The Arabian Racehorse - Summer 2021

Summer Issue 2021

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

Lady Princess Crowned at Goodwood UK Mid Season Review

'Spirit' - Bronze Edition of 9

DEBORAH BURT Award Winning Sculptor in Bronze - Commissions Welcome

www.equinecreativemedia.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE Tel: 00 44 (0) 7782349047

Email: equinecreativemedia@gmail.com

3

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE Summer Issue - 2021 4

News

21

UK Mid-Season Review

47

UK Championship Tables

50

Pedigree Focus - Muneer

57

Qatar International Stakes

74

Pedigree Focus - Lady Princess

79

Jockey Focus - Laura Pearson

80

Overseas Opportunitites - Max Pimlott

114

The Final Furlong

Front cover: Lady Princess (FR) and Oisin Murphy win the Group 1PA Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood

Produced by equine creative media Stable Cottage, Fosse Cross, Cheltenham, Glos, GL54 4NP

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

Unless otherwise stated, all features, reports and photographs are by Debbie Burt (copyright) All rights reserved. Print copies may be ordered. Photographs may be viewed and purchased at www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

4

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE PODCAST From the very start of the 2021 UK Arabian racing season The Arabian Racehorse podcast returned, where possible previewing every race after declarations and reviewing the results of the previous race.

Initially hosted by The Arabian Racehorse editor Debbie Burt in company with ARO commentator Gary Capewell, for 2021 the numbers have been boosted by the addition of ARO Handicapper and Dubai Racing Channel presenter Stephen Molyneux.

The video podcast is brought to you in association with Equine MediRecord is available on the EMR YouTube channel.

The current episode is a full length special preview of the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood and can be found by clicking the link below: https://youtu.be/4WWdUOZPDwc

Each edition is posted on The Arabian Racehorse and Equine MediRecord Facebook, Twitter and Istagram feeds, with past episodes always available.

HH SHEIKH HAMDAN AL MAKTOUM - WINTER 2021 EDITION STILL AVAILABLE TO ORDER The Arabian Racehorse - Winter 2021 edition, commemorating HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum has been produced in a limited print edition.

There are still copies available priced £12 including postage for UK readers.

Overseas postage is available but priced on an individual basis, please email info@thearabianracehorse.com for futher details or to place your order.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

5

GOODWOOD KICKS OFF UK ARABIAN RACING PATTERN RACES FOR 2021 Hosting international runners for top level competition is always a challenge for the organisers under normal circumstances.

Throw a global pandemic into the mix, along with continually changing government and domestic authority regulations and it’s a wonder international racing has taken place at all since the outbreak of Covid19. The UK’s Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) has risen to those challenges, enabling all their sponsored pattern races to take place since Arabian racing was permitted to resume by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) last August.

Speaking following another successful Qatar International Stakes renewal as part of the 2021 Qatar Goodwood Festival, ARO Commercial and Finance Director Genny Haynes commented: “The Covid situation has presented challenges above and beyond what we are used to when hosting international competition.

"However yet again we have proved we are up to maintaining our high standards, in assisting with travel and quarantine requirements for stable staff and jockeys and providing local grooms for those horses whose own connections were unable to travel to Goodwood.

“We at ARO our proud of this achievement, despite changes to the travel rules during the preparations for the race, and we are confident that we will be able to facilitate further overseas runners in our forthcoming pattern races this season. We also thank the BHA, the racecourses, and the International Racing Bureau for their support.”

The next UK opportunity for international

runners is the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes, a Group2PA over 6f furlongs to be held at Newbury on August 14th. The race was formerly run as part of the Dubai International Arabian Races , as the Za’beel International and has been won by horses of the calibre of Dahess and the Royal Cavalry’s own Al Mouhannad. Entries close on August 10th, with declarations to run made on the following day, August 11th.

There are also two further pattern races, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (formerly the ARO Cup), a Group3PA over a mile at Haydock on September 4 and the four-year-old highlight, the UAE President Cup (UK Arabian Derby) a Group1PA over 1m2f on September 11th.

For further information on all the pattern races to be held in the UK this season, or to request details on travel and the current regulations regarding Covid19, please contact Willie McFarland at the ARO office: willie@aroracing.co.uk

The ARO International Pattern Calendar can be viewed here: http://www.aroracing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/International-Racing-Calendar-2021_Issue3_-30.07.21.pdf

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

6

EQUINE MEDIRECORD LAUNCH NEW SYSTEM TO HELP TRAINERS COMPLY WITH NEW FRENCH VACCINATION RULES Equine MediRecord has deployed a new system to help European trainers comply with the new vaccinations rules in France.

The change of vaccination rules for racehorses in France will have huge implications for European racing, particularly when it comes to trainers based in France, Great Britain and Ireland.

The new Equine Medirecord (EMR) system will automatically notify trainers, veterinarian surgeons and assistants on when vaccination deadlines are approaching based on the country where the horse is located and if the trainer wishes to be reminded about other jurisdictions' rules. The EMR system is designed to securely record a horse’s medication records and help comply with animal welfare and anti -doping rules. This new part of their digital system could be key to minimising non-runners and improving equine welfare.

EMR was founded in 2016 by Pierce Dargan, Finlay Dargan and Simon Hillary.

In the wake of an outbreak of equine flu, Dargan pitched his idea to the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) in Britain and received an enthusiastic response. As, in 2020, ARO became the first European racing organisation, and only the second worldwide, to officially mandate the use of electronic veterinary records. Overseas trainers, with runners in ARO’s PA Group races at Goodwood and Doncaster, were also requested to use this system. Trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte said: "It’s true that the formalities regarding vaccinations were greatly enhanced, in practical terms,

by using the Equine Medirecord system when my horse (Hattal) ran at Doncaster last year."

In another first, later that year, the system was rolled out at the Breeders’ Cup, and the ARO precedent was useful in this context. Pierce Dargan added: "We’re currently exploring markets that weren’t on our radar as a direct result of the partnership forged with ARO in 2020. The Thoroughbred Owners of California association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association have since given their approval."

"It couldn’t be more timely in the US as the Horseracing Integrity Act was passed by the House of Representatives (in 2020).

The Arabian Racing Association of California has also adopted this system, and we’re currently in discussion with the US’s Arabian Jockey Club with a view to them introducing it. » Trainer James Fanshawe, whose Audarya (Wootton Bassett) won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, was among the first of the top British handlers to embrace this system."

Finlay Dargan is the EMR’s main representative in France and he said: "Two vaccinations are mandatory here, which is more than any other marketplace in which we operate."

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

7

"A number of trainers had reached out to us, complaining about the difficulties of tracking vaccinations, so we have striven to ensure our system conforms to French vaccination rules. After speaking to France Galop about what we had to offer, they made it known all records were documented in paper form, and we had already brought a resolution to this system when it was previously operational in Ireland. In November 2020, our system was officially sanctioned by LeTrot (the ruling body of Trotting), and France Galop followed suit soon afterwards."

Nicolas Clément was one of the early subscribers to EMR and his take is: "We are facing a problem of non-runners due to vaccination rules in France. So a digital solution is called for."

Furthermore, the recent outbreak of a particularly virulent strain of the equine herpes virus which afflicted showjumpers in Spain, has caused great consternation.

So the new regulations are to be welcomed. Both Finlay and Pierce Dargan agree that their system is capable of rising to the challenges posed by new regulatory practices, against the backdrop of ever-changing landscape of equine health around the globe.

They concurred: "France is a world leader when it comes the prevention of epidemics, given the stringent nature of its vaccination rules, which are designed to ensure the health of French horses."

The new rules introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture relative to equine influenza and the equine herpes virus vaccinations.

They came into effect on May 5th. This could see horses that are eligible to run in the United Kingdom and Ireland based on their vaccinations being outside of the new French timelines and vice versa which has already started to cause issues with horses running between the three countries. Finlay Dargan: added: "The regulatory framework governing France, Great Britain and Ireland is now very different. This will cause huge difficulties when it comes to moving horses for racing purposes between these three countries."

For more information about Equine MediRecord, see: www.equinemedirecord.com

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

8

SHADWELL ANNOUNCES RICHARD LANCASTER'S RETIREMENT

the full extent of how the organisation will

Shadwell Estates reported in June that Stud Director Richard Lancaster has decided that the time is right for him to step down. He was involved with the development of Shadwell Stud from the outset, starting as assistant to Captain Bobby Dolbey, and has been Stud Director for more than 20 years. Shadwell Estates thanked him for his skill and hard work in establishing Shadwell as one of the world’s leading owner/breeders.

In a statement released by Shadwell Estates Lancaster said: “Following the sad death of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid al Maktoum I have decided after 35 very happy years that it is time to move on. I am extremely proud of everything we built up over my time at Shadwell, and I wish everyone at Shadwell the very best for the future. I am now looking forward to new challenges ahead.”

His role as Stud Director also encompassed Shadwell Arabians, which has been one of the most successful and respected source of Arabian racehorses in the world. Lancaster was involved in the purchase of five of Sheikh Hamdan’s Kahayla Classic winners (Nivour De Cardonne, Bopp Moon, Kaolino, Madjani, Manark) and establishing their broodmare band.

Speaking with The Arabian Racehorse in 2015 he said: “The breeding side of things has taken me to some pretty obscure places; I remember travelling by mini-bus from Warsaw to the then Soviet Russian boarder to buy breeding stock and a group of us travelled to Aleppo in Syria on one occasion too - it’s certainly been an adventure!

Richard Lancaster with the ARO Champion Owners Trophy received on behalf of HH Sheikh Hamdan move forward, their racing manager Angus Gold revealed to the Racing Post that Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum will continue her father’s legacy. One of six children, Sheikh Hissa already has had thoroughbreds running in her own name since 2016 in the UK, including this year’s Lincoln winner Haqeeqy, trained by John and Thady Gosden.

Prior to his death, Sheikh Hamdan had asked Richard Hills to extend his role from the thoroughbred operation to become the Arabian racing manager and also appointed an Arabian pedigree researcher, bringing in Deirdre Hyde from the UAE. Further news is expected to be announced in the autumn.

Whilst Shadwell Estates are yet to declare THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

9

SHADWELL ARABIANS OFFER HORSES FOR SALE Shadwell Estates are offering a number of their UK based Arabian racehorses for sale and lease. The five horses, four fouryear-olds and one three-year-old are currently in training with either James Owen or Phil Collington in Newmarket. All have raced at least once and have a current UK rating.

For further details on the horses available or to make an offer, please contact: Marion Lachat Arabian Marketing & Nominations Coordinator Shadwell Estate Company Limited Tel: +44 (0) 1842 756 962 (ext 203) Mobile: +44 (0) 7841 495450 https://shadwellarabian.co.uk/sale/

Jamaraat (GB) a Dahess half-sister to two juvenile PA Group winners

Alghadeer (GB) by Dahess out of Al Marwa, from the family of Al Mourtajez THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

10

BHA WHIP CONSULTATION STEERING GROUP ANNOUNCED The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed the membership of a Whip Consultation Steering Group which will have responsibility for oversight of the process and decision-making in relation to the forthcoming consultation regarding the use of the foam-padded whip in British racing.

The group draws on individuals from a wide range of backgrounds across the racing industry including trainers, jockeys, owners, breeders, racecourses and stable staff. It also includes representation from wider sectors including politics, horse welfare and the media.

The group is chaired by former racecourse Stewards’ Panel Chair, racecourse committee member and racehorse owner David Jones, who is also an Independent Regulatory Director on the Board of the BHA. As part of the independent Horse Welfare Board (HWB)’s strategic plan, A life well lived – a new strategic plan for the welfare of horses bred for racing 2020-2024, a recommendation was made that a public consultation should be conducted by the BHA regarding the use of the whip in British racing.

This consultation aims to gather and assess the viewpoints of industry participants, nonindustry stakeholders and wider public audiences, regarding rules, usage and penalties. The Horse Welfare Board noted that, in their view, the need to increase penalties for whip offences is a clear, minimum recommendation. Otherwise no explicit recommendations were made as to what the outcome of the consultation should be.

The Steering Group will play an active role in the process, not only ensuring that the

consultation – which is being run by a BHA project team – is managed in line with objectives and expectations, but also providing practical experience, expertise and insight. Once it has reviewed and assessed the consultation feedback, it will aim to reach a consensus and make recommendations that help to determine the outcome of the process.

