Glitzy Dubai World Cup begins
Sheikh Mohammad celebrates after his horse African Story won the Dubai World Cup in 2014. File/ AFP
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, welcomed the guests of the Dubai World Cup, whose twenty-seventh edition begins on Saturday.
Sheikh Mohammed said in a welcoming speech to the official booklet of the tournament: "We are pleased to welcome our honourable guests participating in the twenty-seventh launch of the Dubai World Cup. This global event that embodies within it the noble values of equestrian and its knights who come from all countries of the world to compete for the precious titles in the evening.
"This edition coincides with the "Year of Sustainability" announced by my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, under the slogan "Today for Tomorrow", which embodies our country's approach, goals and vision in the field of sustainability and its responsibility in facing challenges.
"On this occasion, we remember my late brother, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul in peace,” the leader of empowerment, who left immortal imprints in the history of our dear country.
"We also do not miss this opportunity to extend our condolences to our brothers and friends in Syria and Turkey for the many lives that were lost as a result of the catastrophe that befell their countries during that devastating earthquake.
"The Dubai World Cup has embodied year after year and since its first inception in 1996, the principles of tolerance, love and peace through this noble sport, as the evening attracts every year the most prominent horses, owners, trainers and riders from all over the world, armed with values, morals and honest competition, and above all, determination and will to achieve excellence that has no end line.
"With the start of the activities of the 27th edition of the Cup, we look forward to seeing champions who conquer new glories, similar to the achievements of great stars and champions in the record of this tournament, starting with Al Dahra “Sigar”, the champion of the first edition at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, and passing through “Dubai Millennium” champion of the Millennium, And “Thunder Snow”, the champion of the historic double of the championship, and “Mystic Guide”, who gifted the Emirates the Silver Jubilee version, and ending with the champion of the last version, “Country Grammer”, who gifted the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia their second title and seeks today to become the second horse to achieve the double.
"In conclusion, I can only extend my thanks and appreciation to our dear guests, horse owners, trainers and riders who accepted the challenge and came to us from all over the world, wishing them all success and our visitors a pleasant stay and enjoying exciting activities throughout the field. Thanks to the Organizing Committee and all work teams, for their efforts during the last period to make this edition of the tournament a success. God grants success. Ramadan Kareem.”
