Jockey Jadey Pietrasiewicz from The Netherlands, who has been a consistent performer in the Festival's races in Europe, won the H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival's H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies' (IFAHR) World Championship on Molahen El Alhan at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club yesterday.
It was an almost start-to-finish affair on the Ernst Oertel-trained Molahen El Alhan for the Dutch jockey's triumph with Korean, Belgium, Moroccan and Indian lady jockeys taking the next four places.
Thirteen jockeys had earned the right to be here after 13 races held earlier in the year all around the world.
Pietrasiewicz rode a supremely confident race, tracking early leader Laamma before challenging early in the straight. Bigg'N'Rich, under Belgian Anna van den Roost, loomed as a big danger but was soon seen off and lost second to Laamma under Korean, Keumjoo Lee, who ran on again in the final 200m.
The race was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Chairman of the General Youth and Sports Welfare Authority and other top officials from the U.A.E. and the Arabian racing fraternity.
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairman of Ladies Racing Committee in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and Chairman of Apprentice Jockeys and Racing in IFAHR, said, "Thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mansoor 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, Mother of the U.A.E., these lady jockeys from all over the globe have got this opportunity to race in the series. We are encouraged by the success of all the race series held under the umbrella of the festival, and they will grow in both quality and quantity." The H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare Authority.
Source: WAM