The Arabian Racehorse Summer 2018

Summer Issue 2018

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

DIAR Preview Spring Review

DEBORAH BURT HonSEA

Sculptures in Bronze - Commissions Welcome Award Winning Fine Art Sculptor "Supporting Arabian Racing Since 2012" www.equinecreativemedia.com

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

3

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE Summer Issue - 2018 4

News Round up for the second quarter

24

ARO Season Review 2018 UK season from April to July

43

DIAR Prep Series Review UK, Italy, Sweden, France, Holland

58

DIAR in Focus Stud manager - Paolo Crespi

61

DIAR in Focus Handicapper - Stephen Molyneux

68

DIAR in Focus Amateur jockey - Antonia Peck

74

DIAR Group 1 PA Races Preview Leading contenders and trends

86

James Owen Racing Blog

88

DIAR UK Stable Tour Round-Up

Front cover: Riyam and Ellie Mackenzie DIAR winners in 2017 for the Royal Cavlary of Oman 99

Redhydration and Electrolytes

103

European Group PA Results

107

The Final Furlong Selcted image from the second quarter

Produced by equine creative media Flat 1 Hamilton Stables, Hockham Road, Compton, Berkshire, RG20 6QJ

equinecreativemedia@gmail.com 00 44 7782 349 047 www.equinecreativemedia.com

Excluding News reports, unless otherwise stated, all features, reports and photographs are

by Debbie Burt (copyright) All rights reserved. Print copies may be ordered.

Photographs may be viewed and purchased at www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

4

NEWS ROUNDUP NEW LOOK FOR THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE MAGAZINE IN 2018 First published in April 2015, The Arabian Racehorse has gone from strength to strength - the first 30 issues have been viewed over 270,000 times, with an average readership of over 9,000 per edition.

Every edition (right back to Number 1) is available to view via the issuu website or app, and is primarily read on a mobile phone (49%), though desktop (32%) and tablet (19%) viewing is also popular.

The Arabian Racehorse was originally produced to support Arabian racing in the United Kingdom, so it is no surprise in the table below to see the highest readership figures there (over 11,000), though of course the big international races are covered too.

However it should give encouragment to everyone involved in the sport that the map is dominated by red (the 'sun never sets on the Arabian Racehorse'!!) with readers as widespread as the Philippines, Costa Rica and Iceland, as well as the established horse racing nations and those with a tradition of Arabian racing in particular.

The magazine has its' own Facebook page whose following is steadily increasing. It is about to reach 3,000 followers - more than any other deciated Arabian Racing Facebook page.

To grow the publication further in 2018, the decision has been taken to go quarterly, in order to bring you the very best of Arabian racing from around the world.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

5

A dedicated website is live at:

Useful links:

http://thearabianracehorse.com

View all the back copies at:

There you will find links to the magazine's presence on social media platforms Twitter and Instagram, and you can also subscribe to the newsletters which are published monthly in order to keep you in touch with the latest news, with the full coverage kept back for the main magazine.

Hard copies of The Arabian Racehorse have always been available direct from the publisher (at cost plus postage) and will continue to do so, whilst backcopies will still be available to view on the issuu website.

This is the second of the new-look editions reviewing the new UK season and previewing the Dubai International Arabian Races Preview, followed by the UK Review and Arc Preview in the Autumn and the European Review and Gulf Preview in the Winter.

www. issuu.com/thearabianracehorse View the 2017 DIAR preview edition: www.issuu.com/thearabianracehorse/docs/the_arabian_racehorse_issue_26_

To order a printed copy please email: equinecreativemedia@gmail.com stating number of copies required, the edition number and your address.

If you are interested in advertising in the magazine, the newsletter updates or the website, please email for a 2018 media pack. equinecreativemedia@gmail.com

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

6

Meydan Raceourse

RECORD 2018-19 UAE RACE FIXTURE LIST A record fixture list for the 2018-19 UAE racing season

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

has been approved by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin

Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of

Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE,

Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Racing

Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Emirates

Authority said: “We are pleased to launch the 2018-2019

Racing Authority (ERA).

race fixture which provides the trainers and horse lovers with an integrated season on the five tracks of UAE. This

The season will be increased by a further five race

program includes races for both local and international

meetings, bringing the total to 67 and opens at Jebel Ali

horses (Arabian & Thoroughbred), We look forward to

Racecourse on Friday, October 26, 2018. Meydan

another successful racing season in the UAE on Friday 26

Racecourse and Abu Dhabi Racecourse will start their

October 2018."

seasons the following week on Thursday, November 1, and Saturday, November 3, respectively.

For more details visit: www.emiratesracing.com

Meydan’s domestic ‘Racing at Meydan’ season will have 12 fixtures, three more than last season, while Abu Dhabi will have 15. Sharjah Racecourse initiates its six-meet season on Saturday, November 10, while Al Ain Racecourse’s season starts on Thursday, November 15, adding two race meets in April to total 12. The aforementioned Jebel Ali will feature 11 fixtures on the season.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

7

END OF AN ERA AT CRE RUN Cre Run Farm in the USA said a sad good bye to two of its' stallions, in Sam Tiki and DA Adios in April.

Sam Tiki +, was a Darley winner and Racing Hall Of Fame inductee. By Sambor, sire of the great mare CR Samborsta, dam of Siehame, who is dam of Tallaab Al Khalediah, the recent winner of the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Sam Tiki+ was out of Kyla Tiki, by Kontiki, and was foaled in 1985 , he represented some of the best old race bred bloodlines in the USA. He was the winner of 10 races from 21 starts and over $100,000.

DA Adios +/ was a son of champion racehorse, sire and broodmare sire, Wiking out of Sanibel IA, who after export to Turkey became the dam of Ucanbey, winner of over $1million in Turkey. His best progeny to date is Ofirka Fata, leading 3yo filly in Poland. In 2017 he sired dual US winner Sierra Winds and recorded his first UK success with Zayin Indian Fuego, an easy winner over a mile at Wolverhampton on his seasonal reappearance last year.

Since retiring to stud he has sired four Darley Champions in Mr Full Service, Dreams Of Valor, Cash Onthe Spot and Dixies Delight and, being completely free of French blood, was an outstanding Heritage Arabian Racing Club stallion.

DA ADios +/ (US) Photo (C) CreRun Farm

Whilst both stallions stood at Cre Run in the USA, they were represented in Europe by Esteem Bloodstock.

Sam Tiki + (US) Photo (C) CreRun Farm

www.crerunfarm.com

Just a few days earlier, DA Adios +/ who was also HARC approved, was lost to colic. The 20 year-old-stallion was of pure Polish bloodlines and an outstanding racehorse who had only recently lost the accolade of highest US Arabian money earner to Paddys Day. Twice Darley Horse of the Year, he was also WAHO Horse of the Year and was a multiple Grade 1 winner.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

8

Gary Capewell in the commentary box at Wolverhampton

MILESTONE FOR ARO COMMENTATOR CAPEWELL Arabian Racing Organisation commentator Gary Capewell reached a significant career landmark at the Wolverhampton fixture on June 10, when he made his one thousandth race call. Following the first race, Capewell received a presentation of a watch from Royal Cavalry of Oman trainer Said Al Badi to mark the occasion.

Speaking at the end of the Wolverhampton fixture he also gave credit to the older horses saying:"Notid of course was a favourite and todays' race with Noble Athlete will stick in the memory too."

Read the full interview here: https://issuu.com/thearabianracehorse/docs/the_arabian_racehorse_issue_26_/4

Capewell who had started in 2004 making his first call at Uttoxeter, became ARO's full-time commentator from 2008, missing only one race, last years' UK Arabian Derby, as it clashed with a full ARO fixture at Chelmsford City.

Reminiscing in an interview with The Arabian Racehorse last year he said:" My favourite call would be the Hatta International that Nokomys won in 2010. She and the runner up Al Anqa both needed to be produced late, but they were so much better than the rest they went clear over two furlongs from home. Eyeballing each other, they had a great duel all the way to the line, locked together, both giving their all. I usually have an inkling which way a photo finish had gone, but on this occasion I didn't have a clue - it narrowly went to Nokomys."

Said Al Badi presents Gary Capewell with his watch

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

9

ARABIAN RACING RADIO America's Arabian racing magazine Arabian Finish Line has branched out into the world of podcasts. Now on it's thirteenth episode, it highlights the sport of Arabian racing – covering the events, horses and people of the industry around the world. It also includes features on endurance and other athletic disciplines where racehorses may compete as a second career.

This is the first podcast to focus on the Arabian horse and Arabian Racing Radio is hosted by Stephanie Ruff, of Homosassa, Florida and Joe Nevills, from Georgetown, Kentucky. Ruff is the publisher and editor of Arabian Finish Line, and Nevills is a monthly columnist for the magazine, who is well-versed in pedigrees and handicapping.

If you haven't heard it already, check out epsidoe #12 which is sponsored by The Arabian Racehorse and features an interview with Gary Capewell.

Visit the main portal for all the episodes here: www.horseradionetwork.com/shows/arabianracingradio/

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

11

Dream Pearl (US) (C) Bill Vasser

LETTER FROM AMERICA with Stephanie Ruff of Arabian Finish Line Racing in America is going strong on both coasts – at Delaware Park in Delaware and on the California Fair Circuit in Northern California. Delaware Park, with overnight purses starting at $8,500, have the strongest fields and best purses in the country. To date, they have not held any stakes races, but they have had some impressive runners.

Two Arabian Racing Cup Breeders’ Incentive races have been held at Delaware, where a $500 bonus is paid to the breeders of the first three finishers. The first was a maiden race won by Fortaissa (TH Richie x Shippey Lane, by Haffir El Rimal), bred by Dennis and Paulette Hughes with Foxy Roxy (Norphe x Scarlet CS, by Virgule Al Maury) and Omega CS (Zefiro De Nulvi x Mega CS, by Aneto), who were both bred by Eric and Randi MoreauSipiere.

The second incentive race was also a maiden race, this time won by Burn Em Joey (Burning Sand x Triumphs Silkie, by Seyvilla Triumph), bred by Joe and Betty Gillis. He was followed by RB Texas Hold Em (T M Fred

Texas x R B Sand Storm, by Burning Sand), bred by Dianne Waldron and Big Ben AA (Burning Sand x Tri Spring Proof, by NF Proof), also bred by Joe and Betty Gillis.

The Arabian Racing Association of California (ARAC) held a silent auction and stallion breeding auction to raise money for purses. In addition to that, they came up with two new, innovative race series – the Emirates Breeders’ California Gold Rush Handicap Series for 3year-olds and upwards and the California Gold Arabian Maiden Stake Series for 3-year-olds and upwards. These series both have races held throughout the season to encourage horses to stay and race on the Northern California Fair Circuit.

The first stakes in the Emirates program went to 2016 Darley Champion Older Mare Dream Pearl (Burning Sand x Triumphs Pearl, by Seyvilla Triumph), who is owned by the partnership of Dorothy Burt, Evelyn Call, Cory Soltau and Terri Eaton. Terri Eaton is also her trainer. Dream Pearl came from last to first and pulled away under jockey Pedro Terrero to win over favorite Sand Victor and RB Hot Risk. She completed the 6 furlongs in 1:19.46.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

12

Colors In Motion (US) (C) HoofprintsInc.com The first of the maiden series was held at Sacremento and was won by Madjestic (Madjani x Reign Supreme CS, by Kador De Blaziet) for owners Nicola Forbes-Robinson and Jim Schleimer and trainer Terri Eaton. MY Conns Kougar ran second and RU Mystified third. The final time for the 5 furlongs was 1:07.82. This was also an Arabian Racing Cup Breeders’ Incentive race. An award of $500 was paid to the breeders of the top three finishers, which were Nicola Forbes-Robinson and Jim Schleimer, Rancho Milagro Yegua and Christine Byrom, respectively.

Alan Kirshner and Deborah Mihaloff of Cre Run Farm in Doswell, Va. are the current leading breeders in the U.S. by number of wins. Through July 17, 2018, horses they have bred have won nine races. Two of those winners, Fiftyshadess Of Bay (Dahess x Donnatellaa, by Genuine Monarch) and Colors In Motion (Dahess x Ovour The Rainbow, by Nivour De Cardonne), are pictured here.

Mihaloff said: "Its always exciting when the race meet starts at Delaware Park. It was even more exciting to be there and watch two of our horses win. Both Colors In Motion and Fiftyshadess Of Bay are by Dahess, who we represented before his purchase by Sheikh Johann. Both individuals are out of second and third generation mares bred by Cre Run and both of their dams have been offered in our Lease Mare Program over the years."

The stakes season will soon begin at Delaware Park, and with it we expect to see the return of the major stakes horses, including Quick Sand AA, Easter Man, Paddys Day, Quick And Rich and RB Nash. Meanwhile California will likely see the rivalry between Sand Victor and Dream Pearl continue. They have been dominant on the Fair Circuit and there’s no reason to believe that will change.

Fiftyshadess Of Bay (US) (C) HoofprintsInc.com

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

13

HH SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL NEWS FIRST LISTED RACE FOR SPAIN It was a day of celebration for Shadwell Arabians with pattern winners in France and Spain at the beginning of May as their multiple Group 1 winner Muraaqib and his half-sister Ajaayib both added to their paddock value.

In the Prix Damas (Gr3PA) at Bordeaux, the Francois Rohaut trained Muraaqib made his European reappearance a winning one, just keeping ahead of the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Rawdah and Langoed Waterland’s Dynamites in the mile contest. This is the six-year-old son of Munjiz’s first start since winning the world’s most valuable Arabian horse race, Abu Dhabi’s Jewel Crown (Gr1PA), in November on appeal.

That race is the highlight of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival that this week has held it’s annual forum in Madrid. Shadwell Stud’s Director Richard Lancaster took part in the Breeding panel on day one, where he called for more Arabian racing authorities to sign up to IFAHR’s article on bloodlines (parent verification) as well as expressing his concern on Embryo Transfer. Both he and Esteem Bloodstock’s Val Bunting expressed their concern that the technique was open to abuse, whilst a standardisation of the rules worldwide and a limit on

the number of embryo transfers per mare was also discussed by the panel.

The Festival’s focus then transferred to Seville racecourse where the first Listed PA race in Spain was to be held, along with a HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFAHR) qualifier. The Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Al Mah’youb readily won 1900m contest, securing Belgian apprentice Sanne de Ceulaer’s place in the Abu Dhabi finals.

The 1500m Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (LR PA) produced a 1-2-3 for French trained runners and was won in comfortable fashion by Ajaayib. The chestnut daughter of Mahabb finished clear of Al Naama trained by Thomas Fourcy for Al Shaqab and Al Shamoos, trained by Charles Gourdain for Al Nujaifi Racing.

Ajaayib (FR) clear winner of Spain's first ever Listed race the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan Cup (LRPA) Photo (C) Genny Haynes THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

14

Lara Sawaya announces Bucharest as the 2019 WAHRF host BUCHAREST NAMED AS 2019 FORUM HOST The Romanian capital of Bucharest was named as host for the 2019 edition of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s World Arabian Horse Racing Forum (WAHRF) on the final day of the 2018 WAHRF which came to an end in the Spanish capital on May 6, Sunday night.

Bucharest will be the 10th city in the world to stage the annual conference which made its debut in 2010 in Abu Dhabi under the directions of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Peter Pond, IFAHR Chairman Faisal Al Rahmani and Dr. Abdulla Al Raisi who initiated the idea of such a group.

Prominent trainers, owners, officials and representatives from various sections of the Arabian racing family were named in the Committee which will have its first meeting later in the year in London.

“It was a great week for the sport of Purebred Arabian racing. Apart from the brain storming at the Forum, the other highlights were the first-ever Listed race in Seville and also the launch of the Festival’s HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Pony International race series,” said Ms. Sawaya.

The closing ceremony of the April 30 to May 6, 2018, WAHRF in Madrid earlier got off to a great start at the La Quinta De Jarama when the 400-plus delegates from nearly 90 countries marked the 100th birthday of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Forum and other activities of the Festival are being held in the ‘Year of Zayed’ to mark his 100th birth anniversary which in fact fell on Sunday, May 6.

“The week’s activities began with the General Assembly of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) on May 1. The three-day World Arabian Horse Racing Forum began on May 2 and experts on various aspects of Purebred Arabian racing were discussed and debated over seven sessions.

Earlier on the final day of the Forum, a committee was formed with over 20 members to try and find solutions to the problems dogging the progress and promotion of Purebred Arabian racing. The Committee will be headed

by Ms. Sawaya and also includes the WAHO President

JALDI KARO WINS IN SWEDEN Owner-trainer Maria Hagman-Eriksson scored another victory in a HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival race when Jaldi Karo won the Wathba Stallions Cup (Group 3) race at Jägersro in Sweden on May 23.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

15

Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) congratulated HH Sheikh Mansoor on the success of Deryan and Baseel. “It is a grand double for HH Sheikh Mansoor and both the winning horses are from Munjiz, a stallion that stands at the Wathba Stallions, also owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor,” she said.

Jaldi Karo (GB) (C) Nils Rosenkjaer

Ten runners lined up for the €15,000 Group 3 PA race run on the Dirt at Jägersro over 1730m. Inside the last hundred meters three horses were lying side by side with Maria Hagman-Eriksson’s Jaldi Karo under jockey Per Graberg eventually denying Macallan, a two-time winner of the Wathba Stallions Sprint Cup. Macallan was ridden

by Martin Rodrigues and the newly imported Al Mounteze Monlau under E. Chaves finished third.The winning time was 2 minutes and 0.9 seconds.

HH Sheikh Mansoor horses score double in Toulouse Horses owned by Yas Horse Racing Management, the racing arm of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, won two races in Toulouse, France on Friday, June 1.

First it was Deryan in the able hands of Alexandre Gavilan that tasted success in the Prix Norniz, a 1600 metre race for maidens. Deryan, a three-year-old colt by Munjiz, led home a 1-2-3 for trainer Didier Guillemin.

The second success came in the Prix Fedora-Wathba Stallions Cup, a race run under the umbrella of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. Another Munjiz colt, Baseel, trained by Thomas Demeaulte and ridden by Valentin Seguy scored in the 12-horse race also run over 1600m.

