E V O L U T I O N photo: Michele Ardu
everyone has a story
Elisabeth Bernard Life is a challenge Marrakech The inaugural raceday DIARaces Start again from Rome
made in Italy n. 2 - june 2017
Mint tea toasts in Marrakech
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everyone has a story
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Elisabeth Bernard Life is challenge
12 Melanie Plat The Beauty and her horses 20 Mourad and Zineb From the Racing Academy’s classroom to the racetrack 26 The Racecourse in Marrakech Premieres 34 The winning strategy Interview with Omar Skalli, the Morocco horse industry manager 37 The ambassador says: take your chance! Xavier Ziani’s suggestion to young jockeys 40 DIAR Races start well in Rome Italy hosted the first leg of the 2017 programme 48 Love at first hoofbeat The first international experience of the young Paolo Murino 52 The riderless horse races A centuries-old tradition 58 We also have been to... The President Cups in Abu Dhabi
number two june 2017
62 We also have been to... WAHO General Assembly in Bahrain
THE IMPORTANCE TO BE A WOMAN IN RACING
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orse racing in Europe has emerged from hibernation and so has the world of Purebred Arabians. France, England, Sweden and Italy have proposed the first races for Purebred Arabians but also the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference that takes place in May and has become a custom of the last 9 years. This year’s venue, selected by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, was Marrakech which hosted the conference and, at the same time, inaugurated Morocco’s seventh racecourse. A great opportunity to discover this North African country’s horse world and the several positive surprises it revealed (Jemma el-Fna, the market square - photo above - was one of them!). SOREC’s managerial planning leaves no room to improvisation, results are already clear and they will improve in the years to come also thanks to Omar Skalli’s good job. This magazine, as most of our readers already know, wishes to tell stories of personalities from the world of PA. Our characters are deliberately selected but sometimes the right person just shows up at the right time giving us a clue. What was totally unexpected or predictable is that we often found ourselves telling stories of women. Different women with a lot or few experience according to age. Sometimes they are sad stories, other times they are funny or just curious. What counts
the most is that if it’s them we talk about, it means that their role in the world is becoming more and more important. This time we decided to connect most part of the stories together by using a photograph as a sort of baton that guides us from page to page of this issue. We began with Elisabeth Bernard, a woman that has a lot to teach to young girls, a woman that had to face many difficult choices in life. What would you have done if you still hadn’t won a race after 6 years of attempts? Mélanie Plat never gave up and was able to fulfil many objectives. How about the goals Zineb El Briouil wishes to achieve and that touch of surprise that ends her interview. Or young jockeys aiming to success like Mourad Zabout from Morocco, the Italian Paolo Murino and Yoann Bonnefoy from France. This year too the Dubai International Arabian Races circuit began from Rome’s racecourse and will end on Newbury’s International Day (30th July), going through 18 qualification races in five different nations. Italy is looking for another Urge di Gallura. The “Italian Treasure” in this issue is dedicated to a very special happening: the Corse a Vuoto (Riderless Races) in Ronciglione, where horses run freely without jockeys at high speed in a historical residential area. Enjoy your reading!
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Quarterly printed and digital magazine distributed all over the world during the most important equestrian events, races and international fairs. Available online for free or downloadable from issue service.com; free APP for Ios and Android running on smartphones and tablets. Publishing Company Cultural Association Sport Endurance EVO Via A. Fucens, 22 - 67100 L’Aquila, Italy VAT: IT0162840665 Tel: +393287373031 E-mail: arabiansevo@gmail.com
Publisher Luca Giannangeli Editor in Chief Enrico Querci enricoquerci.1@gmail.com Translation Elena Vanni Artwork Vincenzo Brancadoro brancadoro@gmail.com Printed by Dedalo litostampa srl - Bari
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Advertising E-mail: arabiansevo@gmail.com Contributions Elena Vanni, Satya Narayan, Marion Lachat, Maryem Ihrai, Sara Mansour, Bruno Pastorelli, Luca Giannangeli, Enrico Querci Cover photo: Michele Ardu Photographers Michele Ardu Ahmad Al Daisy SOREC Alberto Santucci Carlo Ricci Franco Chiossi Nando Nobili Sergio Ortenzi Giulia Teresa Machiné Matteo Guarnieri Enrico Querci Disclaimer The information on this magazine is intended to provide users with resources and information which they may find useful and of interest. We take all reasonable steps to keep this information current and accurate, but errors can occur. The information on this magazine is therefore provided as is with no guarantee of accuracy, completeness or timeliness. The contents are the responsability of the parties furnishing materials and do not necessarily constitute a statement of the fact. Accuracy of information is subject to information known to us at printing deadline. We apologize for any errors which are sometimes unavoidable. Arabians evolution is not responsible beyond retraction of error.
The charming Elisabeth Bernard tells her life story 4  arabians
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By Enrico Querci Photos by Michele Ardu and Matteo Guarnieri
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ife often presents us with important choices. At times, these choices are the result of the desire to take a new path in life or probably they are inevitable due to circumstances you never would have wanted to face. Sometimes we share our choices with people that are part of our life, but it is usually when it comes to the toughest ones that we must fight alone. Elisabeth Bernard’s life can be summarized in the above few lines. She’s a well-known and appreciated personality in the world of Purebred Arabians, everybody loves her! For those who still didn’t have the opportunity to meet her and admire her, well ... the time has now come! Elisabeth was born in the city of wines, Bordeaux but she only drinks water and no alcohol at all. Her life has always been surrounded by horses. It all began when she was 8 and started taking riding lessons. Her instructor, an expert jockey taught her how to ride and always told her many stories about his experience as a jockey and his life in racing. After a few years, the instructor bought two race horses and asked Elisabeth to ride them in the morning, during her school holidays. “I was 12 when this happened – remembers Elisabeth – to gallop freely made me fall in love with this sport. I love competition, speed, horses and the emotions they gift me with.