Full membership of the Whip Consultation Steering Group is as follows: David Jones (Chair), BHA Independent Regulatory Non-Executive Director Tom Blain, Managing Director, Barton Stud Henry Daly, Racehorse trainer Celia Djivanovic, Racehorse owner Tom Goff, founding partner, Blandford Bloodstock John Gosden OBE, Racehorse trainer Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Member of the House of Lords Dr Neil Hudson MP FRCVS, Member of Parliament, academic & veterinary surgeon Nick Luck, Broadcaster and journalist P.J. McDonald, Professional jockey Roly Owers MRCVS, Chief Executive Officer, World Horse Welfare, & veterinary surgeon James Savage, Head Lad/Assistant to Sir Michael Stoute Tom Scudamore, Professional jockey Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs, Ascot Racecourse Sulekha Varma, North West Head of Racing, Jockey Club Racecourses, Clerk of the Course (Aintree Racecourse) To ensure alignment between the BHA’s project team and the Steering Group, the BHA’s project lead and executive lead will also attend Steering Group meetings.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

11

The Steering Group held its first meeting in early May. The Group will now work towards finalising an agreed timescale for the consultation process, which is currently planned to run in the second half of this year.

David Jones, Chair of the Whip Consultation Steering Group, said: “It is essential that the consultation process is fair, open and transparent and the views of all parties are considered. In addition, any decisions must be made by those who have a deep understanding and knowledge of the subject matter and who are willing to both represent and consider a range of perspectives. The role of the Steering Group will be to ensure that all of these requirements are met. The breadth of expertise and experience that has come together to form this group is truly impressive.”

Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA, said: “The whips used in British racing are foam-padded and were designed with input from the RSPCA. Its use in races is subject to strict controls.

“The Horse Welfare Board were clear, however, that the use of the whip is an issue of public trust in the sport, and that

the racing industry must be mindful of public opinion if it is to safeguard its longterm future.

“By carrying out this consultation we are looking to facilitate a positive, open debate about an important issue. Any decisions will be for racing to make, and the Steering Group’s expertise from across the racing industry – alongside the perspectives of representatives of other independent sectors – will play a leading part in this process.”

Whip consultation - get involved As part of the independent Horse Welfare Board (HWB)’s strategic plan, a recommendation was made that a public consultation should be conducted by the BHA regarding the use of the whip in British racing.This consultation aims to gather and assess the viewpoints of industry participants, non-industry stakeholders and wider public audiences, regarding rules, usage and penalties.

The consultation is now OPEN, and will close on 6 September 2021. Visit this page: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/the-whip/

to enter your submission. This is your opportunity to have your say regarding the future of the whip.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

12

PART TWO ARO CALENDAR AUGUST - SEPTEMBER Several races were rescheduled from Chepstow earlier in the season, leading to revisions of the second part of the ARO Calendar for 2020.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

13

PART THREE AFAC CALENDAR AUGUST

Muraaqib [pictured in 2015] and Lady Princess, and the Doha Cup for four-year-olds and upwards, won by many top class Arabians including Al Mourtajez and most recently Hayyan. Both races are over 2000m and entries close on August 2nd.

AFAC's calendar for August features two Group1PA races at Deauville.

The Al Rayyan Cup for three-yearolds, won by horses such as

CALENDRIERS PROVISOIRES 2021 3 ANS 4

BORDEAUX 9-mai WATHBA STALLIONS CUP DJELFOR

1 600

58

TS

3

n'ayant jamais gagné -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru Tout gagnant portera + 2kg (les décharges ne sont pas autorisées) -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru Toute gagnante portera + 2kg (les décharges ne sont pas autorisées)

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

5

22-mai

TOULOUSE NORNIZ

1 600

57

M/H

3

6

22-mai

TOULOUSE FEDORA

1 600

57

F

3

2 000

58

TS

3

n'ayant jamais gagné -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru

16 000 €

Prémium

1 600

58

TS

3

3 ans : 58 kg

50 000 €

Prémium

1 200

58

TS

3

n'ayant jamais gagné ni reçu 1500€ en place

12 000 €

PMH

1 400

58

TS

3

n'ayant jamais gagné -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru

18 000 €

Prémium

TOULOUSE WATHBA STALLIONS CUP QUITAINE CHANTILLY QATAR COUPE DE FRANCE DES CHEVAUX ARABES POMPADOUR WATHBA STALLIONS CUP DE BOURNAZEL LA TESTE SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL BENGALI D'ALBRET

7

4-juin

8

25-juin

9

4-juil.

10

6-juil.

11

16-juil.

LA TESTE RAZZIA III

GR. 3 PA

1 900

57

F

3

3 ans : 57 kg + 2 kg gagnant Gr. 1

25 000 €

Prémium

12

16-juil.

LA TESTE TIDJANI

GR. 3 PA

1 900

57

M/H

3

3 ans : 57 kg + 2 kg gagnant Gr. 1

25 000 €

Prémium

13

LA TESTE 16-juil.

NEZ D'OR

n'ayant jamais gagné -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru +1kg par 3000€ reçus en places

16 000 €

Prémium

14

21-juil.

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

15 16

GR. 2 PA

MONT DE MARSAN DUNIXI LA TESTE 26-juil. WATHBA STALLIONS CUP MANGALIE D'ALBRET 26-juil.

LA TESTE AKBAR

DAX 17 10-août WATHBA STALLIONS CUP DAHMAN 18 10-août

DEAUVILLE GR. 1 PA AL RAYYAN CUP KESBEROY

1 900

58

TS

3

1 600

57

TS

3

1 900

58

F

3

1 900

58

M/H

3

2 300

58

TS

3

n'ayant jamais gagné -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru

16 000 €

Prémium

2 000

58

TS

3

3 ans : 58 kg

50 000 €

Prémium

-

16 000 €

Prémium

-

16 000 €

Prémium

19 15-août

VICHY IFAHR

1 400

58

TS

3

20 20-août

LA TESTE DJOURMAN

1 900

58

TS

3

-2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru +1kg par 4 000€ reçus en victoires et places -2kg pour les pouliches n'ayant jamais couru n'ayant jamais gagné +1kg par 5000€ reçus en places -2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru n'ayant jamais gagné +1kg par 5 000€ reçus en place

n'ayant pas reçu une allocation de 6 500€ Tout gagnant porter 2kg 2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru n'ayant pas reçu une allocation de 6 500€ Tout gagnant porter 2kg 2kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru

4 ANS et + N°

DATE

9

TOULOUSE 25-avr.

CARTHAGE

10

11

12

HIPPODROME

TOULOUSE 25-avr. SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL NEFTA LA TESTE 28-avr. SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL DORMANE DAX 8-mai WATHBA STALLIONS CUP AICHA

13

8-mai

DAX DJERBA OUA

14

9-mai

BORDEAUX DAMAS

15

15-mai

TOULOUSE BAROUD II

CATEGORIE

DISTANCE

POIDS SEXE

AGE

CONDITIONS

DOTATIONS TOTALES

TYPE

30 000 €

Prémium

GR. 2 PA

2 000

56

TS

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 60 kg Tout gagnant Gr1 +2kg

GR. 2 PA

2 000

58

F

4 ans

4 ANS : 58 kg / 5 ans: 58kg

30 000 €

Prémium

GR. 3 PA

1 900

58

TS

4 ans

+ 2 kg tout gagnant de Gr. 1 PA

20 000 €

Prémium

14 000 €

Prémium

14 000 €

Prémium

GR. 3 PA

4 ANS : 55 kg / 5 ANS et + : 59 kg + 1 kg par 3 000 € reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède 4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 58 kg + 1 kg par 4 000 € reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède -1 kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru

2 300

55

TS

4 et +

1 400

56

TS

4 et +

1 600

56

TS

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 58 kg + 2 kg tout gagnant de GR. 1

20 000 €

Prémium

4 et +

4 ANS : 55 kg / 5 ANS et + : 59 kg + 1 kg par 3 000 € reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

14 000 €

Premium

2 100

55

TS

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

14

HH SHEIKH MANSOUR BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN APPROVES UAE HORSE RACING PROGRAMME FOR 2021-22 May 6, 2021 - The fixture list of the 2021-2022 United Arab Emirates racing season has been approved by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Racing Authority (ERA).

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “We are happy to launch the 2021-2022 racing programme, which provides trainers, owners and horse fans with an integrated season on the five racecourses in the UAE.” His Highness added: “Through this fixture, we offer local and international races for the Thoroughbred and Arabian horses.”

Emirates Racing Authority oversees the season, which includes 68 races, beginning at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday, October 29, 2021. This is followed

by Sharjah Racecourse on Saturday, October 30, while racing at Meydan Racecourse begins on Thursday November 4. Al Ain Racecourse will commence on Friday, November 5, and Abu Dhabi Racecourse will kick off its first race on Sunday, November 7, 2021.

The UAE season will include 15 meetings at Abu Dhabi Racecourse, 14 meetings at Al Ain Racecourse, 11 meetings at Jebel Ali Racecourse, 6 meetings at Sharjah Longines Racecourse, while the Meydan Racecourse schedule this year includes 22 meetings.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

We listen.

We support.

Mental health / Careers advice / Physical health / Housing / Addiction / Money advice / Retirement

Racing’s Support Line

0800 6300 443 - 24/7 Telephone line

www.racingwelfare.co.uk - Online live chat

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

18

RACING WELFARE HERE TO HELP THROUGHOUT COVID19 With racing in the UK resumed, 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.

Racing Welfare wants to reassure everyone that they are here to provide support for ALL of racing’s people and are aware that people from a whole range of different roles across the industry will be facing hardship.

They 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: www.racingwelfare.co.uk Racing Welfare teams are also contactable

during weekday office hours via the numbers below:

All the latest advice on grants and assistance offered by Racing 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_

Racing Welfare has just launched Woebot – an easy to use app that enables users to access in-the-moment support 24/7.

Woebot can help you to track your mood, identify patterns and give insight into particular issues or concerns that you may not have realised were causing emotional distress. Woebot can also teach you techniques and tools such as cognitive behavioural therapies or breathing exercises.

Research shows Woebot can help you improve your mood and lower your stress in as little as two weeks.

Why use Woebot?

• Woebot was created by Stanford-trained psychologists • The tools are based on decades of research • Woebot is personalised to your needs and only takes a few minutes a day!

Malton: 01653 696 869

Find out more here:

Middleham: 01969 624 123

www.racingwelfare.co.uk/services/woebot/

Lambourn: 01488 670 034 Newmarket: 01638 560 763 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

19

RACING WELFARE BEST TURNED OUT SERIES 2021 The Arabian Racing Organisation was delighted that the popular Best Turned Out Series sponsored by Racing Welfare was to return for the new season of UK Arabian racing. Rewarding the hardworking grooms with points awarded in every race and at the end of the season, the winners in each category will receive a cash prize of £125.

In addition, there are five individual Best Turned Out cash awards of £20 presented by the regional Welfare Officer representing Racing Welfare at the following meetings: Chelmsford City (3rd June), presented by Gail Jefferson to Zoe Brooks for Sahis and at Newbury (10th June) presented by Chloe Martin to Sue Wileman for Abiyah Athbah.

The remaining individual awards will be selevted at Chepstow (19th August), Lingfield Park (25th August) and Haydock (Saturday 4th September).

Sahis (FR)

Abiyah Athbah (GB)

Chole Martin selecting the Best Turned Out Award at Newbury THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes Group 2PA Prize Fund £20,000 - 6 Furlongs (1200m)

Saturday 14th August 2021 Newbury Racecourse, UK Entries close 10th August

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

21

2021 UK Mid Season Review

James Owen with Shadwell Estates two-time winner Muneer (GB) and Hollie Doyle

At the turn of the year there was a degree of uncertainty regarding the structure of the 2021 UK Arabian racing season, caused initially by the continued challenges of Covid, later exacerbated by the sad loss of ARO Patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Despite the

understandable cancellation of all the Shadwell sponsorship, including for a second year running the seasonal flagship, Dubai International Arabian Races, a slimmed down programme of 24 races was published and the horse registrations began to rise.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

22

Critics of the race plan would do well to remember that on the 7th April, just 21 days before the season began at Wolverhampton, there were just 34 horses registered. Whilst giving notice of an intention to run is helpful, it surely must be in the sports interest to have horses registered earlier to assist with planning.

Currently, with the addition of some internationals due to the upcoming Goodwood race, there are almost 100, for what is now a 22 race season. With a promise by the UK Government that ‘normality’ is on the horizon, it can only be hoped that racing will stabilise and in 2022 we can return to at least the 40 odd races that were programmed in 2019.