Baseel (FR) Photo supplied by Sh. Mansoor Festival

Zells Zenyatta wins Wathba Stallions Cup in Brazil The imported Zells Zenyatta won the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Grande Premio Wathba Stallions (local Gr3 PA) in the Year of Zayed race in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"I'm happy because Zells Zanyatta broke the distance record. She is a fantastic mare who has won five races from six and we are looking forward to the next challenges," said owenr Rodrigo Schulze.

Almir José Ribeiro, vice-president of ABCCA and HARC Board of Directors, said, “We thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival for their support in organizing this race for Purebred Arabian horses here in Brazil. We also thank the Jockey Club of Sao Paulo for inviting us to stage this race on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Festival race meeting.”

Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

16

ANOTHER SHEIKH ZAYED CUP FOR MACALLAN Over 50,000 horse racing fans and Swedish citizens marked Sweden’s National Day at the Gardet Park and witnessed a fine display of racing by the Purebred Arabian horses as the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival completed its fifth year of partnership in celebrating the June 6 holiday. In the premier race series of the Festivalthe Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (LR PA), it was Macallan that registered a second successive triumph under Martin Rodrigues, ahead of Dynamites and Jaldi Karo over 1500m. The winning time was 1:59.10.

Macallan(SE) Photo supplied by Sh. Mansoor Festival

Belgium’s Sara Vermeersch on What A Wonder emerged victorious in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race while little Stina Landh on Sjobrisens Bayonett won the HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Pony championship race at the Gardet Park in Stockholm on Wednesday.

The €35,000 race is run as part of ‘Year of Zayed’ marking the great UAE leader’s 100th birth anniversary. FEsstival Director Ms Sawaya commented: “Today once again we saw a record crowd and we thank the Swedish officials for their support to Purebred Arabian horses. The Festival has grown in stature over the last 10 years and today we are looking to break more barriers, especially for lady jockeys as well as equestrian sport,” she added.

ANOTHER WIN FOR VERMEERSCH After her superb win in Stockholm Belgium’s Sara Vermeersch excelled once again, this time on home turf in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup at the Hippodrome de Wallonie in Ghlin, Belgium on Friday, June 22.

The 24-year-old Vermeersch drove the 5-year-old bay Dakare De L'Ardus to a quarter length win over Eau Divine under Anna van den Troost while Blitters Paco under Loid Bekaert finished third in the 8-horse race. The winning time was 1 min 44.74 seconds.

AMEER AL ARAB WINS IN ROMANIA Ameer Al Arab became the first winner of an international Purebred Arabian race in Romania. Ridden by Atanasov Valentin they won the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup at the Hipodromul Ploiesti on Sunday, July 1. Ploiești is in Prahova County, part of the historical region of Muntenia, it is located 56 km north of Bucharest.

Organised by Ploiesti CSM in collaboration with the Romanian Arab Race Association and the Romanian Hippic Federation and the Wathba Stallions Cup ihas been the biggest race for Purebred Arabians to be staged here and along with the HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Pony championship race attracted a large crowd of over 8000 fans at the Hipodromul Ploiesti.

Ms Sawaya said: “It is not only the Year of Zayed as UAE marks the 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan but also 100 years since the independence of Romania.”

POMPADOUR WIN FOR YARRA Yaraa, owned by Yas Horse Racing Management won the Prix de Bournazel Wathba Stallions Cup on Sunday, July 8 in Pompadour, France. Ridden by Antoine Werle, Yaraa finished ahead of Flores Des Vialettes under Clement Cadel running in the colours of Al Nujaifi racing while in third place was Primera Al Maury under Alexander Gavilan.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carrier, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFHRA, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nissan Middleast Al Massood Automobiles, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Equicare Veterinary Services, Alawal Stud, Cavalos Equine Care & Supplies, SET Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, Kabale, YAS Channel, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

DEBBIE BURT EQUINE CREATIVE MEDIA ARO Official Photographer HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak International Photographer - 2017 Darley Awards To view and purchase photos from the 2016, 2017 & 2018 ARO seasons please visit www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

18

GOODWOOD ATTRACTS THE WORLDS' TOP ARABIANS The 28 entries for the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA), the first stage of the Doha Triple Crown, were published this month, with no additons at the supplementary stage.

The race is run over a mile as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, and as yet, no horse has claimed the $1 million USD bonus on offer for winning the series. The list is headed by the worlds’ top rated Arabian racehorse Ebraz, who was awarded 127 in the International Classifications list published in January this year, and his stablemate Gazwan (OR125).

throughout the final furlong, described by satellite horse racing channel, Racing UK, as the “Best Finish of the Day”.

Tayf may well return to defend his 2017 win and he is joined in the list by stablemate Yazeed, who split Gazwan and Ebraz in the World Cup, but was beaten by them both in the Emir’s Sword and is yet to win at the highest level.

Both horses have won the final stage of the Doha Triple Crown, the HH Emir’s Sword (Gr1PA) run over 1m4f in Doha in February. Notably, Gazwan has won Qatar’s most famous race twice, first in 2016 and became the first horse in history to reclaim the title when winning again this year, ahead of Ebraz and Yazeed (OR124). Gazwan has also won the second stage, the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA) run over 1m2f as part of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting, when it was held in Chantilly last year.

Other Gr1PA winners to be entered are Muraaqib (OR 123) and Lightning Bolt (OR 119). Should he line up at the Sussex track on Wednesday August 1, Gazwan is the most fascinating contender, he has a 100 per cent record over a mile, but has never contested that trip in pattern company. His career so far has been plagued with problems, yet he has won over $2 million USD and has come back to form with three straight Gr1PA wins since the autumn. He has also beaten all five of the other Gr1PA winners entered, albeit over longer distances.

Ebraz finished runner-up to Tayf (OR122) in the 2017 running of the Goodwood contest, in a protracted battle

Final declarations are due at 11am on Monday July 30 (BST).

Yazeed (FR) Gazwan (GB) and Ebraz (GB), second, first and third in the 2017 Qatar Arabian World Cup Gr1PA at Chantilly THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

19

TURKEY'S INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL HIT

BY GLANDERS OUTBREAK This week the International Racing Bureau announced that they had been informed by Veliefendi Racecourse in Istanbul that due to an outbreak of Glanders, this year's International Festival races that were due to be run on 1st and 2nd September will now only be run as domestic races and will not be open for overseas horses. They are hoping that everything will be back in place for 2019.

The two day festival is popular with both Arabian and thoroughbred trainers. It features two Arabian races, the International IFAHR Trophy Gr2PA run over 2100m on the All Weather surface , is run on the Saturday, won last year by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid AL Maktoum's Handassa. The following day, the International Malazgirt Trophy Gr1PA takes place over a mile on the Turf course. Muraaqib gave HH Sheikh Hamdan a notable double by adding that to his growing collection of Gr1PA wins.

Handassa(FR) and Francois-Xavier

Bertras win in Veliefendi [photo TJK]

Muraaqib (FR) and Francois-Xavier Bertras win in Veliefendi [photo TJK]

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

20

#DIAR2018 LAUNCHED The Dubai International Arabian Races promises spectacular entertainment both on and off the track when the world’s most prestigious day’s racing dedicated to Purebred Arabians returns to Newbury Racecourse under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, on Sunday, 29 July.

Prize money of more than £190,000 is on offer for the eightrace programme which begins at 2.05pm and has attracted the best of Arabian racehorses from the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

The highlight is the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes, a Group 1PA event for Purebred Arabians four-years-old and over and run over a distance of a mile and a quarter with prize money of £58,000 on offer.

The winner of the Best Dressed Lady competition and a friend will jet off to Dubai in style courtesy of the multi awardwinning Emirates Airline to enjoy five luxurious nights in one of Rotana’s five-star properties in the Emirates’ most vibrant city.

The holiday prize is one of three up for grabs on the day, all supported by Emirates Airline and Rotana Hotels and Resorts.

Racegoers registering in advance at www.diarnewbury.co.uk will be entered into an exclusive draw to win a pair of return flights, five nights’ accommodation and the winner of the racecard draw will receive a Business Class upgrade.

Creative kids can win an iPad in the Best Homemade Children’s Hat competition. Apple iPads will be presented to the boy and girl judged to have created the best homemade hat reflecting the occasion, and there are prizes for the runners-up .

An iPad is also the prize for the best selfie competition. Selfies taken on the day and posted on Twitter at @DIA_Races using the hashtag #DIARDay2018, will be judged throughout the afternoon and the winner will be announced at approximately 4.15pm.

will take place in the winner’s enclosure between races to win state-of-the-art mobile phones courtesy of Jebel Ali Racecourse.

Star among the prize draw items on offer is a brand-new Citroen C1 Vti 68 Feel in gleaming white, supplied by Wilmoths Wokingham and worth £11,500. The free-to-enter prize draw for the ultra-economical and eye-catching C1, one of the most compact and versatile city cars on the market, will take place in the winner’s enclosure after the trophy presentations for the eighth and final race at 5.55pm.

There is a host of activities designed to keep the whole family entertained throughout the day. The action on the track will be the focus of attention at 1.30pm when Arabian Racing expert, Gary Capewell, will be in the Parade Ring to guide racegoers through the day’s runners and riders and, hopefully, identify a few winners before heading up to the commentary box to call home the horses in the afternoon’s eight races.

Face painters and Henna tattoo artists will be stationed in the Crafty Filly Terrace where budding jockeys of all ages can put their riding skills to the test aboard the Racing To School Equicizer under the expert eye of former jump jockey Ollie McPhail.

The Crafty Filly Terrce is also the venue for the free Art Workshop where Liz Armstrong, a member of the Society of Equine Artists will be sharing her skills with those keen to explore their creative side, and racegoers looking to experience a touch of Arabic culture can visit the live falconry exhibit.

Younger racegoers with energy to spare will be keen to make their way to the Derby Hoppers and take part in their own races on inflatable bouncy horses.

Gates open at 12 noon and admission is free. Scratch cards handed out on arrival will entitle racegoers to collect a free ‘goodie bag’ packed with toys and gadgets, and Jebel Ali Racecourse will be gifting specially produced Jebel Ali branded merchandise to those arriving early.

Copy supplied by Sportsguide

Pupils from 13 schools in West Berkshire and Hampshire will be eagerly awaiting the results of the Arabian Rainbow Competition which will be announced during the afternoon. A community art project which has injected more than £100,000 in prize money to schools in the area since its launch in 2009, the Arabian Rainbow Competition challenges primary school children and their teachers to create and apply an innovative design to a near life-size sculpture of an Arabian Horse.

There are plenty of chances to win valuable prizes and draws THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

21

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

23

ARO Championships 2018 With the amendments to the ARO fixture list expected to be published soon the season mid-point has already been passed.

ARO and DIAR Patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is having another excellent season and is easily on course to retain the owners title and record his seventeenth championship. The trainers title is as close as ever, with dual champion James Owen, three winners adrift of current leader Phil Collington.

The jockeys' championship is always a close run affair too, with Will Pettis just ahead at this stage and Joanna Mason leading the ladies title, though she is only three behind Pettis and could yet become the first female outright winner by the end of the season. Tadgh O'Shea is again leading the professional jockeys title with four wins.

In recent years the Purebred Arabian championship has gone right to the line and 2018 seems no exception with Emiraaty ahead on place points and Shomoos Athbah, Al Faaris and Senor Dublcheck all tied in fourth place.

Owners

Jockeys Jockey

1st

2nd

3rd

Will Pettis

6

6

5

Simon Walker

5

7

9

Charlie Price

5

4

5

Joanna Mason

4

4

1

David Turner

4

3

3

Horse

1st

2nd

3rd

Emiraaty (FR)

2

1

1

Halib Des Forges (FR)

2

1

0

Ashjaan

2

0

1

Shomoos Athbah

2

0

0

Al Faaris

2

0

0

Senor Dublcheck

2

0

0

Horses

Owner

1st

2nd

3rd

HH Sheikh H bin R Al Maktoum

17

15

17

Royal Cavalry of Oman

5

5

5

HH Sheikha M bint M Al Maktoum

3

2

1

Athbah Stud

3

0

0

Zayin Arabian Stud

2

1

2

Trainers Trainer

1st

2nd

3rd

Philip Collington

14

10

6

James Owen

11

9

12

Said Al Badi

5

5

5

Peter Hammersley

3

5

5

Adam Newey

2

3

2

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Emiraaty (FR)

24

ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION SEASON REVIEW The new ARO season which opened on April 21 at Chelmsford City has just one Group PA race, the Royal Cavalry of Oman ARO Cup Gr3PA, in the build up to the season highlight, DIAR

Joanna Mason and Rafeef (FR) got the season underway at Chelmsford

Chelmsford City April 21 After the challenges of a hard winter and wet spring, combined with an earlier than usual start to the season, it was no great surprise that the declarations for the opening meeting of the Arabian Racing Organisation were down. Nonetheless good weather and an enthusiastic crowd of around 1,800 racegoers at the Essex track ensured that there was a great atmosphere to cheer the winners home.

Last years’ ARO champion trainer, James Owen, started the new season as he finished the last with a four-timer,

whilst all three 2017 jockey champions, David Turner, Joanna Mason and Ellie Mackenzie (novice) rode winners too. ARO patron and champion owner, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, had three homebreds in the winners’ circle, whilst small-owner breeders Jenny and Herbie Owen could have a contender for the Heritage Arabian Racing Club UK Championship.

The two maidens were won in taking fashion by Rafeef for James Owen and Makhaater for Phil Collington. Both horses are by Shadwell's No Risk Al Maury who is firmly establishing himself as a promising young sire, having got his first Group 1 winner over the winter in Barnamaj.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

25

Two-time lady jockeys champion Jo Mason, has ridden Rafeef on both her starts said: “She ran nicely at Windsor and is very straightforward at home, so I was pleased with her win today. It’s great to get back riding in races again and to have a winner at the first meeting, Ellie [Mackenzie] and Antonia [Peck] have both won too, so it will be harder to keep the title. However it’s a long season ahead, and James has been really good to me, so we’ll see how we are later on.”

Reflecting on the day Owen commented: “I’m really pleased with Rafeef. She was a bit green, I’m not sure whether she really likes an All Weather surface. For me I think she was better on her debut at Windsor, but she’s learnt a lot today. She probably needs to step up in trip, she’s still raw, but a nice filly, she’ll get there.”

Owner-breeder HH Sheikh Hamdan’s third winner was the likeable Emiraaty, who was given a well-judged frontrunning ride by Antonia Peck, to win from His Highness’s other runner Alazeez. Despite receiving weight from the second, it was still a good performance and a great advert

for his sire Al Saoudi who stands at Shadwell Arabians in Norfolk for 2018.

Continuing Owen said: “Delighted for Emiraarty, obviously there were only two runners, but I was pleased with them both. They didn’t have a hard time and they’ve both got entries for the DIAR races in Italy next week.

We’ll see how they come out of it and look at the race.

There are not a lot of opportunities for the high handicappers-Listed horses in England, so we’re going to have to travel with them. They’ll go if we can be competitive.”

He also trains Insignia, winner of the 0-40 mile handicap, for his parents, who bred the gelding and is one of a handful of progeny by their stallion Istfahan. Owen smiles recalling: “I told my parents to retire Insignia at the end of last year, but they their love racing, so he came back in after his winter break. While he’s still at the lower end of the handicap he might as well keep going, he’s also eligible for HARC races - there’s one coming up at Taunton and he’s won well today.”

Insignia (GB) and Simon Walker THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

26

Johara Bint Shuwaiman (GB) and Ellie Mackenzie on the rail, win from Ultimate Force (FR) [centre] and Callymay (GB)

Insignia was ridden by Simon Walker, who also rode Owen’s forth winner, Delishess in the 0-65 handicap over seven furlongs. A former Grade 2 winner when in her native USA, the daughter of Dahess clearly found life tough with her penalty and never really fulfilled her potential.

Owen continued: “Obviously Delishess was very high in the handicap when she was in England before and has struggled in her races in the UAE too. I think she’s enjoyed being back in the UK, I’ve been turning her out in the paddocks and keeping her routine varied, she’s a nice filly, easy to work with. I’m not sure how strong the race was, my other runner Pacific Syrah probably will be retired, but hopefully the handicapper won’t be too hard on her. She’ll have another run or two, though really her aim is to be put in foal, she was bought to be a broodmare as she has a lovely pedigree, being bred by Cre Run Farm.”

The meeting featured three races sponsored by Totesport.com, which included the maiden won by Makhaater, plus two handicaps, which despite the small fields produced very close finishes. The 0-85 was run over a mile and saw course and distance winner, Zayin Angkor Centurion, score under David Turner from Eqleem and

Madany. Trained by Pete Hammersley for owner-breeder and ARO Director Paul Simmons, the five-year-old son of Dahess has clearly wintered well and put some of his quirks behind him, staying on in gritty fashion at the finish to win by a length and a quarter.

Hammersley was really pleased with the colts’ performance saying: “He’s been showing plenty at home and has matured, his behaviour was so much better today. He wasn’t a hundred per cent fit, so I think his class won him the race, but I was pleased with the way he knuckled down. A mile is his trip, so we’ll head to Windsor for the ARO Cup now.”

The 0-65 handicap was run over a mile and a quarter and was won by HH Sheikha Maryam bint Maktoum Al Maktoum’s Johara Bint Shuwaiman by a length from Ultimate Force, with Kayclaire a further head behind. This was a first win as a trainer for Dorset based Nikki Malcolm who said: “I work with my partner Nathan Sweeney, running a small business called Stride Ahead, training endurance horses for Australia as well as a few UK owners. Johara is currently the only racehorse we have in training so it’s nice to bring her out and be seen with a winner.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

27

The mare was ridden by 2017 champion novice Ellie Mackenzie, who praised the couple saying: “Nikki and Nathan have worked so hard with her and have really performed miracles to get her in the correct mental state to race and win, and as has Jenny Lees who bred her.

She’s always been a bit highly strung and tricky, so it’s even more rewarding to have success with her, we’ve always known she’s a really tough mare, but she really dug deep to get from last to first. I’d also like to thank my sponsor Racing Welfare who continue to show me incredible support.”

