What’s new coming in 2021?

WHAT’S NEW

COMING IN 2021?

AUTHOR: KRZYSZTOF ROMANIUK PHOTOS: SŁUŻEWIEC RACECOURSE

Fortunately, the difficult pandemic situation around the world has not had such a negative impact upon horse racing in Poland as it has in Germany, where in the 2020 season prizes were reduced by half. On the contrary, there are new sponsors coming in and the existing ones are continuing to expand their activities and fund additional prizes for the races.

Since 2018, Westminster Unternehmensgruppe has been the partner of the season at the Służewiec Racecourse, thanks to which Służewiec now hosts another very prestigious race, Westminster Freundschaftpreis, held at the turn of August and September. The considerable prize pool in the race (PLN 126,000) as well as the timing, about a month prior to the Great Warsaw Race, guarantee the participation of the top thoroughbreds. Westminster is also the sponsor of significant additional prizes (from PLN 20,000 to PLN 50,000) in four classic races: The Wiosenna (1000 Guineas), Ruler (2000 Guineas), Derby and Oaks. This brings the total pool of the race for the blue ribbon up to PLN 225,000!

As the Polish branch of the world-famous Al Khalediah Stables, a stud and stable owned by the Prince of Saudi Arabia and specialized in purebred Arabian horses, Polska AKF is also expanding its operations in Poland. It was the initiative of the representatives of this company that led to the introduction of the highly subsidized Al Khalediah Poland Cup race into the Służewiec Racecourse in 2014. This shortest (1,600 m) cat. A race for Arabian horses in Poland is held during the International Arabian Day in August. Additionally, Polska AKF took patronage over another prestigious race, currently held as the Białka Stakes - Al Khalediah Colts & Fillies Trophy, as well as a series of four races for 4-year-old and older group 3 Arabian horses, held as the Al Khalediah Racing Festival. Another initiative of great value for Arabian horse racing is the Tiwaiq Central European Arabian Derby, in which the entire prize pool of PLN 119,000 is sponsored by Polska AKF. Unlike the Arabian Derby, this international race is open to foreign-bred horses. It may attract Arabian

horses trained abroad and significantly add flavor to the competition at Służewiec.

Similarly to the 2020 season, Wathba Stallions, a famous stallion stud located in the United Arab Emirates, sponsors another €5,000 for four Group 1 named races for young Arabian horses. The stud is owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a huge fan and promoter of Arabian horse racing around the world.

The return of hurdle races to Służewiec is a significant highlight. For the last few years, Wrocław was the only venue to host such races. In the 2021 season 8 such races will return to Warsaw, including the 1st Cavalry Division of the Polish Army Stakes and the Great Służewiec Race.

The Young Riders Championship, addressed to young riders who have not yet won 25 races in their careers, is becoming more and more interesting. This year the championship will include as many as 16 races, half of which will be held at the Służewiec Racecourse and the other half at Partynice. It is going to be a long and fierce competition! The agenda also includes a series of races exclusively for lady riders, the Women Power Series. It was launched in 2020 and has enjoyed great appreciation among the racing community. The competition consists of five races for both Arabian and Thoroughbred horses held over various distances. The winner earns the title of Lady Rider of the Year and is presented with an award at the End of Season Gala.