New openings for British trainers

Trainers in Britain can now train Arabian horses alongside their thoroughbred strings, writes Debbie Burt. With good prize-money on offer and opportunities on some of the biggest international race days, it is a bit of a no-brainer

THE QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL hosts UK Arabian racing’s most valuable race, the Qatar International Stakes, a Group 1PA contest with a prize fund of £400,000.

An eye-catching sum in any year, but even more so now, following the pressures of COVID on racing’s purse strings.

When the card is published it often draws a “Where can I get me an Arabian?” response on social media, often from licensed UK thoroughbred trainers. But that was all to no avail, as until this year, British trainers were not allowed to include Arabians in their string.

However, on January 1, 2021 that rule was changed in a landmark decision by the British Horseracing Authority, bringing the UK into line with the rest of the world in which leading thoroughbred trainers, such as Doug Watson and Francois Rohaut, have long counted Arabians as part of their teams.

As yet, there have been no takers, however COVID delayed the publication of the Arabian Racing Organisation’s fixture list, which was then further hindered by the sad loss of their patron, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. This resulted in the suspension of all of Shadwell’s racing sponsorship worldwide, including the Dubai International Arabian Races – Arabian racing’s flagship meeting at Newbury.

Accessibility to horses is another factor. In Europe the premier sale for Arabian racehorses is in the autumn on “Arc weekend” run by Arqana in partnership with the Association Francais du Cheval Arabe de Course (AFAC).

Whilst thoroughbred connections see the weekend as a two-day event, for Arabian racing it is a glorious four-day affair starting at Saint-Cloud with the sale on Thursday. The next day the same track hosts two Group1PA races, one for three-year-old colts, the other for fillies.

On Saturday the Arabians join the crowds at ParisLongchamp for another top-level contest, this one for four-year-old fillies, their version of the Prix de Diane. The weekend culminates in the €1 millon Qatar Arabian World Cup.

Like all auctions, the sale has seen some spectacular prices most notably the €1,050,000 paid for the multiple Group 1PA winner and stallion prospect Dahess in 2007.

But, now after the initial flush of deep-pocketed Gulf buyers out to improve their own stock have gone, competition is not so fierce.

The average price at the mixed sale over the last four years has been a more reasonable €27,000, with the sale toppers ranging from €125,000 to €240,000.

Arabians start a year later than thoroughbreds, so top prices usually go to unbroken two-year-olds, though horses-intraining and black-type broodmares with a good cover often feature at the higher end. For those wanting an immediate experience of top-level racing, the sale frequently features several wild cards in the horses-in-training segment, who will have engagements that weekend in Paris.

Whilst there is a trend for unraced horses to be sold off the studs in the summer, or after a couple of wins as three-year-olds, quality animals can still be found at the sale.

IN 2019 Hoggar De L’ardus went through the ring unsold at €14,000. He is an attractive, athletic individual, but was by a first-season sire with a not particularly strong damline.

His breeder Philippe Meunier, who had great faith in the horse, decided to retain him and he was sent to leading French trainer Thomas Fourcy. Unbeaten on his debut starts at three and four, he was subsequently sold to Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and went on to win this year’s French Arabian Derby at Chantilly in the colours of his daughter, Sheikha Reem.

This year’s sale takes place on Thursday, September 30 about which AFAC chairwoman, Axelle Nègre de Watrigant, commented: “Highly appreciated by professionals, our sale brings together more than a 100 purebred Arabians rigorously selected around two disciplines: horseracing and endurance. Through it, we are proud to represent the professionalism, enthusiasm and dynamism of the Purebred Arabian industry in France.”

Arabian racing has its own Pattern system with an international handicapping committee to support it, so trainers looking to give their owners an exciting experience abroad can expand their horizons beyond what is available to thoroughbreds.

Arabian Pattern races regularly feature on high-profile cards and at racing Festivals – the Arc’s Qatar Arabian World Cup and the Dubai Kahayla Classic held on the Dubai World Cup night are the most established, but it is an aspect that is developing fast.

Max Pimlott of the International Racing Bureau (IRT) travels to Qatar every February for the HH The Amir Sword Festival, where he looks after both Arabians and thoroughbreds for European trainers.

