The Arabian horse racing worldwide has received a big boost from the H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival with the introduction of a big bonus for the American Triple Jewel and the upgrade of the prize money of the European Triple Crown during the 2015 season, it was revealed on Thursday.
"Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the festival opens a new chapter in its book of success and achievements with the launching of the US$150.000 Jewel Triple Crown," said Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Chairwoman of the Ladies Racing Committee in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).
Speaking to reporters at the Capital Suite No. 8 at ADNEC, Sawaya noted that the bonus for the European Triple Crown will be increased to Euro50.000 and the well-bred French horse Amaretto, the only winner of the trophy for three seasons in a row, will receive the trophy on the final day of the festival's competitions in the capital of the world's Arabian horse races Abu Dhabi on 9 November.
"We are all inspired with the initiatives and vision of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and our job is to implement his thoughts on the ground," she said.
"The prize money of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup in Europe and USA will remain unchanged (Euro35.000 each) and its equivalent in US dollars respectively, but the new development is a bonus of US$150.000 for the newly introduced Triple Jewel for US and the increase of the bonus for Europe to Euro50.000," she confirmed.
The American Triple Jewel competition will be held at three race tracks, said Kathryn Smoke, president of the Arabian Jockey Club.
"The first leg will be run at the Sam Huston racecourse on April 8, over 1400m, followed by Pleasanton in July 5, over 12 furlongs and Los Alamitos around 20 September, over a mile, bringing the total number of the festival's races to in America to 23" she said.
The three events will carry three different names of the rare stones like the Diamond, Amethyst and the Emerald Green" she clarified.
Regarding the European Triple Crown, Sawaya confirmed that the races will be held in Toulouse, Holland and Poland likewise under the umbrella of the International Federation of the Arabian Horse Race (IFAHR).
"The race which will be held in Warsaw in coincidence with the World Arabian Horse Races Conference 2015 will not be part of the championship. There's an international Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Listed) to be held at the same venue in August, which will be the final leg of the Triple Crown that has been launched in 2010 for the European horses," she said.
"But, if there are European horses that would like to compete in the American Jewel Crown, the festival would be delighted to support the owners and trainers in respect of the accommodation and registration fees," she promised.
However, Sawaya said that the winner of the trophy on either coast of the Atlantic should take part at least in two of the three races to qualify for the bonus provided that the races will be restricted to 4-year-olds and above.
Elsewhere, Sawaya announced that, two new categories have been added to the 11 categories of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Darley Awards at the house of the Oscars in LA from next year 2015, "The top female endurance lady jockey and a special award for the lifetime achievement lady from those who are working from behind the scenes and doing great jobs have been added to the list of honours.
"This lifetime achievement award will not be restricted to the sponsors alone, and the winning lady could be from any other party. Also, the endurance associations around the world will be asked to nominate one jockey for the award and the judges will make the final selection," she added.
Sawaya said the 2015 lifetime achievement's title will be awarded this time to a specific lady who has been doing everything right, but she declined to elaborate.
Meanwhile, Sawaya welcomed Saif Rashid, representing the new partners of the festival ADNEC who have pledged their support and backing for the efforts to promote the U.A.E. culture and heritage through the encouragement and promotion of Arabian races.
Mubarak Al Naimi, representing the organisers Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA), Ahmed Al Fahim, TDC, Salah Al Hashemi, ASC, Nadeem Lahd, Emirates Airline and Sheikh Hamad Al Sharqi, Invest Ad have all reiterated their commitment to the noble objectives of the festival and lauded the creative thinking to spread the Arabian races around the globe.
Genny Haynes, IFAHR vice-president and executive board member and Sam Vasquez from the Arabian Racing Cup welcomed the incredible support of the festival for the Arabian races in Europe, USA and elsewhere saying that without the backing of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, they would have struggled hard for survival.
Finally, Sawaya urged the owners to stay tuned, the trainers to saddle their horses and the jockeys to polish their boots to battle it out for the richest bonus for the Arabian races around the world.
The H.H. Sheikh Mansour 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 , the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with Arabtec Holding PJSC as the Official Partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Rashid Investment, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the U.A.E.'s General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Centre, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Racing Post.
Source: WAM