Taunton, May 13 The popular greys, Man Of Dreams and Señor Dublcheck, who were both without a win last year, came home in front at the first Turf fixture of the Arabian Racing Organisation 2018 season. It was in an incident packed day at the Somerset track which concluded with a deadheat, between Emiraaty and Hau Kola in the feature race.

After a prolonged winter it was a relief to welcome the sun at Taunton, though the forecast Firm ground undoubtedly had it effect on the field sizes. The meeting opened with the Forta Stud Restricted Maiden Stakes in which it was no surprised to see the two horses with experience, J Force and Pharitz Fahr dominate proceedings. Both looked particularly well in the paddock and quickly established a clear lead over the two debutants Shakatak Alenaya and Zayin Activist. It was not all plain sailing for Will Pettis aboard J Force as he was quite green in the closing stages, however it was a comfortable victory over Pharitz Phar. Both horses are likeable types and there should be more to come from them this season.

Sue Herrod, owner-breeder of J Force was delighted saying: "I’m very proud of him - it makes the long wait of breeding worthwhile. All credit must go to Phil [Collington] and his team as they take great care of him.

He’s going the right way and hopefully he can do it again.

J Force (GB) and Will Pettis win from Pharitz Fahr (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

28

Ashjaan (GB) and Charlie Price The second race was packed with drama as Callymay and Simon Walker slipped up on the bottom bend causing James Harding to be unseated from Synergy and hampering the eventual winning partnership of Johara Bint Shuwaiman and Ellie Mackenzie. Take nothing away from Nikki Malcolm's charge, however as she was following up from her Chelmsford City win, just three weeks ago, and she looks to be on an upward curve.

Mackenzie recalled the incident saying:"I was lucky because Simon's horse slipped right in front of me and I had no time to react at all. My horse was hampered a little bit, but luckily it didn't make a difference and we still managed to finish in front.

"She's always been a bit of tricky mare and I think you can write off her 2017 season altogether. Nikki and Nathan tried everything they could to work out what was wrong and she seems too have wintered really well and come back in fantastic form. She's grown in confidence from her win at Chelmsford, so hopefully she can continue to progress."

Ashjaan, also in maiden company, though this time over a mile. With Charlie Price on board the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum owned and bred filly led from pillar to post, though she was challenged in the closing stages by Tijaary and Simon Walker, she showed a good attitude and kept on well.

Price said:"Ashjaan ran a good race today, we decided to try her in front and she's loved every minute of it. I've been riding her at home too, though I'm still based with Tim Vaughan in Wales, I go up to Phil's in Newmarket whenever I can now."

Collington, who was unable to be present, said of his winners: "I'm very pleased with J Force getting off the mark on only his second start. All credit to Sue Herrod who has been so patient with him after an interrupted season last year.

"Ashjaan got a soft lead and was given a great ride by Charlie Price. I'm not sure how strong the form of the race is though."

Giving trainer Phil Collington a double for the day was THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

29

Taunton specialist Man Of Dreams, whose four-year sequence of first-time-out wins was broken here last season, was able to make amends this year for the father and daughter team of Eric and Carol Legg, who bred and train him locally. The attractive grey, who was a former ARO Champion racehorse, gave Chloe Emsley a dream ride in the process. Emsley, who has already ridden five point-to-point winners from 20 rides, was making her debut under ARO rules.

After the race she commented:" I was very privileged to get the ride on Man Of Dreams today as he was my first ride in Arabian racing. He ran a great race, running from the front all the way - he just kicked away up the home straight and was never giving me any feeling of stopping.

Hopefully he can continue his form next time as, he felt great and he did it very easily."

In the fifth race, Al Faaris, who was a model of consistency last season, came out on top for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and James Owen. Given a very tidy ride by Joanna Mason, he appeared to win a shade cosily by a length from long-time leader Halib Des Forges on his

seasonal reappearance.

In the sixth race it was a remarkable winning performance

by SeĂąor Dublcheck, who had been without a victory for three years, as all his previous winning form was over shorter trips. Trained by Claire Taylor for the BXPS Partners, he was settled in the rear by regular partner Rob Woollard, who gradually eased him into the race, producing him to challenge in the final half furlong.

Afterwards Woollard laughed saying:"We were both overdue to have a win!"

Continuing he said:"I didn't think he got the trip at Bath last year, but that was in a higher grade. I thought they went pretty quick early on which I think helped too, as he can be quite keen sometimes, which is why we left the blinkers off. I dropped him out and sat at the back and it fell into my hands really, going down the back straight and it was just a question of seeing out the trip and not committing too soon. Thankfully he got home - he's a star."

Man Of Dreams (GB) and Chloe Emsley THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

30

There was still more drama to come in the final race, with the top two in the handicap, Emiraaty and Hau Kola battling all the way to the line. Even with a photograph the judge could not spilt the pair and a deadheat was given.

Hau Kola had changed stables over the winter, leaving Phil Collington in Newmarket (to make room for his younger brother The Third Man), joining Christopher Bull in Wales. Bull commented:" It's big boots to fill, with him coming from a big yard like Phil's, but luckily I've got my father to help me and he's run really well today. Where do we go now? Who knows? He should improve from this."

Emiraaty was completing a treble for ARO Patron HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and a double for trainer James Owen who said:"He's brilliant. I took Antonia [Peck] off, as he had a lot of weight and I didn't want dead lead on him. Simon got on with him really well, he was as

brave as ever and a great result. Has Kola beat us last year at Chelmsford and on weights I thought he would beat us today, but I think Emiraaty has improved a little bit. He's a real trier, if he comes out of this well, we might chance the ARO Cup at Windsor, otherwise we'll stick with these open handicaps."

Speaking of Al Faaris he commented:"I really fancied Madany, but he got a bit worked up and blew his race early on. Al Faaris was so consistent last year, and came second at DIAR, even though he hated the testing ground. He loved the fast ground today and travelled well. We put the visor on him just for a change [from blinkers] and he battled well, hopefully the handicappers going to be kind on him - I can't see that he's improved that much. I'd like to go to Doncaster with him, there's the DIAR prep race at Chepstow but that might be a bit too spicy for him. He's a stayer, he's a trier, he's a lovely horse."

Emiraaty (FR) Simon Walker and Hau Kola (GB) Morgan Winstone THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

31

Rehab (OM) and David Turner win from Taqdeeraat (GB)

Sultanate of Oman Day Chepstow, May 27 Whilst the Group 3 ARO Cup was the first single race sponsored by the Royal Cavalry of Oman this UK season, they held their popular Sultanate of Oman Raceday, the day before at Chepstow.

Their own team of horses had arrived for the ARO season at the starts of the month to their UK base at Wargrave in Berkshire, trained by last season's ARO Leading Newcomer Said Al Badi. They were quickly off the mark with their first runner Rehab in the first race, a maiden, where the daughter of Munjiz made her French and Omani experience tell with a narrow margin victory, battling home well under David Turner.

The Royal Cavalry also tasted further success in the Nizwa Fort (0-65) Handicap where The Sohar won by eight lengths, eased down by Joanna Mason.

Speaking of his horses wins, Al Badi said: "Rehab ran on Dirt in Oman and did not really like the surface. Today she has improved for running grass, we will give her one more race before DIAR and see what the handicapper does, we would think about the Hatta Stakes for her if she did well.

"The Sohar surprise me today, it was the first time at this distance [1m4f]. We will see how he comes out of the race before making any decisions , but we hope to have runners for the big day at Newbury - for DIAR. He continued: "We are very happy to be back in England and for the Royal Cavalry to sponsor races here with ARO ."

Whilst the Royal Cavalry got off the mark with a double, it was Newmarket handler Phil Collington's day as he went one better to record a treble for his team and ARO Patron HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

32

Halib Des Forges (FR) and Ria Tillet Speaking the following day at Windsor Collington commented: "I'm really pleased with yesterday's results, I wasn't sure about running Halib Des Forges back so quick but he seemed so well and taking the five pounds off his back with Ria Tillet, put him off a pound lower than he was second off of at Taunton. She gave him a lovely ride."

"I was waiting for someone to come to me to help Halib along, as he was getting lonely after a long time in front by himself, but no one came to me at all and when I past the post in front I couldn’t believe it. It was one of the best feelings you could have and was amazing for Helen who has looked after him since the day he arrived at the yard."

Tillet was clearly delighted to ride her first ever winner on only her second ever ride on an Arabian saying:"I would like to thank my boss Phil Collington, for the opportunity to ride Halib Des Forges in a race as I do a lot of his home work and it was a privilege to ride him, let alone win on him.

She continued: "Also I would like to thank the whole Collington team for their help, everyone at the yard works so hard for days like this when we can have a treble. I would also like to thank His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum and Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster for the opportunity to ride Halib Des Forges."

"He just told me to go out and enjoy myself and there was no pressure on me. He won over 1m 4f at Wolverhampton last year so we know he stays well, and he also has a big stride. Halib will always let you know if the pace is too slow and I just let him bowl along in my hands and as Phil said to me when you turn into the straight to let him stride on and turn it into a stamina test.

Reflecting on Anfaas's win under Will Pettis, Collington said:"It looked like an easy opportunity for Anfaas, the race didn't look very strong, most of the horses were pretty exposed and she's still improving. She did it well, she's got plenty of speed."

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

33

Speaking their third winner, he continued:"Ashjaan was a surprise for us on the day, but she showed great battling qualities. I really didn't think she could turn the form around with Rafeef but she seems to really enjoy the Turf as opposed to the AW. There were also wins for Synergy and James Harding in the Visit Oman (0-55) Handicap Stakes. The daughter of Jiyush had looked unlucky the last twice, being hampered on her final start of 2017 and then again on her reappearance when the dramatic exit of Callymay slipping on the bend caused Harding to be unseated.

Whilst the Claire Taylor trained and Rob Wollard ridden SeĂąor Dublcheck continued his good run of form, following up on his Taunton win for the BXPS Partners.

Anfaas (GB) and Will Pettis [right] Senor Dublcheck (GB), Rob Wollard, Claire Taylor and the BXPS Partners [below]

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

34

Shomoos Athbah (GB) and Tadhg O'Shea

Royal Cavalry of Oman ARO Cup International Stakes Gr3PA 1m Windsor, May 28

three quarters. Al Chammy, running the colours of the sponsor, the Royal Cavalry of Oman, just kept ahead of Awzaan to keep third.

The talented but quirky filly, Shomoos Athbah, finally returned to the winners’ circle at Windsor, given a sympathetic ride by Tadhg O’Shea in the Royal Cavalry of Oman ARO Cup International Stakes (Gr3PA).

O’Shea commented: “She’s started her season this year in the best possible way and I think it will do her good mentally as she’s been getting to the front and she pulls herself up a bit, but she galloped out well here today.”

With her stablemate Mehdaaf Athbah a non-runner, O’Shea was reunited with the daughter of Burning Sand, who he had twice partnered to second place at Group level last season. This was a second win in the event for trainer Phil Collington, which got owner-breeders Athbah Stud off the mark at the first time of asking for the 2018 ARO season.

Commenting on her win and possible next targets Collington said: “She’s not been the easiest, but I must give all the credit to Ria Tillett, she rides the filly at home and has done everything with her. Tadhg thinks she will get a mile and a quarter no problem, so we could go for the Hatta prep at Newbury in a month, or we could perhaps go abroad.

Having been held up in the rear, O’Shea and Shomoos Athbah made their move over two furlongs out, challenging the eventual second Zayin Angkor Centurion, to assert inside the final furlong, winning by a length and

“When we went to Toulouse last autumn it was a run too many, she had gone over the top by then, it was my fault.

I won’t over race her this year. If she gets the mile and a quarter well, then of course we will go for the Hatta International Stakes at DIAR in July.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

35

Al Muthana (GB) and Charlie Price

ARO Premier Handicap 2m Doncaster, June 2 The month started well for The Arabian Racehorse's resident blogger, James Owen as Al Faaris, owned and bred by HH Sheikh Hamdan, maintained his winning streak with a win in the ARO Premier Handicap at Doncaster over a mile, from Munawaar and last years' winner Saleemah.

Owen was delighted saying: "Al Faaris was great, the form is stacking up well; the horse he beat at Taunton, Halib Des Forges, has won again at Chepstow. I was a bit worried with the ground turning soft as he had top weight, but they went quite slowly and he's got a bit of class and stayed well."

Wolverhampton, June 10 The Royal Cavalry of Oman's sponsorship of ARO fixtures

continued at Wolverhampton last Sunday, with six of the seven races supported. Former ARO Champion Novice Jockey Charlie Price rattled up a three-timer with Al Muthana and Al Monther for HH Sheikh Hamdan and Phil Collington and the evergreen Noble Athlete for Delyth Thomas.

Collington tasted further success with recent Chepstow winner Halib Des Forges ridden by Will Pettis; whilst His Highness recorded four wins when Al Kaaser came home in front under Joanna Mason for James Owen.

Also off the mark for the season was Beverley Deutrom when her homebred Pharitz Fahr made a pleasing handicap debut, whilst there was more owner-breeder success for sisters Nicola Buchan and Sarah Innes when James Harding took the initiative on Nicsar Diamond Jubilee to win the longest race of the day.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

36

Above: Al Monther (GB) and Charlie Price, lead home Taqdeeraat (GB) and Tijaary (FR) Below: Pharitz Fahr (GB) and David Turner win eased down

Speaking of his win in the first race Price said:"Al Muthana is a nice three-year-old, who I've ridden a couple of times at Phil's. I try to go up once a week to ride out there. The hood kept him settled, he wasn't too green and he ran a really nice race, he kept galloping to the line."

Collington echoed those sentiments saying:"He was very pleasing, showing a professional attitude on his debut.

He is only one of two Al Jakbar's I have."

There was further success for the family in the second, as Al Monther's dam Ietlato De Carrere is also the grandam of Al Muthana. Al Monther looked a little outpaced over the same trip at Chepstow, however Collington attributed his improvement to the surface saying:" Al Monther is a very honest horse who tries his best. He seemed to appreciate the surface at Wolverhampton."

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

37

Price's third win quickly followed with the sixteen-yearold Noble Athlete who was having his first start over six furlongs since 2011. Recording his seventeenth victory, Noble Athlete actually broke his maiden at the course way back in 2007 over 1m1f. He has since won at the track a further three times on both the old Polytrack and now Tapeta.

He commented:"He's my favourite horse to ride. He was out of his depth at Chepstow in the higher grade at his age last time. You really have to know him to ride him, but I know that horse off by heart having won three races on him in 2016. You just have to keep him happy and keep him focussed in front. As long as he gets his way, he'll run the right race for you. He got his way today, he jumped off quick and I kept on to him the whole way, I knew Simon [Walker] was there but I wasn't worried.

'George' will just battle on all day long. He's a legend."

Noble Athlete (FR) and Charlie Price, with Brett Norris and Delyth Thomas

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

38

Al Kaaser (FR) and Joanna Mason lead them home

Pharitz Fahr was a welcome first UK winner of the new season for Beverley Deutrom who also bred the colt. He had been runner-up in both his previous starts and travelled really strongly in his first attempt at a mile in the hands of David Turner, readily going clear and finishing in command, eased down.

After the race Deutrom commented:"I've always liked him, he's a quality individual. Just a bit green still and maybe a little bit quirky, but he's got plenty of ability. I had wanted to take him to France, to Chantilly this weekend, but unfortunately it hasn't panned out. We had a bit of a virus in the yard and things haven't gone how I wanted, so we'll just sit tight and pick the right race for him."

In the fifth race, Halib Des Forges confirmed his good run of form following up on his recent Chepstow win dropped back to a mile. He was already a course winner here on his UK debut last season, also for Will Pettis, and though lost his way subsequently, seems to have

been revitalised over the winter.

Trainer Collington was delighted with his performance saying:"Halib Des Forges has proved himself to be very versatile this year with trip and also ground. He's probably just a shade unlucky not to have won three in a row."

In the sixth race Al Kaaser maintained his unbeaten record, having won on his debut on the Polytrack at Chelmsford City last season over six furlongs, also for Joanna Mason. The colt still showed signs of greeness in the finish, but ran on well ahead of four previous winners.

This was HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's fourth win of the day and trainer James Owen was thrilled with his colt's performance saying:"He's learning all the time.

He goes nicely at home and we think a lot of him, so we're pleased to see it reproduced on the track."

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

39

The final race of the day went to Nicsar Diamond Jubilee on his seasonal reappearance. Ridden by James Harding this was only a second win for the son of Madjani, but he did well to keep ahead of course winner Insignia to win by half a length.

Chelmsford City June 24 The second of the three meetings scheduled to be run at the Essex track produced doubles for trainers James Owen and Peter Hammersley, and a treble for ARO Patron HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Two of His Higness's winners came courtesy of James Owen, but not before his homebred filly Samawaat, trained by Phil Collington, had opened her account in the first race.

Samawaat (GB) and Charlie Price THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

40

Majid Bin Krayaan (GB) and David Turner

Commenting on her win Collington said:"Samawaat has been quite frustrating, after her one run last year at Taunton, she ran into a few difficulties and she didn't run again. This year she ran well on her reappearance there too, she seems to like the course, but at Chepstow, either she didn't act on the track or the soft ground didn't suit her.

"At Chelmsford, her first time on the All Weather, she loved the surface and it was also the first time she had made the running, so I'm really pleased with her. She may head to the mile race at DIAR next month and hopefully she can replicate her form back on Turf."

The next race was the first leg of Hammersley's double, as Zayin Zachilles, who was without a win since August 2016, got back on track over a distance that suits him well. Now racing in a visor, he still idled when he hit the front and was very nearly caught by the fast finishing Bin Al Reeh, also trained by Hammersley. Bin Al Reeh had caught the eye at the Wolverhampton meeting and looks

a winner in the waiting, once he has more experience.

Speaking at Newbury the following Tuesday, Hammersley said: "It was the ideal race for him. He's been going well at home, I've been riding him quite a bit myself and he's felt back to his best. He was on a winning mark and the handicapper has only put him up three pounds, so he will go straight to DIAR for the race he won in 2016. If the ground is quick then, like it is today, he'd have a great chance."