“I love going to Qatar,” he enthuses. “It’s a great trip and you’re always made to feel really welcome. The Festival has really grown over the last few years, the quality of horses running has gone up, the quality of horse welfare has improved, the quarantine barns are good, it’s a great operation out there.”

Arabians have two international Group 1PA races, the meeting’s namesake run over 1m4f, and the Qatar International Cup over a mile. Both races qualify for the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s generous travel allowances for horses and connections, and are also free to enter.

The Saudi Cup is the latest international fixture to gain headlines and though it only has one Arabian race, the Obaiya Classic, it’s the world’s most valuable at $2 million.

Closer to home, though the Arc meeting is a standout, there are many races in Europe which UK trainers can take Arabians too.

The popular summer race programmes at Deauville and La Teste de Buch both have Pattern races for Arabians, arrangements for which Pimlott is happy to assist.

“I complete thoroughbred entries for France nearly every day of the week, to include Arabians as well is no trouble at all,” he explains. “We can’t encourage enough people to go to France to race. It’s so easy to get there, especially from Newmarket.”

Also on Pimlott’s radar is the developing racing nation of Sweden of which he says: “I think there’s an angle there for Arabians, as the racing there isn’t the strongest yet.

“Several UK Arabian trainers have already won there, as have some UK-bred horses. I’ve got a lot of time for Sweden, they’ve limited resources, but they’re more than willing to encourage overseas participants, whether it’s by travel allowances or the prize-money, which is always very good.

Trainer Olivier Trigodet’s (second left) mixed string of thoroughbreds and Arabians at the training centre at La Teste de Buch, France

“September’s Stockholm Cup meeting has a Listed Arabian race and, depending on numbers, we’ll be sending a box or two from Newmarket; Arabians will be welcome to come aboard!”

Additional costs for UK trainers who are considering getting involved in Arabian racing are minimal. Though they will require an ARO client account holding at least £500, but there is no need for a separate licence.

Horses must be registered with the ARO (£75) and a monthly horses in training form submitted. Entry fees start at £30 and the prize-money is distributed using Weatherbys criteria.

For next season minimum race values are expected to be £3,000, though ARO’s goal is for £5,000 per race. The Pattern races are of course much higher – the UK Arabian Derby, currently sponsored by the UAE President Cup series and held at Doncaster on St Leger day, is worth £80,000.

There are already owners racing both breeds in the UK – Shadwell Estates being the obvious example, but smaller scale owners have also been enjoying both worlds for a number of years.

Nicola Thorne’s World Of Windhover won at Kempton at the end of June for Chris Dwyer, just two days after Falcon Du Roc’h had given her a first success as breeder when winning an Arabian race at Windsor.

His sire Tidarbret won a Listed PA race at The Curragh in Thorne’s silks back in 2012, ridden by Johnny Murtagh.

Though trainers will require an Authority to Act (£30) for owners already registered with Weatherbys there are no further registration fees. They will only pay for colours if they are using a different set for their Arabians.

Partnerships and syndicates are welcome, too, and have already had good results – leading UK Arabian trainer James Owen is looking to take his own Racing Club’s horses to the Emirates this winter.

His club’s success has encouraged Ireland’s Blackrock Racing Syndicate to test the water.

One of the syndicates founding member’s Robert Riley Dargan said: “We have been very fortunate to have some great horses running for our syndicate in the UK and in Ireland. Following the BHA’s announcement in January, we began exploring this opportunity to add another dimension to our racing. We are currently in discussions to lease our first Arabian racehorse in the UK, with a view to going to the Arqana sale in October and becoming more involved with the sport.”

Looking ahead ARO’s director Genny Haynes commented: “It is encouraging that we’ve already had enquiries from several thoroughbred trainers as how to get involved and what the costs or differences would be for them and their owners, particularly those who already own Arabian racehorses in other countries.

“The BHA Rules for Arabian racing are almost identical to those for thoroughbreds and the majority of our races are on thoroughbred cards.

“Now that the challenges of COVID are diminishing, we are working on the race plan, aiming to increase the races for 2022 to pre-pandemic levels, in addition to other incentives for British Arabian breeders.” For those attracted by the overseas possibilities Pimlott is positive about the future of international racing saying: “It’s definitely still healthy, especially in the Middle East and the smaller European countries. They’re so welcoming, they want us there and all they want to do is improve what they’re already doing – we should be taking a few tips off them!”