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A R A B I A N
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ARO Season Preview - Part 1 Gulf Review
'Spirit' - Bronze Edition of 9
DEBORAH BURT Award Winning Sculptor in Bronze - Commissions Welcome
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T H E
A R A B I A N
RACEHORSE Spring Issue - 2020 4
News
20
Gulf Review 2019- 2020
32
President of the UAE Cup - Coupe d'Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1PA)
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What's in a name?
40
Altitude Arabians - Stud Focus
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Nile Arabians - Stud & Training Focus
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Future Stars - from The Arabian Racehorse and Equine Medirecord
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ARO New Season Preview - Part One James Owen
Front cover: Deryan (FR) winner of the first European Gr1PA race of 2020 73
The Final Furlong - Lesley Hartley
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UK ARABIAN RACING SEASON STARTS WITH THE QATAR INTERNATIONAL STAKES The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) announced this week that the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) have confirmed that the Qatar International Stakes will go ahead as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival 2020 on the rescheduled date of Saturday August 1st. Held over a mile on the historic Sussex Downs, the Group 1 PA contest forms the first stage of the Qatar Triple Crown. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) CEO Nasser Bin Sherida Al Kaabi commented: “Supporting and Promoting Arabian racing at this difficult time is an achievement which QREC has been able to realise through coordination with ARO and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and we do appreciate their cooperation. This year’s edition will be exceptional as it comes during the Covid-19 pandemic and the related new challenges. Therefore, racing at the Qatar Goodwood Festival will remain special as ever”.
For 2020, the race will be run for an agreed prize fund of £200,000 with prize money down to sixth place. This is in-line with the reduction of thoroughbred prize money across the board due to Covid19, but it is still the most valuable Purebred Arabian race in the UK. Following the BHA Resumption of Racing update of June 5th, the race will be open to international runners, but all entrants must comply with the relevant UK government rules and the BHA’s guidelines and operating procedures for racing behind closed doors. The UK government guidelines for quarantine for international travel are due for review on June 29th so further revisions are anticipated.
Ebraz (GB) wins the 2019 Qatar International Stakes. THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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ARO confirms they remain committed to updating all their participants and stakeholders with all relevant information throughout Covid19. ARO is also dedicated to supporting the entrants and their connections in order to enable their safe participation and a successful and competitive race for their sponsors. ARO Finance and Commercial Director Genny Haynes commented: “We are most grateful for the continued support by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club of UK Arabian racing at this most challenging time. Though our season has been pushed back in the calendar due to the current circumstances, we are delighted to finally get underway a Group 1 PA race and look forward to announcing the remainder of the seasons’ races in due course.”
ARO OFFICE TO REOPEN As the lockdown eases in the UK the Arabian Racing Organisation office at Newbury racecourse will re-open from Wednesday 1st July 2020.
UK ARABIAN PATTERN RACE UPDATE Following the report that the Qatar International Stakes is to go ahead, prospective particpants should note that due to the ongoing Covid19 crisis the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) board announced that when Arabian racing resumes in the UK, all UK Pattern races will be subject to a six-day entry system. There will be no early closing or supplementary stages.
OVERSEAS RUNNERS ALLOWED IN FRANCE AND GERMANY FROM MONDAY 15TH JUNE The International Racing Bureau confirmed that overseas runners will be allowed to race in France and Germany from Monday 15th June. Overseas jockeys can also ride subject to quarantine rules. They later issued a reminder that trainers are responsible for providing racecourse clearance notifications [RCN] at the declaration stage in order to race in France. France Galop have stated that without an RCN horses will immediately considered a non-runner and a fine will be imposed on the trainer.
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MOHAMMED TAHA - AL ADIYAT ARABIC EDITOR PASSES AWAY At the end of April it was reported that , the Arabic Editor of Al Adiyat magazine, the voice of horse racing in the UAE, had passed away in Dubai. Originally from Sudan he arrived in the UAE in the eighties and had witnessed the growth of horse racing in the country from it’s very beginning. He also assisted the Godolphin website with their Arabic translations and was part of the Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) committee, created by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. In that role he had helped to promote the DIAR races, both through his well-read columns and as a travelling ambassador. Speaking in Al Adiyat, their chairman of Human Resources and a veteran horse racing administrator, Obaid Saif Obaid Al
Zaabi said: “For all of us at Al Adiyat, Mohammed was one of the first voices we heard every morning at office. He had an extraordinary work ethic, until illness got the better of him a couple of years ago.” “He carried his passion for journalism and horse racing everywhere he went,” added Obaid, who spent many years travelling to major racing venues with his friend, Mohammed. “He was a gentleman and will be missed very dearly. It’s a very sad day of all of us involved in the horse racing business.” Posting on their social media pages the DIAR team sent their deepest condolences to Mohamed Tahas’ family, friends and colleagues, saying:“His contribution to our sport and to the DIAR programme was very valuable. His kindness, knowledge, sense of humour and positive attitude will not be forgotten. He will be missed.”
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DUTCH ARABIAN RACING LOOSES ONE OF IT'S CHAMPIONS The world of Arabian Racing was saddened to hear of the passing of successful Dutch owner-breeder Margreet de Ruiter-Floor. She was instrumental in the organisation of Dutch Arabian racing, along with her husband Weiger de Ruiter, she represented the Dutch Arabian Racing Committee (DARC) within IFAHR.
Racing abroad with the Duffield trained Periander, in 2011 they won the Emirates Championship (Gr1PA) in Abu Dhabi, ridden by Adrie de Vries and Istanbul’s IFAHR Trophy (Gr2PA) ridden by Richie Mullen. She will be sorely missed within the Arabian racing community worldwide.
She was also a big supporter of UK Arabian racing over six seasons. The highlights being the Newbury victories of Burnet and Munya Farah in the Emirates NBD International Stakes and the Wathba Stud Farm Cup Premier Handicap ridden by Tadhg O’Shea and James Doyle respectively, both were trained by Gill Duffield. She also enjoyed success with UK amateur riders including Phil Collington, Stephen Harrison and Matt Johnson.
James Doyle with Munya Farah (NL) and owner-breeder Margreet de Ruiter-Floor
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AKOYA BAN UPHELD In January Arabain racing made history when Akoya returned a positive test for the synthetic blood agent ITTP following his win in the Qatar Prix Dragon (Gr1PA) on September 15th as part of the Arc Trials card at ParisLongchamp. Detection of this agent was a world first in racing. The six-year-old son of Muqatil Al Kahlediah trained by Karin van den Bos for Langoed Waterland was disqualified for two years and his trainer for one. Van den Bos had strenuously denied any misconduct, however was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the presence of ITPP in Akoya's post-race sample. Following their appeal to France Galop the suspension has been upheld.
Van den Bos at Saint-Cloud in October
Akoya (FR) finishes ahead of Al Shamoos in the 2019 Qatar Prix Dragon (Gr1PA) on Arc Trials Day at ParisLongchamp. Al Shamoos has since been awarded the race, bringing her total of Group 1PA victories to three.
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EMBRYO TRANSFER PRODUCTS TO BE LIMITED TO ONE FOAL REGISTERED IN FRANCE The Association Franc!aise du Cheval Arabe (ACA), with the support of the Association Franc!aise du Cheval Arabe de Course (AFAC), recently reported: "As of 2022, and in the matter of births, only one product which results from the process of embryo transfer from a single mare can be registered in the French Stud Book during the course of a calendar year." This is a brave decision that many in the Arabian racing world have been hoping for. That the decision has been taken in France, a world leader in the sport and the source of many of the most competitive bloodlines can only be positive. With regards to the UK, that would be a decision for the keepers of the UK Arabian Stud Book, the Arab Horse Society.
Currently in the UK, the 2020 BHA rules for ARO racing state the following direction under the Horses/Eligibility section 17: No Race can combine two horses with the same year of birth and the same dam. Where two or more horses have the same year of birth and the same dam they will be reduced to one by random ballot at the time for declaration under Regulation 80. Any horse bred by embryo transfer must be declared as such at the time of entry and failure to make such declaration will cause the horse to be subject to disqualification under Regulation (vii).
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DIAR 2020 UPDATES Following the resumption of British thoroughbred racing on Monday June 1st, the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) clarified the current situation with regards to the Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), scheduled for July 26that Newbury racecourse. Due to a number of factors arising from the Covid-19 situation, it was decided that it is in the best interests of the sport, its’ participants and sponsors that the meeting be postponed until later in the year. ARO, Shadwell Stud and the DIAR Committee are actively sourcing an alternative date and are fully committed to keeping all participants informed as the situation develops. ARO reports that they continue to hold positive discussions with British Horseracing Authority and are thankful for their support and understanding of the need to resume UK Arabian racing as soon
as it can be accommodated into the revised calendar. The ARO board also thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the DIAR Committee, Shadwell Stud, Newbury Racecourse, Sportsguide and all of ARO’s registered participants for their on-going support and commitment to DIAR 2020. After this announcement Mirza Al Sayegh, spokesperson for the DIAR programme commented in Al Adiyat that the decision will be reviewed in early August, with a special focus on media and crowd attendance at the event saying:
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"HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, founder and sponsor of the award races, is not looking at DIAR as an afternoon of horse racing, but as an integrated event of national diplomatic, media, social, educational and promotional dimensions. The organisizing committee is always seeking to reflect that vision into reality." He continued:"If we feel positive for the event, we will not hesitate to give the green light to organising the meeting, potentially in September, hoping that conditions will allow it." Meanwhile in France, where Arabian racing resumed alongside thoroughbred racing, AFAC announced that the three Shadwell sponsored races scheduled for the meeting at La Teste on the 29th June that in previous years had formed part of the DIAR prep series were to go ahead.
du Sud-Ouest des Pur-sang Arabes (Gr.3 PA, 4yo and up, over 1900m) and the Shadwell Prix Bengali d’Albret (maiden race for 3yo, over 1400m). Entries for the three races closed on Monday June 22nd with the fillies race atttracting 12 entries including Belquees and Jazmah Athbah. The Coupe du Sud-Ouest attracted nine entires and features last years' winner Ebraz and the former Karin van den Bos trained Lightning Bolt who is now with Kim Augenbroe. The three-year-old race is well supported with 15 entries. More details and updates about the DIAR 2020 race programme can be found on the website and Facebook page. www.diaraces.com Watch #DIAR2019 Review here: https://youtu.be/tC6RLm7V0r8
They are the Shadwell CritĂŠrium des Pouliches (Gr2 PA for fillies and mares, 4yo and up, over 1900m) which had its total prize fund increased by "5,000 to "30,000. It will be run alongside the Shadwell Coupe
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SHADWELL ARABIAN STAKES POSTPONED UNTIL 2021 What was to be the first UK Arabian pattern race of the 2020 season, the Shadwell Arabian Stakes (LR PA) has now been postponed until next year. The new race to be run over mile for four-year-olds and upwards was to be held on Ascot’s round course for a prize fund of £15,000, with £7,500 to the winner and prize money to sixth place. Arabians havn't raced at Ascot’s historic track since 2011 when the French filly
Kiss De Ghazal won the President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby), by seven lengths. The race was to be held on Friday May 8th, a bank holiday, as part of Ascot’s May Racing Weekend fixture, which includes the longestablished handicap for thoroughbreds, the Victoria Cup on the Saturday.
