Sheikh Mansour's farm for horse breeding in France takes part in Abu Dhabi 2008

Miss Lara Sawaya, member the Organizing Committee of the Exhibition, said that the renowned Hollywood actor Antonio Banderras and his wife Mrs. Melanie Griffith; HE Hamid Al Nayadi, Head of the office of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed; Muslim Al Amri, Director of Al Wathba stables, and herself inaugurated last night the special wing of the farm and the stables at the Exhibition. They watched a documentary which featured minute details of the farm and its role in breeding and reproducing pedigree Arab horses.

Sawaya said that the international actor Antonio Banderas browsed through the special book on the achievements of Al Wathba stables in races at all international forums in which Al Wathba horses participated over the past four years.

Sawaya said that Banderas praised the role played by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed's farm in Normandy, France and the role of Al Wathba stables in supporting equestrian sport and taking it to a higher level. Banderas was also pleased with the success of Sheikh Mansour's horses at international races. The latest victory was by the horse 'Laheeb' who won Arabian Horses World Cup Championship, held last Sunday in Longchamp, France. Banderas signed a copy of Laheeb's photo.

Sawaya said Banderas hailed Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed's for his care and support for 'the sport of nobles', and for the comeliness and beauty of his farm's wing and stables at the Exhibition, which clearly reflect his remarkable design and taste in exhibiting, and underline the extent of the exceptional interest given to horses in equestrian sports in United Arab Emirates.