First presidential prize races at Moscow racecourse

Pure-blood saddle horse races for the prize of the Russian president are held at the Central Racecourse on for the first time Saturday.

RIA Novosti was told at the Russian Agricultural Ministry, which has organized the event, that the best twelve horses from regions in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States participate in the heat. Initially, applications came for 26 horses but the expert commission selected the best twelve on June 28.

"Hopefully, the races will boost the development of stud farming in our country", Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev told journalists after the draw of lots.

The heads of administrations from all the 89 federation entities with their wives have been invited. The invitations contained requirements to clothes' fashions. For instance, ladies are to wear a definite style of hats.

The memorial gift for the winner is a small sculpture of a jockeyed saddle horse at the walk. It is a replica of the statue by Russian sculpture Yevgeni Lansere (1875-1946). The copy of silver-plated bronze and onyx is made by his grandchild sculptor bearing the same name.