November 11, 2012, Abu Dhabi ~ The 2012 HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Global Arabian Festival race series held the Championships and Grand Finale at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Sunday night to a packed house on the first meet of the 2012-2013 race season.
A six race card included the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) which brought home the trophy to a delighted Delphine Dubois, who started from gate seven on the Eric Lemartinel trained, AF Sanadek (Burning Sand x Fauvette Al Maury). “I knew I had a good chance and was riding a good horse,” said Dubois after the win.
The amateur rider from France finished a length in front of Veronika Aske from Norway riding Swyft. Third in was top UK rider, Emily Jones, on Al Mouttakel. Ernst Oertel trained both Swyft and Al Mouttakel in the 1600m race. US rider, Jacqueline Davis, arrived fourth on the Eric Lemartinel trained, Ibn Battuta Monlau.
Emirati Ahmad Ajtebi brought in Areem (Mahabb x Canelle De Carrere) for the win in the prestigious 1600m Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup. He was followed by Al Ashram into second, with (US bred) Quite A Show finishing third.
In the first-ever HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak EARS Apprentice Jockey Cup, Richly Blessed (TH Richie x Zeralda Josniere) galloped home first under the hands of Omani rider, Mu’nis Al Siyabi. Keagan de Melo rode AF Qamoos into second, and MA’Eror W’Rsan was third under the hands of Max Friberg.
The crowd was delighted to see HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the stands to welcome the first Championship races in his namesake racing festival.
Full Results: 
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