Dubai: The emphasis on developing a new generation of apprentice jockeys will remain one of the principal objectives of the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, according to its Executive Director Lara Sawaya.

Speaking at the 17th General Assembly meeting of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) in Paris, Sawaya, who was on Monday named IFAHR Chairman of Apprentice Jockeys and Racing, pointed out that by increasing participation and audience base it was possible to realise this goal.

“We owe all the success of the Festival to Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Wife of the late President Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for their wholehearted support.

“Being named Chairman of Apprentice Jockeys and Racing in IFAHR is a new challenge and we are ready to take it on,” added Sawaya, who also Chairman of IFAHR’s Ladies Racing Committee.

“According to Shaikh Mansour’s and Shaikha Fatima’s vision, the focus on Apprentice jockeys will help develop a new generation. Our focus will be on apprentice schools and lady jockeys, while the initial aim of promoting Arabian racing will still be the driving force.”

Meanwhile, the IFAHR meeting admitted two new members, Iran and Portugal, accepted and approved the rules of the Pattern Racing Committee and took a significant step forward towards the further development of Arabian racing with the establishment of the IFAHR International Agreement, which aims to harmonise rules and standards between the different racing jurisdictions.

Qatar’s Sami Jassim Al Boenain, IFAHR Chairman, said: “Thanks to the support of the Festival and IFAHR, Arabian Racing has made tremendous progress in recent years.

“Ms Sawaya has through her passion and genuine love for Arabian horses brought about huge improvement in Arabian racing, ladies’ racing and apprentice jockeys. We congratulate her on her additional responsibility and wish her the best of luck.”

Commenting on the IFAHR International Agreement, Al Boenain said: “It was decided in 2013 to create this agreement for all members and this has now been done.

“This agreement allows each member country to choose what articles they accept and, through this, all trainers, owners, sponsors etc will get a clear view on the situation in each country.”

The IFAHR International Agreement include articles on the definition of a Purebred Arabian horse; eligibility to race; embryo transfer; racing ages; export certificates; and registration of names.

Wieger Joost de Ruiter, IFAHR Treasurer, underlined the progress that has been achieved through the support of the Shaikh Mansour Festival and Qatar.

“Slovakia will be joining IFAHR soon. They already have a track and also have Arabian races. It will also open up doors to other Eastern European countries and IFAHR and Arabian racing is all set to grow further at a swift pace,” he said.

Ahmad Al Hammadi, IFAHR Board Member representing the UAE, congratulated Sawaya on her new position and said much of the recent success was a direct result of the efforts of the Festival.

Frenchman Yves Plantin, IFAHR Honorary Member who was one of the founders of the organisation, said: “The IFAHR International Agreement is a highly positive move forward. Each country will have its own rules, but as far as bloodlines are concerned the minimum requirement is to maintain the integrity of racing.”