Hammersley also won the fourth race with Majin Bin Krayaan for HH Sheikha Maryam bint Maktoum Al Maktoum, was another who was overdue a visit to the winners circle. Of that performance he said:" He's been unlucky, he needs stalls and a bit like Zayin Zachilles, everything was right for him on Sunday. He's gone up nine pounds today, so he might struggle a bit off of that; there's not much for him now, but he'll go to the 0-75 handicap at DIAR."

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

41

Jenny Lees of Pearl Island Arabians, who bred Majid Bin Krayaan was thrilled, saying:"He likes to race, but doesn't like the tape start, however out of stalls he puts everything into it."

The third race was also a maiden and it saw the UK debut of the well bred Tahirwah for the Royal Cavalry of Oman. A son of the champion sire Amer, his dam Kerim, had been second in the Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA) for the Royal Cavalry in 2012.

Trainer Said Al Badi commented: "He's a nice colt, he has shown that he is good in his work at home. He is by a very good sire. We will see how he comes out of the race and hopefully he will continue to improve."

The first of James Owen's two winners was Eqleem, who led home a one-two-three for the trainer in the feature race of the day. Of the gelding's win he said:"

Eqleem had dropped down the handicap and had showed good form here in his last run, I'm really pleased with him. I was also pleased with the second, Karlos Du Cayrou, who we got for the Racing Club, and thrilled that we got so close to the winner, with some of the Club's members present."

The Green Ridge Stables team followed up in the sixth race with Tatbeeq, giving HH Sheikh Hamdan his third winner. It was also a third win for Shadwell Arabians sire's progeny, as Tatbeeq was by Madjani, adding to Zayin Zachilles (Kaolino) and Eqleem (Al Saoudi).

Owen commented: "Tatbeeq ran very well at Doncaster, though didn't quite get the two miles. Antonia Peck gave him a lovley ride today, she rides him at home and we will be doing all we can to help her chase the Lady Jockey Championship now, she deserves all the rides she can get."

Said Al Badi with Tahirwah, Ellie Mackenzie and Salim Al Hakmani THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

42

Owen commented: "Tatbeeq ran very well at Doncaster, though didn't quite get the two miles. Antonia Peck gave him a lovley ride today, she rides him at home and we will be doing all we can to help her chase the Lady Jockey Championship now, she deserves all the rides she can get."

The final race was a landmark event for novice jockey Kaitlen Robinson, who rode her parents' Mulan to victory, to gain her first win under ARO rules.

Robinson, 19, had always wanted to be a jockey and had started off in pony races, thanks to the help of her step-father Gavin Kelly, though the racing ponies they had bought, turned out not to be suitable. Remarkably, she gained her first ever win on a Fell pony in a race at Haydock Park and switched her attentions to Arabians.

Taking up the story Robinson said: "After asking around, we decided the next step was to move onto Arabians and we bought Mulan as a three-year-old.

We've had plenty of help from lots of racing people and

as we're based in Wigan, we've had to travel a lot of miles, usually about four hours for each race.

"Today was so exciting, it was our first time out of stalls in a race, I'm so, so happy."

Chepstow July 3 It was a repeat win for Jenny and Herbie Owen's homebred, Conquer in the 0-55 amateur riders handicap, this year run over 7f. Zayin Zamurai and Koline deadheated for second place . Conquer was trained by son James, who said: " I'm really pleased for my parents, the conditions suited him and he won nicely."

A full list of the races and results to date can be found on the ARO website by following this link: https://www.aroracing.co.uk/racing-data-2/

Kaitlen Robinson with Mulan, Gavin and Melanie Kelly THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

43

DIAR Prep Series Review

Phil Collington, who won three of the five UK DIAR prep races, receives his prize from Shadwell Stud Assistant Director James O'Donnell Now in it's third year, the DIAR Prep Race series encompasses 17 races across five countries in Europe and has played a hugely important role in promoting Arabian racing in general, as well as the main event, Dubia International Arabian Races, the seasonal highlight of Arabian racing in the UK. The winner and placed horses in all the DIAR prep races qualify for additional prize money (see below), should they go on and win one of the four bonus races at DIAR 2018. At least one bonus has been won at the last two DIAR events and is an important factor in attracting participants, both in the international races and in the 1m4f Premier Handicap, open to domestic horses.

- Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA 4yo+): £3,000 - Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Gr.1 PA for 4yo+ fillies and mares): £2,000 - Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Stakes (Gr.1 PA 4yo+) : £2,000 - DIAR International Stakes (Gr.3 PA for 3yos only): £1,000

- Premier Handicap Stakes (UK domestic horses only): £500

Urge Di Gallura, winner of the DIAR 2016 Juvenile Gr2PA (now Gr3PA) was the first bonus award winner; having won his prep at Cappanelle as part of Italy’s Dubai Day which includes the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas for thoroughbreds. Last year Lightning Bolt secured the bonus, having been placed in a Listed contest in Holland, when he went on to win the feature event, the Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA).

Shadwell Stud Assistant Director James O’Donnell was at Newbury on June 26 to present the trophies to the winning connections, speaking of the DIAR programme he said: “The series has been going very well indeed.

We’ve been blessed with some fantastic races so far and we’re very excited for the July 29th. The first entry stage has attracted entries from all across Europe, we’ve got three Group 1 races, so it’s a big occasion. It’s also a fantastic family day and we’re hoping for another large turnout.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

44

Al Chammy (FR) and Pat Dobbs DIAR at Newbury 29th July International Stakes, 6f Newbury, June 14 It was a case of history repeating itself as the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s colours were carried to victory in the first of the Dubai International Arabian Races prep series, run this afternoon at Newbury. The six furlong sprint is the preparatory race for the Za’abeel International Stakes, Gr1PA, won on three occasions by Al Mouhannad, a full sister to Al Chammy, who also raced in the Royal Cavalry’s colours.

Though the stalls were on the far side, the field of eight progressed towards the centre of the course, with the pace set by Furry and Dayversson De Barros, having his first start of year and also his first in blinkers. However lack of match practice certainly didn’t help his cause as Furry faded in the final furlong, though even fully fit he would have surely been eclipsed by Al Chammy.

Ridden again by Pat Dobbs, the four-year-old son of Nizam made smooth headway to take the lead on the

stands rail as they entered the final furlong, drawing six lengths clear of the only other four-year-old, Anfaas.

Tadhg O’Shea gave the filly every chance, but she lacked the pace of the winner, gamely keeping Zayin Angkor Centurion at bay by a neck.

Commenting on the improvement from the pair’s last outing in the ARO Cup (Gr3PA) at Windsor, which was also sponsored by the Royal Cavalry, Dobbs said: “He didn’t turn very well around the bends at Windsor, but the blinkers sharpened him up a lot. It made a big difference. I’m sure he’d do well on Dubai Day, he loves fast ground, so that would be a massive help to him.”

Trainer Said Al Badi was pleased saying: “We tried him over longer trips, at a mile and also on Dirt and he ran ok, but last time at Windsor, Pat said he definitely needs blinkers and he travelled well today. This is a trial for the Za’abeel on Dubai Day and we think we will run there next.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

45

Mehdaaf Athbah (GB) and Tadhg O'Shea win from Emiraaty (FR) DIAR Premier Handicap Stakes, 1m4f Chepstow, June 15 Mehdaaf Athbah showed his class under Tadhg O’Shea when defying top weight in the second of the UK DIAR prep races, a premier handicap run at Chepstow this evening. The six-year-old was making his first start since finishing second to the multiple Group winner Muraaqib in the President of the UAE Cup - Coupe d'Europe des Cheveaux Arabes at Deauville last May, and his first since joining Newmarket trainer, Phil Collington.

It was a very game performance by the second Emiraaty, in receipt of nearly two stone; he was given a very positive ride by Keiran O’Neill and was only just headed with a furlong to go, he kept on bravely to go down by just over a length on the line, with Laheeb eight lengths behind in third.

saying:”It’s over a year since he last ran, so he was going to need it to blow the cobwebs away and there has been a lot of work building up to this as we’ve been mindful of his previous injuries. Tadhg said he held on to him as long as possible to give him as fair a comeback run as he could. He could go on to the International Stakes prep at Newbury, but we’ll see how he comes out of this first.

“Emiraarty ran a fantastic race, he obviously tried to make the weight tell, which he nearly did. It was good to see a finish like that.”

O’Shea, who was having his first ride on the horse commented: “He’s a nice horse, he had a lot of weight, but his class showed. He’ll improve for the run. The track didn’t play to his strengths, he’ll be better on a more level track and probably put some headgear back on him next time. He’s very genuine, but he idled plenty when he got there.”

Collington was delighted with the colt’s performance THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

46

Shomoos Athbah (GB) and Tadhg O'Shea

DIAR at Newbury 29th July International Stakes, 1m2f Newbury, June 26 Shomoos Athbah turned in another classy performance to win the DIAR at Newbury 29th July International Stakes, by two and a half lengths from Rehab, who was well clear of Anfaas. This was the third of the five UK DIAR prep races and was run over the same course and distance as the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA) for fillies and mares.

Athbah Stud’s homebred four-year-old daughter of Burning Sand was again ridden by Tadhg O’Shea who rode a well timed race on this notoriously difficult filly.

The pace had been set by distance winner Shammat Al Hosn, however she was unable to sustain her run and whilst Naishaan and Rehab tried to make their presence felt, they were no match for the winner.

O’Shea was well in command before his filly hit the front and she won as she liked.

This follows the pair’s win in the Royal Cavalry of Oman ARO Cup (Gr3PA) at Windsor last month, beating some useful colts in the process. Shomoos Athbah has always threatened to be top class, but a string of second places in Group company last season had left connections frustrated. After the Windsor win, trainer Phil Collington credited her groom and regular work-rider Ria Tillett, for helping to turn the filly around, and the addition of a net muzzle - in which she won again today.

O’Shea was clearly excited by Shomoos Athbah’s continued run of good form saying: “She's always been very, very talented. You could nearly say should should be unbeaten, only last year she would get to the front and pull up. Even now I wouldn’t want to be in front too early. She brought me to the furlong pole today on the bridle and thankfully she's gone forward and the Hatta should be the next target.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

47

Ensiab (FR) and Ellie Mackenzie win from Hadiyah (FR) DIAR at Newbury 29th July International Stakes, 7f Newbury, July 5 It was a one-two-three for the fillies in the DIAR at Newbury, 29th July International Stakes, run over the same course and distance as the DIAR International Gr 3 PA. The first two home, Ensiab and her more experienced stablemate Hadiyah, are both trained by Said Al Badi of the Royal Cavalry of Oman. With Ensiab being ridden to victory by Ellie Mackenzie, their win ignited hopes of a notable double, as she had partnered the Royal Cavalry’s Riyam into first place in the same DIAR juvenile Group race last year.

The first two runnings of this DIAR juvenile prep had been won by colts owned by Athbah Stud, whilst last years’ winner, a debutant filly, was trained by Phil Collington. The pace this year was set by the Collington trained Akhzam Athbah, however he couldn’t sustain his run and, having been passed by the eventual winner, kept on in fourth place. Ensiab and Mackenize were headed by Hadiyah, ridden by regular jockey Anas Al Siyabi, though despite making smooth progress to take the lead, they were unable to repel Ensiab’s renewed challenge and went down by a length and a quarter at the finish. Mazyoonah, trained by James Owen for DIAR Patron HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, improved on her debut, when filling the third spot.

Salim Al Hakmani, Head of Racing Section, In-charge of External Horses for the Royal Cavalry and also a former jockey and trainer, was delighted with his horses’ performance saying: “I’m very, very happy, we were surprised to win and get second with these fillies. They are both very nice horses, Hadiyah had won on the Dirt in Oman, but Ensiab has been better here in the UK, she likes the weather and the grass! I spoke to Said this morning about who we will enter for the Group race at DIAR, he was thinking that it would just be Hadiyah, but now we will have to change our minds! But it’s good that we have two horses and I think there maybe others coming from France.”

Continuing he said: “Last year we won with Riyam and we are lucky with the jockey, she’s won two races for us at Newbury, it’s a very nice track here. We are grateful for the support of Brigadier Abdul Razak Al Shawarzi, he is in America at the moment, but I will be calling him to let him know about our success.”

Mackenzie was also thrilled saying: “She’s a very nice filly, I was at the front a bit sooner than I wanted to be, but luckily Hadiyah came on my outside and gave her a bit of company and when I aksed her to quicken past her, she did it very nicely. It would be amazing to have a repeat of last year and to win another Group race at DIAR.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

48

Sharesa (QA) and Tadhg O'Shea win from Ishfaq (QA)

DIAR at Newbury 29th July International Stakes, 1m2f Newbury, July 12 The concluding race in the Dubai International Arabian Races prep series run throughout Europe this spring and summer drew to a close at Newbury, with a win for Sharesa ridden by Tadhg O’Shea for trainer Phil Collington and HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani. Sent off as odds-on favourite, the filly made the most of her allowance, finishing two lengths clear of her stablemate Ishfaq in a facile victory.

O’Shea was full of praise saying: “She’s a lovely filly.

They went a very good gallop for a small field, which suited her. She travelled into the race very smoothly, bringing me down to the furlong pole still on the bridle and I just had to nudge her out, hands and heels for an impressive win. It’s great to ride a winner for Phil and his first for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani.”

Collington was pleased with both his runners saying: “It’s good that Sharesa won over 2000m. She’s settled into a good routine since she’s arrived here from Qatar, with plenty of turn-out time. She could have a big

chance in the Hatta at DIAR.” Of the second Ishfaq, he commented: “He’s a nice progressive horse, though the ground may have been too quick for him. He’s by Asraa Min Albarq and they seem to like a bit of cut. He also has a good chance at DIAR, his jockey Sam Hitchcott felt he would be better suited by a bigger field, as he had to make the running yesterday.”

This was Sharesa’s first win at this classic trip, having been well beaten on her sole attempt when finishing sixth in the Qatar Oaks in December. However her form had picked up towards the end of the season in Doha, concluding with a win against Majeed (a Group 3 PA winner in Holland two years ago) in mid April. She seemed refreshed from her break and running for the first-time in blinkers, having previously sported a visor, clearly suited her as she travelled well throughout.

She holds an entry in the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA), run over the same course and distance as her prep race win. However it will be a big step up in class as to date, her wins have been in conditions races and she is yet to line up in Pattern company.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

49

Eiman Du Loup (FR) and Antonio Fresu with Endo Botti and Stefano Danieri

DIAR - Italy April 29

veering across to the stands rail, losing ground. Owned

by Razza De Pine, Eiman Du Loup is by Kerbella and is a full-sister to Oleya Du Loup, dam of Group 1 winners Samima and Lightning Bolt and traces to Nevadour.

The Dubai International Arabian Races 2018 season got off to a superb start at Capannelle racecourse with three contests as part of the nine-race Dubai Day card which included the Italian 1000 and 2000 Guineas for thoroughbreds. It also saw great success for trainer Endo Botti, who won all three Arabian races, and jockey Antonio Fresu, who rode two of those winners.

The meeting opened with a 2000m conditions race, the Premio Taajer at Besnate, confined to fillies and mares. The contest was named after Shadwell Arabians’ Taajer, a full-brother to Handassa, who has retired to Società Agricola di Besnate in Verase, Italy for 2018.

The race was won in good style by Eiman Du Loup and Antonio Fresu, who dominated from the beginning and finished well clear of Yenka and Varen By Perla, despite

That was followed by the Premio Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes, a conditions race for three-year-olds only, which produced another convincing winner in Zoe Di Gallura. Filling the places in the 1500m event were Winne Taouy and Aline Khal. The handsome chestnut colt is a half-brother to the 2016 winner Urge Di Gallura, also trained by Botti, who then went on to DIAR at Newbury to win the juvenile Group 2 race over 1400m. This notable achievement was the first Italian winner at DIAR, the first Italian Pattern winner worldwide and also Urge Di Gallura was the first horse to win a DIAR bonus, which rewarded the winners of DIAR prep races with additional prize money who go on to Newbury and win again.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

50

Above: Zoe Di Gallura (IT) Below: Owner-breeder Giovanna Picconi

Giovanna Picconi who bred both colts, hopes to come to DIAR, saying: “I am out of my mind with joy at the moment, but of course we would like to come to Newbury, if possible.”

She continued: “I am proud because the colt is a homebred and we stand the sire Ulumu, too. The sponsorship from Shadwell Arabians is very important for the breeders because the world of Arabian racing now knows about the Italian sports-bred Arabian.

Thanks to Shadwell, we can race outside of Italy.”

Picconi owns around 50 horses, including mares, foals and youngstock, and has a large stud in Gallura, Sardinia. Her stallion, Ulumu, won nine times from a mile to 1800m and is an interesting mix of French, Italian and British bloodlines. His sire is Veinard Al Maury, who is also the sire of Caligola, the sire of Urge Di Gallura, so the colts are very closely related and it would be exciting for Italian breeding and racing if Zoe Di Gallura were to take his chance at Newbury on July 29th.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

51

The feature event was the Premio Dubai International Arabian Races 2018 Stakes Listed PA run over the same 2000m as the DIAR highlight, the Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA) at the end of July. it was another fine performance from the Botti stable as Ramiz Al Aziz and Antonio Fresu held off a determined challenge from No And No Al Maury to win by a nose.

Botti also trained Djebel De La Roque [a full brother to Cheik Roque] for the Daverio’s, who finished third, ahead of Motrag in fourth. Ramiz Al Aziz had not fulfilled his potential when trained in France, and has clearly improved since arriving in Italy.

DIAR - Sweden June 29

June, sponsoring three Arabian races which were well supported by the domestic owners and trainers, as well as horses coming from as far away as Poland. The handicap race, The UAE Embassy Trophy, was won

by Suhaim, ahead of Wictor and Maghazi, which was a notable victory for trainer Charlotte Goss who saddled the first and second. Suhaim is already a previous DIAR winner having won the 0-75 handicap in 2014 when trained by Beverly Deutrom.

The DIAR International Fillies & Mares Turf conditions event over a mile attracted five top class fillies. Al Nujaifi Racing’s Al Raha won in a very professional way, ahead of Cleopathre and Top Medina.

The feature race of the day was the DIAR Stockholm Arabian Cup, a Group 3 PA contest over 1750m was won by Al Mounteze Monlau for trainer Camila Nilsson.

