Muscat, October 6 (ONA) - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq pays high attention to various horse sports through continuous support for horse races organized by the Royal Horse Racing Club and the external participation of the Royal Cavalry in various competitions.
Abdul Razzaq bin Abdul Qadir Al Shahrizi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, affirmed that horse racing receives special support from His Majesty the Sultan to preserve this ancient Arab historical sport, which constitutes a source of income for a large segment of the Sultanate’s people and attracts young people to practice it and enhance the culture of horse racing they have at the local and international levels by following and attending various races.
Regarding the level reached by horse races in the Sultanate on the global map, Al-Shahrouzi confirmed in an interview to the Oman News Agency that the Sultanate has reached advanced stages in terms of competition and classification of horses that participate in local races and the timing of the runs. He also stated that the participation of these horses in outdoor races often achieve advanced positions and are a difficult number at home and abroad.
He added, “The position the Sultanate has attained in horse races, internally and externally, is due to the continuous support of the wise leadership of His Majesty the Sultan and translated by horse owners through enhancing their culture to acquire the best purebred Arabian horse breeds and matching blood to a local production that competes at all levels and exceptional prizes are allocated to encourage them as they bear the name of the Sultanate.”
With regard to the Sultanate’s tracks and their conformity with international standards, the Royal Cavalry Commander confirmed that the track has been rehabilitated by companies specialized in this field and that the organization of horse racing in the Sultanate is receiving continuous praise, as the races are organized by an Omani crew at a rate of nearly 100%, which gives an additional advantage to the quality of racing management in the Sultanate.
Al-Shahrouzi touched on the results and advanced positions achieved by the Sultanate, represented by the Royal Cavalry at the world level in horse races in various countries of the world, in which the highest-ranked horses participate in it, as well as the Arabian horse beauty competitions and endurance competitions, during which the Sultanate qualified with four horsemen to participate in the World Cup of Endurance in Italy next year. The horsemen are Mahmoud Al-Fari on his horse Delilah, Adel bin Saeed Al Balushi on his horse Tuscan, Ahmed Al-Hamdani on his horse Feyenoord and Hussein Al-Fraise on his horse Rafal de Carrer.
Abdul Razzaq bin Abdul Qadir al-Shahrouzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, referred to the Royal Cavalry horses designated for speed races that are currently being prepared to participate in local races in the framework of preparing a part of them to participate in classic races such as the Classic Kahila race in Dubai, the Saif Al-Amir race in Qatar and the Arc de Triomphe in France and a number of races that are organized in British tracks, explaining at the same time that the participants depend on the readiness of the horses and not being subjected to any injury that affects their performance in the race.
Regarding the Arabian horse beauty competitions organized by the Royal Cavalry, Al-Shahrouzi indicated that the Royal Cavalry organizes annually one championship for Arabian horses in which the various governmental cavalry units and private stables participate and have valuable prizes and that the increase in the number of these competitions depends entirely on the number of beauty horses registered with the Royal Cavalry when they are acquired by horse owners and prepared for their competitions.
Speaking about the level of Omani riders in horse races, Al-Shahrouzi said, “The equestrians of the Sultanate have reached a remarkable level of professionalism through their continuous participation inside and outside the Sultanate, as they are requested within a few hours of a race from one country to another country. “In addition, the results they achieve in these participations are considered ideal and great in light of the continuous pressure from the participants during one week in the season of horse racing in the Arab Gulf countries”, he added.
Regarding his own vision and expectation of the level of competition in the next season of horse races, which will start in late October, he explained that the next season would be characterized by strong competition in most of its races due to the number of horses that have been acquired in the last period from abroad and their advanced classification in addition to the domestic production horses that have reached the age of three, which is the age allowed to participate in horse races and bear the best blood of racing horses.”
Abdul Razzaq bin Abdul Qadir Al Shahrouzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, concluded his speech to the Oman News Agency, saying, “The Royal Horse Racing Club and the Royal Cavalry of the Royal Court Affairs are constantly aware of the views and suggestions of horse owners, trainers and riders through meetings before the start of the season to determine the requirements for the success of the races and to facilitate their participation and to develop everything that would contribute to the advancement of horse racing and to enhance the racing culture of all participants.”
It is noteworthy that the Royal Horse Racing Club has opened the door for horse registration to participate in the horse races for the 2020/2021 season, which is proposed to be launched on October 17th, without spectators, with the need to adhere to the preventive and precautionary requirements and procedures that ensure safety for all, and to observe all the controls issued in this regard by the competent authorities in the Sultanate.
(ONA)