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Nil Ashale aiming to go a step better on St Moritz ice track

Eight lady jockeys will ride in the Shaikha Fatima Championship

Horses compete on the frozen lake on the first weekend of the White Turf races in St. Moritz, Switzerland. — AP

The national Swiss champion horse Nil Ashale is looking forward to go one better in the renewal of the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Listed Cup at the famous St Moritz White Turf on Sunday. Ashale was narrowly beaten by Fanal el Samawi over course and distance in the inaugural running of the race last year.

The race is held as part of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. The HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship will make its debut with eight professional lady jockeys on the back of Arabian horses.

Meanwhile, six Purebred Arabian horses have been declared to reveal their skills on the frozen lake of St. Moritz in the mouthwatering prize-money of Euro 35,000 event. The race will be run over a mile on the snow-ice track with champion horses making the lineup at the historic venue.

Heading the weights is Alibaba Del Sol, a well-bred nine-year-old French horse by Kerbella ex A I’Aube del Sol owned by Landeoed Waterland (Holland) and trained by Miss Karin R van den Bos. Benben’Ba, a five-year-old Purebred Arabian by Barour de Cardonne ex Ameralla by Amer is another front runner for the title.

Other runners include Gazel, a five-time winner from 18 starts and Euro39,066 in prize-money, Phraseur Kossack, the highest earning performer who has won six of his 22 starts and earned Euro 55,795 during his career, while the French contender Vizir De Faust is still looking for his first win after six outings.

According to Mohammed Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Deputy Chairman of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, they are providing full support to the sports events which contribute in reviving the culture of the grandfathers and the heritage of the UAE.

“This is part of our national commitment and the relentless efforts to feature the events at the international levels in line with the strategy of the council pursuant to the directives of Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the board of trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Foundation,” he said.

“This is besides the preservation of the dynasty of the Purebred Arabians in the Arabian peninsula and promote it around the globe as well as encouraging the people of the UAE to breed and acquire UAE-Bred horses which have established a strong presence in the built up of the wide base of lovers and caretakers.

“I would like to thank Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, for his bright initiative to support the equine sports within the UAE and abroad,” he added.

Commenting on the returning to St. Moritz, Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Offices, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority said: “Ever since the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival was launched it has grown from strength to strength and this reappearance in St Moritz is another feather in the Festival’s cap of success.”

The trace will be streamlined live on the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel while the events which are associated with the race will be highlighted through a special show later. The race could be also watched online via the Web TV at www.sheikhmansoorfestival.com