Filling the places were Burkanalkhalediah and Shadwanalkhalediah for trainer Maciej Kacprzyk.

The DIAR series was at Bro Park in Sweden at the end of

Ramiz Al Aziz (FR) and Antonio Fresu just win from No And No Al Maury (FR) in the Listed Premio Dubai Intenational Arabian Races 2018 Stakes THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

52

Al Ryma Monlau (FR) [green cap, right] and Julien Auge

DIAR - France July 3 The DIAR European race series moved to the Hippodrome de La Teste de Buch, on Tuesday July 3 for three races, attracting top quality Arabians from all over France. Both Group races were won by YAS Horse Management, with a strong indication from connections that the winners will appear at Newbury on July 29 for Dubai International Arabian Races.

The mixed card of Arabian, and thoroughbred Flat and jumps races opened with the Shadwell Prix Bengali d’Albret for three-year-olds over 1400m. Over half the field were having their first racecourse appearance and Robert Bourdette’s Al Ryma Monlau made it a memorable one for connections. Winning by a neck from Neef and Sahmara, Al Ryma Monlau, was ridden

by Julien Auge for trainer Olivier Trigodet. The filly gave her owner-breeders a memorable day, as she was the dam’s first foal, and also the first runner for her sire, Runner (by Tahar De Candelon).

The Shadwell Critérium des Pouliches Gr2PA, run over 1900m was for fillies and mares. Belqees cut out most of the running, staying on well to win by a short neck, ahead of Joudh, with Karabosse De Ghazal in

third. Belqees has broken her maiden on her debut last autumn at Mont-de-Marsan over 2000m ahead of 15 other fillies. Since joining Xavier Thomas-Demault this season she has been unbeaten, winning on her seasonal debut and now gaining her first Group victory.

Thierry Delègue, YAS Horse Racing Management racing manager, commented: “We are very happy with her victory today and with the way she won; she jumped in front and managed her effort really well. The jockey was very pleased. We are looking forward to going to Newbury for the Group 1 PA at the end of July.”

The Shadwell Coupe du Sud-Ouest des Pur-Sang Arabes Gr3 PA was for four-year-olds and upwards also run over 1900m. Taymour, on only his third start, won by a short neck by from the well-fancied Muraaqib, in a battle to the line with the multiple Group 1 PA winner, just ahead of French PA Derby third, Hajres.

Ridden by Roberto Carlos-Montengro and trained by Antoine de Watrigant, the colt may also travel to England for DIAR. Taymour, like Belqees is by Mahabb, who is by Tahar De Candelon, who is also the sire of Runner. Tahar De Candelon (Tidjani) won Rounds 2 and 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge in 1998 and both Tahar De Candelon, and his son Mahabb stand under the Wathba Stallions banner.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

53

Above: Belqees (FR) wins the Shadwell Criterium des Pouliches Gr2PA from Joudh (FR) and Karabose De Ghazal (FR) Below: Taymour (FR) gets the better of Muraaqib (FR) and Hajres (TUN) in the Shadwell Coupe du Sud-Ouest des Pur-Sang Arabes Gr3PA

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

54

Lightning Bolt (FR) winnng the 2017 Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA)

DIAR - Holland July 8 The Dubai International Arabian Races prep series travelled to Duindigt, Holland, on Sunday July 8. The card featured three Arabian contests, of which two were Listed PA races, attracting a total of twenty-nine runners, trained in seven different countries: Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Poland. The crowd witnessed Lightning Bolt avenge his 2017 defeat by Jaldi Karo, which may set him up for a repeat win in DIAR’s feature race, the Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA), at the end of the month at Newbury, thereby becoming only the third horse two win the race twice.

The international conditions race, the No Risk Al Maury Stakes, run over 1800m, was won by Lightfeet by a length from Eqleem, with Ziggy DA in third.

Lightfeet is owned and trained by Diana Dorenberg, however he had only recently returned to her care after a short spell racing in France. Though delighted with his performance, she will wait to see how the horse recovers before planning his next race.

The Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes Listed PA, attracted 12 runners for the 1300m contest. Beverley Deutrom’s Storm Troupour ridden by the UK’s top Arabian jockey of 2017, David Turner, had made a bold bid from halfway, but he was unable to repel YAS

Horseracing Management’s Hind, who travelled smoothly into the lead for a two length victory. Another UK raider Alazeez, trained by James Owen for DIAR patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan, kept on well to take third at the finish, giving his young jockey, Antonia Peck, a placing on her first ride in Pattern company.

Thierry Delègue, Racing Manager for YAS Horse Racing Management, commented: “We always knew that this filly had abilities. Her first run of the season earlier this year in Royan, gave her a confidence boost and showed us that she has speed. Today’s blacktype victory is a confirmation of all the good things we think of her.”

In the Dubai International Arabian Races Stakes Listed PA, held over 1900m, Lightning Bolt shouldered his Group 1 PA penalty to victory, ahead of Shadda’ad and Jaldi Karo. In the corresponding race last year, Lightning Bolt had stumbled and been beaten

by Jaldi Karo, only to turn the tables when winning DIAR’s headline race last year. That win earned him one of the bonus awards and he could well be on course to gain another.

Lightning Bolt’s trainer and breeder, Karin van den Bos, commented: “This horse continues his great career. He travels very well and has a very strong mind. JeanBaptiste Hamel gets along really well with him and he gave him a good ride today.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

55

Trainer and breeder of Lightning Bolt (FR), Karin Van Den Bos receives the bonus award from Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster last year For links to the video form for all the DIAR prep races see The Arabian Racehorse DIAR Prep Series Newsletter:

Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA) 1m2f: Mehdaaf Athbah, Zayin Angkor Centurion,

www.conta.cc/2JCdsF8 The following horses have been declared and qualify for the DIAR Bonus Award should they win: DIAR International Stakes (Gr3PA) 7f: Ensiab, Hadiyah, Zoe Di Gallura, Jebel Ali Racecourse Za'abeel International Stakes (Gr1PA) 6f: Al Chammy, Storm Troupour, Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA) 1m2f: Sharesa, Eiman Du Loup, Joudh, Rehab,

DIAR 2016 bonus winner Urge Di Gallura (IT)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

58

DIAR in Focus Stud Manager - Paolo Crespi

Taajer (FR)

Paolo Crespi is the manager of the Societa Agricola di Besnate, a traditional stud farm in the north of Italy, covering 100 hectares and standing five thoroughbred stallions. These stallions, include Shadwell Stud’s Mujahid, Italy’s leading sire, and through Shadwell, they have recently extended their services to include Arabians.

Crespi explains: “We have been offering our services to thoroughbred breeders for 30 years and around 12 years ago, we expanded to include another farm in the middle of Italy (SAB di Pierantonio, near Perugia), which we first leased and then bought. We basically provide stallions at both farms for the thoroughbred breeder and board their mares and foals and youngstock.

“Shadwell began investing for the sake of the breeding of Arabians in our country, so we

began by managing their interests in Italy by assisting with the distribution of the frozen semen, which of course they can do from England, but we provide assistance with language, shipping and so on and from this year onwards we are also standing one of their stallions, Taajer.”

“At this stage only 5% of our business is Arabian, but that will increase. You also have to understand that with the thoroughbreds, a large part of the business involves keeping the mares at the stud, with Arabians, because of AI, you do not need to do that.”

In addition to standing Handassa’s full brother Taajer, who retired to stand his first season at stud this year, they also offer frozen semen for his sire Madjani, as well as No Risk Al Maury and Al Jakbar.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

59

With the well documented difficulties that the thoroughbred racing industry has faced in Italy, it is not surprising that the enthusiasm for that sport has dropped in recent years. However, Crespi feels that the Arabians are becoming more much more popular. This has been helped greatly by Shadwell Arabians supporting the breeders and the DIAR Committee bringing the prep series to Italy.

The opening race on the card was the Premio Taajer at Besnate and Crespi see's this years’ Dubai Day at Capanelle as a good example, as he explains: “Today was one Arabian race until four years ago, then it became two races and now it is three races. Shadwell are inviting more people and showing their support which is proving very successful. In Italy at present, the enthusiasm for Arabians is greater than for thoroughbreds, as breeders are seeing more races, more prize money and more stallions available.”

He continued: “The races in Italy are less competitive than they are in France of course, but they are improving very rapidly and since Arabian breeding and racing is becoming more professional here, then the standards will improve.”

When discussing the spread of Arabian racehorse breeding across Italy, he confirms that Sardinia has been a traditional stronghold for the sport. However, he has been surprised to learn it is increasing in other areas more noted for thoroughbreds, such as to the west of Milan and closer to Rome.

He explained: “In the last 40 years, Lazio in Rome has had many more horses. I believe Lazio is good for horses because the weather is better, even in the summer, there is always a bit of wind. It is much better than other hot countries such as Kentucky in America, or Australia for example.”

SAB di Besnate (Credit: SAB Besnate) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

60

Like other Italians, after a lifetime with thorougbreds, Crespi has been impressed with the Arabian breed concluding: “My late father was a passionate breeder of racehorses. But I am now running a public farm, providing a service to breeders, so I don’t have horses.

However, I would like to buy an Arabian now because I want to be involved. As far as I have learned the Arabians are tougher than you would expect, much tougher than thoroughbreds.”

All requests regarding Shadwell Arabian Stallions in Italy should be directed to : Paolo Crespi: S.A.B. - Società Agricola di Besnate srl. C.na Risaia, 21020 Mornago, Varese, Italy. www.sab.it phone number: +39 0331 987415; fax number: +39 0331 987385; email address: besnate@sab.it.

Certainly, the DIAR race series has had a very positive impact in Italy. The travel concessions available for runners are an obvious bonus for horses wishing to participate in DIAR itself, as is the bonus scheme, which of course was won for the first time by the three-year-old, Urge Di Gallura - Italian bred, owned, trained and ridden. This year his half-brother Zoe Di Gallura, won the same DIAR prep race at Capanelle and has been declared to run, a win for him would be another boost for Italy’s Arabian racehorses.

Above: Urge Di Gallura (IT) with Antonio Fresu, Endo Botti and Cristiana Brivio Below: Paolo Crespi

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

61

DIAR in Focus Handicapper and Tv Presenter - Stephen Molyneux

Stephen Molyneux at DIAR 2017

Stephen Molyneux has been the Arabian Racing Organisation handicapper since 2013, works as a producer-presenter for the Dubai Racing Channel and this year was invited to join the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities Pattern Race and Handicapper Committee.

How did you become interested in horse racing?

It was through watching it with my grandad on a Saturday afternoon as I was growing up. I’ve got no family involvement really in racing,

though one of my uncles’ follows it on a weekly basis and another is more involved in syndicates these days. Halfway through an agricultural degree I saw an advert for working for Racenews [a UK horse racing information service]. I was only there for six months, as an opportunity came up to work in Dubai as a journalist for a magazine, Race Week, so I went out there for two years. I was probably a bit too young at 19, and despite the title, it came out monthly and covered all sorts of equestrian news, though I focussed on horse racing.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

62

What brought you back to England?

I had met my wife Helen by then, she had lived in the Middle East for most of her life and wanted a change so I wrote to a few companies, including Timeform, looking for a new job. They had a project with a company in Hong Kong so I was fortunate to take that on, pretty much on my own. I was producing a whole raceday package, where we did short previews and ratings, so that’s how I got into handicapping, I worked alongside Graham North, who is still at Timeform now. Even then he had plenty of experience of handicapping and so I learnt the Timeform way, which has been a proven training ground for many people in racing.

How did the position with ARO come about?

Timeform were initially contacted when Graham Walcroft left as ARO handicapper. I was still at Timeform then and I think I was approached just by association - because I had been working out in Dubai, they thought I would know all about Arabian horses!

Just this year I joined the International Handicapping team, I took over from Graham Walcroft as the UK representative, he was happy for me to join the Pattern Race and Handicapper Committee and of course he’s still there as Chairman. It makes more sense for the person that is doing the ratings to be on the panel as well.

Tell me more about the Timeform formula for handicapping?

One of Timeform’s main roles is to supply information for the racing public, so they’ve got to try and get an edge, handicapping wise, over the official handicapper. It’s just using slightly different formula for pounds per lengths, they tweak the weight for age scale, things like that, all based on years of their own research that they think works best.

I suppose the biggest challenge I faced switching from working for Timeform to being an official handicapper is to take away that

artistic license and try to be as straight down the road as I can be. At Timeform you have scope to guess at what horses might be capable of, that their ratings could be much higher than what they’ve officially achieved.

Whereas with the official handicappers’ role, what you see is almost always what you get.

Obviously, you have a little bit leeway of thinking of what could have happened, for example when there is interference, but it has to be as close to what you see as you can.

How do you find the difference between rating thoroughbreds and Arabians?

At the end of the day they are all horses, though I suppose many people would say that Arabians are more inconsistent. I think the trickiest thing with the British Arabians is perhaps the fact that the courses they run on are very different – they’re not sticking to a rail, they’re seeing a lot of open space and things like that.

Also the distances involved, the losing Arabians tend to be beaten by a lot further, as the horse population is much smaller and you get more horses running in less suitable grades, just so that they can get a run, so I guess you have to be a little more sympathetic to the ones that are winning easily. There is such a discrepancy between the top and bottom end in terms of ability here, there’s not really much middle ground, so bringing them all together is also a challenge.

Now that you’re back in Dubai, your role for the Dubai Racing Channel gives you the opportunity to see all the UAE Arabian racing, with Meydan catering for the higher end and Sharjah for the lower end, how does it compare with the UK? It does, however my main involvement with Arabian racing in Dubai is as a jockeys’ agent, so I am following the form more in that way, looking for the best opportunities for my jockeys out there. I look after Richie Mullen, Adrie des Vries, Royston French and various others like Tom Marqand when he was out there this winter, so I keep a close eye on the form.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

63

Delishess (US) wins at Chelmsford City in April. Revitalised by returning to the UK, she received an additional 20lbs to her UAE rating and has since been raised again

The ratings are different too, in Dubai it’s more competitive, if horses go out to the UAE from the UK they tend to struggle off their UK marks. For horses coming back to the UK, which is perhaps an area in which people are most critical of me, in that they seem to be very well handicapped. What people need to bear in mind is that they’ve been in Dubai and they’re very fit horses - they’ve not recently come off the back of a harsh UK winter, they’re coats are good and they’re tougher, more streetwise. I mean in a 14-runner race round Abu Dhabi, there’s no quarter given, so if they next pitch up in a four-runner race at Chelmsford City, then all of a sudden they think I quite like this! This is easier than what I’ve been used to!

Do you think coming to the UK can revitalise horses from the Gulf in general?

Exactly, I think it is so tough for them out there, it such a harsh climate and some of the dirt surfaces that they’re running on, particularly tracks like Sharjah or Al Ain, or the courses in Oman, it doesn’t suit every horse. Coming to the UK with milder weather,

a grass track and less competition can turn around a horse that has got sour.

You could program races where horses coming back to the UK have to run in a conditions race in order to reassess their mark, but we know by experience that those are the races that are under subscribed and more often than not end up being a void race. We tried comparable ratings for a couple of years, but now we’ve gone back to putting 20 pounds on top of their UAE rating - I don’t suppose there’s going to any right formula that pleases everyone.

It’s the same with the horses coming from Oman as well. If they’ve raced in the UK before, we know there’s a certain ratings differential between the two. However, I appreciate that a lot of the UK trainers are small, with maybe only one or a couple of horses and it must be very difficult to get their horses fit with limited training facilities, with nothing to really work against, unlike the trainers with bigger strings. It’s not a criticism of them, it’s just how it is and when you see horses winning as easily as some do, of course I’m going to be criticised.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

64

How do you view the racing in the UK, compared to the rest of the world now you’re following the international racing more closely?

Obviously, I look at the Group races and I think the problem in the UK is it’s seen as amateur sport still. Competition has increased with HH Sheikh Hamdan splitting his horses between two trainers, which has helped, though of course Gill Duffield was a great champion for the sport. When UK horses travel to Europe, I’m thinking particularly of Beverley Deutrom, her horses have been proven to very competitive.

Perhaps there’s too much emphasis on one or two meetings with the prize money - what’s the point in connections running in a 0-75 handicap worth £400 at Chelmsford City when they can wait two months and run for £8-10,000 at Newbury? I know prize money is a difficult subject throughout racing in general, but I think the UK is very lucky to get the sponsorship they do from Sheikh Hamdan, the Royal Cavalry of Oman and a few others.

seriously? But I’m lucky enough to have spoken to the likes of [former ARO Director] Genny Haynes in the past, and she’s outlined how expensive it is to have these sorts of things [approx. £5000 per meeting] that regular thoroughbred racing takes for granted.

Ziyadd (FR) and Richie Mullen win R3 Al Maktoum Challenge Gr1PA (C) Andrew Watkins/DRC Media

What horses have excited you from the most recent Gulf season?

I’d say over the last two years there’s been a bit of a transitional period, with the main Sheikh Mansoor horses retiring and new ones coming through. Ziyadd looked to be a nice horse, he just got a bit lost in the Kahayla Classic, we’ve seen internationally trained winners of that race for the last couple of years, since the return to Dirt from Tapeta.

Stalls handlers at Chelmsford City

I don’t think people realise the hidden costs, it’s things like the stalls teams. To be looking in as an outsider, as someone watching from a betting shop for example, and to see the flip starts, you think how can you take this

At the top of end, certainly in Dubai and perhaps also in Abu Dhabi, the horses are not as competitive at the very highest level, as perhaps they’ve been in years gone by.

However, I think that has a lot to do with the increase in UAE owned horses running in France. A lot of Sheikh Mansoor horses [run under the banner of YAS Horseracing Management] are based in France and if they’ve had a full season there, coming and racing in Dubai, it catches up with them at some point, which I suppose is a similar problem for Sheikh Hamdan’s top quality horses as well.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

65

It’s been great to see the emergence of Oman this season, their homebred horses seem very precocious, as for the longevity of their careers, that remains to be proven at this stage.

Though we’ve seen them come back and be very competitive in the UK as well this year.

With DIAR coming up, how do you feel about the DIAR prep series?

