Breeders' Cup Forms Partnership With EEF
The Breeders’ Cup today announced that it has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) towards the formation of a long-term business partnership between the two organizations. This new relationship will begin with a purebred Arabian race to be contested at this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park.
The Breeders’ Cup is Thoroughbred racing’s international year-end championship, consisting of 14 races and purses and awards totaling $27 million to be held on Friday, November 1 and Saturday November 2.
The President of the UAE Cup, for purebred Arabian horses, will be held on the Friday, November 1 program.
“The opportunity to bring together the international prominence and demonstrated leadership of the Emirates Equestrian Federation with one of the most prestigious racing events in the world creates an unprecedented level of global cooperation,” said Bill Farish, Chairman of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “We greatly appreciate the support of the Emirates Equestrian Federation in partnering with us and look forward to reaching a long-term agreement surrounding the World Championships.”
All modern Thoroughbreds trace back to three stallions imported into England from the Middle East in the late 17th and early 18th Centuries: the Byerley Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Arabian. The Thoroughbred was largely developed during this period when native English mares were bred with the imported Arabians.
Taleb Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the EEF commented: "We are delighted to be involved with the Breeders' Cup and expect the President of the United Arab Emirates Cup to be an exciting race attracting many of the top pure bred Arabian horses worldwide."
The Emirates Equestrian Federation was established in 1992 under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council. His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan presides over the Board of Directors of the Federation who supervise the organization of equestrian activities in the United Arab Emirates.