Following are excerpts from the interview:

Gulf News: Where does Germany stand as far as Purebred Arabian racing is concerned?

Hubert Lorenz: It has been a sort of rollercoaster ride. In 1998 and 1999 we staged 41 Purebred Arabian races but those numbers have come down drastically. In 2006 we staged just 15 races but last year that number has risen to 26 and hopefully we will continue to stage more races.

What according to you is the main factor that is hampering the growth of Arabian racing here in Germany?

Primarily it is the prize money. But now with the UAE and Qatar stepping in to support our Arabian races there seems to be a renewed interest. In 1998 the average prize money per race was around 3,500 Euros. Now the average is over 9,000 Euros. This is some incentive to those who are small and private owners of Arabian horses.

What is the general reaction from the public and fans to Arabian racing?

With the Jockey Club that is involved in thoroughbred racing helping the Arabian racing scenario has improved since the humble start in 1977.

Major Arabian races are held during the weekend of the German Derby and Arabian races are held on important race meetings in major racing venues like Hamburg, Cologne, Baden-Baden and Frankfurt. During the German Derby nearly 50,000 fans attend and watch the Arabian races on the same card.

This year the second running of the Shaikh Mansour Festival is being held in Frankfurt. How has this series been received?

The biggest positive this year is that the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan race is a Listed event this year, the first to be held here in Frankfurt. This is a big boost and we are equally happy that some quality runners based in France and Poland are running here. Frankfurt is an international economic hub and we hope this race will grow in stature over the years.

Will all this support translate into some progress for Arabian racing here in Germany?

No doubt it will but we may need more time. Lots of changes will have to happen. Our breeding industry must develop. Right now we are dependent on semen from France, UK, UAE.

The speed factor must come in and then we can start producing some faster and competitive horses. The basic interest is there in abundance.

With such support from Gulf countries we are sure that one day German Arabian horses will compete against the best in the world.