FROM OUR ABU DHABI BUREAUMay 06, 2012
ABU DHABI: Chaoui, ridden by German Nadine Gratz, won the fourth round of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR), at the Hippodrome De Casablanca-Anfa in Casablanca, Morocco, late Friday evening.Ould Marhoum under Linzi Dowdle finished second ahead of Soufia, ridden by Qatari jockey Khadija Al Bastaki. The race was part of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival which made its debut in Morocco and was held in collaboration with the Moroccan Royal Company for the Encouragement of the Horse — the Kingdom’s horse racing governing body. “Chaoui is a great mare,” said a delighted amateur jockey Gratz.
“Trainer Bencheikh Nabil told me to hold my mount not far away from the leading group in the early stages of the 2000-metre trip and Chadoui will do all the work in the home stretch,” she said.
The win also earned Gratz a chance to compete in the final round slated for November in Abu Dhabi. “It’s good to be in the final line-up scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi,” Gratz said. The International Day of Purebred Arabian Horse races were also held at the same venue.
Top French jockey Roberto Perez partnered Saudi mare Aawaj Al Khalidiah to win the Grand Prix De SAR Le Prince Moulay El Hassan Group-3 before he claimed a quick double to land the feature race of the afternoon, Grand Prix De SA Majestic Le Ropi Mohammed VI Group-3 with Shaghmoom Al Khalidiyah.
Both winners were trained by Mutlaq Bin Mashref on behalf of Al Khalidiah Stables.
The UAE ambassador to Morocco Alasri Saeed Al Dhahri said: “There’s no better way to enhance and develop the bilateral relationship than what sport could do.
“It was a beautiful family day out in this beautiful place and fascinating surroundings. It’s a brilliant move that would be a help to strengthen the ties between UAE and Morocco.”
The same opinion was echoed by Nora Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE General Women’s Union, who said: “I would like to thank Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, supreme chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and chairperson of the UAE General Women’s Union, for her generous support.”
Lara Sawaya, director of the Festival and head of women’s races at IFAHR, unveiled new surprises for the lady riders in the final round of the competition in Abu Dhabi.
“All the 108 lady jockeys who took part in the nine rounds of the championship will be invited to attend the final round in Abu Dhabi later in November.
“They stand a chance of winning a new Mercedes Benz in a draw, in addition to the already announced handsome cash award and a luxury car for the champion,” she added.
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