WAM London, 17th May 2012 (WAM) -- In the 5 star surroundings of The Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, International connections of Arabian Racing and media representatives gathered to witness the draw of Jockeys for the H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) to be run at Newbury Racecourse this Saturday (19th May).

Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nayhan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, commented "It is a pleasure to make history in the UK with the fist Arabian Race exclusively for lady riders. It is Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak's vision to support the achievements of women athletes around the world" Sultan Al Darmaki from the UAE Embassy in London added that this series is "a platform for women to encourage the next generation".

The race on Saturday continues a series which so far has seen exciting contests in Muscat, Oman; Melbourne, Australia; Sam Houston, Texas and Casablanca, Morocco. The UK leg of this prestigious International Championship is the most valuable of the whole series, as well as being the largest purse ever for a Purebred Arabian handicap race in the UK. Managing Director of Newbury Racecourse, Stephen Higgins remarked: "Newbury Racecourse is a huge supporter of Arabian Racing and we are delighted to be hosting the fifth leg of the Ladies World Championship". The race is scheduled for 4.15pm, immediately following the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes where the highest rated Thoroughbred in the World Frankel makes his seasonal debut.

The draw for both jockeys and stalls was made by Boutros Boutros from Emirates Airlines; Stephen Higgins, Managing Director of Newbury Racecourse; Sultan Al Damaki, Representative of the UAE Embassy in London; Abdulla Al Muhairi from Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority; Talal Al Hashemi from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Genny Haynes, Director of the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) and Aseela Al Hashemi from the General Women's Union.

The lady riders have been chosen from all around the world. Nine European countries are represented along with riders from the United States of America, The Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. These twelve jockeys will join nearly one hundred other lady riders from across the series at the final in Abu Dhabi in November. Lara Sawaya also held a surprise draw which was won by lovetheraces.com �Voices of the Races' reporter Eliza Cook and The Royal Cavalry of Oman's trainer Salim Al Hakmani, both of whom have been invited to attend the final.

ARO Director Genny Haynes thanked Lara Sawaya and Newbury Racecourse for the opportunity to hold the race in the UK and further announced the renewal of The Wathba Stud Farm Cup, also generously sponsored by the H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nayhan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival. Designed to support British Breeders of Arabian horses, this race will also be held at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday 5th August.

WAM/TF