It has definitely had a positive effect on DIAR itself, the bonuses are something that everybody is looking for and we’ve tried to help that by saying that from a handicapping perspective, if they do finish close to the winners, we’re not going to necessarily penalise them too harshly. Naturally with Group races you have to maintain a certain standard of the first three home for it to retain its’ status in the pattern, but with conditions races, which these prep races are, it’s about trying to attract as many horses as you can and hopefully see one or two go on and win at DIAR. Bonuses shouldn’t be easy to win and I don’t think they have been, I think the incentive is not just being the winner of a prep race, you can place to qualify too.

I think it’s good that in the UK that Phil Collington has entered horses with very high ratings in the prep series. To have horses of that level to run in normal races, like Mehdaaf Athbah at Chepstow [OR 122], or Sharesa at Newbury [OR 117] that highlights the quality that UK racing can attract. Also people shouldn’t be afraid to take them on, as Peter Hammersley did with Zayin Angkor Centurion.

And finally, what would you like to see change or improve with Arabian racing in the UK? I guess it would be nice to see the racing season extend, perhaps with an All Weather series. Though one thing that has surprised me with the trainers, and of course they know their horses better than me, is how many have been reluctant to run at Chelmsford City. I know it’s had its’ critics from the thoroughbred side as well, but I would say that an AW

surface is still more consistent than say a Taunton or a Hereford National Hunt course that has come to the end of its winter and is perhaps not as even as it could be. Plus we’ve seen recently with Bath that they’ve had problems with it being too firm and have had to re-open almost the entire thoroughbred card.

Chelmsford City should take a good deal of credit for organising these concert nights too, which have all been sell outs. Again, within racing, I know people do question whether the crowd is there for the horses, but you have Derek Thompson there to cheer the crowd on and get them going, and I think anything like that extends the reach of the sport.

I know a lot of professional jockeys have said that the UK racing should be opened up to them; I don’t want to not see the ownertrainer-riders, but again, it’s about public perspective and if you see a jockey who is riding once every three weeks in a race, versus one riding every day, the difference is noticeable. Though of course it’s the connections prerogative to use whoever they want. I appreciate they do all the work in the back ground, but these days it’s all about what the public see and what they associate it with.

There’s been talk of abolishing handicaps altogether - though of course that would do me out of a job! But whatever happens in the future, I do think there still needs to be some sort of pattern as to what a horse can run in and against whom.

Since I started, Arabian racing has come a long way, you get more on shown on the TV now and I know the hard work it takes to get these types of races on to thoroughbred cards. I was in Ireland recently for the Dubai Racing Channel and the team at the Curragh were disappointed that they no longer have their own race, even though there are no domestic Arabian racehorses, they had been very happy to stage racing at one of their feature meetings.

So I think the openings are there, we just have to find a way to move forward.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

68

DIAR in Focus Amateur jockey - Antonia Peck

Alazeez (GB) with Antonia Peck at Green Ridge Stables

Antonia Peck is an 18-year-old amateur jockey, who works for two-time ARO champion trainer James Owen at Green Ridge Stables in Newmarket. She has two rides booked for DIAR this year, Alazeez in the opening race and Crahck in the last. This will be her second appearance at the fixture, described recently

by Owen, as “Arabian racing’s Royal Ascot.”

life, taught her to ride, first ponies and then racehorses. He provided her with her first winner Supa Seeker, at Hereford as part of the now defunct ARO Thoroughbred series in 2016. Her first win on an Arabian came a year later, on HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's popular grey, Emiraaty, also for Owen at Wolverhampton.

Owen, who has been a family friend all her THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

69

Thanks to Owen, Peck has been riding all her life, though she never got involved with pony racing, she takes up the story saying: “I did a bit of show jumping on ponies, but at 16, I moved on to horses. I live 20 minutes from the yard here in Newmarket, and I’ve been working for James for about three and a half years, though I did spend six months with [thoroughbred trainer] Laura Morgan over the winter.

Currently in UK Arabian racing, jockeys registered to ride with ARO must be amateurs.

In order to be eligible to ride against professional jockeys in designated handicaps, they must first have had a minimum of 20 rides and three winners. To encourage trainers to use them, they are entitled to claim an allowance of five pounds until they have ridden five ARO winners and then three pounds until they have ridden 25 winners.

‘I’ve been full-time with James since April, when I finished college where I studied Sports Science. Riding has always been what I wanted to do, so that’s what I’m concentrating on for now. If it didn’t work out, which can always happen, then I would probably go back to sport science in some way.”

It is this rule that has helped her (and many other young jockeys) get rides in ARO premier handicaps at DIAR and at the single Arabian races on thoroughbred cards. Speaking of her Dubai Day experience last year Peck smiles saying: “I had two rides, the first on Munbaher in the mile handicap [finishing fifth] and Emiraaty in the mile and a half race, [finishing fourth] because I could claim.”

So far she has had a few rides point-topointing (amateur racing over fences), gaining two winners, two seasons ago, however breaking her collarbone at the start of this year put paid to any hopes of adding to them this season. To date she has had nine rides in amateur races under rules on the Flat, yielding an impressive four places, frustratingly including a win which she lost in the stewards room.

She enthusiastically praised that experience saying: “I enjoyed it so much, it’s different riding against the professionals, it makes you raise your game. It’s great to get that sort of opportunity, because of course under rules I can only ride against other amateurs, so riding the Arabians against professional jockeys is an experience I wouldn’t otherwise get.”

Emiraaty (FR) with Antonia Peck at DIAR 2017 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

70

Antonia Peck in the paddock for the opening race of DIAR 2017

Both those horses were owned and bred by Owen’s main patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan, who is also patron of DIAR and of ARO. Peck met him in the paddock prior to riding Munbaher last year, which clearly has made a lasting impression, which she recalls: “To meet His Highness was everything and more. To ride his Arabians every day at home and then meet him at the biggest meeting for Arabians was amazing! It’s what people like me dream of doing!”

In March this year, Peck was invited to represent the UK in a round of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) at Sam Houston in Texas, USA. This was Peck's first ride overseas, speaking to The Arabian Racehorse the morning after the race she said: "As we walked out into the paddock and saw the horses, I didn’t realise how small Pams Masquerade really was!

"I spoke to Simon Hobson [her trainer] beforehand and he said that she gets very hot headed before she gets led down by the pony; she definitely knew what was going on, as even with the pony she was on her toes."

Describing the race she commented: "We hardly got any notice when the gates were going to open, so I had to be more alert than usual and I got a good start which helped. The race was run very quick, unfortunately for me the winner kept on going at the same pace and then quickened away, whereas Pams Masquerade just stayed at the same pace.

She continued: "Luckily, she was a very tough little mare and coped well with the kick back as it was horrendous, everyone had to wear at least 3 sets of goggles!"

However, the pair still managed to come home in the first three.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

71

"Simon was great to all three jockeys that rode for him. He told us about the horses and just said 'have fun' which was great as well. The owners were happy with how Pams Masquerade ran, which always makes things easier!"

Continuing Peck said: "The experience was brilliant as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do [ride abroad], but never thought I would.

All the people were so lovely considering it was my first time travelling on my own and knew no one! Which made it more enjoyable and we all had a laugh which was great."

This month she had her first ride overseas for Owen, and for His Higness, which was also her first in a pattern race, when she went to Holland with Alazeez. They ran in the Shadwell Arabian Stallion Stakes, a Listed PA race over 1300m, as part of the DIAR prep

series, in which Alazeez ran on well to be third.

Describing the trip she said: “It was a long journey, we went over by ferry, I think it took about ten hours. It wasn’t too bad though, as obviously we stopped regularly for the horses as we also took Eqleem, who was second in his race.

“I’d never been to Holland before. Going with Danielle [Giles] and James it made it worthwhile. It was good for him to use me on Alazeez and a great experience to ride in another country at that level.”

She now partners him in the opening race of DIAR, the Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes over Newbury’s straight mile course. As the joint highest rated horse in the race, he’ll carry top weight, so for Peck to be able to claim five pounds gives him a welcome edge.

Antonia Peck with Tatbeeq (GB), Danielle Giles and James Owen at Chelmsford City THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

72

Crachk (FR) with Antonia Peck at a Racing Club day in March

Peck is obviously delighted to ride him again saying: I’ve been riding him the last couple of weeks at home and having ridden him in Holland, I think he’ll have a great chance, he’s felt great in the run up. I think he’s come out of that race better than he has any other.”

Tatbeeq. Following Tatbeeq’s win Owen commented: "Antonia Peck gave him a lovely ride today, she rides him at home and we will be doing all we can to help her chase the Lady Jockey Championship now, she deserves all the rides she can get."

Her other forthcoming DIAR ride is Crahck in the Emirates NBD Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs, for the James Owen Racing Club.

This race is restricted to ARO amateur riders only, so Peck cannot claim an allowance. Of Crahck’s chances she says:”I worked him the other day and he feels well in himself. He’s very straightforward and just keeps galloping.

He’s been best in staying races, but hopefully first-time blinkers and running in this grade, he should get the trip and run a good race.”

Concluding Peck said:“I’m very grateful to James, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan and the Racing Club, for giving me another opportunity to ride on Dubai Day. I’d be over the moon if Alazeez won. We broke him in here, he’s been part of my racing life from the start.”

Peck has ridden two Arabian winners so far this season, another on the remarkably consistent Emiraaty, and more recently, THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

74

Dubai International Arabian Races 2018 Group 1PA Race Previews

Dubai International Arabian Races, originally known as 'Dubai Day' been in existence for well over 30 years.

ARO and DIAR patron HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has recorded an outstanding 49 winners at the fixture since 1998, which includes six trebles [1998, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2014] and three four-timers, most recently in 2016 [1998,2008].

It is the most prestigious day of Purebred Arabian racing in the world as the card includes three Group 1 PA contests as well as a Group 3 PA race and this year

attracted a total of 166 entries across the eight races, which include three handicaps for UK trained horses only and an international conditions race. After final declarations on Wednesday July 25, 80 horses stood their ground, of which 24 were entered in the following PA Group races.

The DIAR prep series and bonus scheme has gone a long way to encourage greater participation, with 13 horses eligible this Sunday, though there are many more horses declared that had run in the series.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

75

Shadwell Dubai International Stakes Gr1PA 1m2f

Reda (QA) and Harry Bentley win the 2017 Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) at Meydan, they could give trainer Julian Smart a fifth win in the DIAR feature event Recent Winners,Trainers, Jockeys, Ground and Times: 2017

Lightning Bolt

Karin Van Den Bos

Olivier Peslier

Soft/Heavy

2.24.55

2016

Muraaqib

Francois Rohaut

Francois Xavier Bertras

Good to Firm

2.19.65

2015

Gazwan

Julian Smart

Harry Bentley

Soft

2.24.36

2014

Al Hibaab

Gill Duffield

Ted Durcan

Good

2.32.61

2013

Djet Taouy

Diana Dorenberg

David Michaeux

G to F (gd pl)

2.18.06

The feature contest, the Dubai International Stakes, was first run at Kempton Park in 1984, though moved to Newbury in 1997. The first winner was Valino, ridden and trained by John Elliot and owned by Wishtrend Ltd. The race has since been won by many of the major

names in Arabian racing, most notably leading sires, and now broodmares sires, Dormane (1988) and Bengali D'Albret (1993, 1994) . No Risk Al Maury also won twice (2007,2008), whilst Al Sakbe was the only horse to regain his title (1999, 2001). The last mare to win was Al Dahma (2009).

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

76

The most successful trainer has been Gill Duffield with nine winners, including the dual winners No Risk Al Maury and Bengali D'Albret. Currently the most succesful trainer with runners this year is Julian Smart, who has trained four of the last eight winners. He is represented by Reda.

Reda's best performance to date was a win in the prestigious Dubai Kahayla Classic Gr1PA , also over 1m2f, in 2017. Only one other horse has won both the Kahayla and the Dubai International which was Jaafer ASF, in 2010, who was also trained by Smart. Smart would be the first to admit that his charge is significantly better on Dirt, however, Redea has been running with credit throughout the winter in Doha. His best performances were over this trip when a half length second in the National Day Trophy Gr2PA, to TM Thunder Struck and when winning the Al Zubara Trophy, on both occasions ridden by Theo Batchelot who rides on Sunday.

Four-year-olds have a strong record, winning 15 times since 1984, however with none entered this year, the next winning-most age group are five-year-olds. Ishfaq,

Nafees and Zayin Angkor Centurion are all five, of which Nafees has the superior form, winning both the French and UK Arabian Derby's over this trip last season.

Things didn't work out for Nafees in this years' Kahayla Classic, he was drawn towards the outside, raced middivision and never really got in to the race.

Since returning to Europe, he was third in a Gr3PA in Toulouse, over this trip on good ground, just under two lengths ahead of Al Mouwaffak - who he reopposes on Sunday. His most recent appearance was in the President of the UAE Cup - Coupe d'Europe des Chevaux Arabes Gr1PA also over this trip on good. Held up by Olivier Peslier, he was briefly stopped in his run in the home straight and had to switch to go round horses, showing good acceleration to reel in the winner and was only beaten a neck.

Both Ishfaq and Zayin Angkor Centurion are tackling this level of comptetition for the first time and though both look progressive young horses, they need to step up on what they have shown to date against these battle hardened Gr1PA performers.

Nafees (FR) and Tadhg O'Shea win the President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

77

Mehdaaf Athbah (GB) and Tadhg O'Shea go to post for the DIAR prep at Chepstow Joint top-rated in the race with Reda is Mehdaaf Athbah and though not a Gr1PA winner, he earnt his rating by finishing runner-up to mulitple Gr1PA winners, Al Mourtajez (in 2016) and Muraaqib (in 2017) in top level contests in France. He has clearly had training problems, having only raced twice last season, and he made his reappearance in the DIAR premier handicap prep run over 1m4f at Chepstow in June. He won well enough after over a year away from the track, giving weight away all round and providing he doesn't 'bounce' after his long lay off, he is another leading contender on past form, any rain would be a plus for him too.

Both he and Furry are by the most successful sire of recent times, Amer, who has got five out of the last ten winners, though on all known form, Furry will be outlcassed in this contest.

with six wins. In this renewal, there are two previous winning jockeys, Tadhg O'Shea (2011 Asra Min Albarq) who rides Medhaaf Athbah and Olivier Peslier (2017 Lightning Bolt) who rides Nafees.

Al Mouwaffak (FR) a Gr1PA winner as a juvenile in France

The most successful jockey in the race is Richard Hills THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

78

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes Gr1PA 1m2f

Sharesa (QA) and Tadhg O'Shea win the final DIAR prep at Newbury Recent Winners,Trainers, Jockeys, Ground and Times: 2017

Sylvine Al Maury

Elisabeth Bernard

Jean-Bernard Eyquem

Soft/Heavy

2.24.55

2016

Sylvine Al Maury

Elisabeth Bernard

Jean-Bernard Eyquem

Good to Firm

2.16.33

2015

Djainka Des Forges

Julian Smart

Harry Bentley

Soft

2.25.79

2014

Djainka Des Forges

Julian Smart

Harry Bentley

Good

2.23.43

2013

Shararah

Jean-Francois Bernard Jean-Bernard Eyquem

G to F (gd pl)

2.21.52

As you would expect, the feature race for fillies and mares has also been won by some really top class horses, such as Mizzna in 2006, who went on to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic Gr1PA - one of only two mares to do so. There have been two dual winners, Sylvine Al Maury (2016, 2017) and Djainka Des Forges (2014, 2105). Both Djainka Des Forges and Mkeefa (2012)

went on to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup Gr1PA France's most valuable contest for older horses.

In recent years, the most successful trainer has been the husband and wife combination of Jean-Francois and Elisabeth Bernard, however Elisabeth doesn't have a runner this year. Jean-Bernard Eyquem is the most successful jockey, but he is sidelined through injury.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

79

Sharesa is clear by ten pounds of the rest of the field on ratings, but has only won two local bred conditions races over 1850m in her native Qatar to date. She was an impressive winer of the last DIAR prep race since arriving in the UK, but this will be the first time she has entered pattern company. She is very well bred however, being a full sister to Gr1PA winner Assy, her dam, Margouia is a full sister to Massamarie, dam of further Gr1PA winners in Ebraz, Mared Al Sahra and Dubai International Stakes Gr1PA winner, Mu'azzaz.

Sharesa won the prep in 2.19.90 on good to firm ground, which is very respectable, though not as fast as Shomoos Athbah's win of 2.16.89 in the prep for fillies' facing the same conditions. Neither filly was over extended in their wins, both were ridden by Tadhg O'Shea and both bid to give jockey turned trainer Phil Collington, his first win in this contest.

However, French trained horses have dominated htis race winning 12 of the last 18 renewals. Lining up this year are Almaa and Joudh, and both have Gr1PA form.

Almaa is trained by Thomas Fourcy and is a three-time Gr2PA winner in France last year, twice over this trip.

When she finshed third in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments Gr1PA at Chantilly in October, she had three of Sundays' field behind her (Jamas DA, Mirabella T and Calitri DA), in what was a very strong race, where she lost out by two short heads. She then went on to win the French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic Gr2PA over 2200m on good ground at Toulouse beating colts.

She went out to Qatar in February, finishing fifth in the HH Emir's Sword Gr1PA, the best of her sex in that contest. Returning to France she was just over a length second in the Prix Nefta Gr2PA, where Jamas DA was along way back in seventh. A fifth in the President of the UAE Cup - Coupe d'Europe des Chevaux Arabes Gr1PA also over this trip on good followed, so a good run from her on Sunday will be a positive for Nafees in the Dubai International as he was second in that event.

However her latest run at La Teste in the Shadwell Criterium des Pouliches Gr2PA (part of the DIAR prep series) saw her finish fourth, with three and a half lengths between her and the other French challenger Joudh, though as a five-year-old she has to give weight away to that one again on Sunday.