With a number of horses going into training later than usual, it is not entirely surprising that current reigning champions, trainer James Owen and Shadwell Estates have got off to such a flying start, winning the opening maiden, and continuing to dominate thereafter.

The Shadwell team is split between Owen and Phil Collington, who both benefit by having access to Newmarket’s excellent and extensive training facilities.

Collington seems to be falling into a pattern of peaking his horses later in the season, so that may also be a contributing factor to Owen’s success. Nonetheless take nothing away from the team at Green Ridge Stables, it has been a remarkable start.

Getting the ball rolling in the Wathba Stallions Maiden over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton was Farasah, fittingly a four-year-old daughter of Mahabb, who stands under the race sponsors banner. In a cracking race which required a photo to confirm the winner, she beat her stablemate Aldaana by a head, with Alsimsaam a good six and a half lengths back in third. It was a one-two-three for Shadwell Estates, with James Owen training the first two and the third trained

by Phil Collington.

A win for Farasah (GB) and Mark Crehan [green cap] THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

23

Farasah (GB) Winning jockey Mark Crehan commented: “That’s my first ride on an Arabian, so it’s my first winner on one too, and it’s pretty special to get it in these silks. It’s not much different to riding a thoroughbred, she was a lovely ride which made the experience a lot easier. She was green throughout, but it all came together for her at the finish, and she responded well. I think she’s a nice filly.”

Owen was delighted with the start his team has made saying: “We had her in training last year, but she was too weak to race. She’s well-bred though and we’ve had winners from the dam before. She’s the first one we’ve had by Mahabb and she looks a different class. I really rate Aldaana and I wouldn’t have worked these two together at home, so it was a bit of a surprise, but I’m delighted that Farasah has shown improvement on the track. Aldaana’s still a maiden and she’ll be hard to beat next time. A step up in trip will suit her.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Mark Crehan

24

Bath was the location for the next Wathba Stallions contest, this time a (0-70) handicap over a mile. With the majority of this season’s races taking place as the first on the card, the runners were spared the worst of what was to become fairly challenging afternoon of weather, but there was still a strong headwind in places.

The Pete Hammersley trained Bin Al Reeh made a successful return to Turf having been campaigned entirely on the All Weather the previous season due to the limited opportunities brought about by Covid19. Ridden by Sophie Ralston for HH Sheikha Maryam bint Maktoum Al Maktoum, the seven-year-old Bin Al Reeh

finished a length and a half clear of the Collington trained Jamaraat, with Hammerlsey’s other runner, Zayin Zyperion a further nine-and-a half-lengths in third.

The race was held as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival which in previous years had included a lady riders’ series in which Ralston had ridden on several occasions representing Ireland. Ralston commented: “I couldn’t hear because of the strong winds where the other horses were, but he told me because every time one came near to us, he picked up again.

I’ve travelled all over the world riding Arabians and this is my first winner.”

Bin Al Reeh (GB) and Sophie Ralston THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

25

Bin Al Reeh (GB) and Sophie Ralston Hammersley was clearly happy with both his horses saying: “I’ve said before that I didn’t think Wolverhampton suited Bin Al Reeh and running back on the Turf he proved that point. Sophie rode a brilliant

race as she managed to get him out in front, so he wasn’t intimidated by the other horses. He’s been so working well at home, I’m really pleased, hopefully he can build on this and win again.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

26

The Royal Cavalry of Oman (0-105) Handicap at Chelmsford City had been a site of success for four of the five runners so there could be no excuses about the track not suiting them. In the event it proved an opportunity for Shadwell Estates’ Wanaasa to start her season as she ended her last one, with an impressive win at the Essex track.

Stepping up in company for her handicap debut, the four-year-old daughter of No Risk Al Maury put up a professional performance under Jack Mitchell for Owen. Though she was receiving weight all round, she remains a progressive looking filly, finishing two lengths ahead of Al Kaaser and a further ten lengths clear of Farhaa, also from the Owen stable.

After the race Mitchell, who had been in the saddle for her previous win commented: “She’s obviously wintered well. I had a sit on her in Newmarket two weeks ago and she felt great, she’s got stronger. She’s still got that raw ability.

We went a good gallop here and I was worried I might have got there too soon.

She’s very exciting. James has done a good job with her.”

“Actually I thought Farhaa was the one,” said Owen. “She’s been working exceptionally well at home recently, and I’m pleased with Al Kaaser in second, as he’s really a ten-furlong horse. Wanaasa was getting a lot of weight from the others, but she’s got so much speed. I’d like to get her on the grass next.”

As a four-year-old there are plenty of options for her, though Owen eventually passed on the six furlong prep for the Royal Cavalry International Stakes (Gr2PA) as he felt she would be unsuited by the soft ground forecast at Newbury. She could still go for that sprint in August, however she has since been entered at Goodwood and could be interesting stepped up to 1m2f for the UAE President Cup (UK Arabian Derby) at Doncaster in September.

Wanaasa (GB) and Jack Mitchell THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

27

Two more Shadwell fillies caught the eye at Lingfield Park in the Emirates Breeders Maiden over a mile when Muneer survived a steward’s enquiry to give Keiran O’Neill his first win on an Arabian.

Veering out to the stands rail when put under pressure by O’Neill, she showed a keen turn of foot to make up the ground she lost to win by a length and a quarter.

Though Al Khaleejy was inconvenienced, the stewards considered it would not have been enough to lose her the race and the placings remained unaltered. Making her UK debut was the more experienced Al Mahbooba, finishing third, who had been in training with Francois Rohaut in France.

This was Muneer’s partner Kieran O’Neill’s first win on an Arabian, who commented after the race: “She jumped nicely, and we were very handy, following the pace the

whole way through. Obviously she was very, very green when we hit the front, but there’ll be plenty more improvement to come and hopefully she can build on that from here.”

Owen was pleased with the result for the stable saying: “That’s what it’s about, these three-year-olds get a lot of weight so that’s probably why those two came to the fore in the race. We’ve learnt more about Al Mahbooba now too. Muneer has only come alive the last few weeks, she’s really not done that much, just a few little bits of work, but what she’s done has been good, we weren’t here for an away day. Obviously, she was green up the straight, but she’s got plenty of ability and that’s our job now, to bring these youngsters on.”

Muneer (GB) and Keiran O'Neill THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

28

Mazyoonah (GB) and Rossa Ryan In the second of four visits to Wolverhampton this term, Mazyoonah reprised her course and distance win from 2020 in the Follow @aroracing on Instagram (0-80) Handicap over nine and a half furlongs. Beating the less experienced Nadelshiba in a photo, she had handicap debutant Farasah behind in third.

Mazyoonah provided a debut win on an Arabian for Rossa Ryan, who commented: “I got a lovely ride, she travelled well, and she picked up when I asked her. James was worried about the trip, so I held on to her as long as possible.”

Owen who also trained the second and third said: “I actually thought our best chance was Nadelshiba, with Alex being able to claim, based on the form from last

year when he finished behind Wanaasa and Phil’s filly Balqees at Chelmsford.

However, Mazyoonah had the greater experience and that’s probably what was the deciding factor in the end. She settled well, I thought they probably went quite hard and it just worked out well for her this time. She’s won over six furlongs and I wouldn’t be afraid to drop her back in distance.”

Fittingly for a race sponsored by ARO, it saw the return to the commentary box of long-term ARO commentator Gary Capewell, who said: “It’s good to be back.

I had around 15 months away because of the Covid restrictions so I felt a little bit rusty today. However, I’m looking forward to the next one, which for me will be at Newbury.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

29

Returning to Chelmsford City for the second of three Royal Cavalry of Oman sponsored races there, Sahis on only his second outing for the Goodwin Partnership, displayed an improved performance to win the Al Bustan Beach (0-65) Handicap. The four-year-old son of promising young sire Al Tair won by a length and a quarter from Shadwell Estate’s Alsimsaam, with Zayin Zyperion a further six and a half lengths behind in third.

Owen was delighted saying: “We bought this horse as a two-year-old from the Arqana sale and he was just a bit too weak to run last year. He’s green in his work at home which is why we put the headgear on first-time-out at Wolverhampton. He was a bit green in that maiden and he ended up making some of the running

which didn’t really suit him. The form of that race has been franked, the penny’s half dropped with him at home and I really thought he’d run well here today.

“I really like this horse, he’s just so uncomplicated and has a laid-back attitude. He should keep going forward now and he should be versatile as to trip as well.”

Sahis was ridden by last years’ leading ARO jockey Alex Chadwick who commented: “I probably got there a bit too soon to be honest. He showed his greeness towards the end and I thought he stuck his neck out really well when Alsimsaam came to him. It was just as well he did, as he was starting to idle in front.”

Sahis (FR) and Mr Alex Chadwick THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

30

Sahis (FR) and Mr Alex Chadwick win at Chelmsford City for James Owen and the Goodwin Partnership

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

31

Jadaayil (FR) and David Probert ©Nigel Kirby Doncaster plays host to three ARO races this season, the first, which has decreased in distance from two miles to a mile and a half was the Emirates Breeders (0-90) Handicap (in association with ARO).

Jadaayil put the lack of a recent run well behind her when drawing two lengths clear of the field. Shadwell Estates had a strong hand going into the race and it was a one-two-three for the blue and white with the Phil Collington trained Balqees, just denying another Owen runner, Farhaa, second place. Al-Tabari also put up a brave performance to be a close fourth for Pete Hammersley and his wife Michelle.

Speaking afterwards Owen said: “Jadaayil only got to run once last season, and that

was a good effort over an inadequate trip, she’s obviously improved over the winter.

David Probert has ridden quite a bit for me now and gets on well with the Arabians, he said she just kept improving the further she went.”

Speaking of his other runners he continued: “I’m pleased with Farhaa, though I thought Toofan was my best chance, he’s a class horse at home, but it was his first run on grass. Maybe the ground was a bit too quick for him and he’ll improve for the run. The rest of the team remain in good spirits, Jaahez, our Racing Club horse improved from his reappearance, and we’re delighted that a number of the members were able to come today.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

32

Despite the unfortunate loss of DIAR and its accompanying prep series, several of the races have been preserved under new sponsorship, the first of these was thearabianracehorse.com international conditions stakes over the same course and distance of the Shadwell Dubai International and the Hatta.

Though the challenges of Covid were too great to encourage international participation, it still attracted some of the UK’s top Arabians, albeit inevitably producing strong hand from Shadwell Estates. As a conditions race it still afforded the opportunity for three four-

year-olds to make their debuts and hopefully the experience of Newbury’s gentle bends and mild undulations will have given Labwah, Aloof and Akala Sunbird a good introduction to racing.

With the ground coming up soft, it probably played into the hands of the very experienced Farhaa, who had two placed runs under her belt already this season. Partnered for the first time by Hollie Doyle she continued her excellent win record for female jockeys, relishing the easy surface at the galloping track to draw clear by nearly four lengths.

Farhaa (FR) and Hollie Doyle THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

33

Farhaa (FR) and Hollie Doyle lead home Loolwa (GB) and Toofan (FR) Loolwa, who had the class to finish third in the UK Derby on her racecourse debut last season stayed on in second, whilst Toofan who’d had the benefit of a run on quick ground at Doncaster, looked a little one-paced in third. Al Kaaser, the UK’s highest rated horse, had beaten Farhaa in this in 2019 on good to soft, but he had then disappointed in the DIAR International Conditions race, so it will be back to the drawing board for him.

A delighted Doyle commented: “Farhaa was really straightforward and travelled beautifully, the further she went the better. I’d watched the replays of her races and she seems to travel well, but not find as much as you might think, so I just filled her up for as long as I could and let her lengthen at just under two furlongs out and she’s responded really well. I think she really loved this ground.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Hollie Doyle

34

James Owen “My grandparents bred Arabians for racing and though they’ve sadly passed away now, my parents are getting involved again. My mum’s getting it back up and running and they’ve got two yearlings at home.”

Owen, was pleased with the mares’ performance saying: “It’s great to see Farhaa win in good style. She had ideal conditions and finally showed her true potential on the track. Hollie gave her a lovely ride and spoke very positively about her and how she enjoyed riding the Arabians. It was a disappointing run from Al Kaaser, that hopefully we can put a line through.

“I’d also like to thank The Arabian Racehorse for sponsoring a much-needed race at this time which we can use to prep for our next targets.”

The Arabian Racehorse’s editor, Debbie Burt commented: “It’s been a pleasure to support Arabian racing for nearly ten years and I couldn’t be happier to see a jockey of Hollie’s calibre win my race today. I’d also like to thank Shadwell Estates, Steve Blackwell and Nicki Thorne for supporting the race and congratulations to James and his hardworking team who are having an exceptional season.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

35

With a prize fund of £4,000, the mile and a quarter Wathba Stallions Cup (0-65) handicap held at Royal Windsor was the most valuable race of its grade held by ARO this year. The exceptional run of the Owen team’s form was swiftly curtailed by a superb seasonal reappearance for Falcon Du Roc’h, making his debut for Nikki Malcolm and Stride Ahead Racing.

Bred and initially raced by Nicki Thorne, the six-year-old gelded son of Thorne’s Listed winning stallion Tidarbret had changed hands over the winter and moved to Malcolm’s Dorset base in March. Ridden by Cameron Iles, it was

also his first win, as they put half a length between them and Serafim Forta, with Run The Risk and Aymee showing great improvements on their previous runs, finishing third and fourth.

After the race a delighted Iles commented: “It’s great to get my first ever winner. I was apprenticed to David Elsworth, but I struggled with my weight and took out my amateur licence. Ideally, I wanted to be handier in the race, but he jumped and settled straight away, so I left him alone until we came off the bend, he was travelling nicely and he kept on well to the line.”

Falcon Du Roc'H (FR) and Mr Cameron Iles THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

36

Mr Cameron Iles, Falcon Du Roc'h (FR), Nikki Malcolm and Nathan Sweeney

Winning trainer Malcolm was also pleased with her new charge saying: “He made it look quite easy, which it really isn’t! We got him in early March, and we sidestepped two races he was eligible for as we felt he needed more time. We gave him every chance, giving him lots of strengthening and conditioning work, before we stepped up the pace with him at home. We were really confident he would be fit today and he’s proven that.”

ARO Commercial and Finance Director Genny Haynes commented: “ARO congratulates Cameron, Nikki and her partner Nathan Sweeney and also Nicki Thorne who bred Falcon Du Roc’h and still has his sire Tidarbret. Though Nicki has trained for other owners, it’s great to see new colours gain success at the first attempt and we wish Stride Ahead Racing every success for the rest of the season.”

ARO Director Bill Smith presents the winners trophy to Nikki Malcom

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

37

Above: James Owen Racing Club's Serafim Forta (AE) and Mr Alex Chadwick Below: Sue Herrod's Run The Risk (GB) and David Probert

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

38

Back at Newbury the Owen team resumed normal service in the Emirates Breeders International Sprint Stakes over 6f.

Formerly a prep for the Za’abeel International, the 2019 first and second Kao Kat MHF and Storm Troupour made their seasonal returns but were no match for the much younger Muneer who confirmed the promise of her Lingfield win and her superiority over Al Khaleejy, partnered this time by Hollie Doyle.

Abiyah Athbah, whose trainer Hammerlsey has been itching to drop her down in trip was a not disgraced third, she will almost certainly be seen to better effect on quicker ground.

Muneer again showed greenness when hitting the front, but it was still a professional performance from a juvenile filly taking on older horses, albeit with a weight advantage. Given that she wandered around a bit once hitting the front, her wining time of 1.19.82 was impressive, which compared to past runnings of the Za’abeel International (Gr1PA) over course and distance, is the fastest time since Nashwan Al Khalediah in 2010 (1.18.88).

Naturally Owen was pleased with Muneer’s performance saying: “She’s come on massively from her first run and she’ll improve again for this one. She’s got lots of talent. We’ve a few nice ones at home which we’ve yet to unleash, they’ll be coming out in those maidens in August, but Muneer’s been the most precocious of them throughout.”

He continued: “We’ll see how she comes out of this and discuss the next steps with Richard Hills and the team at Shadwell. I hope we might go to France with her, I think she’s entitled to take her chance out there. She’s so professional to deal with and it was great to get on a Grade One turf track with her. She’s an exciting horse for the future.”

Doyle was similarly enthusiastic commenting: “I got to the front sooner than we planned, but she was travelling so well and really enjoyed the ground.

Though she was still a bit green, she will have learnt a lot today. It’s great to have another winner on the Arabians for Shadwell Estates and Sheikha Hissa.”

Muneer (GB) and Hollie Doyle THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

39

Zayin Zyperion (GB) and Sean Levey in win a photo finish from Kayack (GB) and Miss Serena Brotherton

As the season reached its mid-point, it was encouraging to have the two of the largest fields to date, of 14 and 13, with two photo finishes to decide the results.

Back at Lingfield for the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-55) Handicap over 1m2f it was a tussle between Kayack and Zayin Zyperion. Kayack ridden by regular partner Miss Serena Brotherton went for home after 7f furlongs to go clear inside the final quarter mile, however under a determined drive from Sean Levey, Zayin Zyperion collared Jen Harris’s gelding on the line, winning by a short head.

In doing so they broke a three-year absence from the winners’ enclosure for owner-breeder Paul Simmons.

Understandably he was all smiles saying: “My last winner was three years ago with his half-brother Zayin Zachilles who I did so well with. Zyperion really deserved this win, he’s been placed in all his starts since he progressed to handicaps, he’s done nothing wrong. Kayack gave him a good

race right to the line. Sean gave him a brilliant ride and brilliantly trained by Pete of course!”

He was one of five runners in the race for trainer Pete Hammersley, who had also trained Zayin Zachilles. Hammersley agreed with Simmons, who said: “Brilliant wasn’t it? Well deserved, we’re very pleased with him. It’s nice to get another winner on the board, we’ll have a look and see where we can go next with him.”

Aljawaaher (FR) and Mr Daniel Ellis

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

40

Zayin Zyperion (GB) and Sean Levey down at the start

Runners leave the stalls at Lingfield Park THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

41

Also showing improvement was Steve Blackwell’s Aljawaaher, ridden by young amateur Daniel Ellis, the pair were two lengths away in third. Blackwell had further cause to be pleased as his homebred filly Aloof, also took a step forward from her first outing, finishing a respectable sixth on her handicap debut.

Aloof is a big scopey filly by Seraphin Du Paon who should come on again for this experience.

Sean Levey

Levey has had plenty of success on Arabians, including on his first attempt when winning the Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon Stakes (Gr2PA) in 2016 on Kao Kat MHF. He commented: “That was very good, the horse travelled brilliantly throughout. He’s obviously an experienced type who knew exactly what he was doing. He didn’t pick up when I first asked him, he put his head up and thought about it for a stride or two, but he responded in the end, put his head down and ran to the line well. I’m delighted.”

This was the fourth Wathba Stallions Cup sponsored race run as part of the ARO season, with the final race a 0-80 handicap at Chepstow on August 19.

However the season highlight for the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival programme of races in the UK will be at Haydock Park on Saturday September 4. The course will play host to the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (formerly run as the ARO Cup), a Group 3PA over a mile.

Zayin Zyperion (GB) with Pete Hammersley, Sue Wileman and Paul Simmons THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

42

Some you win, some you lose, Zayin Zyperion (GB) trained by Pete Hammersley wins at Lingfield by a short head from Kayack (GB), three days later his Al-Tabari (GB) looses by a nose to Abqarry (GB) at Doncaster. Photos ©Racetech

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

43

Abqarry (GB) and Rossa Ryan [left] win a photo finish from Al-Tabari (GB) and Howard Cheng

The Al Seefah Beach (0-75) Handicap at Doncaster three days later also saw a Hammerlsey runner in a photo, though on this occasion, he had to settle for second place. Abqarry, making his handicap debut, won in a head-bobber for the Owen team and Shadwell Estates, with Hammerlsey’s Al-Tabari losing out by a nose.

Abqarry ridden by Rossa Ryan, stepped up from his maiden to win the Royal Cavalry of Oman sponsored handicap over 1m2f. The five-year-old brother to Group 1PA winner Handassa, gained a hard-fought win, from Al-Tabari who produced another brave performance at the historic Town Moor track. Balqees in the Shadwell first colours, trained by Phil Collington, was five lengths away in third.

After the race Ryan commented: “James said he might still be a bit green, but just get him in a rhythm. I got to the front a bit soon, but luckily Al-Tabari came by me. It just gave him something to aim at when facing the crowd and he stuck his head down when it was needed.”

James Owen with Rossa Ryan

Balqees (GB) and Dane O'Neill

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

44

Al-Tabari (GB) leads the 13 strong field

Abqarry (GB) and Rossa Ryan [left] with Al-Tabari (GB) and Howard Cheng THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

45

Owen, who was recording his eighth win of the season for his principal patron, Shadwell Estates said: “I think they ended up going a bit quick in front. Abqarry was green in his maiden, we put the cheekpieces on today and I thought Rossa gave him an outstanding ride. What a great race, to win on the nod. I think Abqarry will mature further and stay well.

He’s got more scope than the others I’ve had out of the mare.”

He continued: “I’m a bit disappointed with Sahis, I thought he was my best chance coming into the race, I don’t know what happened there, the Derby was the plan for him, so hopefully something will come to light.”

There was also some compensation for AlTabari, as his groom Sue Wileman, received the Best Turned Out award.

The Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) run at Goodwood on July 28 was not expected to affect the domestic championships, and so it proved with the first four home being internationals. The UK runners will have more of a chance to get in the prize money for the remaining pattern races which continue next month.

The Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes, which was formerly the Za’abeel International takes over their Clarendon Stakes slot at Newbury on August 14, but maintains their connection with top-class sprint races. September is double handed with the HH Sheikha Fatima Cup and the UAE President Cup (UK Arabian Derby) closing the UK’s pattern season on September 11 at Doncaster as part of the St Leger Festival.

Al-Tabari (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

A R A B I A N R A C I N G O R G A N I S A T I O N

The Arabian Racing Organisation Limited (ARO) is the sole Arabian racing authority in the UK, operating under the rules and regulations of the British Horseracing Authority.

Racing with ARO allows owners and breeders to participate at all levels, proving their bloodlines through competition, from the spring through to autumn.

T e l : 0 1 6 3 5 5 2 4 T4H 4E 5A R A BE Im ail: info@aroracing.co.uk AN RACEHORSE www.aroracing.co.uk

47

UK Mid-Season Special - Championship Tables

The UK's leading sire No Risk Al Maury (FR)

Shadwell Estates' Muneer (discussed further on page 50 ) may be leading the current racehorse championship, but with so many horses on one win, it is still a very open contest. What is looking more decisive at this stage is the leadng sires table, with the Shadwell standard bearer No Risk Al Maury potentially well on

course for a second UK Sires title. With wins from Jadaayil, Mazyoonah, Wanaasa and Zayin Zyperion, his current nearest rival is another Shadwell based sire in Al Saoudi, who is responsible for Farhaa, a winner who has also been placed third twice, and Al Khaleejy, who had two seconds to her name.

2021 LEADING ARABIAN HORSE - RACES WON

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

48 2021 LEADING OWNER - RACES WON

Considering they have the most horses in training, it is also no surprise to see Shadwell Estates at the top of the owners list. HH Sheikh Hamdan may have passed on, but his legacy continues.

What is encouraging for the future is that in second, sixth, seventh and tenth are small British owners either racing their own homebreds or horses bred in the UK. In addition, the eighth placed James Owen Racing Club are hoping to start with at least one homebred out of their club's first horse next season.

Though the trainers table is dominated by James Owen at present, the reduction in the training ranks is partly a consequence of Covid, with some of the smaller one or two horse trainers sending their horses to

the larger stables.

However given the number of placed horses from the other yards, there are also signs that the second half of the season could see Owen's lead reduced.

Though it is no cause for complacency regarding numbers, with the prospect of races returning to 2019 levels and a breeders incentive in the pipeline too, it is hoped that more trainers will be encouraged to train Arabians in 2022, either ones new to the sport, or past licence holders, returning. Add in to this the release of Shadwell bred horses into the market, either by sale or lease, signs are hopeful for a levelling up, if not this year, then next season.

2021 LEADING TRAINER - RACES WON

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

49 2021 LEADING JOCKEY- RACES WON

It is perhaps pleasing for all supporters of the sport that with UK Arabian racing opened up to professional jockeys, the current leading rider is Hollie Doyle, whose parents raced Arabians and who still have a strong connection with the breed.

It was also good to see Sophie Ralston get off the mark on Arabians with Bin Al Reeh at Bath, having ridden all over the world in the HH Sheikha Fatima Lady Riders series over a number of years.

Alex Chadwick The table also shows there is still room for the Amateurs, with two-time champion Alex Chadwick in a strong postion if he can secure a win or two more, owing to his place tally. Whilst Cameron Iles, also attached to the Owen stable, gained his first ever win on an outside ride. Like the former conditional Chadwick, he returned to the amateur ranks after struggling to keep things going as an apprentice.