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Charlie Price wins the Racing Excellence Conditional Series 2019/2010 Charlie Price, formerly 2016 ARO Champion Novice Jockey, turned professional at the end of the 2018 ARO season and is attached to the stable of thoroughbred trainer Tim Vaughan. He continued to ride under ARO rules in the races that were open to professionals in 2019 and finished the ARO season as leading professional jockey, a first for an ARO graduate. The BHA run 74 races across seven Racing Excellence Series for both flat and jumps codes. Jockey coaches attend these races and points are awarded for winning and being placed, as well as attendance on the pre-race course walk, professionalism, presentation and riding.
The Conditional Series is for those jockeys who have ridden less than 20 winners, and the whip may be used in the backhand position only. In the seven races of the twelve races that took place, Charlie scored a total of 46 points, two clear of his nearest rival. It should also be noted that Charlie finished 7thin the 2019/2020 Conditional Jockeys Championship, just one win behind another former ARO Champion, Page Fuller.
Charlie Price and Callymay (GB) after winning the Sohar Beach (0-70) Handicap Stakes at Wolverhampton in 2019 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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RACING WELFARE HERE TO HELP With racing in the UK resumed, but with a restricted programme, the UK charity Racing Welfare continues to reach out to those in the industry who have been affected by the Covid19 crisis. The charity supports the whole of racing’s workforce, has a 24/7 Support Line which is open to anyone needing assistance and it also has a live chat service online if people prefer. Racing Welfare’s Support Line is staffed by experienced and trained call handlers who treat requests for help in confidence and are ready to deal with issues ranging from financial hardship to mental health concerns. Dawn Goodfellow said: “It’s vital for people to know that help is available to anyone in racing. Everyone is feeling the strain but we really don’t want anyone to feel they can’t ask for help. Whilst self-isolation is necessary to combat the virus, we don ‘t want people in racing to feel isolated or with no-one to turn to. We’re here to help so please share your immediate problems with one of our experienced team. “Whilst this is an unprecedented crisis, Racing Welfare wants to reassure everyone that we remain operational and are here to provide support for ALL of racing’s people. We are aware that people from a whole range of different roles across the industry will be facing hardship and we are continuously monitoring the situation in order to provide up-to-date information and guidance to anyone affected. Racing’s Support Line is open 24/7 on 0800 6300 443 to anyone needing assistance or via live chat online at:
Racing Welfare teams are also contactable during weekday office hours via the numbers below: Malton: 01653 696 869 Middleham: 01969 624 123 Lambourn: 01488 670 034 Newmarket: 01638 560 763 The charity has initiated a number of fundraising activities, including the "Furlong Factor" their search for the next singing sensation, whilst raising awareness and funds for their Covid-19 Emergency Appeal. UK Arabian racing's Rebecca Thomas made the final eight, who went head to head on Saturday May 9th. The competition was won by Lara Telfer and raised £46,500. All the latest advice on grants and assistance offered by Raicng Welfare can be found through their website: https://racingwelfare.co.uk/coronavirus-information-guidance-support/
There is also a mental health and wellbeing toolkit which The Arabian Racehorse has shared and can be read here: https://issuu.com/thearabianracehorse/docs/mental_health_and_wellbeing_toolkit_final__2_
www.racingwelfare.co.uk
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ENTRIES INVITED FOR THE 2020 ARQANA PA SALE With thoroughbred sales around the globe rescheduled due to Covid19, there are no reported problems for Europe's only Purebred Arabian sale, held as part of Qtar Arc weekend at Arqana, Saint-Cloud. Entry forms for the sale which will take place on Thursday 1st October can be found on the AFAC website or by using the link below: https://afac-france.com/userfiles/files/prive/BORDEREAU_PUR_SANG_ARABES_2020.pdf
Last years sale l topper, the h yearling l Nahabb [below] made "240,000, whilst the demand for good young horses saw 69% of the 2 year olds sell for an average price of " 21,000. Watch AFAC's film of the sale here: https://youtu.be/cRPim2AV_Zw
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STANDING IN ENGLAND
Sivit Al Maury
AKBAR - SAVAVIT AL MAURY
NEW IN 2020
Winner of 7 races including 4 Group PA races Out of an outstanding family that produced SYLVINE AL MAURY, DAHESS, NIZAM, MKEEFA, CHADDAD, LIGHTNING BOLT, NO RISK AL MAURY, KAOLINO…
Al Jakbar
AL SAKBE - ESSAADA
Sire of Group winners
Al Saoudi
NUITS ST GEORGES - FATZICA
Sire of Stakes winners
STANDING IN FRANCE
Af Al Buraq
AMER - AL HANOUF
A leading sire in the UAE Sire of Stakes winners including AF MAHER (Kahayla Classic, Gr.1 PA)
Handassa
MADJANI - ZIVA
By the exceptional sire MADJANI (TIDJANI) Dual Group 1 PA winner FIRST YEARLINGS IN 2020
Manark
MAHABB – MENDRA
Group winner at 3 Winner of the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr.1 PA) FIRST FOALS IN 2020
No Risk Al Maury
KESBEROY - NECTARINE AL MAURY
Winner of 6 Group 1 PA races Sire of Stakes winners
STANDING IN ITALY
Taajer
MADJANI - ZIVA
By the exceptional sire MADJANI (TIDJANI) FIRST YEARLINGS IN 2020
Contact us to receive the 2020 Shadwell Arabian Stallions brochure Discover more about Shadwell Arabian Stallions at: www.shadwellarabian.co.uk and Facebook.com/ShadwellArabian For all nominations with frozen semen, please contact: Marion Lachat on +44(0)1842 755913 mlachat@shadwellstud.co.uk For all natural cover nominations in France, please contact: Haras de Saint Faust, Tel: +33 (0) 5 59 83 05 16 contact@haras-saintfaust.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Battaash (GB) and Jim Crowley win the King's Stand Stakes (Gr1) (Photo: Getty)
ROYAL ASCOT ACHIEVEMENTS WITH ARABIAN CONNECTIONS By the time one of thoroughbred racing's highlights, Royal Ascot comes around, UK Arabian racing is usually in full swing, however with the season delayed, there was still plenty of cheer for it's supporters with the success of ARO Patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. After an incredible week, including one day where his horses rattled up a treble, he finished the meeting as Leading Owner, with six winners:Hukum, Khaloosy, Molatham, Motakhayyel, Nazeef and the star of the show, Battaash. All were ridden by his retained jockey Jim Crowley, who also gets to ride the best of his Arabians too with highlights including the Group 1PA victories in the Qatar International Stakes and the Jewel Crown aboard Murraqib.
Lanfranco at the end, just for his sake. I can’t feel too sorry for him as he had the pleasure of riding six winners and I am sure that he would have settled for that at the start of the week. He just had a bit of bad luck on Mohaather, which was the only one that really got away, but we all learned to accept that. “I am thrilled for Sheikh Hamdan and just sorry for him – he puts so much in the game – that, like all the owners, he couldn’t be here to enjoy it.”
Angus Gold, racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “It was fantastic to see Battaash come back …and do it, and do it decisively. “It has been a great week for Jim Crowley and I am sorry that he got chinned by THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Farar (GB) and Hollie Doyle at Lingfield in 2016
Gaining their first Royal Ascot successes in the saddle were Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand, both in the colours of HP Racing trained by Alan King. Doyle commented afterwards:“It was really important that I got that Royal Ascot winner. I mean it is important for any jockey out there, it is just a monkey off my back. I am very grateful.
Festival which provided him with six weeks work experience in Australia with Racing Victoria.
“For once in my life, I have beaten Tom [Marquand, her boyfriend] to it!” Doyle rode Arabians in the UK as an amateur and also in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice Series after turning professional. Her parents Caroline and Mark also rode and trained Arabians from their base in Herefordshire. Marquand followed a similar path riding under ARO rules before taking out a professional license. His biggest Arabian success came on Cheik Roque in the DIAR juvenile prep race at Newbury, however he was also the recipient of an International Federation of Horse Racing Academies scholarship through the Sheikh Mansoor
Tom Marquand with Cheik Roque (FR) after winning at Newbury in 2015
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Gulf Review 2019-20 Because of the onset of Covid19, racing in the Gulf states concluded earlier than usual, dashing all hopes of an extended season in the UAE. Nonetheless many of the major championships were secured by some familiar faces in the UAE and Qatar where there is no distinction between races run for thoroughbreds and Arabians.
UAE In the UAE racing came to a halt on March 22, leaving the celebrations for a 25th Dubai World Cup postponed and six further meetings cancelled in what had been planned as an extended season. The final fixture was an all thoroughbred card at Jebel Ali on March 20, held nearly a week after the Emirates Championship (Gr1PA) and Round 3 of the Arabian Triple Crown (Gr3PA) had been run at Abu Dhabi. In another successful season for Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, he recorded his
third ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; championship with 33 winners, five ahead of the Godolphin team and seven ahead of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. To add perspective, he had won the title last season with 53 winners, so the loss of the new fixtures, will have impacted on the overall results. Not least the eagerly anticipated return to the track of his 2019 Dubai Kahayla Classic winner AF Maher, who was expected to defend his title on his seasonal debut and was due to go head to head with another former winner in Tallaab Al Khalediah.
