Salaamah running into form

The German Racing Association of Arabian Horses (DRAV) are expecting a bumper crowd for the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival's Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup race at the Frankfurt racecourse today. The 1,600m race on turf, which is the fourth in the seven-race series, is the feature of a seven-card meeting and carries a prize fund of ?15,000 (Dh73,188).

"We are delighted to welcome the UAE's support for this race for the second year," Hubert Lorenz, of DRAV, said. "This year it is a Listed event and this has enhanced the status both of this race as well as our Arabian racing. We expect a large crown on Sunday and we hope to confirm and extend our partnership with the great initiative by Sheikh Mansour." Leading the nine-horse field in this Listed race is Salaamah, a three-year-old filly owned by Sheikh Mansour. Salaamah will be starting off as the favourite and will be ridden by Charles Nora.

Bred by Sheikh Mansour, the Damien de Watrigant-trained Salaamah won the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes in Newbury, England, last month and has so far won three of his four starts. Saher, to be ridden by Philippe Sogorb, is another Sheikh Mansour-owned horse and is trained by Robert Litt to complete a strong duo from the Al Wathba Stables in Abu Dhabi. Adding, from Poland, is unbeaten in two starts while Belgium will be represented by Kadesch DA. Four more runners from Poland are Al Rischa, Boogie Woogie, Jallah and Song Of Joy while Ofira El Samawi will be a strong contender in the Listed race.

Abdullah al Qubaisi, the Director of Communications for the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), the body behind the race, said: "We thank Sheikh Mansour for reviving the traditions of Arabian horse racing all over the globe. All this would not have been possible but for the vision and support of Sheikh Mansour. It is also a great honour for ADACH to be here in Frankfurt and stage a race when the Frankfurt racecourse is set to mark 150 years of racing.

"Most of the officials from the Frankfurt racecourse and German Arabian racing have said this year's race will be exciting. We are really happy to be here and see the German racing fans come out to support Arabian racing. " The feature race will be televised live on Abu Dhabi Sports. * Agency

Salaamah running into form

Sheikh Mansour's three-year-old filly, to be ridden by Nora, has won three of his four starts going into Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup race at the Frankfurt racecourse today.