When I was 16 I took the Cavalier’s license and began racing. I was quite lucky because I immediately won the second race of my life.” Probably it wasn’t just a matter of luck because, internationally speaking, Elisabeth achieved great results too.
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To gallop freely made me fall in love with this sport
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ut this is not our topic. Elisabeth has lived her entire life with horses and with her husband, Jean Françoise Bernard. “When I ride I live the emotions with my horses to the fullest. Today I’m 62 and I still ride every morning. This is what my husband and I loved the most: train a horse for the race and win. When he suddenly passed away I really thought I was going crazy but the horses supported me, they were my therapy. If I used to ride three horses in the morning now I ride four horses! When I ride I have to keep concentration on what I’m doing and leave no space to other thoughts. I must keep my mind still although my heart is shattered.” Elisabeth’s voice is thick with emotion. She gets misty-eyed. A teardrop rolls down her cheeks. She takes a deep breath. A smile appears once again illuminating her face of timeless beauty. She goes on with her story. “I love to work with young horses and teach them how to become athletes. All victories are important but when a horse win as newcomer, your satisfaction is even greater.” Elisabeth and Jean Françoise Bernard have left important footprints in the world of Purebred Arabians but their racing story mainly began with Thoroughbreds. “It all began exactly 20 years ago, we had more than 100 horses at the stable but just 1 or 2 PA. We did have a bit of luck when we won a Grand Prix in Chantilly supported by Abu Dhabi. I don’t exactly remember which year it was, but it was definitely a long time ago. My husband trained many Thoroughbreds and won important races. Every year we have increased the number of PA in training and this has led us to the Gulf Countries at the beginning of this century.” In the world we live, to be at the top of
your career doesn’t always reward you and you don’t really get what you deserve. You do reach victories and success, but this isn’t enough because people don’t always behave as they should. Furthermore, once you turn 50 you must think of the future. “Stable management expenses in France are very high. At that time things were going well but, unfortunately, some owners didn’t pay the bills. It is hard to admit that after 20 years we were left empty-handed. That’s when Jean Françoise proposed me to make a change in order to guarantee our future. In 2002 we left for the UAE and two years later we moved to Oman.” Life changes completely for both of them, professionally and privately speaking but after a little while Jean Françoise asks Elisabeth to go back to France. “Lifestyle in the UAE and in Oman is excellent, not one problem regarding payments, we also had the chance to invite our relatives just to visit us but in the Gulf Countries the racing season doesn’t last long and my husband wasn’t the kind of man who spent the rest of his time relaxing by the swimming pool! He was just like me, he needed adrenaline, the type that only this sport can give you. So we decided to face another challenge and returned to France. You know when they say ... start from scratch ... well, this was exactly our case!” Three months after their return to France, Elisabeth e Jean Françoise were training one horse only, she rode it and he took care of the box. Elisabeth was also working for a clothes shop: quite a tough time, but when love is by your side you can face difficulties together. But friends can also give you a hand and a couple of managers spoke highly of these two trainers and Bernard’s stable was filled up with horses again. The number of horses kept increasing year after year and from that single horse in 2005, they reached 80 horses in 2014. Live is a challenge 7
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ard work always pays you back and after we’ve returned to France we had even more PA than before, but we also continued working with Thoroughbreds and won level races too. We have always trained all our horses
with the same technique: in the end nothing changes, they are all horses and Thoroughbred are faster than PA. The important thing is to establish a specific training programme for each of them.” Elisabeth supports her husband although 8 arabians
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she has quite a few worries regarding their future and she’s well aware that it is expensive to handle a stable in France. On the other hand, she’s proud of this new professional achievement. It definitely wasn’t simple nor expected. Elisabeth’s new life has now a different meaning although after 31 years lived by Jean Françoise’s side, it certainly isn’t easy. “I work, I get good results but I must consider that due to our own choice, I’ve never paid pension contributions. But that was our decision and my husband kept telling me not to worry because he was always going to stand by my side. This is what counted the most. He couldn’t have known that he was going to pass away at the age of 64. So now I need to work, but I like my job. I’m young and old at the same time, I’m still in good shape and I enjoy travelling. I love my life.” When she was very young, Elisabeth had a daughter with her first husband. She now lives with her, her son-in-law and her nephew.
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here’s plenty of work with 50 horses to train, although... “... it is not a matter of quantity but quality – declares Elisabeth laughing – last year was a very positive one but many champions moved to the stud. While other important horses had some physical problems ... let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that next season will be just as good! The owners from the Gulf countries and from France don’t put any pressure on me so I can wait for the horses to grow and ripen, we must in fact remember that horses aren’t machines. Marie Ange Bourdette (important French breeder and owner, Editor’s note) and I often quarrel but she’s a woman with a great and generous heart!” Talking of respect for women and their work, Elisabeth quotes Jean Françoise again. “He was big, with a strong voice, when he got angry and started shouting, everybody kept at a distance, they all respected and feared him. It is not easy for me to impose myself on others, that’s why people sometimes take advantage of me. We were inseparable and shared everything, we were a team, never had a lot of friends because we enjoyed a peaceful life, a simple life without luxury. You need money of course, but you can’t drive more than one car or live in more than one house at the same time! The comfort you need is more than enough: this is what Jean Françoise and I believed, and this continues to be my philosophy although he’s no longer here.”