Almaa (FR) and Julien Auge at Chantilly where they were a close third in Gr1PA THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

80

Joudh (FR) and Mikael Barzalona, second in the Gr2PA DIAR fillies prep at La Teste

Four-year-olds just have the edge over their year older competitors in this, and with a four pound weight-forage advantage it's not hard to understand. Joudh falls into that category, as do fellow DIAR prep winners Shomoos Athbah and Eiman Du Loup.

was narrowly beaten at La Teste last time. Her trainer Didier Guillemin is a leading trainer of both thoroughbreds and Arabians in France and finished seventh in the Arabian Trainers Championship (prize money won) in 2017, though third by races won. This will be his second DIAR runner, having brought Celeste De Ghazal over for the juvenile contest last year.

Joudh is the only Gr1PA winner in the race, and she won two of those in France as a juvenile last season, one of which was over this trip in Deauville. Her winning streak came to an end after that in the fillies' Gr1PA contest at Saint-Cloud, though she did finish second in the French Arabian Breeders ChallengePouliches Gr2PA in which Shomoos Athbah was eighth.

Trainer Phil Collington admits that that contest was a race too many for Shomoos Athbah and a line should be drawn through that effort.

Shomoos Athbah is Collington's other runner, who has always promised to be top class. She was a narrow margin winner on her juvenile debut just beating Zayin Angkor Centurion (also runs in the Dubai International) in a driving finish. After that run she travelled strongly in her races without winning, finishing second in the DIAR juvenile prep and inthe DIAR Gr2PA, and has clearly been frustrating for her trainer.

Joudh reappeared this term in a Gr3PA in Bordeaux over a mile, finishing fourth (beaten nearly eight lengths) to multiple Gr1PA winner Muraaqib and ahead of another Dubai International contender in Al Mouwaffak. She has been closer to the winner since, in two runs against fillies, placing third at this trip in Toulouse (giving weight to the winner and second) and

She finally came good on her reappearance in a Gr3PA at Windsor over a mile, after which her trainer credited her devoted groom Ria Tillet, for all the hard work she had put into gving the filly confidence at home. She ran in a net muzzle that day, which she also sported when winning her DIAR prep. Collington has always thought alot of the filly based on her homework and

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

81

was clearly delighted that she was finally showing her true potential. She will still need to be produced late, but regular partner Tadhg O'Shea has her measure now.

Finishing behind her that day at Newbury, were Rehab, two and a half lengths off in second and Naishaan who was over ten lengths behind in fourth. Naishaan has also been difficult to train, showing plenty of promise at home, though rarely translating it to the track. She did win the DIAR fillies prep last year, beating Gr3PA winner and Gr1PA placed Aghsaan, with Jamas DA six lengths back in third. Rehab will also have to step up on what she has shown to date, breaking her maiden over a mile on soft on her UK debut in May. Also needing to step up to win is the Italian filly Eiman Du Loup, despite being an impressive winner of the Italian DIAR fillies prep. She is bred for the job however, as she is a full sister to the dam of last year's Dubai International Stakes winner Lightning Bolt and shares her sire Kerbella with dual winner, Djainka Des Forges.

Dutch raider Mirabella T, is still without a win, though she finished ahead of Jamas DA in this last year. It

would be a big ask for her to break her maiden in this contest which looks a more competive affair than last years. In her favour though is trainer Gerard Zoetelief, who knows how to plunder the big races, having been very successful with the popular Gr1PA winning mare, Prada T and who bred, owned and trained the winner of the international conditions event here last year, in Pronto T, who shares his sire with this filly.

Mirabella T (NL) and Pat Dobbs go to post for the 2017 Hatta International

Shomoos Athbah (GB) and Tadhg O'Shea go to post steadily for the DIAR prep THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

82

Jebel Ali Racecourse Za'abeel International Stakes Gr1PA 6f

Lswail(FR) and Julien Auge are the only defending title holders of a DIAR Gr1PA race in 2018 Recent Winners,Trainers, Jockeys, Ground and Times: 2017

Lwsail

Thomas Fourcy

Julien Auge

Soft/Heavy

1.24.92

2016

Radames

Francois Rohaut

Dane O'Neill

Good to Firm

1.21.39

2015

Al Mouhannad

Christian Baillet

Thomas Henderson

Soft

1.21.21

2014

Al Mouhannad

Christian Baillet

Jean-Baptiste Hamel

Good

1.25.45

2013

Al Mouhannad

Christian Baillet

Roberto-Carlos Montenegro

G to F (gd pl)

1.20.04

The Jebel Ali Racecourse Za'abeel International Stakes has become something of a specialists' race, with so few sprint races run over six furlongs. There have been two three-time winners, Dahess (2005-2007) and Al Mouhannad (2013-2015). Dahess is now one of the most successful Arabian sires in the world, whilst Al Mouhannad was following in her sire Nizam's

hoofprints, as he won the event in 2004. (She has since been retired to stud, see the The Final Furlong feature on page 108).

This is another race in which the French do well, winning 13 of the last 16 contests. They are of course headed by defending title holder Lwsail, who was an

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

83

Mith'haf Athbah (GB) and Adam Bechizza prior to winning a 1m2f DIAR prep at Newbury last year before finishing fifth in the Dubai International Stakes Gr1PA

ten length winner last year in a quality field that had subsequent R2 Al Maktoum Challenge Gr1PA winner Barnamaj in second, Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon Stakes Gr3PA winner Macallan in third, and Maisoor, who until that race had been unbeaten in nine starts, fourth. Finishing in eighth was Storm Troupour who has since gone on to win a Gr3PA in Sweden over 5f, who reopposes on Sunday.

Though ths race appears to favour repeat performers, the main concern for Lwsail is his lack of match practice as he has not run since winning this race on very testing ground last year. Any further rain would help him too.

Also coming into the race off a long break is fellow Gr1PA winner, Mith'haf Athbah, though his top level win was over a mile on the Polytrack at Chelmsford City, he did also drop back to seven furlongs to win the French Arabian Breeders Challenge Sprint Gr2PA in Toulouse in October on good ground. Barnamaj was also a runner up on that day, though only by a length and a quarter.

MIth'haf Athbah made his seasonal reappearance in a

valuable invitational race in Saudi Arabia at the end of January over a mile and furlong, but didn't take to the surface (a sand-woodchip mix) and finished unplaced.

He is attempting this trip for the first time, but trainer Phil Collingotn has alwasy felt he has plenty of speed.

On past form he would definitely be better suited by quicker ground than Lwsail, and like that one is by Amer, who has sired nine winners of this contest since 2000.

Also making his debut at this trip is Ahzar, who has raced eleven times at a mile or beyond and has been second three times over 1m2f at Gr1PA level, including being runner-up to Nafees in the French and English Derby's last year.

His most recent outing was over seven furlongs in a Listed PA contest at La Teste last Sunday, when he was just over two lengths off the winner in third, though the winner and second were four-year-olds in receipt of weight. Held up in the rear, he travelled well into the race, but as the leaders increased the pace, he didn't find much under pressure from four furlongs out.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

84

Whilst he may be entering Group company for the first time the UK DIAR sprint prep winner Al Chammy will be of great interest, as he is a full brother to three-time Za'abeel International winner Al Mouhannad. He had plenty of experience in France, Oman and the UAE, before making his UK debut behind Shomoos Athbah in the Gr3PA ARO Cup over a mile at the end of May. He finished third, ahead of Storm Troupour and Kao Kat MHF who he reopposes on Sunday. His jockey Pat Dobbs felt he would be better for the addition of blinkers, for his next start in the sprint prep. They certainly did the trick and he is now a course and distance winner going into the Za'abeel.

Kao Kat MHF was second in this two years ago, before winning the Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon Stakes Gr2PA over a fulong less on his next start. He had been off the track since finishing third in a Turkish Gr1PA that September and ran like he needed the outing when last at Windsor in May. Stablemate Storm Troupour on the otherhand has been running well overseas this winter picking up a Gr3PA contest over this trip in Sweden. He led for the first four furlongs at Windsor, before fading to seventh and he's sure to be closer up on Sunday.

He also has placed track form, as he was third in last years' Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon Stakes (now run as a Gr3PA), behind Macallan.

Storm Troupour (US) and Davyersson De Barros at Windsor

Al Chammy (FR) and Pat Dobbs go to post at Windsor THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

86

James Owen Racing Blog The Arabian Racehorse e-newsletter blog-spot transfers to the magazine to highlight the teams chances at DIAR

Karlos Du Cayrou (FR) and Antonia Peck work up Hamilton Hill

We haven't seen rain for a long time here in Newmarket and everywhere is now brown and dry, which is unheard of in this part of the world! To beat the heat we have been starting earlier and the team at home have been fantastic as always. The horses seem in really great form in this run up to Dubai International Race Day Fingers crossed they run well for us!

We recently took a trip to Duindigt Racecourse in Holland for a couple of the DIAR Prep Races. Here we ran Eqleem in a conditions race over a mile and he ran a great race finishing second. This was a good run from him because he found the tight configuration of the track not to his best strengths. Going on this run I think there is a lot of improvement in him.

We also ran Alazeez in the listed race over six furlongs

and our stable jockey Antonia Peck took the ride. He ran by far his best race for a while finishing third behind two highly rated horses. Alazeez looks to be getting back to his best form just before Dubai day where he will head for the 50-90 mile handicap.

We were very well looked after at Duindigt Racecourse and very much enjoyed the trip. We will certainly be going back!

It was nice to see Karlos Du Cayrou run a big race at Chelmsford where he finished second. A lot of the racing club members were there and very much enjoyed the day. He is all set to go to Newbury for the 40-75 seven furlong handicap, in which he should be very competitive.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

87

I have good chances in the handicaps at Newbury this year and look forward to running Al Kaaser, whom I think a lot of. He has done nothing wrong so far in winning both his starts, which have both been on the all weather. This is his first start on grass and is a step up in class, but he looks like he is on an upward curve and should take a lot of beating in the first race of the day.

Emiraaty, who is a yard favourite and always tries so hard, is running in the UAE Embassy International Stakes over a mile and a quarter. He ran second in a DIAR Prep Race at Chepstow and I’m hoping for a big run from him this weekend.

We have other strong chances in the Rotana Hotels And Resorts Premier Handicap Stakes 0-105 over a mile and a half. In this we run Al Faaris who was second in this race last year and is unbeaten in two starts this season.

The trip and ground should be perfect for him.

In the 0-75 handicap we run Karlos Du Cayrou who ran in the mile handicap at this meeting last year and has

since dropped 15lb, he is joined by fellow Racing Club horse Crahck. It is great to have club runners at Newbury in our first year since launching the James Owen Racing Club and a lot of the members are planning to attend.

We also run Delishess who was a very easy winner on her first start for us at Chelmsford and has since gone up 15lb. Things will be tougher this time, but conditions should suit and if putting her best foot forward she should take a lot of beating under multiple champion amateur,Simon Walker.

On another note, we had Racing UK in last week, who are doing a small feature on the yard as part of the ‘This Racing Life’ program. This will be broadcast over the next few days and will hopefully help to promote Arabian racing this week.

Watch the Racing UK feature here:

www.racinguk.com/videos/watch/ondemand/17572

Find out more at www.jamesowenracing.com

Al Kaaser (FR) and assistant trainer Mitchell Hunt work up Hamilton Hill THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

88

DIAR UK Stable Tour Round-up Prior to DIAR The Arabian Racehorse spoke with current leading ARO trainer Phil Collington, two-time ARO champion trainer James Owen, dual Emirates NBD Handicap winning trainer Pete Hammersley and 2017 ARO champion newcomer and DIAR International Stakes winning trainer Said Al Badi, for a preview of some of their chances.

Phil Collington Brickfield Stud, Newmarket Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Gr1PA 6f “Mith'ahf Athbah, it would be great to have another Za’abeel horse, [Collington trained the 2016 winner Radames] Though for me a mile is his perfect trip, I think Mith’haf Athbah should be competitive, as he showed enough speed to win the Gr2PA in France andhe ran that 7f in 1.31.15 which is a good time. He

probably would need a bit of a give, Toulouse was good ground, if he ran that sort of time sectionaly, he’d be right there in the Za’abeel."

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Gr1PA 1m2f "Shomoos Athbah has had the most perfect preparation. Her plan has been the ARO Cup (which she won), the Hatta prep (which she won) which then gave her a month until DIAR. She’s going to have everything going for her.

"Sharesa can shave seconds off of that run, but so can Shomoos. Obviously we know that Shomoos is not going to bolt to the front two furlongs out, but the stronger the pace she gets, the better she’ll run.

Sharesa has not been here that long, it’s soon enough from the prep race, to be running on DIAR."

Shomoos Athbah (GB) and regular partner Ria Tillet work on the Cambridge Road Polytrack THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

89

Above: Stayers candidates Al Monther (GB) and Phil Collington lead Saleemah (GB) and Jenny on the Cambridge Road Polytrack Below: Anfaas (GB) and Phil Collington return to the yard from cantering on Hamilton Hill. Anfaas had a variety of entries for DIAR, but goes for the opening race, the Emirates Premier Handicap. Rated 90 and with Tadhg O'Sha on board, she carries top weight, but it's a race Collington has won for the last two years

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

90

Dubai International Stakes Gr1PA 1m2f

significant rain will help her.

"Mehdaaf Athbah wants a strongly run 1m2f. He came out the Chepstow race really well. He could have run at Newbury, but with the ground so firm we were concerned about jarring him up before the big day.

He’s fit and he’s a very clean winded horse."

"Al Monther looks like he’s shaping up into the type of horse that will stay.

"Munnawaar is right down the bottom, just out of the handicap, it’s just a case of whether he can be competitive from there."

Rotana Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap (0-105) 1m4f "Halib Des Forges has had a great season, he’s only lost once, to Al Faaris who is also progressive. I think he could be competitive over 1m2f in the International Conditons, especially in the form he’s in, but the 1m4f should suit him as well. Last year in that race Jim Crowley said he didn’t get home over 1m4f on that testing ground.

"Saleemah, I think she is a good bit better on the soft and obviously she loves the surface at Chelmsford City, but I wouldn’t discount her on quick ground. She gives her all, she’s all heart. Easy ground does bring about another 7 or 8 pounds improvement though so any

Emirates Premier Handicap hopeful J Force (GB) takes it easy. Collington thinks dropping down to a a mile will suit him

Halib Des Forges (FR) and Josh Millar work on the Cambridge Road Polytrack THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

91

James Owen Green Ridge Stables, Newmarket

UAE Embassy in London International Stakes 1m2f

Emirates Premier Handicap (50-90) 1m

"Emiraaty, he’s been in great form, he tries, he's a good work horse and he’s a good line for all our others, I think he’ll run a big race. The trip and conditions suit him, there might be one or two too good for him, but he’s a good each way chance. He's a course and distance winner, and very straightforward."

"Alazeez is in off top weight, Antonia finished third on him in Holland in a Listed race and she can ride in this and claim 5lb so that will help him.

"Al Kaaser, he's won twice and hasn’t done a lot wrong, he’s on an upward curve which it looks like is what you need to win this race, a progressive horse. He’s ran twice, won at Chelmsford and Wolves, his works been good, he’s worked on the grass and he went up 9lb for his last win which puts him on 87, so he’ll have plenty of weight but he’s learning all the time.

"Rafeef is on a mark of 80, she was second first time out last year as a three-year-old and that was a good race, over 1m2f which is probably about her trip. You have to get that mile at Newbury, and they go hard, she should run quite a big race, she’s on quite a good mark I think.

She got beat at Chepstow - I don’t think she liked the undulating course - but her work since has been good."

DIAR International Stakes Gr3PA 7f "Some of my three-year-olds have been a bit slow to come to hand, however we have two. Ameed didn’t go in the stalls at Newbury for the DIAR prep, he’s since passed a stalls test, which the BHA have been very good about, we did that at Newmarket.

"Marawid had been working well before the prep, but he was a bit starstruck that day. He worked amazingly with Richard Hills recently and he was pleased with him. He's the most forward of my three-year-olds."

Alazeez (GB) who carries top weight in the opening race and Al Hakeem (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

92

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes Gr1PA 1m2f "Naishaan, she’s got all the ability in the world, but she can just be quite tricky."

Rotana Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap (0-105) 1m4f "Awzaan, he’s off a good mark, even though he’s got top weight. He needs a good rider, so we’ve booked Simon Walker, who has won this before. He’ll run a big race if it’s quick ground.

horse to get fit, he should run well.

Emirates NBD Handicap Stakes (40-75) 7f "Delishess who won first-time-out at Chelmsford, has had a break, we hope she's in-foal, but we're waiting to have that confirmed. She's in great form, stronger than at Chelmsford, I think if it's good ground, she'll take a bit of beating. This looks a very strong renewal, there's a lot of horses who have dropped down the handicap.

"Karlos Du Cayrou, he's very well handicapped, but he's had a few issues, he’ll run well for the Club and we run Crahck for them too."

"Al Faaris, is a dual winner this year, he beat Halib Des Forges first-time-out who has since won twice - he beat him quite well over a trip that was probably too short for him. He was second in this race last year and goes on any ground. Jim [Crowley]really enjoyed riding him at Doncaster when he won over 2 miles, he’s so straightforward, he won nicely at Doncaster. I think you need plenty of stamina for this race, "Tatbeeeq, has come on a lot, he’s been a very hard Above: Al Faaris (GB) [right] gets the better of Halib Des Forges (FR) at Taunton Below: Awzaan (FR) and Tadhg O'Shea prior to wining the DIAR 1m4f prep in 2016

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

93

Peter Hammersley Jubilee Racing Stables, Appleby Magna, UAE Embassy in London International Stakes 1m2f "Shammat Al Hosn, Pat Cosgrave rides her.

She will find it easier than recent starts as she’s been highly tried in Group company. She ran really well in the Gold Final at Huntingdon last year, just short of this trip, which she won at Windsor on quick ground the meeting before. She's a lovley mare."

Rotana Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap (0-105) 1m4f "Asraa Min Al-Talqa, the trip is ideal, at Chelmsford they went too fast for him so you can write that performance off. At Doncaster over 2m he travelled really well, but I think the lack of a run and the ground changing to soft was against him, but that’s defintely the best he’s travelled in a race to date."

Dubai International Stakes Gr1PA 1m2f "Zayin Angkor Centurion, he’s a different horse to last year. He ran well at Windsor the Group 3 over a mile, exceeding all expectations. The six furlongs was too sharp last time. He’s run over this trip once before at Chelmsford, but was too keen and ran out of steam when it mattered last year. He’s much more settled at home these days and we’re hopeful he’ll run well."

Asra Min Al-Talqa (GB)

Zayin Angkor Centurion (GB) and David Turner go to post at Windsor in May THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

94

Emirates NBD Handicap Stakes (40-75) 7f "Zayin Zachilles, it's the perfect ground for him, if it stays quick and he won last time out with Will Pettis who keeps the ride. I’ve been riding him myself at home and he’s felt really good in his recent work, the same sort of shape as when he won two years ago. He goes into the race a pound lower than that winning mark.

"Bin Al Reeh, we’ve brought him along steadily with a view that perhaps he would only run once this year and gain a bit of experience, but he’s surprised us with every run. He’s sure to want a bit further than this in time and we may well put him away after this race, but we’ll see what Jenny [Lees] suggests, the dam was very good and he’s an exciting horse for the future.

"Ultimate Force, he’s been going really well at home, Laura Pearson, Heather's daughter will ride him, it will be her first ride at DIAR. He’s probably not quite fast enough, but the light weight will help."

Maiden Bin Al Reeh (GB) and Ellie Mackenzie going to post at Chelmsford where they were a close second to Zayin Zachilles

Zayin Zachilles (GB) and Will Pettis after winning at Chelmsford last month THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

95

Said Al Badi Royal Cavalry of Oman, Berkshire

Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Gr1PA 6f

UAE Embassy in London International Stakes 1m2f

"Al Chammy goes to the Za'abeel, I hope he will be the same as his sister! He surprised me, as I though he needed further, we ran in the UAE Derby which is over 1m3f but he didn't quite stay. Pat Dobbs had suggested the blinkers as at Windsor, where he felt he was not keen to pass horses. We were pleased with the DIAR sprint prep win so we hope he will go well."

Laheeb, his dam Karte D'Or won three times over a mile, including at Newbury and he has won three times in Oman on the dirt, including over this trip.

DIAR International Stakes Gr3PA 7f

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Gr1PA 1m2f

"We have the fillies Ensiab and Hadiyah and the colt Tahirawah.

'Rehab, she won over a mile when we arrived in the UK in May on softer ground, but she ran well in the prep for this behind Shomoos Athbah.

"Ensiab won the DIAR prep race at Newbury, the conditions will suit her if they stay the same, though she surprised me, as I thought Hadiyah would win.

"Tahirwah won well at Chelsmford on his first run. He has a good pedigree, his dam Kerim, was second in the Hatta at Newbury."

'It has been a good season for the Royal Cavlary in UK, we're second in the ARO owners championship and we hope to bring more horses to the UK next year. Racing in Oman is going well, it is getting bigger now, they buy horses from all over the world."

Rehab (OM) and Anas Al Siyabi who rides her in the Hatta International THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

96

Above: Hadiyah (FR) at exercise Below: Ensiab (FR) the DIAR juvenile prep winner gets a welcome wash off

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

97

Above: Al Chammy (FR) and Anas Al Siyabi Below: Tahirwah (FR) won his maiden at Chelmsford City in June

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

99

Maintaining Electrolyte and Hydration Levels for Performance and Recovery Jane Buchan

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes (salts) are minerals which form charged particles, or “ions�, when dissolved in water. They are integral components of body fluids, causing cells to have electrical charges according to the concentrations of the various ions inside and outside the cell membrane.

This phenomenon is involved in important cellular functions, including maintenance of fluid balance, muscle contraction and the transmission of nerve impulses.

Horses, like humans, sweat to cool the temperature of their body which increases when muscles work, when the ambient temperature rises or as a response to stress.

Sweat consists of water, a protein called latherin, which helps spread the sweat, and electrolytes, and is more concentrated than

body fluids ie. is hypertonic. Body fluids need to be kept at a certain concentration (osmolarity) so, when water and electrolytes are lost in this way, the osmolarity is changed, an imbalance of salts occurs and tissue and organ function are affected.

This can lead to general and muscle fatigue as well as inability to concentrate and reduced co-ordination, all of which are not good news for any horse, let alone one who is expected to perform at speed, over long periods or over several days, like the endurance horse.

Consider the effects of a hangover in humans, which are in the main due to dehydration (fluid loss) caused by alcohol consumption, and you can appreciate how a horse could feel if dehydrated due to fluid and electrolyte loss through sweating!

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

100

Under mild ambient conditions, 5 – 7 litres of sweat can be lost per hour of steady trotting and cantering, while under high heat and humidity, sweat loss can approach 10 – 12 litres/hour and be as high as 15 litres/hour.

With roughly 10g of electrolytes per litre of sweat, it’s easy to see how these can rapidly be depleted. Large amounts of the body’s total sodium, potassium and chloride reserves can be lost in a short time with potential for up to 25% of the body’s chloride content to be lost within 2 hours of exercise, with a high sweat rate.

Water Losses and Thirst Response A 2% loss of water from the body can be detrimental to performance, affecting thermoregulatory and circulatory function, while loss of 10% of the body’s water content is classed as severe dehydration and leads, among other things, to a disruption of glycogen synthesis in the muscles and liver.

The body monitors the levels of sodium in body fluids so, when water is lost, the concentration of sodium increases and triggers the horse’s thirst mechanism. Ironically, providing the horse with water alone to replace that lost through sweating can lead to further problems, since the water will be absorbed and dilute the existing levels of sodium.

This then stops the desire to drink, even though the body may still need more water (be dehydrated), and at the same time the kidneys are triggered to excrete water until the sodium concentration is back to normal, compounding the problem still further. The most effective way to help replace fluid losses therefore is to provide a solution of water and electrolytes mixed to an osmolarity which is the same as body fluids (isotonic). This helps the body recover from dehydration by providing fluid without unbalancing sodium levels and thus suppressing the thirst response.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

101

Electrolyte Intake Most horses on a fully balanced diet, comprising good quality feed and forage, and in light to moderate work will receive sufficient electrolytes to meet their daily requirements, with any potential short fall being made up by the addition of 1 to 2 tablespoons (25 – 50g) of table salt daily or free choice access to rock salt in their manger.

Requirements are dramatically increased however for horses exercising over longer periods or working intensely, especially during warmer weather and in hot, humid conditions.

Even an isotonic electrolyte solution will only contain 1g of electrolytes per litre so a horse would need to drink large volumes of such a solution to replace electrolyte losses. For those working harder and longer, like race and endurance horses, losses could amount to 500g at the end of a two-day endurance ride which, if the normal diet were to provide 50 – 100g per day, could take 5 to 10 days to replace without additional supplementation.

Selecting an Electrolyte Supplement Electrolyte supplements are clearly useful to help a horse both replace lost electrolytes and to rehydrate efficiently and safely. Ideally the formulation should mirror the levels of salts (electrolytes) lost in sweat; a useful guide is that the quoted levels of sodium plus potassium should roughly equal the amount of chloride in the formula. There should also be small amounts of calcium and magnesium along with some sugar, generally dextrose (a form of glucose) which helps to improve palatability and also increases the rate of absorption of the electrolytes across the gut wall.

Using Electrolyte Supplements As we’ve discussed, an isotonic solution of electrolytes mixed in water is the ideal way to help the body rehydrate as quickly as possible and should ideally be given within 45 minutes to 2 hours of work, or sweating, finishing, although endurance horses who are sweating over prolonged periods can be given an isotonic solution at each vet gate.

Most electrolyte supplements should carry instructions on how to make up a solution, though getting the horse to drink it may have mixed results. In theory, an isotonic solution should taste more appealing to the dehydrated horse than one that is either weaker than body fluids (hypotonic) or stronger and saltier (hypertonic). Ideas like adding apple juice, or sugar beet water, to the water to aid palatability are all worth a try to encourage a horse to take electrolytes in this way.

Taking a Horse to Water In the event of a horse not wishing to drink water containing electrolytes, they can be offered in small amount of sloppy, even soupy, soaked beet or alfalfa chaff or given in wet sloppy feed. Special electrolyte syringes are also available but fresh drinking water must always be offered or available because electrolytes are “hydroscopic” (attract water) and, if they are taken with insufficient water, they will draw fluid into the gut from the surrounding tissues, worsening the horse’s dehydration.

When staying away from home, taking plenty of water with you is especially important if a horse is reluctant to drink “foreign” water.

You can mix your own water with that available at the racecourse or venue or, alternatively, get your horse used to drinking flavoured water at home by adding a little peppermint essence or fruit cordial. This will then mask any different flavours in the water available when away from home.

Electrolyte Benefits Whilst we cannot “preload” the system because the body can’t store excess electrolytes, it is still worth giving a supplement prior to racing or competition to be absolutely sure a horse will not be starting out with a deficit. Electrolytes stay in the system for about four hours before an excess is excreted by the kidneys, so a carefully timed feed containing electrolytes or isotonic drink can be worthwhile on the day of a race or ride.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

102

With studies having shown that horses can lose approximately 0.5% of their bodyweight every hour they travel, due to fluid loss, offering water or an isotonic solution every couple of hours on long journeys should help avoid unnecessary fluid and/or electrolyte deficits before the competition has begun.

Research has proven that correct administration of good quality electrolytes before and during moderate to intense work can increase the time to fatigue by nearly 23%; that means a horse can continue to work for 23% longer before getting tired.

restricting the horse’s access to forage (hay or haylage) at any time on a race or competition day or when travelling, should be avoided, unless the horse will be working at high intensities less than an hour after arrival.

Good-doers may need lower calorie forages fed in small-holed nets, to make a smaller ration last longer, but this is imminently preferable to the horse suffering long spells without forage and the associated risk of gastric ulceration that this also brings.

Horses who self-limit their forage intake, due to the stress of competitions, may be tempted with a selection of alternative fibre sources, like alfalfa chaffs, beet pulps and high fibre cubes or nuggets. Offering a “smorgasbord” of these in the stable, alongside the normal forage ration, will encourage natural foraging behaviour and, hopefully, increase overall fibre intake to help maintain gut health and hydration status.

For advice on feeding horses in training contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247, nutrition@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.

It has also been shown that when horses receive electrolytes within an hour of work being completed, recovery is improved and the horses are able to bounce back and perform to the same level on a second and third day. This is clearly important for many performance horses but highlights that any horse who sweats could benefit from receiving an electrolyte supplement.

The Importance of Forage Forage acts as a reservoir for water and electrolytes in the gut, indeed fluid stored in the gastro-intestinal tract can account for anything from 9% to 21% of the horse’s bodyweight. Couple with this, the importance of a constant flow of fibre through the system, and associated chewing, to help reduce the risk of performance inhibiting issues, like gastric ulcers and colic, and it can be seen that THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

103

European Group PA Results 2018 Season to July 13 Toulouse, France - 20 April Good 3.0

2. Rajeh (FR) 3. Mashhur Al Khalediah (FR)

Prix Nefta Gr2PA 2000m

Dist: 1.5, hd Time: 2.50.60 8 Ran

1. NAJAH (FR) 4 ch f (Munjiz x Dahwa) T: F Sanchez O: YAS Horseraicng Management J: Jean-Bernard Eyquem B: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed

Bordeaux le Bouscat, France - 5 May Soft 3.6 Prix Damas Gr3PA 1600m

Dist: 1.25, short head Time: 2.12.00 8 Ran

1. MURAAQIB (FR) 6 ch h (Munjiz x Tashreefat) T: Francois Rohaut O: HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum J: Francois Xavier Bertras B: Shadwell France SNC

Prix de Carthage-Hannibal Gr2PA 2000m

2. Rawdah (FR) 3. Dynamites(FR)

2. Almaa (FR) 3. Wadeeaa (FR)

1. AL WALID (FR) 5 gr h (Dahess x Al Sarwa) T: Thomas Fourcy O: Al Shaqab Racing J: Julian Auge B: H Mousli, N Mousalli, F Al Elweet 2. Ahzar (FR) 3. Nafees (FR) Dist: 0.5, neck Time: 2.16.80 6 Ran La Teste de Buch, France - 27 April Good 3.1 Prix Dormane Gr3PA 1900m 1. HAJRES (TUN) 4 gr c (Nizam x Ennadhirine) T: Elizabeth Bernard O: Emadadein Alhtoushi J: Jean-Bernard Eyquem B: Haras Ahmed Essaied

Dist: hd, 1.25 Time: 1.44.42 8 Ran Longchamp, France - 13 May Good 3.2

President of UA Cup - Coupe d'Europe des Cheveaux Arabes Gr1PA 2000m 1. SHAHM (FR) 5 ch h (Mahabb x Haboob) T: Xavier Thomas Demault O: YAS Horseraicng Management J: Mickael Barzalona B: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed 2. Nafees (FR) 3. Lightning Bolt (FR) Dist: nk, sht hd Time: 2.14.78 9 Ran

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

104

Jagersro, Sweden - 21 May Dirt

T: Philip Collington O: Athbah Stud J: Tadhg O'Shea B: Athbah Stud

Wathba Stallions Cup Gr3 PA 1730m 1. JALDI KARO (GB) 6 b g (Jehol De Cardonne x Merwah) T: Maria Hagman-Eriksson O: Maria Hagman-Eriksson J: Per Graberg B: John Elliot 2. Macallan (SWE) 3. Al Mounteze Monlau (FR) Dist: 0.5, 1.75 Time: 2.00.09 10 Ran

2. Zayin Angkor Centurion (GB) 3. Al Chammy (FR) Dist: 1.75, 1.25 Time: 1.51.68 9 Ran NR 6 Chantilly, France - 17 June Good to Soft 3.3 Qatar Derby Des Pur-Sang Arabes De 4 Ans Gr1PA 2000m

Toulouse, France - 28 May Soft 3.5

1. RODESS DU LOUP (FR) 4 gr c (Dahess x Aurore Du Loup) T: Charles Gourdain O: Khalifa Hamad Al Attiyah J: Cristophe Soumillon B: J M Saphores

Qatar Prix de L'Elevage Gr2PA 2000m

2. Rijm (FR) 3. Hajres (TUN)

1. KARABOSSE DE GHAZAL (FR) 4 ch f (Munjiz x Katerina De Ghazal) T: Didier Gullemin O: Haras De Ghazal EARL Al Pices J: Alexander Gavilan B: Mlle R Cambon

Dist: 1, nk Time:2.10.78 10 Ran

2. Wadeeaa (FR) 3. Joudh(FR)

1. AL MOUNTEZE MONLAU (FR) 5 ch c (Nashwan Al Khalidiah x Tadri) T: Camilla Nilsson O:Camilla Nilsson J: E Chaves B: Robert Bourdette/ Suc. JF Bernard

Another winner for

Dist: 0.75, 1.5 Time: 2.23.10 5 Ran Windsor, UK - 28 May Good Royal Cavalry of Oman ARO Cup International Stakes Gr3PA 1600m 1. SHOMOOS ATHBAH (GB) 4 ch f (Burning Sand x Djanet Monlau)

Bro Park, Sweden - 18 June DIAR Stockholm Arabian Cup Gr3PA 1800m Turf

2. Burkan Al Khalidiah (KSA) 3. Shadwan Al Khalidiah (FR) Dist: 1.5, 1hd Time: 1.52.60 9 Ran

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

105

3. Hajres (TUN)

Chantilly, France - 22 June Good 3.0 Qatar Coupe De France Des Chevaux Arabes Gr2PA 1600m 1. J DERYAN (FR) 3 ch c (Mahabb x Haboob) T: Didier Gullemin O: YAS Horse Racing Management J: Alexander Gavilan B: Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed 2. Fettah Du Loup (FR) 3. Marid (FR) Dist: 0.75, 1.5 Time: 1.46.39 6 Ran

Dist: Sh NK, 0.5 Time: 2.70.20 6 Ran La Teste de Buch, France - 13 July Good 3.2 Prix Razzia III Gr3PA 1800m 1. BASEEL (FR) 3 b f (Munjiz x Assrar) T: Xavier Thomas Demault O: YAS Horse Racing Management J: Mikael Barzalona B: Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed 2. Bayan (FR) 3. Farida Du Croate (FR)

La Teste de Buch, France - 3 July Good to Soft 3.4 Shadwell Criterium Des Pouliches Gr2PA 1900m 1. BELQEES (FR) 4 ch f (Mahabb x Aleefa) T: Xavier Thomas Demault O: YAS Horse Racing Management J: Ioritz Mendizabal B: Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed 2. Joudh (FR) 3. Karabosse De Ghazal (FR) Dist: Sh Nk, 1.5 Time: 2.60.80 6 Ran

Shadwell Coupe Du Sud-Ouest Des Pur-Sang Arabes Gr3PA 1900m

Dist: Sh nk, 2 Time:2.60.80 5 Ran Prix Tidjani Gr3PA 1900m 1. FETTAH DU LOUP (FR) 3 ch c (Kerbella x Paida Du Loup) T: Elisabeth Bernard O: Khalid Khasruzzaman J: Olivier Peslier B: M Dupont 2. Citronnier De Ghazal (FR) 3. Badi Al Cham (FR) Dist: 0.5, Sh Hd, Time: 2.10.80 5 Ran

1. TAYMOUR (FR) 4 ch c (Mahabb x Djezika) T: Antoine De Watrigant O: YAS Horse Racing Management J: Roberto-Carlos Montenegro B: Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed 2. Muraaqib (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

106

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE Summer Issue 2018

DIAR REVIEW

VAL BUNTING

All the results and comment from Newbury's Arabian racing highlight

Interview with the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Lifetime Achievment Award Winner

QATAR INTERNATIONAL

ARC WEEKEND PREVIEW

Review of the action from Goodwood

Looking ahead to the Arqana Sales, and racing from Saint-Cloud and Longchamp

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

107

The Final Furlong

Don't look back...The Royal Cavalry of Oman's three-time Jebel Ali Racecourse Za'abeel International Stakes Gr1PA winner Al Mouhannad, in foal to Burning Sand at the Royal Cavalry's UK base at Wargrave Manor in Berkshire. The flying filly was trained in France by Christian Baillet and won the Dubai

International Arabian Race's fastest Group race from 2013 to 2015, under three different jockeys. This year the Royal Cavalry will be represented in the race by her full brother Al Chammy, who recently won the DIAR prep race by five lengths.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE