(Edited Keeneland Association Inc. report)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Tuesday approved a proposal for a race this October at Keeneland Racetrack with Arabian horses sponsored by the Emirates Equestrian Federation.

The proposal, offered by Keeneland Association officials, is designed to attract further international attention to Kentucky and the horse industry during the World Equestrian Games (WEG). WEG is expected to draw competitors this fall from some 60 countries.

In addition, Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson said the race, which will be sponsored for $50,000 by Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Equestrian Foundation, has the potential to further expose the world to racing at all levels.

“This is truly a win-win for everyone involved,” Nicholson said. “At a time when much of the world is focusing its eyes on Central Kentucky, this event will further expose people to thoroughbred racing and the wonderful culture and history surrounding Arabian horses.”

Details of the proposal approved this afternoon by the Commission’s board include:

· Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Equestrian Federation will sponsor a $50,000 Grade 1 Arabian horse race on Oct. 9, 2010 at Keeneland. The date is the second day of Keeneland’s fall race meet.

· The race will be the second on the card that day, already a day highlighted by a number of Breeders’ Cup prep races. The Breeders’ Cup this year is at Louisville’s Churchill Downs in November.

· The Arabian horses will be supplied domestically as several states along the East Coast serve as host for such races. The Keeneland race will be for horses four-years-old and up on the racetrack’s main Polytrack surface over a distance of 1¼ miles.

· The Saturday race date will coincide with closing ceremonies for WEG.

· Keeneland officials also are negotiating a sponsorship of The First Lady Stakes (G1) by Abu Dhabi, a member of the United Arab Emirates. The sponsorship of the $400,000 Grade 1 race also would be run on Oct. 9.The races would coincide with the closing weekend of WEG.

Keeneland Director of Racing Rogers Beasley said the partnership with Abu Dhabi reflects the “global nature of the thoroughbred business. We are excited about the potential of a partnership between Keeneland and a region of the world that already has such a deep history with, and appreciation of, the horse. This partnership is in keeping with our mission at Keeneland of expanding the reach of racing around the world. We’re excited about the potential going forward.”