Malaysian king turns up for French village horse race

AsiaOne News
Sat, Jun 20, 2009, AFP

CORLAY, FRANCE - Malaysia's king Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin surprised villagers in western France Saturday when he turned up to take part in a local horse race.

The king, who has bought several mounts from a breeder near Corlay, a village of 1,000 inhabitants in northern Brittany, rode in a 132 km endurance event.

'We were told a fortnight ago that the king was going to take part,' event organising secretary Jean-Pierre Allegret said, adding that the village had been turned upside down by the arrival of the monarch and some 60 retainers and security men.

Corlay is well-known among horse-lovers for its racecourse and endurance events.