News From GREAT BRITAIN

Arabian Racing Organisation Ltd.

A fantastic crowd gathered at Newbury racecourse yesterday to watch the Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), the flagship meeting of the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) season in the UK

Numbers reached 9,100, a huge increase on recent years.

DIAR and ARO patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, had one of his most successful meetings in many years, winning with Jamaayil and Foaad, in the first two races and then two Group 1 PA successes with Radames in the Jebel Ali Racecourse Za'abeel International and Muraaqib in the Shadwell Dubai International. He also had six runners placed as well.

Muraaqib was most impressive in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA), winning unchallenged, by two and a half lengths under regular pilot Francois Xavier Bertras, for trainer Francois Rohaut. Speaking after the race Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster was delighted with his team's performance on His Highness's special day. "Providing that Muraaqib comes out of the race well, Sheikh Hamdan has indicated he could go to the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA) to be run this year at Chantilly, if the ground was not heavy, however the next target will be Deauville in August."

There was also a big increase in international runners at the meeting, as at 28, they were more than double last years’ figures.  As well as wins for Foaad and Muraaqib, who are trained in France, Italy gained its first DIAR success with Urge Di Gallura. The Endo Botti trained colt extended his unbeaten sequence to five, winning from the front in the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Gr2PA).

The final two races were both won by British homebreds in Kamikaze for Adam Newey and the Almost All Partnership and Zayin Zachilles for Zayin Arabian Stud and trainer Peter Hammersley. This brought further success to HH Sheikh Hamdan, as both were sired by the Shadwell Arabian Stallion, Kaolino.

ARO Racing Manager, Amanda Smith commented. “Dubai International Arabian Races is the flagship event of the whole ARO racing calendar. It is a day at which everyone in Arabian racing wants to be present, and a day at which everybody, from the grass-roots upwards, wants to have a winner.”

She continued. “Thanks to the generous patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the new initiatives put forward by the DIAR Committee, we had 80 runners, of which 28 were from overseas, making it a truly international contest. His Highness’s passion for the Arabian racehorse and support for Arabian racing worldwide was rewarded with four winners, three of which he bred himself.

“Whilst they may not have a had a record fourth win with Al Mouhannad in the Za’abeel (Gr1PA), the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Sylvine Al Maury could not have been more impressive winning the Hatta (Gr1PA). She is their new star filly and we hope she will return to defend her title next year.”

ARO Director and Vice Chairman of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Genny Haynes said. “The support from the local communities, as well as from the global Arabian racing followers, has exceeded all expectations, with a huge rise in attendance. We are delighted for His Highness’s personal success and for Italy who have secured their first overseas Pattern win. Italy has only recently been accepted into IFAHR so this will be an incredible boost to Arabian racing in that country.

She concluded. “That the final two handicaps were won by British bred horses, produced by small independent owner-breeders who have supported UK Arabian racing for many years. This is very rewarding for ARO and underlines the importance of the Breeder’s Scheme which we sponsor.

“In addition, the increase in British bred, and trained, runners in the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Gr2PA), exclusively for three-year-olds and also the largest field on the card, demonstrates that the sport in the UK is far healthier than people recognise. These are the runners for future DIAR events, which I hope will continue to be as successful as the programme has been this year.”

- ARO , Posted on 25 July 2016