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Having chosen to defer celebrations, Al Naboodah spoke with the UAE’s The National: “Firstly, I want to say, our thoughts and prayers are with the people around the world at this difficult time. Our government is doing everything within their control to prevent the spread of the Covid-19. We hope this situation will soon end and life returns to normal as quickly as possible. “Racing can resume next season, but for the time being we want people to be safe,” he said. “For me, on the racing front, it was another good season. To win the owner’s title for the third time in four years just goes to prove we can breed quality horses (Purebred Arabians)
under challenging weather conditions. “Obviously, the results and work that has gone into breeding horses gives me a lot of pleasure and happiness. It’s even better when you are the champion owner with horses bred and raised on your own farms.” His principal winner was the five-yearold son of AF Al Buraq, AF Alwajel, who gained revenge on RB Money To Burn in the 1400m Liwa Oasis (Gr2PA) at Abu Dhabi, having finished fifth to that one over a mile in Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) at Meydan in January. AF Alwajel is out of Samira De Carrere (by Djouras Tu), herself a Listed PA winner over a mile on Abu Dhabi’s turf.
AF Alwajel (AE) and Tadhg O'Shea win the Liwa Oasis (Gr2PA) (Photo: ERA) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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AF Al Buraq (FR) five time leading UAE sire, now at the Haras de Saint Faust
Al Nabooda’s own breeding programme supplies 95% of his winners, making his achievements all the more remarkable. Keeping around 30 stallions in the UAE to avoid problems with importation of semen, his flag bearer AF Al Buraq, who has been UAE leading sire for five seasons has now relocated to the Haras de Saint Faust under the Shadwell Arabians banner, leaving al Nabooda to focus on his other stallions. Also a significant achievement for Al Nabooda’s Al Aweer Farm was their inaugural private auction in February, when of the 30 horses offered, 25 were sold. He has plans for a second auction in August, so buyers will have enough time to prepare the horses for the forthcoming 20-21 season.
“We had an average of Dh30,000 per horse in the first auction,” he told The National. “My objective is to encourage and bring in more people involved in horse racing. The more the merrier.” Sateesh Seemar secured his sixth trainers title. Primarily a thoroughbred trainer, he has three Arabians, of which SS Jalmod was the most successful, winning at Abu Dhabi and placing four times from nine starts. Doug Watson, another multiple UAE champion was second with 36 winners, he also has a handful of Arabians to compliment his powerful thoroughbred string; however last years’ champion, Ernst Oertel was in third place, with 29 winners, all of which were Arabians from Al Nabooda’s powerful string.
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Tadhg O'Shea
It was business as usual for Tadhg O’Shea who collected a recordbreaking eighth jockey’s championship, surpassing Ted Durcan’s previous seven, which O’Shea had equalled last season. O’Shea had been anticipating his best ever book of rides on World Cup night, including in the opening race on AF Maher and a first ever crack at the Dubai World Cup on War Story. Now back in his native Ireland with his family he says: “Obviously to miss the World Cup was disappointing, but everyone’s health and well-being comes first. Hopefully we’ll come back stronger next season and we are already looking forward to returning to the UAE.”
the Al Nabooda colours, though two wins came on Rmmas for Sheikha Fatima bint Mansour Al Nahyan, who also ended the season as leading domestic Purebred Arabian. Rmmas is trained by Jean de Roualle, the seven-year-old son of Mahabb had an excellent though brief, season on the turf at Abu Dhabi, which his trainer feels suits him better than Dirt. Reappearing in the prep race over the same 2200m, a month before The Presidents Cup (Gr1PA), he readily accounted for Al Zahir who was seeking a hat-trick in the race. Returning to Abu Dhabi in March, he then lost out by a neck in the Emirates Championship (Gr1PA) to Somoud.
O’Shea rode 42 winners, the majority in THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Bandar (FR) wins Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) at Meydan 2019-2020 UAE Group PA results
January 9th 2020
November 21 2020
Al Maktoum Challenge R1 presented by Longines La Grande Classique (Gr1PA) 1600m Meydan, Dubai
Bani Yas Stakes presented by Longines Hydroconquest (Gr2PA) 1400m Meydan, Dubai 1. ES AJEEB (AE) 2. Aatebat Al Khalediah (SA) 3. Mawahib (FR) Dist: 0.75, 9 Time: 1.33.88
January 26
November 24 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) 1600m Abu Dhabi, UAE 1. MASHHUR AL KHALEDIAH (FR) 2. Belâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Izam (FR) 3. Chaddad (GB) Dist: 0.5, Nk Time: 1.44.69 Turf: Good December 19 Madjani Stakes sponsored by Masdar (Gr3PA) 1900m Meydan, Dubai 1. AATEBAT AL KHALEDIAH(SA) 2. Ziyadd (FR) 3. Mawahib (FR) Dist: 6, 5.5 Time: 2.07.66
1. RB MONEY TO BURN (US) 2. Cheikh Roque (FR) 3. AF Al Sajanjle (AE) Dist: 4.25, Hd Time: 1.46.92
Al Ruwais Stakes (Gr3PA) 1200m Abu Dhabi, UAE 1. RB LAM TARA (US) 2. AF Alwajel (AE) 3. Rawaa (FR) Dist: 2.5, 0.75 Time: 1.16.92 January 30 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 sponsored by JAFZA (Gr1PA) 1900m Meydan, Dubai 1. ZIYADD (FR) 2. Bandar (FR) 3. Amwaj (FR) Dist: 1.75, 0.5 Time: 2.08.67
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25 February 9
Liwa Oasis (Gr2PA) 1600m ADEC, Abu Dhabi
HH The President Cup (Gr1PA) 2200m ADEC, Abu Dhabi
1. AF ALWAJEL (AE) 2. RB Money To Burn (US) 3. Hakeemat Muscat (OM) Dist: 1.75, 1.25 Time: 1.29.75
1. RMMAS (FR) 2. Al Zahir (FR) 3. Goshawke (US) Dist: 0.75, 0.75 Time: 2.28.21
March 5
February 13 Mazrat Al Ruwayah sponsored by Wheels (Gr2PA) 1600m Meydan, Dubai 1. RASI (GB) 2. RB Lam Tara (US) 3. Wadeeaa (FR) Dist: 2.75, Nk Time: 1.46.80 February 27 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 sponsored by JAFZA (Gr1PA) 2000m Meydan, Dubai 1. BANDAR (FR) 2. RB Texas Hold EM (US) 3. Mawahib (FR) Dist: 0.75, 2 Time: 2.16.84 NR:1 Shahm March 1 Arabian Triple Crown R2 (Gr3PA) 2200m ADEC, Abu Dhabi 1. BASMAH (FR) 2. RB Kinsman (US) 3. Omania (GB)
Al Ain Mile (Gr3PA) 1600m Al Ain, UAE 1. SOMOUD (FR) 2. Shaddâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ad (FR) 3. MH Rahal (AE) Dist: 1.25, 0.5 Time: 1.49.27 March 14 Emirates Championship (Gr1PA) 2200m ADEC, Abu Dhabi 1. SOMOUD (FR) 2. Rmmas (FR) 3. BF Mughader (OM) Dist: nk. 1.75 Time: 2.26.35 Arabian Triple Crown (Gr3PA) 2400m ADEC, Abu Dhabi 1. BASMAH (FR) 2. Dagui Lotois (FR) 3. Omania (GB) Dist: 3, NS Time: 2.41.28
Dist: 0.5, 2.5 Time: 2.29.02
Somoud (FR) wins the Emirates Championship (Gr1PA) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Rmmas (FR) and Tadhg O'Shea win the HH The President's Cup (Gr1PA) (Photo: ERA)
He comments: “Rmmas is such an easy horse to train, we were thinking of running him in the Qatar Arabian World Cup on Arc day, but with Covid-19, all are plans are now on hold.” Rmmas started his career in France winning the Prix Dunixi when with Didier Guillemin and has now won five times in the UAE for de Roualle. Bred by Sheikh Mansour Al Nayhan, he is out of Shamayl and is therefore a fullbrother to the Group 1PA winning fillies Rakha, Mabrooka and Joudh. Thanks to the Jewel Crown’s generous prize money, Athbah Stud’s Mashhur Al Kahediah was the leading horse, however he had been prepared in France and Saudi Arabia during the winter for his UK trainer Phil Collington.
Mashhur Al Khalediah (FR) and JeanBernard Eyquem winning the 2019 Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) for Athbah Stud and Phil Collington (Photo: ERA)
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HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani
QATAR In contrast to the UAE, who lost their most important World Cup fixture in the final days of preparation, Qatar had had a glorious seasonal highlight, The HH The Amir Sword Festival, crowned by the record-breaking achievements of Ebraz. Consequently, it was no surprise to see racing in Doha suspended due to Covid19 a week earlier than the UAE, with their last race meeting taking place on March 12. The results underline the quality of Al Shahania Stud’s produce, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani securing the owner championship with
just 15 winners from 94 runs. Having been runner-up for the previous four seasons, it was his first win since 2014/15. Less than QR 500,000 behind in second place was Umm Qarn with 34 winners from 143 runs, with Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, who has been the foremost owner in recent years, in third with 35 winners from 273 runs. Perhaps it was fitting, in what was to be the last PA race of the 2019-20 season, that it should be won by Sheikh Mohammed’s Rajeh, a dual Gr1PA winner in France and to date, the most successful produce of Al Shahania’s multiple top level winner, Jaafer ASF.
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Heading the trainers list was Alban De Mieulle with 48 winners from 232 runs, with less than QR30,000 separating him from Gassim Ghazali in second with 70 wins from an incredible 515 starters. This was a first trainers’ championship for de Mieulle since 2012/13, ending Ghazali’s stranglehold on the last six seasons. For the race to be leading jockey, last years’ runner-up Ronan Thomas claimed his first title in only his second Qatari season. Deposing Harry Bentley, who had dominated the championships since his first title win back in 2013/14. Riding for de Mieulle, Umm Qarn and Al Shaqab, Thomas’s principal successes included back to back wins in the Late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Trophy – Qatar National Day Trophy (Gr2PA) with Yazeed.
