 km / h, completmials of the Juma’s Team that took the top places ed the 160 kilometers at 08:40:02. Paula Muntala 100

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with For Ferro was the second to cross the finish line only 8 seconds (08:40:10) and, finally Mireia Serrabassa with Omnium de Vinyles (10: 02:55).

In the CEI1* race; 33 binomials took part. The victory went to Anna Soler with Teso AA (04:09:17 and 20,459 km / h) followed by the French Caline Payen riding Tornade du Bozouls (04:04:09 and 20,067 km / h) and Fatima Manubens with Maver Mikha (04:05:51 and 22,072 km / h) in second and third places respectively.

Czech endurance rider Lucie Karytakova and Shagya VII 4 was the winner of the CEI1* held on Saturday, being the fastest the 23 binomials that competed in this race finishing the three phases in 04 hours, 51 minutes, 32 seconds. Anna Soler with Tada Speed JS (04:51:38) and Guillem Carol with Yakari de Can Carrerons (05:00:23) were second and third respectively.

On Saturday, March 10,was held the two 2-star races with 35 pairs at the start of the CEI2 *, at 7 in the morning, 16 more pairs in the CEIYJ2**, which started 15 minutes later, both divided into four phases. In the senior race a trio is formed in the head from the first phase. They are the 3 biAnna Soler with Teso AA nomials of Juma’s Team that are increasing their

by Claudia Caruso with Sahara Cost (06:33:29 and advantage in each phase.

18,756 km / h) and Marta Juanola with Asia Cost The first two positions were for Omar Blanco with (06:48:34 and 18,063 km / h).

Uranie D’AX (06:00:41 and 20,461 km / h) and for María Álvarez who this time rode to Mandany In the CEI1* of the Saturday the Czech rider Lucie (06:00:42 and 20,460 km / h) practically crossing Korytakova and Shagya-VII-4 (4:11:32 and 20,276 together the finish line. The French Melody The- km / h) are imposed in the final sprint to Anna olissat with Une Pieraz du Vialar “(06:15:47 and Soler with Tada Speed JS (04:11:38 and 20,268 km / h). Guillem Carol and Yakari De Can Carrerons 19,639 km / h) finished in the third place.

(04:20:23 and 19,587 km / h) are third followed by In the CEIYJ2* the tip group consists of 14 pairs, Álex Crivillé with Asifa and Laura Abajo with Blaki. one of which fails the trot in the first vetgate, an- Of the 119 pairs that participated in the 5 races, other in the second and four more in the third. In 76 were classified the final phase Elisabet Corominas with Alys De Candesir (6:05:51 and 20,172 km / h), Marc Vila with TBO Señora Mia (06:05:54 and 20,169 km / h) and Bruna Pujols with Ulkiem Kelenn (06:05:59 and 20,165 km / h), disputed the positions in a sprint and in this order they crossed the finishing line. 10 minutes later Raquel Costa is fourth with Tunez Cost (06:15:53 and 19,634 km / h), followed Arabian Horse Intl

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Podium 120 km

Miguel Brasão repeats victory!

Credits: Município de Reguengos de Monsaraz

The CEI** International Endurance Ride, an equestrian competition that was held on February 17 at the Municipal Equestrian Center of Reguengos de Monsaraz, located in the Fair and Exhibition Park of the city, toured roads and tracks of the council of Reguengos de Monsaraz and counted with 32 sets in the main event, which was 120 kilometers long. In this international event were registered riders from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Brazil, Thailand, China and Hong Kong.

Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the Portuguese Equestrian Federation. Each race had 20km, 30km or 40km loops of distance.

As last year, the victory was conquered by Miguel Brasão, this time riding Ferrari. The Portuguese rider finished the race in 06h53m04s, at an average speed of 17,431km / h.

Brazilian Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes, riding Koheilan Kajla (06h56m53s, 17.271 km / h) was leading the race until the middle of the last stage, when his horse lost a shoe, came second, while There were also CEI1* 80 km race and three nathe Portuguese Luis Miguel Barradas finished tional races, including an 80 km Endurance Prothird riding Figo de S. Pedro (06h57m34s, 17,243 motion Competition, another 40 km race and the km / h). shortest 20 km race. The rides were organized by the EquiReguengos Riding School with the sup- In the CEI* the winner was the Portuguese Franport of the Municipality of Reguengos de Mon- cisco Cabral in E-Azambuja, with the 80 km made saraz and are homologated by the Fédération in 04h47m15s, at a speed of 16,710 km / h. In Arabian Horse Intl

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Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes, riding Koheilan Kajla the remaining places on the podium were Hong Kong riders: in 2nd place Hoi Au HĂĄs riding Assim Lotois (04h47m16s, 16,709 km / h), followed by Mun Yin Rebecca Fok with Duquesa (04h47m21s, 16,704 km / h).

In CEN* the only one in the race was the Spanish Carlota Castillo Albarran, in Maricotilla (05h28m50s, 14,597 km / h).

Frederico Lamas, in the saddle of the Fegua do Almar, achieved the best results in the CEP 80 km, with riding time of 05h16m53s and average Podium CEI* 80 km speed of 15.148 km / h. In second place Hugo Muacho with Fado (05h36m42s and 14,256 km / h), followed by Isac Gonzalez who mounted Sultan Mc (05h40m57s and 14,078 km / h).

Chinese Fung Ho Yum n I-D-E was the winner of the CEP 40km (02h30m02s and 15.996 km/h).

Joshua Ehan with Happy (02h30m01s and 15,998 km / h) and AndrĂŠ Pinto with Icaro Vb finished second and third respectively.

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Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes and Pedro Godinho “My relationship with Endurance in Portugal (here called Raid) is more and more engaging and special for the following reasons: My oldest daughter lives in Portugal and one of my best friends, Pedro Godinho, lives in Sines, Portugal.

About a year ago, because I came to Portugal a lot to visit my daughter, I looked for Pedro to help me with an Endurance planning in the country.

He really helped me a lot, but he told me that he does not like doing bad things and if we were to have his help we would have to have very special horses and ours staff would have to be very well trained.

From that moment on I truly knew Pedro. On the subject of Endurance, he is one of the best in the world, combining simplicity, efficiency and uninterrupted dedication to horse training.

(Koheilan Kayla), which is simply a machine of endurance and speed: Most unbelieving horses try to accompany him on the tracks, simply break and cannot.

As a result, we won the second place in Rio Frio in November 2017 and now also in Reguengos.

The race of Reguengos is very hard. Loose stones and uneven floor throughout the trail. That’s why my horseshoe became a “paper” in the last few quilometers (I ended up losing the horseshoe on the horse’s right hand). The Portuguese competitors are very serious, competitive and very pleasant. They are good friends!

I want to thank Pedro Godinho and the whole team for the invaluable support, without which we would not have made this excellent race and won a place on the podium.

With these characteristics of Pedro and his team, Ameira Endurance, everything flowed very I think that more and more I will be closely easily. We bought a six-foot-tall (1,73m) Shagya involved with the Portuguese Raid.”

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Torres del Paine National Par

One of the most impressive and beautiful natio National Park� is tucked away Torres del Paine is a natural paradise ful turquoise rivers, ancient forests an

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rk Eighth Wonder of the World

onal parks of the planet, called “Torres del Paine y at the end of South America. ll of lakes and lagoons with clear waters, nd stunning as well as giant glaciers.

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Created on May 13, 1959, Torres del Paine Park is located in the province of Última Esperanza, Magallanes Region and Chilean Antarctic and in 1978 it was declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO and since 2013 it is called the Eighth Wonder of the World, for the spectacular beauty of its nature.

Located just 154 kilometers northwest of Puerto Natales and 399 kilometers from Punta Arenas, this 227,298-hectare sanctuary was founded under the name of Lago Gray National Tourism Park on May 13, 1959, when the main activity of the area was still Livestock and tourism were relegated to a few adventurers. Just on April 30, 1970, the park adds 11,000 new hectares to its protectIt has approximately 227,298 hectares and al- ed terrain and is baptized as it is known today: titudes that vary between 50 and 3,050 meters Torres del Paine National Park.

(10,000ft) with its main characteristics of forests, tundra, mountains, ice fields, rivers, lakes and Those who decide to visit it, will be able to find moraines. an exceptional geography of majestic massifs, turquoise lakes, icebergs, rivers, lenga forests and Its natural origin dates from 12,000 years ago, extensive pampas visited by guanacos, ñandúes when the first settlers arrived in the “Austral” Pa- and pumas. It is a privileged landscape that tagonia (southernmost), followed by Tehuelches opens its doors to thousands of tourists every (“People of the South” in Mapudungun), who in- year, receives them with clearly marked paths and habited a big area of the park. numerous alternatives of supply and lodging to make of your stay an absolutely wonderful expeTorres del Paine National Park is undoubtedly a rience. world-class tourist attraction that delights for so many reasons that it becomes difficult to put it The climate in Patagonia is a very important factor into words. What do you think if you give a chance to consider. The maximum temperature reaches to this incredible place and discover for yourself 23 ° C in summer and drops to below 0 ° in winter. why it is described as one of the most beautiful Due to the wind-chill, temperatures usually drop corners on Earth?

6 to 7 degrees. The temperature of the water is 4 to 5°C.

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We leave you this attractive invitation to challenge nature and go to discover the best of Patagonia.

Being located at the end of the world, Torres del Paine National Park offers a wide range of microclimates that contribute to one of its main features, the development of rich flora and fauna.

THE PAINE AND ITS MOUNTAINS

Torres del Paine is a set of three mountains that have become an emblem of Chilean Patagonia.

The South Tower, also called Torre Di Agostini is the highest, with a height of 2850 meters above sea level. It is followed by the Central Tower (2800 Torres del Paine National Park is habitat to a wide m) and the North Tower (2600 m) - also called variety of ecosystems, making it a prized asset Monzino. They resemble in a great way the horns of a great animal. It is one of the biggest attracwithin Chile’s protected natural wildlife areas. tions due to its spectacular forms and its wide The park’s biodiversity of flora and fauna is due to range of colors. four types of ecological communities: Patagonian steppe – Pre-Andean shrubland – Magellanic They were released because of a photograph of deciduous forest – Andean desert Father Alberto de Agostini who toured Europe These communities are home to over 100 bird and the world attracting the interest of people, species, 25 mammals (puma, condor, huemul (deer), mostly the category of climbers and mountainguanaco (llama), ñandú (Rhea), etc.] and 270 of flora. eering.

One of its main attractions is the section of granite that crosses horizontally of about 700 meters.

In addition, the wide range of colors and its extra leaded walls make this place a wonder worthy of being contemplated.

Valle del Francés (French Valley): As the meaning of “valle” implies, it is a plain that is surrounded by great attractions of Torres del Paine National Park, which makes it one of the most beautiful sectors of it. To the west it borders the Cuernos, in addition to the hills La Espada, La Hoja and La Máscara. To the east you can see Paine Grande where the French Glacier hangs, delivering a postcard of unparalleled beauty. Finally towards the north is Cerro Fortaleza and Cerro Aleta de Tiburón.

While you can visit the park all year, we recommend doing it between October and April, when you can enjoy day with more sun and light (16 hours) and less rain. In low season, many services are closed, although fewer tourists can be a plus for those looking for a peaceful journey.

In Torres del Paine it is possible to experience all four seasons … in one day! For this reason; it is very important to wear appropriate clothing for every occasion and be protected against strong gusts of wind, rain and even snow.

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It is located in the middle of the W Circuit and from its viewpoint it gives us an impressive panoramic view. Added to this, the Valle del FrancĂŠs is immersed in Nothofagus forests, an arboreal family that spans different species. All of them produce flowers and during the autumn they tend to turn from a shade between orange and red, generating a unique and beautiful contrast with the turquoise lakes.

It is considered the most multifaceted mountain in the Paine Massif, because if you look from different perspectives, it seems to be a different hill in each of them.

Monte Almirante Nieto: It is located between Las Torres del Paine and the Cuernos del Paine. At the tip of this mountain several hanging glaciers are detached. Although it goes unnoticed because it is surrounded by the most emblematic points of the park, it is a point that should not be overlooked

In Torres del Paine highlights the fauna and flora of the place where a great diversity of species lives

LAS TORRES AND ITS GLACIERS

Dickson Glacier: called in honor of Baron Dickson, is one of the glaciers bordering Chile and Argentina. It flows from the Southern Ice Field to the Torres del Paine Park and was named by the Paine Grande: Constituted by four summits (South Swedish NordenskjĂśld.

Summit or Bariloche of 2,660m, Central Summit of 2,739m, North Summit of 2,760m and the Main Glacier Gray: Measures 6 kilometers wide, 30 meSummit of 3,050m), is the highest mountain of the ters high and about 19 kilometers long, being the Paine Massif. It has the peculiarity that the Main largest glacier in the National Park. It is easily acSummit is very difficult to see due to its height cessible to tourists, which is why it has become and most of the time it is covered by clouds. It is one of the most visited attractions. It is included considered the most difficult hill to be climbed in the W Circuit and the Big Circuit. There are inside the National Park due to its bad weather. It navigations that allow you to get closer and can is known as one of the most beautiful mountains also be accessed through walks. It belongs to the in the world.

Southern Ice Field (Campo Hielo Sur), the third reserve of fresh water on the planet.

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The existence of a Nunatak (piece of land that divides the glacier), makes it possible to reach the heart of this natural structure of ice. In addition, the existence of moraines on its sides and floating icebergs are some of the attractions that attract the attention of most visitors.

Los Perros Glacier: It is a hanging glacier that can be seen in the Big Circuit trek. It is located in one of the most deserted places in the park and has a mostly cold climate. It descends from the Olguín Cord and on its southern side it is called the Olguín Glacier. It is not part of the Southern Ice Field.

THE RIVERS AND LAKES OF TORRES DEL PAINE

Lake Grey: It has an area of 23.6 km², it is the deepest lake in the whole Park with a maximum depth of 400 meters, its length is 4.25 km and it is 1.37 km wide. From it the Gray River is born and it means one of the most visited attractions in the area. Large icebergs detached from the Gray Gla- Other lakes to be known: Lake Dickson, Lake Norcier are often seen and their waters are grayish in denskjold, Lake del Toro, Laguna Amarga and color.

Lake Sarmiento.

Lago Pehoé: Impressed by the turquoise color of its waters that sometimes serves as a mirror for the mountains that surround it. It is one of the best places to enjoy the Cuernos del Paine and is the starting point of the trekking Valle del Francés and Valle del Glaciar Grey. It has an area of 22 km².

Paine River: It is born from Dickson Lake and serves as food for various lakes that make up the Park. Since its birth, it runs 9 km to reach Lake Paine. After draining in Lake Nordenskjöld, it reaches Lake Pehoé through the Salto Grande (15m). When leaving the lake, it reaches the Salto

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Chico (5 meters) and then advances 6 kilometers you can see the mud and the calafate. In its plains more and distributes its waters in the Toro Lake. the coirón is the characteristic element of the zone. Finally the Andean Desert can be observed Serrano River: It has 38 kilometers of extension where the climate makes the growth of the flora and constitutes the only nautical entrance to the more difficult.

Park. It is born from the Toro Lake and flows into the Última Esperanza breast. It is one of the natu- All these elements constitute the life and color ral limits of the site and is known within the sport of the Torres del Paine National Park landscape of fishing. that can be enjoyed in all its magnitude through programs that Hotel Las Torres offers. The hotel’s Salto Grande: It is an impressive waterfall of 15 strategic location on the foot of the majestic meters through which joins Lake Nordenskjold “Torres del Paine” mountain range and astride the and Lake Pehoe by the Rio Paine. It has a view- park’s legendary hiking trails makes it a perfect point from which you can see the Paine Horns. “base camp” for exploring the area’s many natural wonders.

The fauna of the place where a great diversity of species such as guanacos; chingues, gray fox and The hotel offers everything you need to make culpeo, puma and huemul, stands out. Other im- your stay a dream come true at the end of the posing species in the place are the ñandú, con- world. dor, black-necked swan, coscoroba swan, flamin- Find the perfect accommodation to relax after an gos, bandurrias and queltehues. exciting sightseeing day. Discover the traditional

gastronomy and sip one of its homemade The National Park has 120 types of birds, 25 of cocktails. If you are in for a special treat, visit the mammals, 4 of fish, 3 of amphibians, 7 of reptiles Spa to regain energy for exploring the National and 170 species of insects.

Park or share a mate with the gauchos.

Among the specific flora of the Chilean Patago- About the rooms, you can relax enjoying the nia are the Coigüe, Ñirre and Lengas, species that beautiful view of the Paine Massif. Each one make up the local forests. In the more rocky areas has been decorated with different and special 112

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elements of the area, such as looms and ethnic masks with furniture made by artisans from Patagonia. They are very warm, pleasant and offer comfortable space mixing simple elements that evoke the history and culture of Patagonia.

Cerro Paine Patagonia Reserve Estancia Cerro Paine invites you to organize your travel, accommodation and tours with us and to fully enjoy your experience at the Torres del Paine National Park.

The Kusanovic family has been linked to cattle ranching in the Magallanes Region for more than one hundred years and four family generations.

Antonio Kusanovic Senkovic, a Croatian descendant born in Punta Arenas in 1926, following the example of his parents, decided to dedicate his life to livestock and in 1979 he made the decision to buy 4,400 hectares between the Cordillera de los Andes massif and the Patagonian steppe. The main objective was to exploit cattle ranching in the Estancia Cerro Paine.

Amor Eliana Marusic, received them offering lodging and food. In the 80s and 90s there was a tourist boom in the region, increasing the flow of visits, which led to the expansion of the family business, building the Las Torres Inn in 1992. This consisted of nine rooms and a restaurant.

In 1996 FantĂĄstico Sur was created in order to receive a larger number of travelers and adapt to the needs of tourists who came in a more natural way to enjoy the landscapes and the different attractions of the estancia and the National Park . Although in those years the Kusanovic family continued using Cerro Paine for livestock, in 2012 the decision was made to remove the cattle and to leave the territory as a place of sustainability, care and protection of the natural beauties that it gives us.

The legacy left by Don Antonio Kusanovic Senkovic continues today through his children; Liliana, JosĂŠ Antonio, Mauricio and Vesna; and his grandchildren; focused entirely on sustainable tourism and the preservation and protection of Attracted by the beauties of Patagonia and in natural resources of both the Torres del Paine Naparticular the Torres del Paine National Park, from tional Park and the Estancia Cerro Paine. time to time appeared bold tourists who sought to explore these lands. Don Antonio and his wife, Located in the heart of Torres del Paine, Estancia Cerro Paine gives us a natural territory to enjoy Arabian Horse Intl

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and appreciate the majestic places that this place TAL (AMA) TORRES DEL PAINE, Estancia Cerro encompasses, as well as an unforgettable experi- Paine has worked to deliver, promote, teach and ence in Patagonia. project the care of the natural resources of the area, in order to achieve tourism sustainability Its owners are the Kusanovic brothers; Mauricio, that allows to enjoy and appreciate the Park NaLiliana, Vesna and José Antonio and is part of tional Torres del Paine for many more years. a great project to transform the estancia into a global example of sustainability, within the Torres For the first task, the program Nuestros Senderos del Paine National Park.

(Our Trails) was implemented with the objective of realizing the work of maintenance, prevention It is part of the most famous tours of the National and conservation of the trails in the private arPark: the W circuit; the beginning of the Cordillera eas neighboring the park. These trails are subject Paine circuit, also known as “O”; and a network of to high traffic of trekkers and are not maintained exclusive Estancia trails that give life to the four by the Corporacion Nacional Forestal (CONAF), shelters five campsites Fantastico Sur, Hotel Las which is in charge of the administration of the Torres and also a Glamping Eco Camp located Torres del Paine National Park. within the boundaries of Cerro Paine.

The mission is to help with the conservation of In order to improve the quality of the tourist ex- natural resources and cultures within the area of perience of visitors, Estancia Cerro Paine has a Torres del Paine, Magallanes, Chile.

Welcome Center in which you can organize your travel itinerary to make your visit to Torres del The objectives of AMA include supporting conPaine more pleasant. Here you will find a great servation, scientific investigation and environvariety of panoramas and activities that will make mental education. These activities within the Toryou enjoy Patagonia inside and outside the Na- res del Paine National Park and its´ surrounding tional Park. areas help minimize negative impacts and diminish the risk of future environment problems, as In November of 2004, the Agrupacion Medio Am- well as maintain the natural resources and culbiental (AMA) Torres del Paine was formed with tures of the area the objective to support and finance the investigation for the development of programs oriented Text: Cidinha Franzão and Reserva Cerro Paine Patagonia to the environmental care and preservation.

Photos: Hotel Las Torres Patagonia and Tales Azzi Through the NGO AGRUPACION ENVIRONMEN- http://www.cerropaine.com/en/

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AUCTION AUTUMN 2018 SPORT ARAB AND ANGLO-ARAB HORSES PROGENY OF *WAGRAM (PL), RO CENTUNRION, RO SHY DANDY

RO AYMARA

SATURDAY APRIL 28 - PILAR, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA www.haraslosestribos.com.ar

RO DALIA

Classification: Female Birth date: 27/10/2014 Genealogy: RO SHY DANDY & RO MAKARENA x LC DIABLO (US)

Classification: Female Birth date: 27/09/2012 Genealogy: RO CENTURION & RO DHINA x A STORMEE BEY

RO SOLITARIA

RO EXOTICA

Classification: Female Birth date: 18/10/2013 Genealogy: CG JELFOR & RO NAOMI x WAGRAM (PL)

Classification: Female Birth date: 03/11/2012 Genealogy: MAGICS MARRK CAF (US) & HM MARAH x WAGRAM (PL)

ALL HORSES ARE REGISTERED IN THE ARGENTINIAN STUDBOOK AND ARE SOLD WITH “A” OR “B” RECEIPT, OWNERSHIP TRANSFER, DNA TEST, DONE MICROCHIPING AND PASSPORT 116

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RO CELESTINA

Classification: Female Birth date: 11/10/2011 Genealogy: RO ATTILA & RO DULCINEA x LC DIABLO (US)

RO INCAICA

RO ECLIPSE

Classification: Gelding Birth date: 17/10/2014 Genealogy: RO SHY DANDY & HM MARAH x WAGRAM (PL)

RO ROBIN WOOD

Classification: Female Birth date: 10/01/2011 Genealogy: RO ATTILA & RO MAKARENA x LC DIABLO (US)

Classification: Gelding Birth date: 08/11/2013 Genealogy: RO CENTURION & HAS DARUBA x BANDOLERO IN

RO CASTAÑO

RO ATHOS

Classification: Gelding Birth date: 23/10/2014 Genealogy: RO SHY DANDY & RO DHINA x RWA STORMEE BAY (US)

Classification: Gelding Birth date: 19/10/2012 Genealogy: ALADDINN TORCH (US) & RO AZAHAR x BEY SHAHDOW TGS (BR)

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RO BLACK JACK

Classification: Gelding Birth date: 25/10/2010 Genealogy: ALADDINN TORCH (US) & RO FORTUNA x BM PONOMORAN

RO ELISEO

Classification: Gelding Birth date: 02/09/2011 Genealogy: MAGICS MARK CAF & RO ELITE x WAGRAM (PL)

RO BOLERO Classification: Gelding

Birth date: 11/11/2008 Genealogy: WAGRAM (PL) (US) & RO SONATA x TC JABASKK (US)

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RO DIANA

Classification: BROODMARE Birth date: 17/10/2001 Genealogy: ALADDINN TORCH (US) & PACIFIC FLEET (US) x COGNAC (US)

RO ANOUK

Classification: Gelding Birth date: 05/04/2008 Genealogy: WAGRAM (PL) & RO DIANA x ALADDINN TORCH (US)

RO CARA MIA

Classification: BROODMARE Birth date: 23/03/2000 Genealogy: AF DON GIOVANI & TOUCH A SPICE (US) x DWD TABASCO (US)

RO FORTUNA

Classification: Yegua Madre Birth date: 20/10/1999 Genealogy: PONOMORAN & A SPECIAL FEATURE (US) x GDANSK (US)

RO DULCINEA

Classification: BROODMARE Birth date: 09/08/1997 Genealogy: LC DIABLO (US) & EWITA (DEN) x ETAT (PL)

WAGRAM (PL) SIRE OF A BIG PROGENY, SOME OF THEM HIGHLIGHTED IN SHOW, MOST OF THEM IN FUNCTIONAL USES, MOSTLY ENDURANCE, LIKE 3 OF THEM ACHIEVING WORLD RECORDS IN SPEED AT U.A.E. UNDER TRAINING OF AL WATHBA STABLES IN ABU DHABI: RO NILO (ALIAS SUPER ) AND RO FABIOLA ON 160 KM IN 2004 AND 2005; RO SAAD, ANGLOARABIAN, ON 120 KM IN 2005. RO FABIOLA RACED MANY SEASONS, ALWAYS FINISHING ON TOP POSITIONS. THESE THREE OFFSPRING MADE *WAGRAM (PL) BE AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SIRE. Arabian Horse Intl

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