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Elisabeth Bernard at the WAHRC Gala Dinner at Palais Namaskar in Marrakech. She is with another high class French Mèlanie Plat: we tell her story from the next page.
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the Beauty and her horses
By Enrico Querci
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f you were an athlete who still didn’t manage to win after 6 years of competition, would you still continue competing? Many people would have probably given up and decided to spend their time doing something else but she, as her stubborn look reveals, followed her objective till the end, achieved her goal and reached excellent levels in her sector. We are talking about Mélanie Plat, a 36 12 arabians
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year old girl from France, a manager of big fashion companies and a rider for passion. “Admittedly, it took all my dogged determination to surmount discouragement – confirms Mélanie – but I was mainly driven by my strong passion for this sport and took away a substantial amount of satisfaction proving to be better than I thought.”
MĂŠlanie Plat when determination wins
Photos by Michele Ardu and Enrico Querci
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élanie was born in a family that had no interest in horses. When she was a young girl she kept asking her mother to take her to see the Ponies and mommy always pleased her. Day after day her passion for horses grew stronger, and when she turned 15 something special occurred: she gets carried away by the Pony she was riding and falls in love with galloping at full speed. She enjoys it so much that she decides to start racing. “I visited an expert trainer in Brittany, the region where my family used to live. His name was Gérard Margogne. He started telling me that this wasn’t a sport for women and all that but he didn’t discourage me. So I spent a whole summer at his stable, as if I were a jockey. I really enjoyed the experience and in the end, the trainer told my parents that I was gifted for this sport. I’ve made him change his mind! I took the Cavalier’s license when I was 18, a bit late but I was studying too. With this same trainer I began to compete.” It took her 6 years to achieve her first victory, definitely a long time but without relatives or friends in the racing world, Mélanie obtains poor quality horses only, with few chances of winning. Finally her determination wins! “One day, the trainer Loїc Praud noticed me and made a bet: he promised that he would have led me to the victory of the Cravache d’Or.
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The beauty and her horses 15
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e’s not a powerful trainer but he believed in me and made me compete also against professional jockeys in order to make me achieve more experience. I owe him my first victory in Royan, in the South of France. I remember that I couldn’t stop crying ... they were tears for success and not for another disappointment. Loїc and I became good friends, we travelled around France with our horses, it was beautiful! It is thanks to him that I’ve improved my skills and I won 4 races the first year. The following year I won other 8 races for him, I had greater opportunities and this time I really won the Cravache d’Or de l’Ouest in 2006 and 2007 and I was third in National Championship in 2015.” At the same time, Mélanie continued to study and attended a 3 month apprenticeship in Rome. She has a
wonderful relation-ship with Italy where she lived between 2009 and 2010, going back and forth from Paris. That’s why she speaks Italian very well although she doesn’t agree with us. “I don’t have the chance to exercise the language too much and my Italian friends say that I speak Sardinian because I tend to put the verb before the subject, just like Sardinians do... capito mi hai!” Mélanie’s style and elegance go hand in hand with her congeniality and spontaneity. After concluding her studies she began to work for Lonchamp, then for Louis Vitton and in these last five years she’s been working as manager of the team that buys raw materials for Hermes. “I like this job very much and the company is really special because even though it is a big and worldwide known firm, it considers every individual as a person. I’m very happy to work for them.”
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élanie’s beauty and her competence as a rider conquered Longines’ attention and she will be the main female actor of a spot that will be launched for the Prix De Diane,
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sponsored by Longines itself. Maxime Guyon will be the male actor. By the way ... any victories with Purebred Arabians? “I achieved a great result in 2008 with
one of these beautiful horses. It was in Qatar when I ran in the FEGENTRI Ladies World Champioship. As far as the circuit sponsored by HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak is concerned, I achieved
some placings but no victory yet”. After reading her story, do you think she will reach this goal sooner or later? Watch video Longines:
Mélanie is leading the Ladies Race in Marrakech, followed by the horse ridden by the Morocco “Jeaune Jockey” Zineb El Briouil, a very determinated girl. We talk about her in the next article.