Alban de Mieulle
Yazeed (FR) and Ronan Thomas (photo: QREC) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Ebraz (GB) and Maxime Guyon make history (photo: QREC)
The leading horse was of course HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz. Despite only three starts this season, his achievements have secured him a place in Arabian racing history. Following his victory in the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA) at ParisLongchamp, he did not reappear in Qatar until January, when runner-up to the filly Al Naama, in the HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup (Gr2PA). Though winning over a mile at Goodwood, his trainer Julian Smart, felt that distance at the Al Rayyan track is sharper, but there was no doubting his fitness on Pearl Day two weeks later. Lining up in the same conditions race that he won in 2019, Ebraz scored an easy victory, setting him on track for an historic third HH The Amir Sword, and Doha Triple Crown title.
Smart reflected on Ebraz’s achievement commenting: “We set out with the Triple Crown as a target when we started running him at Goodwood three years ago. He was second twice and as I’ve always said, the more these Arabian horses mature, the better they become. When they are as good as he was at four, it was always something in the back of my mind that we should do, because he is a versatile horse. You’ve got to have a special horse that can do the mile in the UK, the mile and a quarter in France and come here for the mile and a half. “It was an amazing achievement, it’s just fantastic for Sheikh Mohammed and Al Shahania Stud and everyone involved to be the first to do it. It was something people, even myself, were not sure could ever be accomplished and we have, it’s just amazing really.”
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Jabalah (FR) HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup (Gr2PA) 1600m Doha, Qatar
2019-2020 Qatar Group PA results December 15 The Late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Trophy – Qatar National Day Trophy (Gr2PA) 2000m Doha, Qatar
1. AL NAAMA (FR) 2. Ebraz (GB) 3. Tayf (FR) Dist: 1.5, 0.25 Time: 1.44.26
1. YAZEED (FR) 2. Akmar (FR) 3. Tayf (FR) Dist: 1.25, Nk Time: 2.16.02
February 1
December 21
1. TAYF (FR) 2. Bin General (FR) 3. Gtnah (FR) Dist: 2.5, 0.75 Time: 2.30.50
HH Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy (Gr3PA) 2200m Doha, Qatar
Qatar Derby 3yo (Gr1PA) 1600m Doha, Qatar 1. JABALAH (FR) 2. Lady Princess (FR) 3. Battash De Faust (FR) Dist: Nk, 1.5 Time: 1.45.98
February 22 Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) 1600m Doha, Qatar
Qatar Derby 4yo (Gr2PA) 2000m Doha, Qatar
1. METHGAL (FR) 2. Shalaa (FR) 3. Marid (FR) Dist: Time: 1.40.93
1. SHALAA (FR) 2. Bin General (FR) 3. Marid (FR) Dist: 1.5, 0.25 Time: 2.14.48
HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) 2400m Doha, Qatar
January 9th 2020 Majd Al Arab PA Sprinter Championship (Gr3PA) 1100m Doha, Qatar
1. EBRAZ (GB) 2. Tayf (FR) 3. Yazeed (FR) Dist: Time: 2.31.22
1. RB KINDLE (US) 2. Daloob (FR) 3. Caid De L’Ardus (FR) Dist: 2.75, SHD Time: 1.10.82 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Mubasher Al Khalediah (KSA)
SAUDI ARABIA
January 22
Saudi Arabia made the headlines in the racing world with the additional of the Saudi Cup to the global racing calendar. Though the inagural fixture is too young to secure pattern races, they did hold their first Group 1 PA contest in January - the long standing Prince Sultan World Cup, which has been won three times by their domestic world champion, Tallaab Al Kahlediah.
Prince Sultan World Cup (Gr1PA) 1800m Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1. MUBASHER AL KHALEDIAH (KSA) 2. Mutawakel Al Khalediah (KSA) 3. Shabah (GB) Dist: 0.75, 1.25 Time: 2.01.12
This year he was saved for his successful assault on the Saudi Cup's Arabian race, the Obaiya Cup and the spoils went to Mubasher Al Khalediah, also for Al Kahlediah stables. He went on to finish fourth in the Obaiya, behind Tallaab Al Khalediah, Hajres and Mashhur Al Khalediah. Tallaab Al Kahlediah (KSA) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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The President of the UAE Cup Coupe d'Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1PA) 2000m 4yo+ Deauville, France DERYAN (FR) (5 h Mahabb x Haboob (Akbar)) Owner: YAS Horse Management Breeder: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Trainer: Didier Guillemin Jockey: Ioritz Mendizabal
Given the circumstances of the restrictions on racing in Europe and the recent return to the sport in France, the first European Group 1 PA of 2020 was an eagerly anticipated event, despite there only being five runners, representing three owners. Usually held at ParisLongchamp on French Guineas day, following the review of the Covid19 ‘red zone’ in which the racecourse fell, the race and the other thoroughbred Group 1 races were transferred out of Paris to Deauville.
Ibn Gadir who has joined Didier Guillemin from Frederic Sanchez for 2020 was bustled along into an early pace-setting lead, tracked by the globetrotting Hajres with the remainder of the field in Indian file. Deryan, a distant third on his seasonal debut behind Sanchez’s Hayyan just over two weeks earlier in the Qatar Prix de l’Elevage (Gr2PA), was very keen, but was settled by Ioritz Mendizabal in fourth behind Melabi, with Shalaa in the rear.
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The placings remained unaltered until entering the home straight, when Mendizabal encouraged Deryan into action. The field came wide of the rail and Ibn Gadir, choosing to race down the centre of the track, and though Melabi and Hajres were soon under pressure, Mendizabal was noticeably cautios on Deryan. He delivered the son of Mahabb on the line in a perfect waiting race, to win by a neck from Melabi and Hajres.
“He could aim for the Jewel Crown on the mile, the great race of the Saudi Cup because it is on the sand, or even a beautiful race for the Emirates Cup but there’s still a lot of time to think about it. It’s great to see UAE colours shine in the President of the UAE Cup. They are loyal and precious sponsors.”
Thierry Delegue
Ioritz Mendizabal
YAS Horseracing manager in France, Thierry Delegue commented to Jour de Galop: “We are always a little afraid because he stops once in front. The tactics of the day worked well because you have to come at the last moment with him. He finally won his first Gr1PA. The two jockeys, Ioritz Mendizabal and Émilien Révolte, did a very good job. The distance of 2000m is the limit for him.
Thomas Fourcy, trainer of the runner-up said: “Deryan was hard to beat on paper. Melabi is not yet 100%, but even at his best he would have only pushed the winner. Shalaa went to Qatar this winter and needs a holiday. It is not easy to make a program with these horses, given the difficulties to travel in Europe.” Deryan has now won six races, including the Group 2 PA Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes at Chantilly and two Group 3PA’s in France and Morocco.
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He is by their homebred sire Mahabb, who topped the Arqana PA sale last year with a colt, Nahabb and in 2016 with the filly Maolie. His dam Haboob (by Akbar) won over 5 furlongs for Robert Litt and was runner up in the French Arabian Breedersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cup for threeyear-old fillies in 2007. She is also the dam of the Listed PA winner Marzooq (by Bibi De Carrere), and of Shahm, brother to Deryan, who winner of this race when it was held at ParisLongchamp in 2018.
half-sister Dahwa (by Tidjani) has produced the Group 1PA winning brothers Bandar and Hayyan to Munjiz.
Haboob comes from an excellent winner producing family, she is a halfsister to Salaamah (by Njewman) winner of the 2010 juvenile PA group race at DIAR over 7f. She is also a half-sister to Aliaa (by Djelfor) dam of Emirates Championship (Gr1PA) winner Abhaar and to Aryann (by Kesberoy) dam of Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (Gr1PA) winner Naseem (by Mahabb). Another
Group 1PA winning brothers out of Dahwa, top right, Hayyan(FR) and below Bandar(FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
DEBBIE BURT EQUINE CREATIVE MEDIA ARO Official Photographer HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Award Winner International Photographer To view and purchase photos from the 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 ARO seasons please visit www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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What's in a name? Al Shaqab's TM Fred Texas has made an impact on the breed both on the track and with his early runners such as Marid and Methgal. TM is prefix of Todd Moak Arabians, here Rene Moak explains the story behind the name.
TM Fred Texas (US)
What’s in a name? At the farm of Todd Moak Proven Bloodstock the answer is often that it is chosen to honour a family member or friend with a namesake horse. 17 months after Todd and I bought a little farm near the town of Fred, Texas, our beloved mare Queen Kong gave birth to her first foal by Burning Sand. It was Todd’s father Fred Moak who received the honour, though we loved the secondary significance of the nearby town and the catchy sound of the name. The arrival of TM Fred Texas on January 26, 2007 was a longanticipated event. What that little colt became
is exactly what Todd Moak hoped for when he bought Fred’s dam Queen Kong. To tell the story, it’s necessary to give some background on Todd Moak’s involvement in the Arabian racing industry. Thirty years ago Todd bought his first Arabian broodmare with proceeds from a winning bet on Burning Sand. It was through his nationwide transportation business AAA Quality Horse Transfer that Todd gained exposure to the Arabian racing breed, established many clients and met numerous others involved in Arabian racing.
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In the mid 1990’s Todd became active in racing – buying many of his prospects and breeding others. It was great fun and provided an outlet for his love of horses and competitive nature – a welcome diversion from the gruelling stretches of time spent on the road. Studying pedigrees became a passion for Todd. In the early 2000’s as Todd began to witness changes in breeding trends, he started to consider French sires that were becoming more popular in the USA. Witnessing the talent of Burning Sand years earlier had made a lasting impression; and the prospect of breeding to him became increasingly appealing. Cost was a concern but failing to breed astutely would adversely affect his objectives. Contemplating options for breeding his mares was a struggle. It was during this period that he made contact with some newcomers to the industry who had just “inherited” a herd of horses from Dr. Stephen Hollis, who exited the industry with
the sale of his farm (horses included). became clients and friends. With the involvement of a mutual friend Jim Morris, part owner of Burning Sand, some interesting horse trading commenced involving the predominately French lines bred by Dr. Hollis and breedings to Burning Sand. Queen Kong (Kong X Sahara Croixnoire) was purchased from the Momans in 2001 along with two other young horses. (Of note – purchased with Queen Kong was Luna Tiki (Esmet Arbi X Lanatiki) national track record holder 4 ! furlongs.) Queen Kong was impressive looking and her pedigree had everything Todd was seeking. She was a pleasure – intelligent, level headed and loved to interact with people – a welcome addition to the small operation at our farm. As much as we loved her, the following year we sold her to Jim Morris. He wanted to race her; and as our focus was changing to breeding and reducing the number of horses on the track, we thought it was best to give her a chance to live up to that winning pedigree.
Queen Kong (US) with TM Fred Texas (US) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Methgal (FR) TM Fred Texas's first UK PA Group winner She showed great talent, but trainers had difficulty controlling her speed. Although she won three races and placed in three others, after a third-place finish in a stakes race, Jim was not willing to continue. It was time for her to come home. When Todd picked her up, the trainer was hugely disappointed. He had seen her capability and felt certain he could get her to relax and use her speed strategically. For Todd this was the opportunity he had long foreseen, because now we owned Burning Sand. And we had our Queenie back.
Vasquez, he accomplished amazing feats, setting track records and winning historic stakes races at Churchill Downs and Pimlico on Preakness Stakes day. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar bought TM Fred Texas in 2011 and campaigned him internationally. It was for Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab Racing that TM Fred Texas brought home the trophy in the 2012 Dubai Kahayla Classic!
Queen Kong promptly had “a date” with Burning Sand. Unfortunately, the first foal was lost in the trauma of Hurricane Rita in 2005. But the second result of that union was TM Fred Texas. Not only did he make Todd’s dream of breeding a horse to win the prestigious Dubai Kahayla Classic come true – TM Fred Texas won numerous stakes races in the United States and Qatar. Under the ownership of Sam
TM Fred Texas (US) with Fred Moak
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TM Fred Texas now resides in France and stands at stud. It is through management of Al Shaqab that TM Fred Texas has sired foals from some of the most highly regarded mares in the world of Arabian racing. Queen Kong (now owned by Al Shahania Stud in Qatar) produced 3 more exceptional foals by Burning Sand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all multiple winners with great accomplishments. TM Junior Johnson is owned by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi UAE, Dhaan (formerly TM Queen B) is owned by Al Shaqab Racing and Deebal (formerly TM Mine all Mine) is owned by the Qatari military.
But it was the special individual and unique set of circumstances that resulted in the realization of a dream for Todd Moak and the success and legacy of TM Fred Texas. His legacy, that of his sire Burning Sand and the impact of the breeding program of Todd Moak Proven Bloodstock will endure. Of that we are extremely proud and most grateful to every individual who has contributed to his tremendous success. www.burningsandinternational.com Photos: Rene Moak, Al Shaqab Arabians, Debbie Burt
TM Fred Texas (US)
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Altitude Arabians Colorado, USA Stud Focus For fifteen years Garrett and Lisa Ford have been riding, training and breeding Arabians at Altitude Arabians in Durango, Colorado, USA. Though initially focussed on Endurance with notable success, they started racing in 2012.Since then they have expanded their breeding and racing stock and have gained international recognition with horses such as RB Kindle, a daughter of Burning Sand.
RB Kindle (US) and Harry Bentley win in Qatar
Ford has been around horses all his life, starting with what he describes as ‘Ranch type horses’ and followed his mother into Endurance when he was around ten years old. He explains: “My younger brother and I travelled around the USA in a motorhome during the summer doing
endurance rides. We did events like the Big Horn 100, Old Dominion 100 and the Tevis Cup. Endurance gets you out in beautiful country on the back of a horse. You spend time in nature with a horse there are not many sports better than that.”
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Lisa and Garret Ford after Garrett's win in the Tevis Cup The 100-mile Tevis Cup is the most difficult and competitive race In the USA. For five years the Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focussed on this event, resulting in a Tevis Cup (Ford with The Fury
in 2012) and 10 top ten finishes. They also won a Haggin Cup each, awarded to the best conditioned horse in the top ten.
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Foals in the paddocks at Altitude Arabians
It was through buying ex-racehorses to compete in Endurance that Ford got his early education into Arabian racing. He is also the President of EasyCare Inc. a company founded in 1970 that pioneered the hoofboot market to the equine industry. He had developed a new shoe for the racetrack and Ford felt that convincing a trainer to try them would be difficult. Instead he claimed an Arabian and trained it himself to prove the shoe. He laughs: “We won our first start. I should have quit after that race!” Altitude Arabians are spread over two 16hectare facilities and though aiming to keep the horses out as much as possible, they also have three barns, with around 30 stables in total. In addition to many kilometres of beautiful mountain trails, horses are conditioned on a 1000m Dirt track and a horse-walker. With only two fulltime staff for around 60 horses, Ford feels that is part of their success saying: “I would like to think we are very hands on compared to other breeders. I personally
take care of the feet of all our horses - I’m under each horse and know each horse well. “We also have incredible mountain pasture. Horses spend most of the time eating and moving outside. I’m not sure why, but our horses seem bigger and have more bone than others. Just something in the water I guess.” Like many new converts to racing, they found it hard to purchase the horses they wanted, Ford explains: “The good ones are hard to buy. We figured it would be better to breed what we liked and control our own destiny.” With Arabian racing now getting underway in the USA, Ford is keen to prove his breeding. This year they have 11 horses in training with Jerenesto Torrez in Texas, with 14 mares, seven foals, around 25 young horses and a handful of Endurance horses at home.
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When they started they stuck to the principals of selection that had served them well in Endurance, namely, conformation and attitude. “Attitude is everything in horses. They need the will to win and compete. I can’t stand lazy,” however Ford observes: “I quickly found out how important pedigree was to racing. I was a bit slow to catch on, but I would put our last three crops against anyone’s in the USA.
Loup) will continue to be a great broodmare sire, praising the length of leg and straight legs that line produces. He says: “I love what I’m seeing out of my TH Richie mares crossed to Burning Sand and Amer sons. In a perfect world I would breed mares with a strong French dam line and cross them with Amer or Tiwaiq sons. Then next generation, I would cross with Burning Sand.”
“My biggest take home message is to breed less and concentrate on the best pedigrees I can. Great pedigrees with good conformation.
Ford is excited for his prospects in 2020 with so many homebred horses to race. Asked which are catching the eye, he selects the three-year-olds AA Dbuster (Baseq Al Khalediah x Djenuine), AA Filthy Rich (TH Richie x Royale Fanfare), AA Royalewan (Rathowan x Royale Fanfare) and the four-year-olds AA Speedball (Burning Sand x Follies Bergere) and Gouduriske Al Baraka (Nashwan Al Khalidiah x Damera), who was bred by Stephane Chazel in France.
“Looking back over the last 12 or so years here, Burning Sand, has dominated the sport,” he continued. “I wish I had used him more, but I didn’t and had a hard time affording it.” Amer of course features in his go to sires list and he believes that TH Richie (Calin Du
AA Royalewan (US) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Diane Waldron with Garrett Ford and one of the Amer mares they share in partnership, Alwiya (QA), at the Arqana PA Sale
To date on the racecourse, Ford’s best results have come with horses bought from Diane Waldron’s Rosebrook Farm. The association began with his first racehorse, Noveau Rich (TH Richie) purchased from Waldron and over the years they have since become good friends. They now have four Amer mares together and are also partners in the stallion Rathowan, a brother to the recently retired multiple Group1PA winner, Gazwan. Considering the decision to buy Rathowan he says: “We wanted Amer blood in the USA and we needed a talented Amer stallion to offer fresh semen as so many mares are difficult to get in foal with frozen. Rathowan comes from an incredible family and his value increased as Gazwan continued to win."
Rathowan won on his three-year-old debut in a Nottingham maiden in 2011, trained by Julian Smart for HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, later winning the International Conditions race at DIAR and was twice Group 1PA placed in the UK, most notably when beaten a nose by Djet Taouy in the 2013 Dubai International Stakes. He was also runner-up to stablemate Mkeefa in the President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) at Newmarket and the Qatar Arabian Word Cup at ParisLongchamp. “Altitude Arabians and Rosebrook Farm have plenty of Rathowan foals that will hit the track in 2020. We are seeing great conformation, nice feet, straight legs and lots of speed.”
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Another Rosebrook product which has kept Ford in the headlines is RB Kindle, a daughter of Burning Sand. He recalls: “Kindle was my girl. Super-fast and talented too. I don’t think she really got the respect she deserved in the USA. At the end of her three-year-old season she had a mild tendon injury that set her back.”
for around three months. I sat on a seat and iced her leg twice a day, whilst Lisa used a Class 4 laser and we also did cross friction massage on her tendon. I slowly started her back training on our 1000m track and in the sand washes in New Mexico. She held up well carrying my 99kg, so I knew she would stand training on the track.”
She had won three of her four starts including the Delaware Park Arabian Juvenile Filly Championship (Grade 3) and was runner-up in the Cre Run Oaks Distaff (Grade 2).
RB Kindle won on her four-year-old reappearance at Delaware, before another Grade 2 placing that summer. Her next start was as a five-year-old, rattling up a hattrick of wins and just missing out in a Grade 1, but it was clear to Ford that the opportunities for a horse of her talent in the USA were going to be limited.
“I brought her home, to get her back to health in the mountains of Colorado. Her feet were the problem and needed to be addressed first - it took over six months. We worked on getting her toes shortened and eliminating her underrun heels. “Lisa and I worked on her leg every day
They welcomed the approach by Al Shahania Stud and Ford says: “I knew Kindle would have a chance to shine in Qatar and all our hard work with her would pay off.
RB Kindle (US) with the Ford's after winning in the USA THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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This winter she won the Majd Al Arab PA Sprinter Championship (Gr3PA) and the Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup.” Horse racing in the US had been facing plenty of challenges even before the Covid-19 crisis appeared and Arabian racing in particular has been going through a tough period there. Ford is quick to point out the biggest problem, sadly a familiar story in many countries saying: “In the USA it’s all about horse numbers. We don’t have enough horses, breeders or owners.” Looking to the future he concludes: “My goal is to do what puts a smile on my face. Our hobbies need to be fun and rewarding, so we will race and spend time with fast horses on high mountain trails." For Further information: www.altitudearabians.com
Additional photos supplied by Altitude Arabians and QREC
AA Burning Daylight (US) 2020 filly by Burning Sand x Rich Craft (Virgule Al Maury) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
Qatar International Stakes Group 1PA #QATARTRIPLECROWN
Saturday 1st August 2020 For further details on entry and race conditions for 2020, please contact the ARO office from July 1st
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Nile Arabians at the Haras du Nil Limousin, France
Stud & Trainer Focus Previously based in Switzerland Nile Arabians have made relocation to France a smooth procedure and are looking forward to new challenges
Horses on the trotting ring at Haras du Nil
In 1976 Toni and Rita Aeschbacher, imported two straight Egyptian fillies to Switzerland and Nile Arabians was founded. The stud has grown to 26 horses and now includes several thoroughbreds, all cared for by their son Urs and his wife Franziska. At the beginning of 2019, after a long wait to find the right property, they relocated to France and after a year of hard work, the Haras du Nil is now fully established in the Limousin region.
Urs and Franziska grew up around horses, riding from a young age in their native Switzerland. Later Urs competed warmbloods and Arabians in dressage and show-jumping, whilst Franziska brought on young show-jumpers for an international dealer. They met when Franziska completed an apprenticeship as a tourism consultant in the travel agency owned Ursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; father 36 years ago and have been together ever since.
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Urs’s association with the Purebred Arabian began when he was just 12 years old with the Shagya stallion Hamilka. They developed a strong bond, giving freestyle presentations (without a saddle or bridle) in dressage and show jumping [pictured below]. He says: “Hamilka was my friend, we shared everything together. This was the moment when I fell in love with Arabian horses”.
competitions, the only way to compete with Arabian horses was to participate in shows.”
Franziska with Nil Ashal (SWI) for the Zayed Cup at Capanelle in Italy
It was through Urs that Franziska was introduced to Arabians as she explains: “It was when I realised that Arabians are not only made for shows, but can be really good riding horses, I became interested in the breed.
Franziska riding Nil Ashal (SWI) in Switzerland
“In the seventies and eighties the Arabian racing and endurance scene was not yet developed in Europe. As we liked
In 1991, when Toni and Rita sold Nil Krushan (by Versal) to Paul Daverio, they soon broadened their interest to include racing as well. Daverio would later become the breeder of multiple PA group winner Djet Taouy (by Dahess), however Nil Krushan was his first Purebred Arabian and he wanted him to be a riding horse. However, when Nil Krushan was four, Daverio rang the Aeschbacher’s and to tell them that their colt was to run in a race at Frauenfeld in Switzerland.
Urs with Nil Alamoon (SWI) in Italy
She recalls: “We all went to the races and saw for the first time, an Arabian race. Nil Krushan won easily and this was the start of our racing activities.”
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They continued to observe their traditional pure Egyptian breeding programme whilst adding new inputs in the form of first-class stallions with Russian, Polish, French and Tunisian bloodlines. This established Nile Arabians as a source of success both in the show ring and on the race track. To date, horses bred or trained by Nile Arabians have won over 100 Show Champion and Best in Class prizes, including titles such as World and European Champion. Since they began to switch focus to racing, horses bred or trained by Nile Arabians have won 50 times up to Group 1 PA level. When they lived in Switzerland they had to race in other European countries because there were never enough races in Switzerland. Franziska explains: “That gave us a good idea which level of horse can be competitive in each country. We have raced our Arabians in Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. “Now our aim is that our home-bred Arabian racehorses will be competitive in France, but the most important thing to do is to find the most suitable race for every
horse, no matter in what country it is in. With our thoroughbreds it is different as we have regularly raced successfully in France during the last 15 years.” Following Toni’s death, Rita was left to care for the breeding stock alone at Brenles, with Urs and Franziska schooling and training around 15 horses at the IENA training centre (National Equestrian Institute of Avenches). With these activities 35 km apart, it was obvious that they would need to move to combine all their activities in the same location. For Franziska, France was the obvious choice as she explains: “There are more races to choose from, with less costs to travel and so on. The prize money for the owners and breeders is better, not only for the Arabians, but the thoroughbreds too.” She continued: “The climatic conditions in Limousin are better for breeding and training horses than at our previous farms in Switzerland. The grass here is known for its good quality, thanks to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean the growing season is longer and during winter it seldom freezes.
Mares in the paddocks at the Haras du Nil in Limousin THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Horses canter on the woodchip gallop
The Haras du Nil is situated between the Southwest of France, the home of Arabian racehorses, and the Normandie, the heart of the Thoroughbred breeding. Consequently, during the breeding season their Arabian and thoroughbred mares benefit from only having to travel short distances to get in foal. There is renowned clinic and reproduction centre within 15km of the stud and there are more than 40 race tracks within a radius of 200km. Franziska notes that the Limousin region also has a certain tradition in Arabian horse breeding and a historical connection to establishing horseracinbg as a sport in France. The Anglo-Arab breed was promoted from the Royal and later National Stud of Pompadour which had been founded in 1751. Pompadour was also famous for its Purebred Arabians, with stallions and still active successful dam lines. It was also in Limoges that Napoléon Bonaparte gave the permission to build one of the first race tracks of France in 1805, a
hippodrome which still exists today. They had been looking for a suitable property for quite a long time, however once they had found the right place, the move went very quickly. Completing their contract in August 2018, their 26 horses moved four months later from Switzerland to France. Thanks to their experiences of studs and training centers worldwide, they both had a clear vision of how to establish their new farm. Buying a former cattle farm meant that there was no existing equestrian infrastrucyre they could start from scratch. They found it was easy to realize their vision in a short space of time. Urs’s mother Rita Aeschbacher, continued to run the stud farm until the very last day in Switzerland, but at 84 years she chose to stay behind and lives next to her daughter’s farm. She is still maintains an interest in Nile Arabians visiting regularly to see the foals and to monitor the progress of the older horses.
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Whilst catering for their own stock, they now offer race and pre-race training for thoroughbreds and Arabians as well breaking and schooling of young horses for clients. They have 32 boxes, a sand paddock, a trotting track of about 400m and a 900m wood chip circle track with a diagonal 1200m straight canter track, which is uphill for the last 600m. The light, mineral rich soils are ideal for horses and their 40 hectares are divided into large paddocks perfect for breeding and rearing and for the retired or convalescing horses. The racehorses are also able to benefit from daily turnout. The Haras Du Nil has established two racing bloodlines, one is French out of the Pompadour family of Attique (by Meat), currently represented by Nil Abiat (by
Darike) and Nil Anablue (by Munjiz), both are out of Kadjouna de Nerak (Djourman). Listed winner Nil Kamla (by Dahess) represents their Tunisian line tracing back to the foundation mare Samaria, 1882, which was imported 1887 from Syria to Pompadour and sold to the famous Tunisian stud Sidi Thabet in 1891. This dam line has many successful representatives, for example Group race horses such as Madjani (Tidjani), Nour Thabet (Dormane), Essaana (Tornado De Syrah) and Al Jakbar (Al Sakbe). They wanted to include the blood of Nevada II (Djanor), so in 2019 they purchased a filly, by Al Tair (Amer) out of Fauvette Du Loup (Tornado De Syrah) and are hoping she will be lucky for them. Fauvette Du Loup is out of Caline Du Loup (Mangante) and is a great granddaughter
2020 colt by No Risk Al Maury (FR) x Nil Kamla (SWI) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Nil Aziz (SWI) wins the 2017 Zayed Cup (LRPA) at St Moritz
So far their most successful homebred is Nil Aziz (by Dahess), winner of the Listed PA Sheikh Zayed Cup on the snow at St Moritz, he was Listed placed a further three times there and in Italy. Retired from racing, he has since been sold to Endurance. Looking to the future they have his halfbrother Nil Adamis (by Damis) in training, along with the three-year-old filly, Nil Farah Diba (by AF Albahar). There is also a twoyear-old filly out of Nil Kamla by Assy. This year they have four foals, two thoroughbreds, and two Arabians who are by No Risk Al Maury and by Mister Ginoux. Asked what they look for in a horse and what faults they are prepared to accept, Franziska say: “For training and competing race horses, we can live almost with every deviation from the norm, with regard of personality and structure, as long as the horse is trainable, raceable and making regularly good results in races. “With regard to our breeding activities we select well-balanced, sound and wellminded horses. We try to breed only with the best pedigrees available.”
They agree that the biggest immediate challenge since they moved is to breed the standard of horse capable of competing successfully in France. As Franziska observes: “There are more races here than in other European countries, but there are also more internationally important breeders and owners who dominate the scene. Here there are no handicap races, so you must have a top horse - otherwise life will be very hard.” Concluding she says:“From an European perspective the biggest problem we see is the fact that in most other European countries Arabian horse racing is almost non-existent. Even in countries like Germany, England or Italy the significance of Arabian horse racing is marginal compared with Thoroughbred racing. So for the future, the big challenge on a wider scale is to to build a larger and more active Arabian horse community with a good number of local breeders and owners of Arabian racehorses in each country. www.nile-arabians.com Additional photos supplied by Nile Arabians and Sheikh Mansoor Festival (St Moritz)
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Future Stars Supporting UK Arabian racing whilst the Arabian Racing Organisation waited for the green light to commence has been The Arabian Racehorse and Equine MediRecord. Asking for submissions from ARO participants of youngstock, multiple race-winners and retired old favourites we look back on some of the unraced horses which will make up the domestic challengers in the years to come.
Sassy (GB)
SASSY 2018 f Assy x Spirited Game Owner-breeder-trainer Steve Blackwell writes: "This is my filly by Assy out of Spirited Game at 23 months old. I'd like to say a big thank you to the generosity of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and Al Shahania Stud for the free service in 2017."
Spirited Game (GB) was bred by HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum and raced 18 times, ridden in all bar one of her races by Steve's son George. Winning once over a mile, she was also placed four times from 6f to 1m1f. Her victory at Royal Windsor when she rallied to win in a photo finish, earned George 'ARO Ride of the Season 2014'.
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Spirited Game (by Vert Olive) is out of Keen Game and is a half-sister to Medhaaf Athbah (by Amer). A six time winner in France, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and the UK, Mehdaaf Athbah has been Group 1PA placed five times, including runner-up to two of the best Arabians of recent times, Al Mourtajez (Qatar Arabian World Cup 2016) and Muraaqib (President of the UAE Cup, Coup d'Europe, 2017). She is also a halfsister to Jazmah Athbah (by Jalnar Al Khalediah) winner of the Prix Nevadour (Gr3PA) and Group 1 PA placed. Assy (QA) (by Amer x Margouia) was a winner of nine of his 11 races in Qatar, he became the first Qatari bred to win the HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) in 2014, and on retiring to stud, was offered free to breeders worldwide in his first season. Sassy is just one of many UK foals resulting from this hugely generous offer by Al Shahania Stud.
GALACTIC GIRL 2018 f Assy x Cosmic Girl Another of those Assy foals resulting from Al Shahania's goodwill, is Galactic Girl bred by Selena Farnese, who says: "My Assy filly, Galactic Girl will run at four. But I must say she is very exciting, at only two she is extremely fast!! "Cosmic Girl her dam, was my first Arabian racehorse which I bought as a three-yearold, backed myself and trained to win four races and be fifth in a PA Group 1." Cosmic Girl is by Concord, who was a winner over a mile in Qatar. He is one of 15 foals out of Naiada Al Maury by Dormane, which include Kahayla Classic winner Nez D'Or, leading US sire Norphe and broodmares such as Nisaee (dam of Mkeefa) and Nalika (dam of 2019 Arqana PA sale toper and recent winner, Nalink).
Cosmic Girl (GB) and her 2018 foal Galactic Girl (GB) by Assy (QA) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Cosmic Girl's dam, Northfield has produced five other winners in the UK. She was a granddaughter of Quitaine, dam of the Nefta who produced the sires Njewman and Nuits St Georges.
AKALA FIREFLY 2016 c Tidarbret x Cleopatrah Owner-breeder Nicki Thorne says: "Firefly went to Phil Collington at the end of last year for backing and race training at his Newmarket yard. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see him to get to the racetrack despite the current delay to racing and given how awful the situation is worldwide, he is a wonderful way to have hope for the future." Cleopatrah was bred in America by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed and raced for Alan
James Shapiro, trained by Lynn Ashby. She won four of her 39 starts, and was placed 15 times. Three of those starts were over 6f on Dirt, with her final win coming in the Rosebrook Arabian Distaff Turf Handicap over a mile and one sixteenth. She is by Calin De Louvre (by Djelfor) out of SRF Calera (by Corinto). Tidarbret is by Bengali D'Albret (by Cheri Bibi) out of Iktidar (by Djelfor) and was bred by Jim and Jo Kippen. He raced 32 times and also won four races, trained by Denis Batteate for Thorne. At his best over a mile, he was a twice a runner-up in Group 2 PA contests over 7f, 10f and a Group 3PA over 5f. Since retiring to stud he has sired Billy's Girl, a winner over 6f at Chelmsford City and Thorne's own Falcon Du Roc'h placed over a mile in his debut season in 2019.
Akala Firefly (GB) ridden by Phil Collington THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Pharitz Al Jazi (GB) at Pharitz Arabians
PHARITZ AL JAZI 2018 f AF Albahar x Laila Owner-breeder-trainer Beverley Deutrom hopes there are plenty of future stars at Pharitz Arabians, she writes: "This is my two-year-old filly, Pharitz Al Jazi, by AF Albahar (by Amer) out of Laila (by Tahar De Candelon)." AF Albahar is the sire of Dubai Kahayla Classic winner AF Mathmoon, French Arabian Derby winner Al Saker and Jebel Ali Za'abeel International Stakes winner, Conchita DA. He is a full-brother to fivetime UAE Champion Sire AF Al Buraq.
Laila was runner-up in a maiden over 2200m in Abu Dhabi and is already the dam of three winners, Karar (by Dahess), Shaama (by Nizam) and Pharitz Fahr (by Munjiz). Karar was the most successful of her progeny to date, winning three times from 1m2f to 2m all at premier handicap level, trained by Deutrom. Karar's full brother, the five-year-old Pharitz Oubai is now in the UAE. He raced nine times this winter, placing five times for HE Sheikh Nasser Al-Hashar (who also originally raced the dam), trained by Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
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Ma'ase Bin Krayaan (GB) and Nathan Sweeney after exercise and pictured below as a foal at Pearl Island Arabians
MA'ASE BIN KRAYYAN 2015 g Krayaan Dilmun x Princess Proudd Trained by Nikki Malcom who writes: "Pictured on a lovley spring day is Ma’ase Bin Krayaan. We're looking forward to a chance to race 'Maison' in a maiden soon."
Godolphin Racing in the USA and is a daughter of Virgule Al Maury out of Proudd Mary (by ZT Ali Baba). She won her only US start, a maiden over four and a half furlongs at Los Alamitos, trained by Felix Payne for the Darley Stable.
Ma’ase Bin Krayaan is by the Bahraini stallion Krayaan Dilmun and is a halfbrother to dual winner Johara Bint Shuwaiman (by Shuwaiman Al Bahrain). Krayaan Dilmun (by Ma'angy Nadeem) was imported into the UK as a yearling having been bred by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Sulman Alkalifa. The dam Princess Proudd was bred by THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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VIKKTOR 2017 c Marwan x Vivien Owner-breeder Jill Irwin of Whitley Meadows Arabian Stud writes: "This is Vikktor our hope for 2021. He was born here at Whitley Meadows Arabians. "In the summer of 2016 Vikktor's dam Vivien arrived from the Kossack Stud in the Netherlands, scanned in foal to Marwan. Vivien is out of the Russian mare,Vinetka (byKarnaval) and is a pleasure to own, fitting in very well here. "Vivien was conceived at the Kossack Stud. When her dam Vinetka was not sold in the Tersk/Holland sale, she was covered by Abitibi (Cheri-Bibi x Jaffa Du Berlais) a winner in UK and France, who was then at
the Kossack Stud. I liked the breeding as Jaffa Du Berlais has produced nine winners and although predominantly French bred, she has Polish in her pedigree too, through Baj her sire, who was also successful in endurance. [Jaffa Du Berlais is out of Nefta and therefore a granddaughter of Quitaine who also appears in Galaxy Girl's pedigree]. "Vinetka was then sent back to the Tersk Stud in Russia and it was there that Vivien was foaled. Vivien raced a few times at Pyatigorsk and was third in a Group 3PA. Vivien produced foals regularly over the next few years until she was bought back by the Kossack stud in 2012. At Tersk she produced Group 2PA and Group 3PA winners, Vereika (2009) (by Kamelot) and Venilia (2008). Venilia is by Newmarket who is also a son of Marwan."
Vikktor (GB) at Whitley Meadows Arabians THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Sattam (FR) at Green Ridge Stables
SATTAM 2016 g General x Al Basheq On the back of a successful 2019 campaign for the James Owen Racing Club, three-time ARO champion trainer James Owen headed to France for the Arqana Purebred Arabian Sale last October. Owen purchased two colts at the sale, one of which, an unraced three-year-old called Sattam is now the latest recruit to his Racing Club. Sattam is by dual Qatar Arabian World Cup winner General (by Amer) out of Al Basheq (by Dormane) and is from the family of Group 1 PA winners, Al Sakbe (by Kesberoy), Al Moutawakel (by Dormane) and Al Mouwaffak (by Azadi).
Fourcy last year and he told us that in training he was a bit slow. That is fine as he has some of the best Arabians in the world, so for the type of competition we will be aiming him at in the UK, that is less of a consideration. I also thought at the time he looked a bit weak. "Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a stallion prospect so we gelded him straight away and turned him out, which has done him the world of good. He is still very laid back, but he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any issues and he has a lovely stride. He is not going to be a horse to run for a year, we would expect two or three seasons from him for the Racing Club, so for the "3,000 we paid for him, he should be good value."
Owen reports: "Sattam was with Thomas THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
ARO Champion Arabian Racehorse 2019 - TIJAARY
ARWEN FORTA
NEW FOR 2020 SATTAM
James Owen Racing Club leading the way for UK Arabian Racing Syndicates For more details contact: James (07880 700559) or Jenny (07739 791545) ARWEN FORTA - SATTAM - TIJAARY THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE www.jamesowenracing.com
TIJAARY
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ARO New Season Preview - Part One James Owen, Newmarket 2019 was a landmark year for three-time ARO champion trainer James Owen, starting with his first overseas winner in April, his first Dubai International Arabian Races winner in July and his first Group winner in August.
Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon International Stakes (Gr3PA) winner Awzaan (FR) and James Owen at Green Ridge Stables
Add to that the success of Tijaary completing the season as ARO Leading Arabian for his James Owen Racing Club and concluding with the Arabian Award at the December Horserace Writers and Photographers Annual Luncheon, he will have to raise the bar again to top those achievements in 2020. Smiling Owen recalls: “It was a really good year last year, and we’ve got some promising sorts for this season too. We enjoyed going abroad, they were very good to us and it was great to have a DIAR
winner, it’s taken a while, but we’ve had chances every time we’ve gone there. Of course Awzaan’s Group win was special, he’s probably been my best horse throughout my career so far.” Describing the HWPA awards he says: “It was a huge honour to be recognised, and it’s great that there is an award for Arabian racing at that event. To be acknowledged against the leading thoroughbred trainers, owners and jockeys and media can only be good for Arabian racing in the UK.”
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This week Owen starts his 2020 campaign by going back to Mons, in Belgium, the scene of that all-important first overseas win. He takes two for his main patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Farhaa and Al Azeeza, both significant players in his 2019 season. “Farhaa was our first winner abroad and Al Azeeza won at DIAR. I learnt a lot, we were unlucky not to have two DIAR winners last year as one was just slow out of the gates. Also I probably should have run Farhaa in the longer race (1m4f), rather than the mile, but it was lovely to have runners and a winner there. “Going abroad just gives us a few more options, particularly this year with the UK season being delayed. Mons is a nice All Weather track, and we’ve also been to Waregem which is Turf. We probably took the wrong horses there, buy you learn from
the experience and we will definitely go back to Waregem, you need a sharp horse for that track. We also went to Duindigt, in Holland, we had a few wins there with Jadaayil and Jaahez. They are all very easy to get to, it doesn’t take long. We will leave Friday morning for Mons and be there in good time, the meeting doesn’t start until 6pm.” "Another goal for the future is to race in France. We’ve shown that we can be competitive in the smaller European countries, but I’d love to be able to go to France with horses that were in with a chance of winning, but it’s a much higher level there." Al Azeeza and Jaahez were two horses that had started their careers in France for Francois Rohaut and came to the UK in the Spring of 2019 having already had a run.
Farhaa (GB) (Al Saoudi x Maiziane) and Frankie Flinton on Racecourse Side of the Newmarket Gallops. Farhaa will run in the Emirates Breeders Programme 1 race at Mons in Belgium on Friday June 26th THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Al Azeeza (FR) leads home Naishaan (FR) and Farhaa (GB) for a one-two-three for Owen and HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum in the Emirates Premier Handicap at DIAR 2019
“Al Azeeza, they thought quite a lot of in France, but she lost her way a bit. She was always going to win a maiden in the UK on the back of her French form. She won over 7f at Lingfield in May and Dane O’Neill who rode that day really liked her. We ran her again at Newbury in the Za’abeel prep and she didn’t like the soft ground, but at DIAR it was so much quicker and she became our first winner at the meeting. “She’s by Munjiz and has a bit of speed, so we then went to Holland for a 2000m Group 3 at Duindigt. She got all the allowances and that track is usually very quick, but got there and the heavens opened. Though she wasn’t beaten far in fifth, the ground was so loose and she hated it - even when we work her at home on soft she’s the same. The plan for 2020 was to take her to Ascot
for the new Shadwell race there over a mile in May, so she was ready quite early. 2000m should suit her well this year, providing she gets her ground. “As for Jaahez, he’s a character. Francois said he was a bit of a monkey and he is. We ran him first at Chepstow at the beginning of May and he didn’t like the hustle and bustle, he was then placed twice and we gave him a bit of a break and he came back a different horse, winning at Wolverhampton. We ran him six days later in Holland and he went round the houses on a tight track and dead-heated for the ladies race. He’s now won both times for female jockeys, he can do anything, so long as he allowed to think it’s on his terms. I thought the 1m4f race at DIAR would have been perfect for him this year, but that’s obviously changed now. We’ve stepped up his work and we’ll take him abroad now.”
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Al Kaaser (FR) with Danielle Giles
Mawarid (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Owen's third lot led by Al Kaaser (FR)
The next overseas trip on the agenda is also in Belgium, this time to Waregem on the 6th July for the Wathba Stallions Cup over a mile. Owen has Al Azeeza, Alameen, Emiraaty and Mayzoonah entered and feels the older horses have come to hand very quickly since they brought them back into work. As for his aspirations to race in France, it is the younger horses that will have to step up to be considered for that role, as he explains: “We’ve got a couple of the three-year-olds who have already had a racecourse gallop. We took six of our horses to Lingfield for the barrier trials organised by Gary Witheford, all professionally ridden, as I wanted to be ready for those early season races and we were, but obviously racing was suspended. “All the horses had a break at the start of the Covid19 situation and they’ve mostly all come on for that now. We’ll give the youngsters another racecourse gallop at the end of July and if anything shows up
well - they have to look like they can be competitive - then we would take them to France, but I don’t want to go abroad for the sake of it. “We have a nice filly by No Risk Al Maury, Wanassa, who is a half-sister to Al Azeeza, she did well at the barrier trial in March, she’s a very similar type, probably a bit stronger and has the same sort of action. She’d be one to consider if she keeps progressing well.” A delayed start has not all been bad for the team however as he says: “We’ve some young horses that in a normal season would probably have just had one run, but as we are pushed back into the autumn, we should be able to get two runs in to them, hopefully one on grass and then the All Weather before we put them away for next year. They’ve changed no end for the break, once they’re up to speed, some come forward, though a few it sends them back, it’s certainly been useful for us to learn more about them this way.”
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Owen is still positive for another good season for his Racing Club which had over 30 members in 2019, drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, including some new to Arabian racing as well as long established followers. Of their flagship horse he says: “Tijaary could do one more season after this, but we do have to keep adding a new horse each year to keep them interested and also to allow our homebreds in. It’s important that the Club is refreshed each year with one or two horses, though the plan is to stick to three, because when horses at this level reach the ceiling of their handicap mark it’s hard to find races for them and there’s a limited program in the UK.” Also remaining in the Club for 2020 is Arwen Forta, who he feels has taken a long time to come to hand, but says: “she’ll be versatile and I think we can win races with her.” They are joined by a new recruit, Sattam, who was a speculative purchase at the 2019 Arqana PA Sale last October. Previously in training with Thomas Fourcy, he wasn’t forward enough to race and be competitive in
France, but Owen is confident that he can be useful at a lower level in the UK and give the Club a couple of years of entertainment. Waiting in the wings are two fillies out of one of their original Club horses Dolfina D’Ibos. Like Tijaary, she was also an ARO Champion horse, and Champion Mare too, but it had always been the intention to breed from her. The first foal has been named Mayfair and is by Al Tair, as Owen explains: “Like a lot of first foals, she’s not very big, but she’s done well and I like her; last year we had another filly by RB Burn, who we’ve called Picadilly. Because we liked what she’s produced, we felt confident to spend a bit more this year, so she was inseminated two weeks ago by Al Mourtajez. Arabian stallions are not expensive, and we want to do it right. “We’re looking forward to seeing what these fillies will be like on the track. Dolfina was a Racing Club horse, so we will run them in the club colours.”
Club horses' Sattam (FR) and Arwen Forta (AE) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Rafeef (FR)
Owen supervising his string THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Awzaan (FR) and Martin Dwyer
Of all the horses Owen has handled Awzaan has probably one of the most challenging and yet the most rewarding too, giving him that much wanted first pattern win. At nine he’s the oldest horse in the yard, who he inherited after Gill Duffield retired and though Owen refers to him as “delicate’” he says: “He’s, not unsound, but he’s just taken a long time to mature. He’s stronger now than ever, so I can’t wait to get racing with him. He takes his races very well, but I’ve found it hard keeping condition on him, we’ve tried many things to help over the years and I think we have it right now. “He won over 10 furlongs at Chelmsford on his debut for us and then the DIAR Stayer’s prep in a slowly run race at Chepstow. So he went to DIAR as a short priced favourite and I was so shocked when he got beat, but he obviously doesn’t stay in a true run race on a galloping track. He later ran very well in a Group 1PA finishing third, but that ruined his handicap mark, he became very difficult to place.
“Entering him in the Clarendon Stakes wasn’t the last straw, because if I worked him with anything in my yard over 5 furlongs he’d beat them, even though he is slow out of the gates. I have always wanted to put headgear on him, but he was never mentally mature enough to wear it. I only walked him in hand in a visor at home before the race, as I wasn’t confident to exercise him in them. Sometimes visors will just concentrate them and keep them calm, which they seemed to do for him. With Martin [Dwyer] he was slowly away as usual, but within half a furlong he was back on the bridle and you could call him the winner a long way out. He travelled so well. “He’s got to back it up now, but I’m sure he will, he’s so much stronger. I think a mile does suit him too, but it depends on the course and the opposition, we will have to see what there is for him, he likes a bit of cut in the ground, so an autumn campaign will be fine for him anyway. I’m very happy with him.”
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Considering the effect of Covid19 Owen thinks they are lucky to be based in Newmarket saying: “We’re out in the country, the facilities here on the Heath are fantastic. The staff have been great, a couple of our Arabian owners took horses home, but we expect them back as soon as the new programme is in place for the domestic races. “Currently we have 28 Arabians in at the moment, of which 23 are for His Highness. The Racing Club horses are all in work and we had a zoom meeting the other evening for them and that went quite well. They’ve been very loyal and we’re looking forward to setting a date for our virtual open day next month.” He was delighted to learn that the UK season will finally get underway at Goodwood saying: “We send a huge thank you to Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club for staging the race under what we know are difficult circumstances. The race is always very competitive, and I look forward to supporting it with my best Arabians.”
Awzaan (FR) and Alex Chadwick
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
COMING SOON
JAMES OWEN RACING DIGITAL OPEN DAY ARO Champion Trainer 2019, 2017, 2016 ARO Champion Arabian Racehorse 2019 - TIJAARY Arabian Racing Achievement Award - HWPA 2019 ARO Champion Arabian Racehorse 2017 ARO Champion Arabian Mare 2017 -DOLFINA D'IBOS in partnership with
James Owen Racing leading the way for UK Arabian Racing Syndicates For more details contact: James (07880 700559) or Jenny (07739 791545) ARWEN SATTAM T H E FORTA A R A B I A- N R A C E H -OTIJAARY RSE www.jamesowenracing.com
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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE Summer Issue !"!"
ARO NEW SEASON PART TWO
EUROPEAN SEASON REVIEW
- STABLE TOURS
A look back at the main races so far and who are the rising stars of the next generation.
- NEW RACE PLAN
EURPEAN SEAONS
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The Final Furlong
Pictured is UK owner-breeder-trainer Lesley Hartley who sadly passed away recently. She is with the last of her homebreds, El Adjban, after winning the Ras Alhad Beach (0-100+) Handicap at Royal Windsor in 2014, ridden by Miss Page Fuller. It was to be El Adjban's last race and also Hartley's as an owner. Trained by Gill Duffield from 23 starts El Adjban won 6 times from 6f to a mile and at his peak he was rated 110.
El Adjban was by Maksan out of Shunah who Hartley trained and bred. Shunah was by her most succesful horse Shomran with whom she started racing in 1986. Shomran gave his name to the Shomran Trophy, awarded for services to UK Arabian Racing which has been won by ARO commentator Gary Capewell on two occaisions.
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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