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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 1 st . 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”. F or 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 5 th , 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 29 th so further revisions are anticipated.
Ebraz (GB) wins the 2019 Qatar International Stakes.
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 a t 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 stages.
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
will be no early closing or supplementary 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.
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 m edia 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.”
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. She was also a big supporter of UK Arabian racing over six seasons. The highlights being the Newbury victories of Burnet and 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. 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) r idden by Richie Mullen.
She will be sorely missed within the
M unya Farah in the Emirates NBD Arabian racing community worldwide.
James Doyle with Munya Farah (NL) and owner-breeder Margreet de Ruiter-Floor
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 15 th 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 deni ed a ny 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.
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 f or. 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).
DIAR 2020 UPDATES
Following the resumption of British thoroughbred racing on Monday June 1 st , the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) clarified the current situation with regards to the Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), scheduled for July 26 th at 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 y ear. 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 H amdan 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:
"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.
They are the Shadwell Critérium 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 r un alongside the Shadwell Coupe
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. T he 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
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 o f the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby), by seven lengths.
The race was to be held on Friday May 8 th , 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.
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. J ockey 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 f inished 7 th in 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
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 wh o t reat 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 y our 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 L ine is open 24/7 on 0800 6300 443 to anyone needing assistance or via live chat online at:
www.racingwelfare.co.uk
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 o n 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_
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 topper, the yearling Nahabbl h l [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
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
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.
Angus Gold, racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “It was fantastic to see Battaash come back …and do it, and do it decisively. 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.”
“It has been a great week for Jim Crowley and I am sorry that he g ot chinned by
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 w hich 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 bi nt M ubarak 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