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Mourad A
From the Racing Academy’s classroom to the racetrack
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arrakech is indeed a very beautiful city: charming, chaotic and ancient. Its contrasts are undeniable and sometimes jarring. This country’s horseracing disciplines are slowly 20  arabians
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developing: on the one hand there is a forward-looking approach, but on the other hand the country remains firmly anchored to its equestrian traditions. It is possible to measure the development
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of this sector and the will to make it grow by the number of investments made in terms of vocational education. The Racing Academy represents a tangible evidence of SOREC’s intention to move
forward. The SOREC, Société Royale d’Encouragement du Cheval, is in charge of Morocco’s entire horse world, a reality that became active last year by launching a class of 20 apprentices. Mourad and Zineb 21
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he school is modeled on the French racing school AFASEC, it alternates class lessons to stable experience. The subjects are similar to the ones studied in normal schools, just a bit easier, but the real fun for each student is
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to spend a lot of time at the stable with horses. Two apprentices of this school have already participated at the race circuit of HH Sheikh Mansour Festival, sponsored by HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak: Zineb El Brioul and Mourad Zabout. She’s 18 and he’s 17. These young apprentices are facing this experience with great determination and passion but different and surprising objectives. This interview was made possible thanks to Sara Mansour (responsible for the “Racing Licence and Development” department in SOREC) who translated from Arabic to English. Although Morocco is an Islamic country, its legislation is laical just like its family law that was reformed in 2004 to defend women’s rights, something not so common in other Muslim countries. For this reason, it doesn’t surprise us to see a girl like Zineb attend this kind of school (there are two girls in class) and face a profession that, willing or not, puts her in direct comparison with men,
especially from an athletic and physical point of view. She’s very beautiful with a charming smile and very deep eyes. Zineb is an adult so she’s a Jeune Jockey which is the intermediate level between an apprentice and a professional jockey. So far she has achieved 12 victories over 82 rides, she will become a professional jockey on her 51st success or when she will turn 25. Zineb is a very determined girl and has a clear idea of her own future: she wants to become a good jockey and believes that being a woman in her country doesn’t make things more difficult. Who’s her idol? Lanfranco Dettori. Mourad has a lower win percentage than Zineb (8 over 139) but he has a very wise look on his face. His idol is Christophe Soumillon and he adores everything about him. If Mourad peeps into his future he sees a very ambitious boy who wishes to become an international star, a jockey, but he’s sure he wants to be a trainer in the future. He believes that women and men have the same value and admits that it is difficult to compete against a woman in the final although, as he speaks, the expression in his eyes betrays his words...
Both of them share the same desire to become international champions although they still seem a bit adverse in leaving Morocco and going elsewhere to improve their level and to experience different realities.
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hey are very patriotic about their country and are grateful to the government and to society for encouraging and supporting them. What leaves us a bit surprised is Zineb’s reply when we ask her how she intends to conciliate her future role of wife and mother with her career. Zineb seems to
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have no doubt at all: if she will ever have a family of her own, her job will always be more important. Sara Mansour, who is also a young woman from Morocco, looks a bit surprised...she doesn’t agree with her apprentice but probably her lessons at the Academy on self confidence, ambition and self-belief are succeeding...
H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship
H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (ifahr)
Mourad was not lucky in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship held in Marrakech. The winning horse, Jasma is behind him in this photo. The mare was well ridden by the French Yoann Bonnefoy. It was one of the six races in the inaugural day of Marrakech racecourse. Discover what happened there in the following pages.
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arrakech, the seventh Morocco racecourse, debuted with the Abu Dhabi Day sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival which featured 6 races that included the Wathba Stud Farm Cup (that will soon change its name to Wathba Stallions Cup), the Grand Prix Sheikh Zayed Ibn Soltane Al Nahyane (Listed Race) and the international races for lady riders and apprentices. The inauguration was characterized by a pleasant and festive atmosphere and the entire day passed by smoothly without problems, although it was very hot and the high number of guests brought to the depletion of beverages. However, the organization did its best to solve this inconvenience.
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By Enrico Querci Photos Michele Ardu and Enrico Querci
Morocco inaugurates its seventh racecourse The Racecourse in Marrakech Premieres  27
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ll the structures were completely full. Probably the jockeys’ room still needed some adjustment but the racecourse was absolutely perfect and the landscape that surrounds it was very evocative. This racecourse is definitely
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a very interesting one, it will be active on Saturday and will host medium-low quality races. The right-handed racecourse measures 1.400 m with broad regular bends, it consists of fine sand which is well prepared before the race.
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Veni, vidi, vici.
He arrived on the eve of the apprentices race and rode Jasma. He always had a smile on his face as he helped his colleagues in the jockeys’ room during the weighing out procedures
because he spoke French to the staff. He won easily (photo above), then he picked up his luggage and left for the airport to go immediately back to France. Yoann Bonnefoy’s great experience earned him a place in the Abu Dhabi’s final.
Yoann Bonnefoy wins the apprentices race
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Slovakia at the top
After representing her country at the general assembly of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academy (where she made some interesting remarks to improve the participation of young apprentice jockeys to the races of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival International circuit), she wore the silks of a lady rider. A much awaited race that witnessed Michala Kucharikova’s great victory on Djourman Bs (photo left) who made ground in homestretch, dominating the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak’s leg in Morocco. Michala too guaranteed herself a place in the Abu Dhabi’s final!
Kamal: winner-take-all
The owner Kamal Daissaoui dominated the two most important races of the afternoon conquering the Wathba Stud Farm and, in the last race, his horses were 1 - 2 - 3 in the Grand Prix Shaikh Zayed Ibn Soltane Al Nahyane (Listed race), with Syndella in front of Salma Al Khalediah and Bachar de Carrere.
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The Racecourse in Marrakech Premieres  33
Interview with
Omar Skalli
the Morocco horse industry manager
THE WINNING STRATEGY By Enrico Querci Photos SOREC and Enrico Querci 34  arabians
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2009 may come to be seen as a turning
point in Morocco’s horse world policy. A real manager has finally been nominated. He will be responsible for the sector that has previously been directed by a vet first and then a serviceperson. A professional in the field was just what the country of Morocco needed, someone like Omar Skalli who’s now in charge of the Société Royale d’Encouragement du Cheval (SOREC). “My background had no connection with the horse world and neither had my family, but a manager was needed and I studied and worked to become one.” Morocco needed a long-term project in order to develop a series of horse-related activities at full spectrum, and it required a strategy capable of providing precise plans for the future. “At the beginning, we received support from a specialized agency in order to develop the right strategy and then we started walking with our own legs. Our first important step was to incorporate the breeding sector and Stud Books of different breeds within SOREC, which now supervises breeding, race organization and betting.” SOREC is owned 100% by the Ministry of Agriculture, it is an anonymous private company in charge of all the technical operations, while the Ministry of Finance controls financial matter. The State and the Government have a strategy and SOREC is their operating arm.
“Our strategy is concerned with the entire horse sector, not races only. In these recent years, we have pushed ourselves in order to increase Arabian and Thoroughbreds breeding, but we do of course give the right attention to the Anglo and Berber-Arab horses too. In Morocco we breed the totality of Anglo-Arab and Berber-Arab horses, 90% of Purebred Arabians and 50% of Thoroughbreds.” Betting is a source of financial supply but the incoming isn’t used for the races’ prize money only. “First we must improve the racing industry and the breeding of horses meant for these activities, this is one of the three main points of our strategy. Second, we must use horses for other purposes: traditional activities like the Tbourida or sports disciplines like endurance riding, just to mention some. The third point is very important for us, we must protect and promote the BerberArab horse, the breed that represents our tradition and our flag. We have more than 25.000 horses for the art of Tbourida, the ancestral and traditional performance that fakes a military attack of Arab and Berber warriors. Every year, we organize 20 contests and the first three classified teams enter the national final that elects the Champion of Morocco. We are working hard to achieve UNESCO’s recognition of the Tbourida as Immaterial Heritage of Morocco.”
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ith the recent inauguration of the racecourse in Marrakech, Morocco has 7 official racecourses. Besides these 7 other 2, Dujda and Khenifra, host some Berber-Arab horse races but still need a few adjustments for safety reasons. “The most significant racecourses in Morocco are definitely Khemisset and El Jadid because 90% of breeders and owners come from those areas. In October, El Jadida hosts the National Horse Fair while the international weekend dedicated to flat racing (Saturday is dedicated to Thoroughbreds and Sunday to Purebred Arabians) takes place in Casablanca, in November.” In conclusion, Morocco has a clear idea of where and how its equestrian world must go. We will definitely hear about it in the future at international level, thanks also to the manager that is now guiding SOREC.
www.sorec.ma Video Tbourida
Racing Industry numbers 7 official racecourses 2 unofficial racecourses 2000 races 3000 horses in training 1000 owners 350 jockeys 600 PMU betting shops 36 arabians
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Racecourses in Morocco Meknes Khemisset Rabat Casablanca El Jadida Settat Marrakech Race percentage allocation 40% Purbred Arabian races 30% Thoroughbred 30% Anglo-Arab and Berber-Arab
“I
arrived in Dubai in 2004 and this makes it my thirteenth year in the UAE. My very first time was only for a brief experience.
By Enrico Querci Photos Michele Ardu
the ambassador says: take your chance! Xavier Ziani’s suggestion to young jockeys The Ambassador says: take your chance! 37
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t was winter and I was in the South of France at my parents’ house when a friend of mine started telling me about his wonderful trip to Dubai and how marvelous that country was. So, my father helped me get in touch with Erwan Charpy who was a trainer in Dubai. As luck would have it, one of his jockeys had left leaving a vacancy. In March, after three months, he asked me to return the following winter to spend the whole season in Dubai. When I returned to France, I took some time to think about it but after one month only, I called him back and confirmed my stay for the next winter. I was just 21 years old.” Since then, Xavier Ziani is a jockey in Dubai where he now lives. Xavier Ziani and his young compatriot Yoann Bonnefoy
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He rides in other Gulf countries too. “I’ve had a great chance and I took advantage of it. It is nice to work here, life is easy for both families and singles. I live with my wife. She was a model in France, now she started an agency that deals with the organization of Arabic weddings.” The racing season in the UAE starts in November and ends in March, but in Qatar and Bahrain goes on till May. Xavier is free from June to October. “The agreement with Sheikh Mansoor’s stable envisages that I’m free for the summer and at the same time gives me the opportunity to ride the Sheikh’s horses in Europe. Furthermore, I’ve been nominated Ambassador of the Festival,
another wonderful experience that allows me to visit many places in Europe, the USA and soon other countries too. I cannot but express special thanks to the people who have assigned me this role: Sheikh Mansoor, Sheikha Fatima and Lara Sawaya.” Xavier has also the chance to follow many young apprentice jockeys in the race circuit held under the umbrella of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak. Xavier’s words suggest that in official occasions he seems eager to pass down his experience to his young colleagues. This is his precious advice: “Never stop looking ahead. If you’re still not riding in your own country, it is
probably because the circumstances didn’t offer you the chance to express yourselves at your best and not because you are not good jockeys. Don’t be afraid to travel or to move to a new country because the professional life of a jockey is brief. Look out for your good chance: the profession of a jockey is the same worldwide.” Xavier is young and still has a long riding career ahead of him but he already has a clear idea of the future. “A lot of people keep asking me horse buying tips, but at present I’m doing another job. Once I will stop riding I could become a trainer or maybe a bloodstock agent...we’ll just wait and see!” Xavier Ziani and collegues before a race in Abu Dhabi
The Ambassador says: take your chance! 39
DIARAC R
ome caput mundi. Rome the Eternal City. Rome and the Dolce Vita. Rome needs no introduction ... it is Rome, that’s all. And that’s exactly how it
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is for some of the main promoters of the Purebred Arabian that have chosen this city and its racecourse for the beginning of a new adventure.
CES START
IN ROME Italy hosted the first leg of the 2017 programme
Text and photos by Enrico Querci DIARaces start well in Rome  41
Meblsh before the race in Rome 42  arabians
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he Dubai International Arabian Races, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, have started from Rome for the second year in a row. The DIAR is an 18 races circuit spread over 5 nations with special regulation that guarantees a bonus prize fund to those horses that win one of the 5 races designated in the final event, after achieving a first, second and third place in one of the prep races. This year, the flagship event will be held in Newbury on the 30th of July. Last year, the only horse who won the bonus prize fund was the Italian Urge di Gallura who first won in Rome and then in Newbury. This year too, the DIAR have started from the racecourse of Capannelle with two races: one for 3 year olds horses and a Listed Race for 4 year olds and upward. The racecourse of Capannelle greeted
its audience on a beautiful Spring day. The two PA races were scheduled on a very important day for Italian Turf: the one named after the President of Italian Republic, which used to be a Group 1 race but was then downgraded to Group 2. For many years now, horse racing in Italy has been going through a period of deep crisis and Thoroughbred Group races are becoming less important at European level. On the other hand, an opposing trend shows that PA races are gaining more and more importance thanks to foreign sponsors in love with Italy. The presence of important authorities in Rome clearly highlights this concept: Saqer Nasser Ahmed Abdullah Al Raisi (Ambassador of the UAE in Italy), Mirza Al Sayegh (Head of Investments Affairs of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) and Shadwell Stud’s technical staff. DIARaces start well in Rome  43
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he world of PA is consistently moving in every way. In fact, horses often have to face long trips in search of better opportunities and PA bear travel stress
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better than Thoroughbreds. Trainers can’t always afford to go with their horses but when they do, they often become some sort of lads that bring the horse
to the parade ring or starting gates. It is not surprising to see jockeys saddle the horse after the weighing procedures. “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”... this English proverb says it all! What struck the most observing these important preliminary operations is the attention to detail and the love and care for horses before the race. Their gestures often seem hugs and recommendations seem to be made telepathically.
“Horses at the parade ring!” Now the horse is finally ready to reach the parade ring, observed by the attentive audience. These ancestral horses calmly pass by, ready to gallop on the racecourse just like nature has taught them. Jockeys wear their colorful silks jackets and join the trainers. Their orders are often concise, other times they are extremely detailed. The jockeys listen and nod, asking for explanations. The owners attend this ritual with some anxiety and excitement.
“Jockeys on board!” The start is getting closer and the horses can feel it, a shiver runs through their manes, they blow air through their nostrils and, when the jockeys are on board, they seem to make a little dance as he puts his feet in the stirrups. Finally the horses reach the track and canter to the starting gates. Just a few minutes more and then, one by one, the horses enter in their respective gates.
“They’re off!” The much-awaited race begins. Owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys long for a small or big moment of glory: to participate is not enough! The spirit of Olympism coined by De Coubertin doesn’t belong to this sport at all. It is important to reach the finish line first, make a good impression and get as close as possible to success. Winning simply means climbing a step higher on the ladder known as “selection” which is at the basis of this sport. Among the horses that participated in this year’s DIAR in Rome we quote two great stars: the young Vulcanobybonorvesu, who defeated his rivals in the Premio Shadwell Arabian Stallions, and the older Meblsh who did the same in the Dubai International Arabian Races 2017 (Listed Race). DIARaces start well in Rome 45
No pressure for the lads before the race!
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ulcanobybonorvesu owned and trained by Antonio Efisio Pinna and ridden by Antonello Fadda defeated Vento di Gallura (trained by Endo Botti & Cristiana Brivio, bred and owned by Giovanna Picconi, the same team of Urge di Gallura) and Verdigo.
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Meblsh (owned by Al Shaqab Racing, trained by Thomas Fourcy with Faleh Bughenaim on board) stormed home 7 lenghts in front of the two Swiss horses, Nil Aziz and Nil Ashal. Fourth, and first of the Italian representatives, just like 12 months ago, was Tornado Byzucchele,
Vulcanobybonorvesu storming home in the 3yo race
who missed the break losing ground in the first part of the race. Will we see any of these horses in Newbury? Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope so because if it’s true that all roads lead to Rome, all the DIARaces lead to Newbury!
Premio Shadwell Arabian Stallions
Dubai International Arabian Races 2017 (Listed Race)
Watch the video
HE Saqer Nasser Ahmed Abdullah Al Raisi presents the trophy to Faleh Bughenaim in the presence of Doc. Mirza Al Sayegh DIARaces start well in Rome 47
“I’
m from Sardinia...when I was a young little boy I used to live in the small town of Elini, in the region known as Ogliastra. Everyday, I could hear horses walking along the country roads and the sound of horse hooves made me fall in love with them. This is how it all started.” This is how Paolo Murino’s story begins. He has just turned 18 and he’s an apprentice jockey who ran for Italy during the second race organized by
HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak in Marrakech. In order to follow his passion, he abandons his studies. He finishes compulsary school and at 16, with his family’s support, he decides to take up the jockey’s career. “At first I rode bareback and participated in some Palio that took place in Sardinia. But I used to watch races on TV and my dream was to become a jockey.
LOVE AT FIRST HOOFBEAT The first international experience of the young Paolo Murino By Enrico Querci - Photos Michele Ardu
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A friend of mine helped me go to Varese, a city in northern Italy where the trainer Marco Gonnelli taught me the basis of riding with a saddle. After 5 months I attended a course for apprentice jockeys in San Rossore and I passed the final exam.” Then, Paolo decided to sign a contract with a trainer that had a stable in Milan, her name is Marinella Arienti. “I knew that Marinella was looking for an apprentice jockey and she was eager to invest in a young apprentice. She managed the stable with her husband, her son and his girl-friend... I was sure to find a very familiar environment so I accepted and wasn’t disappointed...they have practically adopted me!” Paolo Murino has won 5 races and achieved several placements. He definitely still has a long way to go and the risk of making mistakes is just around the corner, but Paolo has an objective for the future. “I would like to reach a high level... step by step. I’m aware of the fact that I must improve each and every aspect of my being a jockey: posture, race scheme interpretation, efficacy and self-control in the finish. I would also like to have some experience abroad. Where? It doesn’t make much sense to say where... it depends on the opportunities the experience offers you”. Paolo rode in the International Apprentice Race in Marrakech using a very special whip. “Italian top jockey Dario Vargiu made me this gift hoping it could bring me luck. He is a great professional and a great man as well. I hope to become like him”. Now self-promote yourself: why should a trainer book you? “He should choose me because no doubt... I really want to make my way in this field.” Love at first hoofbeat 49
For further information visit www.anicahorse.org
15th - 17th September 2017 Rome (Ita) - Capannelle Racecourse
Italian National Championships ENDURANCE - RACING - SHOW - WESTERN DRESSAGE COMPETITION
Italian National Association for the Arabian horse
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he ANICA was founded in Rome on the 12th of November 1979. The Association was approved by the W.A.H.O. (World Arabian Horse Organization) in 1982, exactly when the first volume of the Purebred Arabian Stud Book was published in Italy. The A.N.I.C.A. is the only institution in Italy responsible for the Italian Purebred Arabian stud book. It is authorized by the WAHO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Info: www.anicahorse.org Tel. +39 (0) 521 805250 Forestry policies and recognized at international level. Since it was founded, the A.N.I.C.A. has published 12 volumes of the Stud Book, containing 16.000 Purebred Arabians regularly registered with A.N.I.C.A. Each horse has its personal data, a 5 generation genealogy and production in Italy. A.N.I.C.A.’s board of Directors led by Francesco Santoro, comprises five members. Annalisa Landucci is the member responsible for flat racing.
Italian Treasure
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he origins of Ronciglione date back to Etruscan settlements; it rises on via Cassia Cimina, 59 km northwest of Rome. It reached its zenith during the Farnese age, it was first a dukedom and then a state; it coined money of its own and its several
opificium made it the greatest industrial city of the Center and South of Italy. In 1548, with the Farnese Family, the so called Corse a Vuoto, empty races or riderless horse races, began. They were imported from Rome where they were held during the Carnival.
Ronciglione
RIDERLESS HORSE RACES THE
A CENTURIES-OLD TRADITION 52  arabians
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Text by Bruno Pastorelli Ph. Alberto Santucci, Carlo Ricci, Franco Chiossi, Nando Nobili, Sergio Ortenzi e Giulia Teresa Machiné
For more than 460 years the horse has been the main character of a unique competition that takes place in Ronciglione’s Renaissance streets
The riderless horse races 53
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ince then, except the time gap between the two world wars, the riderless horse races have always been held in the Renaissance streets of Ronciglione, running from North to South. Throughout the years, the itinerary has remained unchanged. The approximately 800 m course, keeps rising from the starting line till the finish line and ends with a steep slope, the section known as Montecavallo. For the horses’sake and safety, the track has been technically adjusted and a vet commission follows the athletes closely. Today the Corse a Vuoto are held at the end of August, on Saint Bartholomew’s day, the patron of Ronciglione. After this brief historical introduction, 54 arabians
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we will give you an explaination of what this Festival is all about. A possible literal translation of the term Corse a Vuoto could be Empty Races but the general meaning is Riderless horse races. In fact, the typical feature of this local tradition is that horses run freely without a rider in the streets of Ronciglione. Just the citizens’ heart gallops astride the competing horses. It is a real homage to His Majesty the horse who boasts ancient origins. A majestic choreography and an accurate and routine structure survive, year after year, and involve the entire population. Ronciglione is divided into nine districts or rioni.
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Finish Line
Montecavallo
Curva del Gricio
Piazza della Nave
Via Roma
Porta Romana
Via Garibaldi
Piazza Principe di Piemonte “La Mossa” (The Start)
he districts and the city institutions take care of the entire Festival’s organization, with an eye to the horse, loved and respected by everyone. The horse is the king or queen of this great event celebrated and created in his honour. In this occasion, he is the main character and he runs freely just like nature taught him since he was born. Recently, the choice has fallen on the AngloArab bred but before female horses were preferred because males tended to remain in their slipstream when they ran freely, and never tried to surpass the females. There are several reasons why you should attend the Corse a Vuoto in Ronciglione. First of all, it is the only riderless horse race and it is extremely exciting to watch horses run freely at high speed in a residential area. The start is a ritual: the Mossiere or Starter, invites each rione to take the horse to the assigned starting post, from above the canopy. The Lascino or Starting-Lad, fights a bit to help him get in; then the horse is blocked inside the stall, there’s a small gate behind him and a rope in the front. The Mossiere will lower the rope once all the horses are in and all the gates closed. The riderless horse races 55
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uspense arises when the Lascino removes the bridle...there’s a breathless silence until the Mossiere, lowering the rope, gives the start. The Lascini let go of the horses with the best possible timing... what thrilling and exciting moments! The horses gallop along Via Garibaldi, run beneath the arch of Porta Romana and proceed in Via Roma to reach Piazza della Nave. Then they have to face the Curva del Gricio in order to run up the final slope: Montecavallo! At the end of the track, accross the finish line, the Catcher-Lads or Chiappini stop the horses. The race track is delimited by a fence similar to the ones we find in real racecourses and horses run on a thick layer of beaten earth. Along the track and from the windows and balconies
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overlooking the street, the audience rejoices, raising its arms up in the air to greet the horses that pass by. Horses are easily recognizable from the color and specific signs of their coat but also from the feather representing each Rione. These animals’ beauty and energy and their strong will to run and reach the goal first, is as ancient as men’s history. The beautiful venue, the town of Ronciglione, makes everything even more exciting. The most thrilling part of the entire event is, of course, the end, but also the week previous to the Corse a Vuoto is a neverending succession of initiatives and shows during which the city wears the colors of the Rioni. Young and old people sing chants to exalt the Rione and its horse. On Saturday afternoon, groups of horses
test the track. While on Sunday morning the groups compete and the first ones of each group are selected for the final that will be held in the afternoon. The conclusive part of this event is preceded by an historical procession and other equestrian shows with colorful flags and drum rolls. An embroidered tapestry or Palio, is given as a prize to the winning Rione that rejoices, walking around the town to show the conquered trophy which is painted by a different artist every year. This is briefly what happens in the small town of Ronciglione during the Corse a Vuoto.
advise everyone to live this experience personally and attend the different stages of this amazing event. Guests, usually foreign visitors, are always welcome and have a special role in the preparatory and convivial stages. It is very important for the people of Ronciglione to publicize this almost 500 year old ancient tradition...a pride and moral commitment handed down from the old wise men of the Corse a Vuoto. For further information and updates on event dates click on
These few lines can’t fully explain how important this traditional Festival is for the local people. Words are definitely not enough, so we
The riderless horse races  57
Loraa wins the HH The President Cup under the ride of Richard Mullen
we also have been to... Jockeys at Al Ain racecourse
...the
President Cups in Abu Dhabi
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his year, in mid-February, Abu Dhabi organized a double President Cup. The first one was the popular 160 km endurance ride with rich prizes for the first classified binomials and generous bonuses to all the participants who concluded the track. Then there was a Group 1 race for PA at Abu Dhabi’s racecourse. It was won by the mare Loraa, which is very dear to the family of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bint Zayed Al Nahyan. The organization made a visit to Al Ain’s racecourse possible.
Mane shot
A fantastic UAE racing season for Adrie de Vrie
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Tagd O’Shea, one of the mosto popular jockey in the Emirates
Trainer Jean de Roualle’s “killing look” at the HH The President Cup presentation
We also have been to... the President Cups in Abu Dhabi 61
Text by Luca Giannangeli Photo by Ahmad Al Daisy
WAHO
Conference 2017 BAHRAIN
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ast February, Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, hosted the General Assembly of the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO), under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the event Peter Pond, President of WAHO welcomed the participating countries and presented official reports on their past two years’ activities.
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he previous WAHO conference was held in Qatar’s capital city, Doha, two years ago. For this edition the participating countries were: Bahrain, Algeria, Argentine, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Luxemburg, Morocco, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Oman, Sweden, Syria, Holland, Turkey, Tunisia, UAE, Britain, Uruguay and the USA. The event that takes place every two years alternated interesting conferences and Arabian horse presentations to moments of relax and parties. Unfortunately, it was rainy at times, something not unusual but neither common in this part of the world. The host country wished to emphasize the importance of tourism development, a source of great investment for Bahrain and this occasion represented a great opportunity for local territory, culture development and enhancement. The second day of the conference featured
the tourism attractions in Bahrain, with Dr. Ali Fulath, a consultant at Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, playing a film on the rich history and culture of the Kingdom of Bahrain since the Dilmun era, highlighting the successive civilizations throughout 4000 years. Peter Pond, President of WAHO, welcomed the acceptance of China’s proposal to be part of the organization, stating that this step will support WAHO’s efforts to extend its reach, especially in East Asia. To conclude, Mr. Pond welcomed everybody to the next WAHO conference that will be held in Australia in 2019.
The President of WAHO Peter Pond with H.H. Sh. Faisal bin Rashid Al-Khalifa President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian Federation
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training and athletic rehabilitation center Massimiliano Narduzzi trainer and breeder of • THOROUGHBRED • PUREBRED ARABIANS • ANGLO-ARABIAN BRED
Tintu di Gallura (PA) wins Moutai Cup at San Rossore
Scuderia Clodia contacts: http://www.scuderiaclodia.it info@scuderiaclodia.it Anguillara Sabazia (Roma) Via Braccianese Claudia KM 14.300 Office - Fax +39 6 9980 5721 Massimilano Narduzzi +39 328 1253 672 We also have been to... the President Cups in Abu Dhabi 65
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