Arabian horse racing experts from all over the world are gathering in Italy today to discuss securing the future of the sport at the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference.

The conference, which is being held over three days, is part of the His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and will host senior figures from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.  GCC senior figures will also be joined by delegates from Europe, North America and Africa for the summit which is taking place at the world famous Rome Cavalieri hotel in Italy.  The conference, which is hosting more than 500 delegates, will then reach its conclusion with a race meeting, sponsored by Emirates, at the historic Capannelle Racecourse in Rome.

The conference is being viewed as one of the most important events in Arabian horse racing's history as those involved seek to make sure a new generation of owners, breeders and riders carry on the development of the sport. One morning of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference will be dedicated to discussing the role of women in the sport - an area that is seen as being vital for the future where both Muneera Al Marzooqi and Lara Sawaya, from the UAE, and HE LulwaAlawadhi from Bahrain will be giving their views during the dedicated

session.

Speaking at the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference 2016 in Rome, Italy Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Chairperson of the Int'l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) said: "We are delighted that more than 500 guest have join us in Rome, at the conference, this week to discuss the future of Arabian horse racing which includes a dedicated session on the vital role that females play in our sport."

"This year we have created the greatest gathering of Arabian horse enthusiasts in the world from leaders to owners, trainers to jockeys and for the first time, Italy will have the honour of hosting three cup races during the "Emirates Race Day" in Rome, including the HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies World Championship race."

The World Arabian Horse Racing Conference 2016 is the 7th edition since the inaugural conference in Abu Dhabi and past editions have taken place in Amsterdam, Berlin, Toulouse, London and Warsaw.Speaking about hosting the conference at The Rome Cavalieri, Managing Director, Alessandro Cabella said: "The World Arabian Horse Racing Conference is a very important event on the Arabian horse racing calendar and we are delighted to have been chosen host this year's event at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.Events like these can only further enhance our already established relationship with the Emirates and we would like to thank H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates H.E. Saqer Nasser Alraisi for having chosen the Rome Cavalieri as the home for the largest attendance of worldwide Arabian horse racing enthusiasts."