Sheikh Hamdan to sponsor 8-race card in Riyadh again

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Giving momentum to his efforts to grow Purebred Arabian racing worldwide, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, will sponsor an entire race meeting in Saudi Arabia on Dec.19.

All eight races, including a Group 3 contest, will benefit from Sheikh Hamdan’s patronage through Shadwell Stud Farm and its affiliates.

Extending his worldwide sponsorship portfolio, Sheikh Hamdan first supported the six-event card at the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh last year.

Bolstered by the last edition’s success, the Shadwell team returns to Saudi Arabian capital to renew their commitment and investment in supporting horse racing in the Middle East.

Speaking about the upcoming sponsorship in Saudi Arabia and its significance, Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of Sheikh Hamdan’s Office, said: “We visited Saudi Arabia last year for the first time and the venture was a huge success. Sheikh Hamdan opted to continue his sponsorship with the Saudi Arabian racing authorities in a big way to help Arabian racing flourish in both countries and around the world.

“The sponsorship underlines Sheikh Hamdan’s commitment to supporting the growth of Arabian racing in the country where the breed has a very bright future with the flourishing breeding operations in place,” he added.

“We look forward to a great day’s racing next Friday and to many more to come in Saudi Arabia.

Miteb Al Shammari, Director of Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Racecourse, praised the efforts of Sheikh Hamdan to support Arabian racing around the world.

“We are delighted to host a big eight-race card under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan, who is widely recognised and respected as one of the most influential men in the horse racing scene,” said Shammari.

Faisal Al Rahmani, President of Arabian Horse Racing, praised the efforts of Sheikh Hamdan and the Saudi Arabian authorities for forging a relationship that he said will greatly benefit Arabian racing on many levels.

“This partnership underlines and strengthen Sheikh Hamdan’s commitment to helping Arabian racing grow

“The UAE’s vision to globalise Arabian racing is well known among the breeders. We are encouraged by its growth.

“Our aim from the outset was to encourage the breeders and owners of the Arabian horse worldwide. I believe that Arabian racing has come a long, long way in recent years and the credit of its success goes to the patronage of people like Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs,” he added.

In February Sheikh Hamdan sponsored the entire six-race card at the inaugural edition of the GCC Cup which was held at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club.

Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell and Derrinstown Stud breeding operations supported the inaugural running of an exciting new initiative.

A quality field of top-rated horses and trainers from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar Oman and hosts UAE took part in the event.

Saudi trainer Mutlaq Bin Mashref saddling both first and second in the highlight of the thrilling contest, with Mubasher Al Khalediah denying stable companion Nader Al Khalediah.

In doing so, the 4-year-old, who received weight from his ten rivals since he was the youngest horse in the field, reversed form with his stablemate and also ensured Mashref has saddled the winner of every UAE race in which he has been represented.

The trainer’s sole previous local runner having been Tallaab Al Khalediah who won last year’s Group 1 Kahayla Classic on the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan last March.