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Abu Dhabi: Arabian horse racing is all set to receive a fresh impetus on the international racing arena.
The annual Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, 2008 (ADIHEX) show which includes Purebred Arabian horse auctions in its bid to promote the culture and heritage of the UAE, has attracted participation from some of the world's leading thoroughbred racing centres such as Ascot and Newmarket in England, Baden-Baden in Germany and the France Gallup and French Jockey Club in France.
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Lara Sawaya, member of the ADIHEX Organising Committee and CEO of Tasweeq said: "Representatives of Ascot have evinced interest in including a Purebred Arabian race during one of the big race meetings."
Strong line-up
"This is the first time that the equestrian section of ADIHEX will see such a strong line-up of participants and will also include a strong presence from the Russian racing federation.
"Throughout the summer the UAE-supported races in Europe were accompanied by an extensive promotional campaign for ADIHEX and the efforts have paid off," she added.
"While various stables from the UAE including Al Wathba Stables will also be participating, the breeding operations in Normandy, France of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, will also be making a debut at the event," Sawaya said.
Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of ADIHEX said this year's exhibition will also see the debut of a horse show for colts and fillies.
"We have decided to have a horse show for yearlings, two-year-old and three-year-old fillies on Thursday and a similar show on Friday for colts," he said.
Organised jointly by the Emirates Falconers' Club, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the four-day show kicks off tomorrow at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre and is sponsored by Sorouh Real Estate.
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