The Word of AFAC
The 2024 PA French season will be synonymous with an increased number of races and prize money levels!
AFAC is very pleased to herald the New Year with some very good news for those involved in PA racing… as the dynamism of the French PA sector has been translated into increased prize money levels!
The beginning of the New Year has given rise to bumper entries and, the second race of the 2024 season for the breed, the Prix Magicienne at Pau on January 31st, was run in two separate divisions.
The PA racing season will comprise 93 races which is two more than last season. In fact, two races, both for PA 3-year-olds, will be fully funded by France Galop, and we would like to warmly thank the ruling body for their support.
On the other hand, all 3-year-old ‘Premium’ races have had their purses boosted to €20,000 – (up from €18,000); Gr3 PA races will be worth a total of €25,000 (up from €20,000); Listed PA races will carry total prize money of €22,500 (up from €20,000); whereas the three French Arabian Breeders Challenges races, which each carry Gr2 PA status (Poulains, Pouliches and Sprint), have each been boosted to €50,000 (up from €45,000).
Details of the provisional Racing Calendar (until 31/06/2024) can be viewed on our website: www.afac-france.com.
The positive developments regarding our Racing Calendar and our prize money levels can above all be attributed to the loyalty and engagement of our sponsors and partners!
We are delighted to announce that the Sheikh Mansoor Festival will be significantly increasing its level of sponsorship in 2024.
Al Nujaifi Racing, a new sponsor in 2023, has also decided to consolidate its support for the French PA sector!
Negotiations are still ongoing with potential new sponsors, and we will update you in the event that they are brought to fruition.
Regarding 2024, the Sheikh Mansoor Festival supports the harmonisation of prize money levels for its sponsored races and, in conjunction with AFAC, and following the consent of France Galop, it has embarked on the instigation of a race meeting which is primarily dedicated to the PA breed. La-Teste-de-Buch is the designated venue of what should prove exceptional day’s racing, with the meeting scheduled for Monday 10th July, when four PA Group races will form part of the card:
This will be the first major raceday in France dedicated to the PA breed, so don’t forget to join us on the big day!
Dr Al Nujaifi has chosen to increase his sponsorship commitments in 2024 by ‘supporting’ the Prix Nevadour – Al Nujaifi Racing (Gr3 PA). For a breeder, what could be more gratifying than helping to promote a fillies’ race?
This new sponsorship is additional to his continued support for the Prix Damas – Al Nujaifi Racing (Gr3 PA), which he sponsored for the first time in 2023.
The annual Syndicat des éleveurs de chevaux de sang du Sud-Ouest (ECSSO) Gala Dinner took place on Saturday 3rdFebruary, when the achievements of the best PA horses of the 2023 season were recognised.
Norma Al Maury (Renée-Laure Koch, bred at the Haras du Maury) has been announced as the winner of the 3-year-old PA division, whereas the outstanding Al Ghadeer (Dr Al Nujaifi, bred at the Haras de Mandore on behalf of for Al Nujaifi racing) has lorded the 4-year-olds plus’ category.
Lastly, the beginning of the new year is synonymous with the release of our annual publications. AFAC members will have the pleasure of either having mailed to them directly or hand-delivered to them in person on racedays:
The new edition of The Arabian Yearbook underscores the highlights of last season, and is also a compilation of all the results relative to 2023.
The essential AFAC Stallion Book, a must have tool for breeders, complete with pedigrees of a determined number of stallions in 2023 (source IFCE), together with relevant contact details, is also a compilation of new stallions in 2024 whose semen samples are available in France (a list which is far from exhaustive).
Non AFAC members interested in viewing these publications (digital form) can do so free of charge by accessing our website: www.afac-france.com, and are also invited to contact us on 05.56.54.18.13/07.86.28.89.33, or by email contact@afac-france.com, should they wish to avail themselves to a hard copy.
On behalf of the whole AFAC, we wish you all the best for what could prove an eventful 2024!