Arabian Races Festival

Arabian Races Festival is an important factor in the increased diversity of the activities of pure-bred Arabian racing horses. It was launched for the first time in 2009, as directed by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. He is also the Chairman for the Emirates Arabian Horse Association.

The Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, in co-operation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Wathba Stud Farm in Normandy, France. The Farm is owned by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Festival is supported by a number of private and public local bodies. The first session of the Festival was organised in Europe, and has since evolved to the point where it now includes both local and international races.

Objectives: The Festival aims to:
*Continue the considerable efforts made by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the context of the preservation of heritage and traditions. It specifically aims to preserve heritage sports, especially equestrian sport.
*Introducing to the peoples of the world, and those interested in the importance of Arabian horses, the rich depths of UAE heritage.
*Preserve the most important pure-bred Arabian horses in the Arabian Peninsula.
*Promote Arabian horses throughout the world.
*Encourage UAE citizens to breed and buy pure-bred Arabian horses, specifically the "UAE breed" which has a large fan-base after enjoying impressive victories against imported horses.