Hollie Doyle THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

50

UK Mid-Season Special - Pedigree Focus MUNEER (GB) 2018 f AF Albahar x Salaama (Mahabb) Shadwell Estates

Muneer (GB) in the paddock at Newbury

The speed at which young horses can come to hand (and just as quickly go backwards) has always been a challenge to their handlers. When this magazine visited Green Ridge Stables as part of the annual new season stable tours on April 24, James Owen said of Muneer “She’s a nice filly, who is really starting to come to hand now. She’s not worked as such, but she’s completed all her early training and shown a good level of ability. She’d be one of my earliest three-year-olds at this stage, I doubt she’ll be out until June.”

Fast forward a month later, and Muneer had a debut win under her belt, albeit after consideration by the stewards, who left the result unchanged. The filly had raced prominently for Keiran O’Neill and, after taking the lead, when O’Neill asked for further effort with a furlong to go, she ducked violently away from the whip, impeding Al Khaleejy. Quickly corrected

by O’Neill, she was soon back in command to win by a length and a quarter.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

51

The value of form is invariably retrospective, though three lengths behind in third was the very experienced Al Mahbooba, who had transferred to Owen from Francois Rohaut, having found things too competitive in France.

Following the race O’Neill was keen to stress there would be plenty of improvement to come, and judged on her greenness in the finish, it seemed a reasonable assessment. Though enthusiastic, Owen was a little more considered, crediting the juvenile allowance against older horses that the first two home were receiving. However he did note that Muneer has started to come alive the last two weeks, and what little work she had done, had been really good.

As noted in the ARO mid-season review, the programme has been affected by Covid and the sad loss of its’ Patron HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, so opportunities for winning three-year-old

fillies have been limited. Given the speed she showed at Lingfield over a mile, the drop in trip to six furlongs in what would have been the DIAR prep for the Za’abeel International, seemed well within her compass. The greater concerns were the forecast soft ground and taking on older established horses, including Group winners, on only her second start. In the event, there was no further rain and the ground dried to good to soft.

Partnered this time by Hollie Doyle, she again raced prominently and easily went into the lead before the final furlong. Still green and idling once in front, Al Khaleejy was able to get closer to her this time, but Muneer was shouldering a 5lb penalty for her win. The seven-year-old Abiyah Athbah, who had led for several furlongs, couldn’t match the younger fillies with their age allowances, but it was a respectable performance giving the winner a stone on ground that wouldn’t have played to her strengths.

[

Muneer (GB) and Hollie Doyle [centre] lead home Al Khaleejy (GB) [left] and Abiyah Athbah (GB) [right] at Newbury THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

52

Salaama (GB) and Ted Durcan Acknowledging Muneer’s progress and her scope to come on again, Owen now has thoughts of stepping her up to more competitive challenges in France, however that will also require her to step up in distance too. France’s premier juvenile challenges, Deauville’s Al Rayyan Cup, Toulouse’s French Arabian Breeders Challenge – Pouliches and the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches are all over a mile and a quarter.

When this magazine started in 2015, one of its first big interviews was with Richard Lancaster. When discussing Shadwell Arabians he said: “As far as the breeding operation goes, initially, obviously we had to rely on buy-ins but there are signs now that we are progressing and catching up.

When we started, we were also trying to use entirely our own stallions, but we are

now using Munjiz and Mahabb. Salaama (by Mahaab) is out of a daughter of Volna who I bought in Russia (not Tersk but that area), that was quite an expedition!”

Also a winner on her debut, Salaama had followed up in the Group 2 PA DIAR Juvenile race over seven furlongs at DIAR in 2014, but her career as a four-year-old was not as successful. Fifth on her reappearance and a first try on the All Weather and in Group 1PA company in the Sheikh Zayed Cup over a mile at Lingfield, she was a distant second in the 1m2f Hatta prep at Newbury. Dropped down in trip, she finished fifth in the Za’abeel International to sprint queen Al Mouhannad, ending her season with a lacklustre ninth in the UK Arabian Derby, which at that time was run at Newmarket.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

53

Her dam Qosheeyya, (by Nuit St Georges), had three starts at four, winning once over a mile, and also produced the 2015 DIAR Juvenile winner Rasaasy (by Munjiz). He missed his four-year-old season but proved similarly difficult to place thereafter.

Qosheeyya’s first foal, Laqataat (by Bengali D’Albret), made up for a near unseat on her four-year-old debut, to win on her reappearance over seven furlongs the following year. She went on to win two conditions events over seven and ten furlongs, with her best effort coming in the Hatta, where she was just denied third (by Burning Fancy, later the dam of Abiyah Athbah). Bred to No Risk Al Maury, Laqataat has produced Anfaas, also a debut winner of the seven furlong DIAR juvenile prep. Anfaas won four times up to a mile, but though placed, never quite convinced over ten furlongs.

Qosheeyya’s most recent registration, is

Kafeefah, a three-year-old filly by No Risk Al Maury. Broken in by Phil Collington, she was one of the four juveniles selected to race in France this season by Richard Hills as part of the ongoing reorganisation of operations at Shadwell Arabians. She joined Damien de Watrigant and is as yet unraced.

Anfaas (GB) and Timmy Murphy win the 2017 DIAR Juvenile Prep

Rasaasy (GB) and Paul Hannagan winning at DIAR 2015 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

54

Muneer certainly fits the family profile of early juvenile speed. Her winning time over six furlongs at Newbury of 1.19.82 is the fastest in more than ten years, regardless of underfoot conditions, using the results of the Group 1PA Za’abeel International for comparison, though of course she had the three-year-old allowance, she was shouldering a penalty.

So can she stay ten furlongs?

impressive victory in 2015. This was a tactic almost successfully repeated this year by Tadgh O’Shea with AF Alwajel, a respected Group winning sprinter-miler.

Quick from the gates, he led throughout and when headed close home by Deryan (by Mahabb), bravely fought back to go down by three-quarters of a length, certainly not the margin of the non-stayer he had been branded before the race.

She is one of the first products of Shadwell’s foray beyond their own stallions, which began with her dam Salaama (Mahabb) and has now branched into the Amer line with Muneer’s sire AF Albahar, as well as others.

AF Alwajel is by another Shadwell resident in AF Al Buraq, a five-time UAE champion sire, whose best son is the Kahayla Classic winner AF Maher. AF Al Buraq is a full-brother to AF Albahar, sire of Muneer. Whilst AF Albahar has been considered a proven source of speed, he has also had Group 1PA success at France’s classic trip of a mile and a quarter. He is the sire of Alsaker, a debut winner at three, who was runner-up to Muraaqib in the Al Rayyan Cup at Deauville, then placing third in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Poulains.

Shadwell now stand one of Mahabb’s best sons, the Kahayla Classic winner, Manark.

Almost certainly the best DIAR Juvenile winner in recent memory, he was considered too speedy to win the Kahayla and was allowed a soft lead, which a canny Dane O’Neill turned into an

Alsaker (FR) and Julien Auge go to post for the Al Rayyan Cup in 2015 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

55

Alsaker (FR) and Julien Auge win the 2016 French PA Derby from Tayf (FR) far side and Khataab (FR) Centre Alsaker made a winning return at four in the Prix Damas before an exceptional effort to clinch the French PA Derby in 2018 in a three-way photo finish. Rarely is a Derby lacking in depth, and he claimed the scalps of Group winners Tayf, Khataab, Aba’ath and RB Burn. It should be noted that his final win of the season, like his first, was over seven furlongs.

An AF Albahar daughter from his first crop, Bint Jakkarta, had won the Al Rayyan Cup in 2014, though run on very soft ground, it wasn’t not a vintage field.

Whilst a more recent son, Dergham Athbah, who started his career in the UK with Phil Collington last year, transferred to the Gulf and won the UAE Arabian Derby, a prestige contest over eleven furlongs in Abu Dhabi this March.

On paper the argument does suggest Muneer is likely to be most effective at

sprints, as despite the notable examples above, her sire gets many more winners at a mile and less. However the cross of AF Albahar (or indeed AF Al Buraq) on a Mahabb mare has barely been explored so far. If Muneer doesn’t get the trip, there are pattern races for her in the autumn.

The Wathba Sprint Cup at Jagersro and the Prix Nevada in Toulouse for example, or possibly a winter Gulf campaign, though a rest to strengthen over the winter would be expected, given the greater opportunities for four-year-olds.

Not since Mith’hath Athbah’s win in the French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Sprint (Gr2PA) in 2018 has a British bred and trained horse won a French Group race. It would certainly be exciting for UK Arabian racing to see one with a live chance go over and even more so, if she proved to be competitive too.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Qatar International Stakes Group 1PA Wednesday 28th July 2021 - Goodwood Racecourse, UK

LADY PRINCESS (GB) Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari Thomas Fourcy Oisin Murphy

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

57

Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) 1m 4yo+ Goodwood, UK LADY PRINCESS (FR) (5 m General x Nacree Al Maury (Kesberoy)) Owner: Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari Breeder: EARL Du Champ Ginioux & Mme Elodie Bellaud Trainer: Thomas Fourcy Jockey: Oisin Murphy

There was a new name on the role of honour of the Group 1PA Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood this year, when Lady Princess and Oisin Murphy showed the field a clean pair of heels to win by three lengths. Previous winners Ebraz and Tayf were second and

third respectively, with the favourite Deryan finishing fourth. Partnered for the first time by Oisin Murphy, Lady Princess used her trademark turn of foot to accelerate away from her rivals, to gain her fourth Group 1PA win and a first for her jockey on an Arabian.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

58

The Qatar Goodwood Festival’s Qatar Sussex Stakes over a mile, has earned the title of the ‘Duel on the Downs’ with many of thoroughbred racing’s big names going head-to-head over the years, such as Frankel and Canford Cliffs. However, the nature of thoroughbred racing, with winners rushed off to stud, means that the duel isn’t repeated.

Unlike in Arabian racing where in 2021, the Qatar International Stakes saw Ebraz take on Tayf for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year in the one mile, £400,000 contest. To add to the rivalry, the pair are owned and bred by the brothers, HH Sheikh Mohammed and HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al Thani, though Ebraz now runs in the colours of

Sheikh Mohammed’s daughter, Sheikha Reem.

Ebraz and Tayf first met on the downs in 2017. In February Ebraz had won his first HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) as a fouryear-old. Tayf had twice been Group 1PA placed in photo finishes the previous year in the French and UK Arabian Derby’s and gained recompense in Qatar, though that Derby is only a Group 2PA. Ebraz had beaten him by three and a half lengths in the Amir Sword.

That August under the most challenging conditions with torrential rain lashing the course the pair duelled throughout the final furlong, with Tayf and Olivier Peslier victorious in a mud-spattered photo,

Tayf (FR) on the rail, wins by a nose from Ebraz (GB) in 2017 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

59

Old rivals go to post, [above] Ebraz (GB) and Tadgh O'Shea, now in the colours of HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed Al Thani, Tayf (FR) and Ronan Thomas [below]

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

60

Ebraz (GB) and Maxime Guyon win a second Qatar International in 2020 In 2018, with more seasonable weather, the party was upset by the flashy chestnut Muraaqib, one of the best Arabian milers in the sport. He’d won Group 1’s all over the globe including what was at the time, the world’s most valuable race the Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi. Sidestepping the chance of a second Dubai International Stakes win for his owner, and Dubai Day patron, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Francois Rohaut sent Muraaqib to Goodwood to take on Qatar’s best. It was a gamble that paid off, with Jim Crowley partnering him to win by a length and a half from Ebraz, with Tayf a further eight lengths back in fourth.

2019 proved to be a stellar one for Sheikh Mohammed’s Ebraz, winning Qatar’s most coveted Arabian race, The Amir Sword for a second time, he was set to take on both Tayf and Muraaqib at Goodwood. Boxed in on the rail, it was only in the last half furlong that Maxime Guyon and Ebraz were able to wriggle free, but once he saw

daylight, Ebraz was unstoppable. Tayf and Peslier gave chase, but they finished nearly three lengths adrift in second, with Muraaqib a disappointing fifth. Ebraz went on to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Paris and a third Amir’s Sword the following February, securing his place in history as the first Doha Triple Crown winner.

In the spring of 2020, for a while covid threatened to stop all racing in the UK, not just the Qatar Goodwood Festival. After a lot of hard work, the Arabian Racing Organisation season finally opened with a bang at Goodwood, with its most valuable Group 1PA on August 1st. Once again battle lines were drawn between Tayf and Ebraz, both with a win apiece and with Tayf seemingly rejuvenated since joining Thomas Fourcy in Europe. This time the gap came for Ebraz when he needed it and he readily went clear leaving Tayf to fight for a place with rising star Deryan.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

61

Ebraz now runs in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed’s daughter, Sheikha Reem and since they last met at Goodwood, Ebraz had twice been beaten by Tayf, in the 2020 Qatar Arabian World Cup in October, and the 2021 Qatar Gold Sword in April, but after his win at La Teste in early July, trainer Julian Smart felt Ebraz was back to his best.

The old guard were once again challenged by the younger generation.

Last year's second Deryan was back for more - now crowned the world’s top-rated Arabian following his win in the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Making her first appearance, was the small, but mighty three-time Group 1PA winner Lady Princess. She had beaten Tayf by over six lengths when third in the 2021 Amir Sword, in which Ebraz was second.

With 11 horses declared out of 21 entries, the home team featured some of the UK’s

best, including its top-rated horse Al Kaaser, and three of its leading mares, Loolwa, Farhaa and Abiyah Athbah, who was a close fifth last year. Though not as high in the ratings as the international challengers, the contest’s substantial prize fund ensured that the race for fifth and sixth places would be just as competitive.

In the run up to the Festival, the UK had been experiencing a mini heatwave with temperature’s recorded as high as 30 degrees. Ed Arkell, Goodwood’s clerk of the course had been watering the track right up to the Thursday the week before racing. Connections with horses who favoured fast ground had been dismayed as the weather broke at the weekend, with freak storms flooding London’s streets. By the time the Festival opened on Tuesday, the going had changed to Heavy, soft in places, though after a day's racing, the course had dried out to Soft by Wednesday morning.

Al Kaaser (FR) and Tracey-Jayne Raymont THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

62

Runners in the paddock [above] led by Toofan (GB) with David Judd and Zara Brookes. Last years' highest placed UK trained runner Abiyah Athbah (GB) goes to post under Joey Haynes [below]

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

63

Lady Princess (FR)

The arrival of Covid has bought a number of changes to UK racing’s weighing rooms, one of which is that jockeys may only ride at one meeting per day. On the whole, this has been welcomed as it has provided more riding opportunities and has reduced the stress of travelling between two meetings. In the case of this race the ongoing issues with international travel, had also meant that Ebraz, Deryan and Lady Princess were without their regular jockeys, though all had household names booked as replacements.

rode in the blue and white stars in the race in 2015. Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Lady Princess has almost exclusively been ridden by either Julien Augé or Christophe Soumillon, but was to be partnered by Oisin Murphy. Murphy has had several Arabian rides in the UK this season, but has also ridden them in the Gulf, finishing second in the 2018 Kahayla Classic on Chaddad.

Tayf has always been the mount of Olivier Peslier at Goodwood, though Ronan Thomas, who has ridden him to win in Qatar, including in the Gold Sword, flew in for quarantine to secure the ride. Ebraz has been successful for a number of partners, though his two wins at Goodwood have been for Maxime Guyon.

This year imposing grey was partnered by nine times UAE Champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea. O’Shea is no stranger to Arabians, was excited to be offered the ride and last THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Oisin Murphy

64

No amateur riders this year, but two former ARO novice champions who have since turned professional were booked: Storm Troupour (US) with Ellie Mackenzie [above] and Paramer Angel (GB) and Charlie Price (GB) [below]

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

65

Of course, for those outside of Arabian racing, the most eye-catching booking was that for Deryan. YAS Racing’s young star is usually partnered by Ioritz Mendizabal, but he was to be joined by Frankie Dettori, currently on a roll of three consecutive Longines world’s best jockey titles, among his numerous accolades.

Dettori is an infrequent partner of the original racehorse but has ridden the likes of Al Mamun Monlau in the Kahayla Classic and is definitely no stranger to success at Goodwood.

With a substantial £300 on offer to the groom of the Best Turned Out horse, all the runners looked immaculate in the paddock. Toofan, cared for by Zara Brooks, an amateur jockey attached to the James Owen stable, secured the prize.

When the stalls opened, as expected the international runners were held up in the rear. Abiyah Athbah briefly disputed the lead with Farhaa, but soon Storm Troupour worked his way to the front, as he has often done before in this race. With

three furlong left to go as they entered the straight the field was closely grouped, with Storm Troupour’s run under Ellie Mackenzie coming to an end. Abiyah Athbah who had been the highest placed UK runner in 2020, did not get the fast ground she needed to be at her best and though had a taste of the lead two furlongs from home, was not able to maintain her position and quickly faded on the easy ground.

Farhaa who had looked so impressive in this magazine’s conditions event at Newbury on Soft, also cried enough, though Loolwa, who had been runner-up in that event, inched to the front, with Jim Crowley moving her over to the rail.

However the internationals were making their moves; Ebraz and O’Shea had relatively smooth passage through to gain the lead, with Deryan and Dettori going with them. But Murphy had been tracking them all the way and pulling Lady Princess round Deryan’s quarters, he unleashed her down the outside as they hit the furlong marker.

Best Turned Out winner Toofan (GB) with Zara Brookes THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

66

Deryan (FR) and Frankie Dettori

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

67

Shadwell homebreds and Al Saoudi daughters, Loolwa (GB) and Jim Crowley [above] and Farhaa (GB) and Tom Marquand [below] go to post

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

68

Lady Princess (FR) and Oisin Murphy win from Ebraz (GB) and Tadhg O'Shea

The mare’s ability to pick up when asked has already been proven at the highest level on soft ground at Deauville and Saint-Cloud as a three-year-old, and at ParisLongchamp last year. Despite her diminutive stature, she won going away from seasoned campaigners. Ebraz and Deryan battled away behind, with Ebraz having the greater reserves, he stayed on for a clear second, whilst Deryan weakened quickly, losing third by half a length to Tayf who stayed on resolutely from behind.

Murphy was thrilled by the experience saying: “It was a super ride and a big thank you to her connections for letting me ride her. What a little star. She was a bit anxious in the stalls, but she relaxed during the race and the way she picked up was really, really, good, I got a huge buzz out of that! Christophe Soumillon sent me a text saying ‘forget she’s an Arabian’ and my god she was good!”

Speaking from France, trainer Thomas Fourcy said: “Lady Princess is maturing

and not as energetic as she used to be, although she still got a little edgy in the stalls. She has her character, but that’s what makes her strong. She will be prepared for the Qatar Arabian World Cup, then Saudi Arabia and then Qatar for the Amir Sword. She may have another race before the World Cup, or she may not.”

He continued: “Tayf got stopped in his run, but I think he would have struggled with Ebraz for second place, he is not a horse made for sprinting. He will go straight to the Qatar Arabian World Cup like last year.”

Owner Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari commented by text from Qatar: “It is a pleasure to run in the UK and we are now looking forward to going to Paris for the Qatar Arabian World Cup. I had confidence in her before the race, I trusted her and I trusted Oisin, who I chose to ride her. I would like to thank all the connections and share my win with Qatar’s King and all of Qatar.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

69

Lady Princes (FR) and Oisin Murphy lead them home

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

70

After the race, Adam Waterworth, managing director of Goodwood racecourse was enthusiastic about the result saying: “I know the colours of Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari well from my visits to Qatar for the Amir Sword Festival. He’s so enthusiastic and passionate about his racing, it’s such a shame he’s not here, but it was great to see those colours win this race for the first time.

“It is always a great race, and this year we had four of the best Arabians in the world competing in it” Waterworth continued. “I think it is really important that we support it, the race was filled with jockeys who are household names and I just think we have to get these races as accepted on the racecard alongside thoroughbred races, as part of the racing experience. We have around 15,000 people here today and you

can see how much our crowd enjoys watching the race, they always do. It was a really good performance by the winner and the race absolutely belongs as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.”

His Excellency Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman commented: “We are proud of our sponsorship of the Qatar International Stakes as one of our most valuable races and part of our commitment to promote Arabian racing.

We are very pleased to see this race, once again, attracting some of the world’s top Arabians and promising to be a fabulous addition to the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

I’m sure fans of all forms of racing will be fascinated by the spectacle of the Arabian horses at Goodwood. QREC would like to thank ARO and Goodwood for the excellent coordination and cooperation.”

Adam Waterworth THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

71

Above: The highest UK trained finishers, Loolwa (GB) and Jim Crowley finish fifth ahead of Al Kaaser (FR) and Rossa Ryan Below: Lady Princess (FR) with Marie Tallon

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

72

Presenting on behalf of QREC was Khalifa Mohamed Al Attiyah with Oisin Murphy, Charles Gregson, Chairman of ARO, Louise Brassey on behalf of Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari and Marie Tallon representing Thomas Fourcy

Genny Haynes ARO Commercial and Finance Director was delighted with the race saying: “The Qatar International Stakes never disappoints in terms of the quality of horses that compete and the level of competition for the substantial prize money of £400,000. We are honoured in the UK to host a race of this value and to witness such exceptional performances year after year.

“We congratulate the connections of Lady Princess, and we are delighted that ARO was able to facilitate her safe arrival and preparation in the UK, and those of the other French trained runners, due to the restrictions imposed by the challenges of Covid. We hope that they will be back next year under more relaxed conditions.

hope that the success of this race, and the wider attention the winner and placed horses have generated today, will go towards encouraging more people in the UK to the sport.”

Haynes concluded: “ARO is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of UK Arabian racing by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, for whom this is their seventh year sponsoring this race at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. We would also like to thank the British Horseracing Authority and everyone at Goodwood and Fontwell racecourses for their assistance in ensuring that our overseas runners in particular, had every chance to participate in the race, whilst we continue to face the challenge of Covid.”

“We’re also pleased to see our two highest rated domestic Arabians, Loolwa and Al Kaaser fill the fifth and sixth places. We 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 to 2021 ARO seasons please visit www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

74

UK Mid-Season Special - Pedigree Focus LADY PRINCESS (FR) 2017 m General x Nacree Al Maury (Kesberoy) EARL Champ Ginioux & Mme Elodie Bellaud

Bred by EARL Champ Ginioux and Mme Ellodie Belaud, Lady Princess is the fifth produce of Nacree Al Maury. It is a family that continues to go from strength to strength, with her half-brother Mister Ginoux (by Amer) making the headlines as

the sire of the 2021 French PA Derby winner Hoggar De L’Ardus. Whilst her dam’s full brother No Risk Al Maury continues to dominate the UK sires tables for a second year.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

75

When Lady Princess won the Group1PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches at Saint-Cloud in the autumn of 2019, her half-brother Nahaab (by Mahabb) had just topped the Arqana PA Sale at €240,000 the day before. Signed for by Nicholas de Watrigant on behalf of Al Shaqab, the colt is now in training with Thomas Fourcy, and though yet to race, has appeared on the list of entries for the French Arabian Breeders Challenge – Poulains at La Teste in early September.

Though proven over two seasons as the queen of her sex in France, her first top level win had been against the colts in the Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) as a threeyear-old. After winning at Saint-Cloud, she had been strongly fancied to continue her unbeaten run out in Doha, when

contesting the Qatar Arabian Derby (Gr1PA) dropping back to a mile. However she met trouble in running, and though showing great determination in making up lost ground, she was beaten a short head.

On her return to Europe, carrying her Group 1PA penalty, she was beaten by Artemis in the Prix Navadour (Gr3PA), before claiming her third Group1PA, the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments at ParisLongchamp.

It was back to Doha for another Qatar Derby this time over 2000m, though their four-year-old edition is a Group2PA. There she gained compensation for the previous year turning the tables with the colt Jabalah, when winning by nearly three lengths, going on to be placed third in the Amir Sword behind Mon’nia and Ebraz.

Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari with Lady Princess at Saint-Cloud in 2019 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

76

To date she has not finished outside of the first three in all 10 of her starts in France, Qatar and now the UK too. When winning in Deauville she became the first Group1PA winner for her sire General, who has also got the Group3PA winners RB Lam Tara (in the UAE) and Riyam (in the UK). General himself won back-to-back Qatar Arabian World Cups (2009, 2010), as well as two further Group1PA wins in Istanbul and Hamburg. He stands at the Haras du Grand Courgeon and is a brother to the Group1PA winning mare Al Dahma, who is the dam of Yazeed (by Munjiz) and Marid (by TM Fred Texas).

Lady Princess’s dam Nacree Al Maury won the Prix Damas (Gr3PA) over 1400m, as well as the Prix Baroud II over a mile. She had also been fourth in the Qatar French Arabian Breeders Cup (for four-year-old fillies), her only attempt at Group1PA company when still running in the colours of her breeder Rene Koch.

As well as being a sister to the champion racehorse and sire No Risk Al Maury, Nacree Al Maury is a sister or half-sister to other winners in Nevadour Al Maury (Kesberoy), winner of the Coupe d’ Europe des Chevaux Arabes, Nouba Al Maury (Kesberoy), winner of the Hatta International and Neige Al Maury (Dormane) who won two handicaps in the UK. Nacree Al Maury is the dam of eight foals of racing age, with Mister Ginoux being the first. He was offered as a foal at the Arqana PA Sale and was also bought by de Watrigant for €160,000. Racing for Al Shaqab and trained by Fourcy, he won five times, including the Qatar International Trophy (Gr1PA) over a mile in Doha. His last race was when appearing in the very first Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood in 2015, finishing third to Sir Bani Yas. He has since been retired to the Haras de Thouars.

Nahaab (FR) now in trianing with Thomas Foucy for Al Shaqab THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

President of the UAE Cup UK Arabian Derby Group 1PA Prize Fund £80,000 - 1m2f (2000m)

Saturday 11th September Doncaster Racecourse Entries close 11th August

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

T H E

A R A B I A N

R A C E H O R S E Issue No.20

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

Issue No.11

February 2016

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

Jewel Crown HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Special

ARO Annual Awards 2015

FREE, quarterly digital magazine with dedicated coverage of all the Arabian Racing Organisation races, plus coverage of international pattern races.

Worldwide distribution via www.issuu.com where back issues are always available: - view online, or via a smart phone or tablet using the free to download ISSUU application - subscribe for free, by clicking on the 'follow publisher' link on the website - follow on social media @ArabianRH on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - watch The Arabian Racing Podcast in association with Equine MediRecord on YouTube

Supporting UK Arabian racing since 2015 www.issuu.com/thearabianracehorse www.thearabianracehorse.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

79

UK Mid-Season Special - Jockey Focus Laura Pearson

Laura Pearson with the Kensington Palace Stakes trophy at Royal Ascot this year

Whilst you don’t need family connections in racing to be successful in the sport, it certainly helps. The thoroughbred world may be full of sporting dynasties of the two-legged kind, but it is less common in Arabian racing. One young jockey who credits her Arabian connections as integral to her progress is twenty-year-old Laura Pearson. Raised alongside her family’s Arabian racing broodmare band in France, she went on to make her racecourse debut on one of the resulting offspring and now, after her first Royal Ascot success, she’s back riding under ARO rules as a professional jockey. Speaking on the eve of another big ride at Ascot from her

adopted hometown of Newmarket, she explains how she got started.

“I was very fortunate to always be around horses from an early age, pony club with my Dad, show jumping, that sort of thing, and my Mum owned Arabians as well. She had four mares, Divah, Escada, Go With The Flo and Floris who Dad had trained for her in the early 2000’s and then she bred from them when we were in France.

We moved to the South of France when I was three and we came back when I was ten, so the majority of my childhood was spent there.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

80

“I knew I wanted a career with horses, and racing was something that I was interested in. It was around the time we moved back to England that I decided I wanted to be a jockey, as I’m awfully competitive and I was always playing sports at school. So riding in races gave me the chance to do sport and horses, it was perfect!”

Pearson started out in pony racing, but she says “I never did that much competitive racing, it was just on the point-to-point tracks on my hunting pony, not on a proper racecourse with these mini thoroughbreds. I never had a winner, but I thank my Dad for that because it meant that when I had my first winner as an apprentice it was a lot more meaningful. Most importantly it also taught me how to lose, which is something you need to be able to do in this sport!”

Pearson started riding out at Pete Hammersley’s Midlands yard when she was 13, later progressing to Phil Collington in Newmarket, spending most of her weekends and school holidays there.

Hammersley trained three of her mother, Heather Philpott’s horses, Kermit The Frog (out of Go With The Flow) Ultimate Force (out of SA Floris) and Unity Belle (out of SA Escada). Speaking of her time there Pearson says: “I’ve always had lovely relationship with Pete and his wife Michelle, they’re like another mum and dad to me. My I rode my first proper pieces of work at Pete’s, it was absolutely terrifying! I started on Kermit The Frog, then Unity Belle second lot and one of Paul Simmons after that. It was a buzz of you may die, or you may survive!”

Unity Belle (FR) and Laura Pearson at the start for her first race at Taunton THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

81

Above: Finishing third to Simon Walker on her first ever ride on Unity Belle (GB) Below: Going to post on Ultimate Force (FR) both photos at Taunton in 2016

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

82

A debut third. Fiona Wakefield holds Unity Belle (FR) with Pete Hamersley and Laura Pearson with her parents, Heather Phillpott and Craig Pearson, after the Forta Stud Restricted Maiden Stakes at Taunton in May 2016

Obviously, the buzz was a positive one, and Pearson combined her last two years of high school with one day at week at the British Racing School in Newmarket. On leaving school she worked full-time for Collington for a year, and as soon as she turned 17, she took out her apprentice licence for thoroughbred trainer John Ryan. Riding under ARO rules for both Hammersley and Collington, she was also fully immersed in the yard and travelling horses to the races. All of which she feels helped to build her horsemanship skills which have served her well since switching to the saddle full-time.

Pearson debuted at an ARO fixture at Taunton in May 2016. Her first ride was on Unity Belle for her mother and

Hammersley in a maiden. The pair were just beaten a short head into third (by none other than leading amateur Simon Walker) and she later rode Ultimate Force in the feature race on the card, a 0-80 handicap, though finished out of the frame.

“It was like a fairy tale to ride the horses I grew up with on the racecourse,” says Pearson smiling. “We progressed together. I wish they were still running and I could ride them now, with more experience under my belt. There’s a photo of me as a kid with Unity Belle as a yearling, when we were in France and I love looking back at that and then at the photos of me riding her in that first race.

I’m sure Mum loves that too.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

83

Later that season she had her first ride for Collington, also a notable first for an ‘outside’ owner in HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. She took the ride on Saleemah, who was making her debut in a 13-runner maiden at Chelmsford City, and in a field full of well-bred youngsters they finished second at 20-1. The winner this time was ridden by another lady amateur who has since gone on to growing success under rules, Joanna Mason.

“When I first went to Phil’s Saleemah was the filly I used to ride every day and if I wasn’t riding her, I would lead her up at the races - it’s great to have a bond with a horse like that. Then to progress from leading up to riding was a dream come true. When I was at Phil’s I was leading up the likes of Jim Crowley and Dane O’Neill and now I can be sat with them in the

weighing room just having a chat, sometimes I have to step back and a take deep breath!”

Of that time Collington says: “Laura started riding out for us when we were at our previous yard, Marsh Stables in 2016.

She rode horses like Sunbulla, who was a decent racehorse but a very good ride as well. Laura was tiny then, but you could see at a very early stage that she had that raw ability. Her first ride for us was on Saleemah who turned out to be champion Arabian in 2018. Not all of her other rides went to plan, but that’s racing and you could see that there was talent there.

“It’s just great to see how she had flourished, I’m sure riding the Arabians helped her, it certainly helped others like Hollie Doyle and Tom Marqand.”

Saleemah (GB) and Laura Pearson after finishing second at Chelmsford City in 2016 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

84

Jamaayil (GB) and Laura Pearson out at exercise in Newmarket in 2017

Such was her early ability that she was soon riding the better horses at exercise at home. Sheikh Hamdan’s Jamaayil, trained

by Collington broke her maiden at the same Taunton fixture as Laura’s first ride.

A porgessive filly, later that year Jamaayil won the premier handicap at Dubai Day, progressing to place fourth in the UK Arabian Derby, then gaining black type in a Group 2PA in Toulouse.

“The day I came in and saw my name next to Jamaayil I thought Phil must have made a mistake, surely I can’t be riding his Group One filly!” Pearson exclaims.

“It’s so great to be given those sorts of opportunities by trainers who trust you at such an early age.”

The following year that trust was boosted further with her first racing trip abroad, Pearson recalls: “I took Shomoos Athbah and Mith’hath Athbah to race in France, with one of the older girls, Ria Tillet. It was incredible to go, I was so excited. For Phil to give me that responsibility, I must have been 17 at the time, I felt really proud more than anything and it just shows how important it is to be a trusted part of a team.

“The raceourse at Toulouse was lovely too, it would be great to go back and ride there now, having led up there when I was so young. I’d love to ride in France, do the girls still get an allowance?” She laughs.

“But either way I’d still love to ride out there.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

85

With 48 career wins in total, she has had 14 winners this Turf season, putting her in joint fifth place for the title. Considering the race for the championship Pearson says: “Anything can happen in racing, if I got a couple of months of having 11 winners a month I could be flying, but it’s a lot to do with luck, Marco [Ghiani, championship leader] is riding incredibly well but he has lost his claim now. So my main rival is Saffie [Osborne] with her five pound claim, and once I get to 50 I’ll be down to three pounds, so it’s all a bit of a tug of war between us, but it’ll be fun to watch!”

One of those 14 wins was a career defining moment. Partnering the David

Loughnane trained Lola Showgirl to win the Kensington Palace Stakes on the second day of Royal Ascot would be a landmark moment for any jockey, however for Pearson, she joins an elite band of three other female riders to ride a winner at the Royal meeting.

Perhaps, since Rachel Blackmore’s Grand National winning comment of ‘I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human!’ it is more pertinent to note that Pearson’s gender aside, she is the first apprentice to win at the prestigious meeting. For Pearson, it really was a magical moment that just over a month later, still hasn’t quite sunk in.

Leading the way for a debut Royal Ascot win on Lola Showgirl (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

86

Congratulated by trainer David Loughnane after winning at Royal Ascot

“I still re-watch the race on a daily basis, I can’t believe it. I’ve only had a handful of rides at Ascot in regular meetings, but whenever I walk under the bridge and go beneath that Ascot sign, I get awful butterflies, once I’m on the track I’m ok though. It’s the only place it happens, as I don’t really get nervous before races. I always walk the course beforehand when it’s a turf track, even somewhere like Yarmouth which I know like the back of my hand. There’s always going to be something that will be different, or slightly better ground to be found somewhere, and I think it also helps me to prepare mentally before a race.”

Having started under rules with John Ryan she moved to another Newmarket based thoroughbred trainer Tom Clover, just over a year ago. Of the new relationship,

she says: “He’s a great man to work for, really willing to help me. He’s a young trainer starting out, and I like working as part of a team that’s hungry for winners.”

Despite her recent successes, keeping her feet on the ground is clearly important, looking ahead she muses: “I just want to try and keep moving forward. Not to set too many hard and fast goals as you never know, you could get and injury or whatever, as long as I just keep improving, and building my contact list.

Though one big thing for me is I do want to travel, I’d love to do a winter season in the Gulf for example, or ride in France. I hope that my additional experience on Arabians would be attractive to trainers out there. I just want to travel the world, we’re so lucky we’re in an industry that you can combine work and travel.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

87

Pearson is also delighted to get back on course to ride under ARO rules. Having concentrated solely on riding in thoroughbred races in recent years, she rode Alghadeer for Shadwell Estates and James Owen at Doncaster in the Al Seefah Beach (0-75) Handicap.

“I was quite looking forward to be back on the Arabians, as actually it’s a lot of fun for me. To be back and to see all the people I started out with when I was a kid – I did ring Phil and question why I wasn’t on one of his though! But it was a real pleasure to ride them again.

“It’s been two years since I last rode one and getting on for four years since I last

rode one in a race. For the professionals that haven’t ridden them before it can be a challenge, but I’d like to think that after four years of riding them I know their quirks – it really felt at home to be back on one again.

“I do think Arabian racing helped me enormously, to improve my racing brain. I don’t know how, but when I’m riding, I like to put everything around me in slow motion and I think with the Arabians it helped me to do that. Especially for kids starting out, there’s time to actually breathe and think about your racing, instead of it being over in a click of your fingers. I think it’s a great stepping-stone, I’m very glad I did it.”

Alghadeer (GB) and Laura Pearson go to post at Doncaster THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

88

She credits watching former ARO lady champion Rachel King, who has since done so well riding professionally in Australia, as an early inspiration, ‘I saw her one day at Fakenham, and thought she was brilliant’. From the professional ranks, Richard Hughes is her idol, which may account for her enjoying riding horses from off the pace, though the manner of Lola Showgirl’s win from the front, suggests she is far from one-dimensional in her riding style.

Phil Collington, they’ve helped me progress again and again. I’m a firm believer that you should pick wisely the people you choose to have around you, do that and you’ll be flying.”

When asked to consider if she would like to emulate her parents and breed Arabians she says: “I’ve not really thought that far ahead, but I grew up with Arabians and I like the community around them. If later on, I had the time and the money, I would certainly consider breeding and racing them.”

Pearson comes across as modest, thoughtful and above all appreciative to be able to live her dream, concluding she smiles: “The likes of Mr Loughnane, my boss Tom Clover, Pete Hammersely and

Walking the course at Ascot

Riding Ultimate Force (FR) to finish second at Chelmsford City in 2018 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (formerly the ARO Cup) Group 3PA Prize Fund £14,000 - 1 mile (1600m)

Saturday 4th September 2021 Haydock Park Racecourse, UK Entries close 31st August

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

T H E

A R A B I A N

R A C E H O R S E Issue No.20

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

Jewel Crown HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Special

Issue No.11

February 2016

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

ARO Annual Awards 2015

AUTUMN ISSUE 2021 ARO SEASON REVIEW PART TWO ARC WEEKEND PREVIEW - ARQANA SALE FOUR GROUP 1PA RACES INCLUDING THE QATAR ARABIAN WORLD CUP To advertise in the Autumn edition email: info@thearabianracehorse.com

www.issuu.com/thearabianracehorse www.thearabianracehorse.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

91

Overseas Opportunities Max Pimlott at the IRB

International Racing Bureau representative Max Pimlott was bred into racing but didn’t take the most obvious path into the sport. Born and raised in Scrayingham, North Yorkshire, he originally got into racing through his father Chris, a jump jockey who rode about 300 winners for the likes of Gold Cup winning National Hunt trainer Michael Dickinson. His parents still run a riding school, which they’ve had for as long as Pimlott can remember.

Pimlott takes up the story saying: “Dad worked for William Hill radio for about 15

years as a pundit, so I’ve always been around horses and racing, and racing people. He trained point-to-pointers too and then my brother Ollie took over the licence. He’s actually just got his full licence, so he’s about to start training under rules and is moving South to a yard in Lambourn. We’ve had plenty of success together, with some really nice horses actually, including a horse called Dunhallow Tornado who won seven races for us and who ran in the Foxhunter’s at Cheltenham.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

92

“That’s all we did when I was growing up.

When I was home from school at the weekend, we’d all go point-to-pointing, we had some dreadful horses in those days and were never anywhere near the winners’ enclosure, but we absolutely loved it. Simon Walker used to ride them all. We had great fun, it was brilliant.”

When it came to his own career he says: “Racing was what I wanted to do, but not so much the hands-on part, I’m too fat to be a jockey and I don’t think I’ve the patience to be a trainer” he laughs. “I wanted to do something slightly different.”

“I’d always wanted to be a Clerk of the Course and so I did a British Horseracing Authority graduate placement at Huntingdon that was really good, then I went to work at the Racing School in Newmarket for a bit, and then I became a Stipendary Steward for a year.

“I was stewarding at all sorts of meetings, the Hennessey at Newbury, the Scottish Grand National and plenty of Group 1 days on the Flat. It was a great experience and when the year ended, I realised it probably wasn’t the right career path for me at that time, as I was very young 21 or 22 – much older jockeys were coming in and I was giving them seven or ten day bans, so it was a great learning curve!” He laughs.

possible way, not that high at times. I probably was more harsh with the jockeys than what they had previously experienced, so I wasn’t very popular with them either, but by the same token, there were very successful jockeys like Simon Walker, who I already knew.

"Also coming through were young riders like Laura Pearson, Ellie Mackenzie, Max Kendrick, they’ve all done really well since turning professional and Antonia Peck she’s since done well as an amateur on thoroughbreds. So in my time there have been some really good jockeys to come out of Arabian racing.”

Pimlott believes Arabian racing is important for the grassroots of the sport, he says: “Jump racing has point-to-points but for Flat racing it’s so important, if you just look at the people who have graduated from Arabian racing over the years, not just the jockeys, but in a wide variety of roles, it’s vital really.”

“Afterwards I was approached by the Arabian Racing Organisation to be a Stipendary Steward for them for their full meetings – I loved it, it was a really great experience just to see that angle of it.

Again, I learnt a lot, but I probably wasn’t too popular with the jockeys then either!”

Pimlott feels that there was much more of a difference between thoroughbred and Arabian racing then, as there were many more long-term amateurs. He continues: “The standard of riding was, in the nicest

Checking the runners in the paddock on Dubai Day

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

93

For the last seven years he has been working at the IRB in Newmarket. Covid saw him to return home to North Yorkshire, which had always been his plan and he’s delighted that the IRB office has been flexible enough to allow him to continue working from home.

“I started the weekend after the Guineas at the IRB. Initially the job was to do PR, which I didn’t really enjoy, and after a couple of years, I went into the trainer services department. I was taught by James Fry who was particularly brilliant as he taught me the European side of things.

I now do UK entries for France every day of the week more or less, as well as Germany, Italy and Turkey. We’re doing quite a bit with Sweden at the moment and then there is the Breeders Cup and Qatar, the Dubai World Cup and now the

Saudi Cup too. It’s never the same thing each day.”

He’s even been able to put his Arabian experience to good use as many of the big international festival have Arabian races. He explains: “I go out to Qatar every February for the HH The Amir Sword Festival, where I handle both Arabians and thoroughbreds. There’s usually two of us who go out, Adrian Beaumont will look after the connections, so that’s the owners and trainers who are coming in from England, Ireland, France or wherever, he’s the point of contact for them. Whilst I’m down in the quarantine barns from about 5.30am each morning.

We do the training schedule for each morning, so for example the English horses will go out at 7am, the French at 7.30am and so on."

One of Pimlott's clients, Al Mourtajez (FR) in the quarantine facility at Al Rayyan prior to running in the HH Amir Sword THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

94

Pimlott outside one of the quarantine barns in Qatar

“I’m basically the middleman between the horsemen and women and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, so if one of them needs a vet, or the farrier, they come to me and I organise it. Conversely if QREC needs something, like to do with the declarations, the passports and so on, I’m their point of contact and I will get what they need from the horsemen. It’s good for both parties to have someone to liaise between them and I’ve done it for a good

few years now.”

He clearly enjoys the experience saying: “I love going out to Qatar, it’s great trip and you’re always made to feel really welcome. The Amir Sword Festival has really developed over the last few years, the quality of horses running has gone up, the quality of horse welfare has improved, the quarantine barns are good, it’s a great operation out there.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

95

“There’s always great rivalry between Thomas Fourcy and Julian Smart. At that meeting I’m a Fourcy supporter, because he’s ‘one of ours’ an overseas runner who we’re looking after, but Julian’s such a character and when gives it the big roar when one of his horses wins, it’s just fantastic. What is interesting is that even the guys who go over there from the UK thoroughbred yards, or Aidan O’Brien’s, or Jim Bolger’s, they take an interest in the Arabian horses, as obviously they’re sharing the same barns. I love it, I’ve learnt so much more about Arabian racing by going to Qatar, because you’re around them every day you understand the horses’ characters and their traits, as they are different, but I really enjoy it all.”

When considering the benefit of these big international meetings for the sport he says: “Bahrain have started up really well, I can only see that meeting progressing further over the next couple of years,

Obviously Saudi Arabia has caught everyone’s attention with the amazing prize money. I think it’s great because it keeps the UK on their toes, you go to Qatar and the expenses are covered for your connections, the trainer, jockey and the grooms, it’s a no brainer, you’re racing for a million dollars.”

The effect of Covid has been felt throughout international sport, not least with the Olympics being put back a year and racing is no different. Pimlott explains: “It has been hugely challenging with the paperwork obviously, but we’ve got by. I think the hardest part has been with the rules of each country constantly changing, so that’s put a lot of people off with the quarantine situation for horsemen and jockeys at the moment. On the figures we’ll be down again this year, however other people are in the same boat and the show’s got to go on.”

Pimlott with IRB colleague Adrian Beamont in the paddock at Al Rayyan racecourse in Doha for HH The Amir Sword Festival, where they are responible for looking after both thoroughbred and Arabian international horses and connections THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

96

The grandstand at Bro Park in Sweden in 2019

When looking at the overseas opportunities for Arabians he feels there is an angle for UK trainers in Sweden, with whom the IRB have been working to encourage more international competition.

He says: “I’ve got a lot of time for Sweden, they’ve got limited resources, but they’re more than willing to encourage overseas participants, whether it’s by travel allowances or the prize money which is always very good. Phil Collington’s raced out there a few times and done well, I think probably the racing there isn’t the strongest.”

This week the IRB published details of the International Stockholm Cup meeting run at Bro Park, which includes the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, a Listed PA race over 1750m on Turf with a prize fun of €24,450. The details include a very generous travel incentive, for £1000 a horse can complete the round trip to Bro Park by horsebox, leaving from

Newmarket, with no further costs.

Situated about 50 mins outside the centre of Stockholm, Pimlott considers Bro Park a very fair track saying: “It’s a beautiful course, they’ve spent a lot of money there to improve facilities. It’s also part of our job to help these tracks to progress. Local trainers train at the track so it’s well maintained. You always get looked after really well when you go racing there.

Dennis Madesson who is their racing manager, is a top man, he can’t do enough for anyone, he works so hard to make sure everyone has a great time.”

For those embarking on international competition it can be quite a daunting undertaking initially, but Pimlott assures that the IRB are there to support trainers and owners right from the outset, throughout the experience right up to when they arrive back home.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

97

“We’ll liaise with the transport companies to make sure they get the best deal, we’ll make sure their paperwork is all in order, travelling the horses is so straightforward. Even with Brexit there’s a bit more paperwork but its more than doable. We’re there to answer any questions and to make sure the horses get their safely. It’s also important to get the owners and trainers there and to make sure they get a great experience. No one should feel uncomfortable or out of place, we’re there to make sure it’s all in order and to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.”

“Of a morning my phone doesn’t stop ringing. We have trainers asking to find them a race, they might have had a good winner and they want to know if there are any races abroad that they could now go on to. We’ve got it all on a database, though of course it’s easy with the really good horses as there are so many races that can suit them.”

“Racing overseas is not just about the big owners, we support the smaller syndicates, though obviously we can’t cater for say 50 syndicate members to come. There are a set number of people

that can be looked after on the expense packages, but that is down to the syndicate managers to organise who can be accommodated. We’ve done it in Qatar, because QREC are so generous, you can go out there for comparatively little cost and watch your horse run for very good prize money – even if you don’t win it’s still not going to cost you a fortune and you get to have an amazing experience.

“I don’t think the smaller outfits should be put off, it’s just having the vision to go and do it, getting out of your comfort zone, taking a chance, and then you find they keep coming back. It happens all the time with thoroughbred trainers, especially the young ones starting out and there’s no reason this can’t be the same for the UK Arabian trainers. A lot of the time you’ll fine there’ll be the financial support there for them to get the horses there, it’s not going to cost an arm and a leg and if you’ve got a horse good enough, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t take advantage of what other countries outside of the UK are offering.” www.irbracing.com

King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh - home to the world's most valuable Arabian race - the $2 million Obaiya Classic THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

98

The Final Furlong Lot 16 Hoggar De L'Ardus in the parade ring at the Arqana PA Sale at Saint-Cloud in 2019.

The product of Elevage de L'Ardus, the two-year-old colt by Mister Ginoux went through the ring unsold for €14,000.

Retained by his breeder Philippe Meunier, he won his first two starts, before being sold privately to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and placing in a Group 3PA at La Teste in April.

Taking his chance in the Qatar Arabian Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 ans against the strongly fancied Group1PA winner Abbes, and now in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed's daughter Sheikha Reem, he took the race by storm winning by three lengths under Maxime Guyon, and winning €70,000 in the process.

This years' Arqana PA sale takes place on Thursday 30th September.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

System Endorsed by Arabian Racing Organisation

INTRODUCING

EQUINE MEDIRECORD A Great System to Ensure Your Compliance to Regulations

KEY FEATURES Ensures Compliance to Medication Recording and Vaccinations Regulations Approved by Racing Regulators in Ireland, UK, France & USA Available all Phones, Tablets, Computers THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Ability Invite Vets/Assistants

Congratulations

JAMES OWEN & ALL THE TEAM > Champion ARO Trainer James Owen > Champion Jockey Alex Chadwick > Champion Mare Wanaasa

MADE IN OUR OWN

UK MILL

POWERED BY BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS Tel: +44 (0) 1371 850247 e-mail: info@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk