ABU DHABI: The Dhs5 million Group 1 Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, one of the world’s richest horse races for Purebred Arabians, will now be run over a new distance of 2,200 metres.

The increase from the previous distance of 1,600m is in line with the directives of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, who is also chairman of the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA).

Organising committee of the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival continually strive to promote Arabian Racing around the world whilst endeavouring to develop the festival, to best satisfy the expectations of the participants.

Keeping this in mind, the decision to increase the distance was made after consultation with both the ERA and the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities.

The Jewel Crown this year marks the 12th anniversary of the finale of the Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Dec.4.

The Festival under the directives of Sheikh Mansour was launched in 2009 in Europe with the finale in Abu Dhabi, has now grown into one of the world’s richest and most prestigious racing events, attracting some of the best local and international Arabian racehorses, trainers, jockeys and owners.

Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan owned Al Shamoos ridden by Julien Auge and trained by Charles Gourdain won the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown.

The Sheikh Mansour Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival has played a significant role in the promotion of Arabian racing and breeding since it was launched 11 years before.

The Festival aims to continue the efforts made by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to preserve heritage sports and equestrian sport in particular, promoting Arabian horses and UAE heritage around the world.

Sponsoring hundreds of races annually since its’ inception, the Festival supports a wide variety of contests from the grassroots to the highest level across Australia, Algeria, Belguim, Brazil, Denmark, France, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, UAE, UK and the US.

The events culminate in the worlds’ richest Arabian horse race, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, a Group 1 PA run in Abu Dhabi.

The Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner, Emirates Airline as the official carrier.

The Festival is also sponsored by Al Massood Automobiles Nissan, Areej Alameerat, Omeir Travels Agency, YAS Sports TV., Viola Communications, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, the UAE’s General Women’s Union and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.