Educative discussions on day one of WAHRC

Tips galore for jockeys on weight control

Rome, Italy - It was an important and highly educative day in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s first of the three-day World Arabian Horse Racing Conference (WAHRC) in Rome, Italy, on May 26, 2016.

While Thursday’s opening session on Breeding of Purebred Arabians zeroed in on ‘compatibility’ as the key word in finding a match between mares and stallions;  the afternoon trainers and owners agreed that there was no single framework to success in racing and training. Later in the evening, the third session was on the crucial subject of Weight Loss Control for jockeys and the Festival –sponsored research by the Liverpool John Moores University unveiled an industry-specific nutritional education package for jockeys.

Popular racing commentator Derek Thompson handled the session on Breeding with the panelists comprising Stefano Daneri (Italy/UAE), Catherine Dunnett (UK), Dr. Andrew Daglish (Scotland/UAE), Ilka Gansera-Leveque (UK), Kathy Smoke (US), Analisa Landuci (Italy), Csaba Pribenszky (Hungary) and Ezzeldine Sedrati (Morocco).

Dr. Daglish stressed on the need for a good mare in Arabian breeding while Dr. Daneri said it was important to study what the stallion has produced before choosing one and see if those qualities work for the particular mare.

Ilka Gansera-Leveque said it was all about compatibility when choosing stallions for mares while Kathy Smoke said a lot of homework has to be done and one has to look for those that were genetically strong.

Landuci said one had to be patient enough as foals take a long time before becoming a winner while Dunnet stressed on the nutritional factor which was not a staple one as Arabian horses have different metabolism rates.

Moroccan Sedrati urged for an International Stud Book to make Arabian breeding universal and highlighted the benefits of Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfers.

Hungary’s Csaba Pribenszky unveiled his study on Gene Preservation and said it was a remarkable tool for breeding. “Sperm Cryopreservation procedures are well established since decades and can be used in Arabian breeding. PTAT – Pressure Triggered Activation of Tolerance technology ensures better preservation of the genetic material, improves semen quality, increases spermatozoa survival and supports cell function. PTAT treatment is an ‘add-on’ technology, inserted into the standard procedure of stallion sperm processing and freezing and this is a positive aspect to breeding of Arabian horses,” he said.

Val Bunting of WAHO clarified to the delegates that cloned horses and all foals by IVF will not be recognized for registration.

Racing and Training

Moderating the afternoon session on Racing and Training was the UAE’s Faysal Alrahmani and the participating members on the panel were Mussabah Al Muhairi (UAE), Pat Buckley ( Ireland/ UAE), Mathew Cain (Australia), Thomas Fourcy (FR), Marco Oppo (Italy), Mark Powell (US) and Mohammed Al Hashmi.

Almost all members agreed that each trainer adopted his own method of training and also workouts leading up to a big race though most felt four years was an ideal age for Purebred Arabians to start racing. Mark Powell said horses do get affected by travel and added that he kept the same training pattern while Pat Buckley said it was only through experience that one can pick up signs of a potential winner. “That is why connections pay huge amounts at Yearling auctions for they do see something in these untested young horses,” Buckley, the 1963 Grand National winner said.

Weight Loss Control

Jockeys Linda Meech and Xavier Ziani spoke of the challenges a jockey faced in keeping his weight in the evening session which was moderated by popular racing commentator Gary Capwell. Germany’s Kai Schirmann threw light on his role with helping the Apprentice and Lady jockeys who take part in the Festival’s races while the experienced Christopher Watson of Australia spoke of the strict monitoring of the weight loss methods by Aussie jockeys.

Dr Jamal Houth said one had to have knowledge of his or her metabolism which decides weight loss or gain. “Determine the food that is allergic to you and avoid them,” he said.

But it was the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival-supported research by the Liverpool John Moores University that was explained in detail by Dr Georges Wilson, Dr. Philip Pritchard and Dan Martin that had the delegates in rapt attention.

“Food restriction, laxatives, sweat suits, saunas, diuretics, vomiting and flipping are some of the current strategies that jockey adopt to shed weight and this has an effect on the physiological, psychological and hormonal/immuno health of the jockey,” Martin said with the help of a power point presentation.

The anticipated benefits of the research are Enhanced nutritional knowledge and awareness; less reliance on information being passed down from senior/retired jockeys; Jockeys will be able to maintain and make weight safely; less reliance on current weight-making practices and improved physical, physiological, and mental health according to Dr Wilson who has led the research for over two years now.

The study also highlighted the eight principles of Racing Nutrition - Plan regular meals; Be Carb-Smart; Think Protein; Daily Calcium + Vit D; Stay hydrated; Eat to recover; Avoid back-loading and Don’t forget fruits and vegetables.

Lancers of Montebello thrill WAHRC delegates

All the delegates and the envoys attending the Conference later in the night were hosted by the Lancers of Montebello. A Carousel dinner out was laid at the military base where The Battle of Montebello was fought on May 20, 1859 .The dinner show had a series of side shows starting with a horse show by the Cavalrymen, traditional dance and music and then the guests led by UAE Ambassador to Italy HE Saqr Naser Al Raisi and Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival firing the cannons.

On Saturday the final day of the WAHRC 2016, a session on the ‘Future of Arabian Racing’ will be followed up with a WAHRC Conference Workshop while on Sunday the Festival three flagship races will be held at the Capanelle race course.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The  National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare  and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani  General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photos: Cidinha Franzão and Nilza Felice