The Arabian Racehorse - Winter Issue 2022

Winter Issue 2022

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

New Stallions Breeding Special

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE Winter Issue - 2022 4

News

39

ARO Supports UK Breeders

43

Zayin Arabians

61

New Stallions

76

Leading Sires

80

Sales Review

98

Arc Weekend

108

Pedigree Focus- Hoggar De L'Ardus

110

Pedigree Focus- Teema

112

Pedigree Focus- Moshrif

114

Pedigree Focus- Image Du Croate

116

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Jewel Crown

Front cover image: Muraaqib

118

HH The Amir Sword Festival Review

140

Pedigree Focus- Hadi De Carrere

122

HH The Amir Sword

142

Pedigree Focus- First Classs

125

Qatar International Cup

145

The Final Furlong

122

The Saudi Cup Review

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

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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE PODCAST The 2022 UK Arabian racing season will soon be upon us and The Arabian Racehorse podcast will be returning with a new look for a new year.

The video podcast is brought to you in association with Equine MediRecord and is available on the EMR's very own YouTube channel. Each edition is also posted on The Arabian Racehorse and Equine MediRecord Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds, with past episodes always available.

Look out for further annoucements on social media soon.

The Arabian Racehorse podcast will be back this month with a special edition from Dubai, previewing the Dubai Kahayla Classic to be run as part of the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 26.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE GULF FESTIVAL SPECIAL

The Arabian Racehorse - Gulf Festival Special edition, celebrating the HH The Amir Sword and the Saudi Cup Festivals has been produced in a very limited print edition. There are still copies available priced £6 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.

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EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR BRITISH BREEDERS FROM SHADWELL ARABIANS A unique opportunity will be offered to British Arabian breeders in 2022: the frozen semen of ten Arabian stallions will be available to purchase, at the price of £100 for 2 doses.

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In 2022 only, the frozen semen of the following stallions will be up for sale in the UK:

CHNDAKA: dual Group 1 winner by Dormane, sire of Stakes winners and performers

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DAFFAQ: multiple Group winner by Dormane

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EAU ROYAL: multiple Group winner by Djel Bon

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JIYUSH: multiple Group 1 winner by Manganate, from the same damline as Al Zahir, Royal Class, Prince D’orient, Dahor De Brugere, Amyr Du Soleil…

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AL SAOUDI: French bred multiple Group 1 winner, from the damline of Al Mourtajez, Al Moutawakila, Al Mouhannad, and sire of Stakes winners and performers BENGALANT: Group 1 winner by the exceptional Bengali D’albret

Al Saoudi (FR) sire of Torjomaan the €68,000 highest priced yearling of the final Shadwell dispersal sale in February THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Bengalent (GB) [above] and Monsieur Al Maury (FR) [below]

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2015 Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) winner Kalino (US), best son to date of Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) Kaolino (FR) and now siring winners including Salwa (FR)

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KAOLINO: Kahayla Classic winner by Dormane, sire of Group winners MONSIEUR AL MAURY: Group 1 winner by Djelfor, from the same damline as Tidjani, Ziva, Mushrae, Djesabelle…

TAAJER: full-brother to Group 1 winner Handassa; winner by the exceptional Madjani, a successful sire in racing and endurance VASILISK: a remarkable racehorse from a Russian bloodline, sire of winners

This offer is open to all breeders, whether they wish to produce racehorses, endurance horses, sport horses or leisure horses. The semen can be used in 2022 or

at a later date.

Breeders may buy 2 doses of frozen semen of those stallions for the price of £100 (due at booking, no Free Return guarantee), while stocks last.

The semen is currently stored at West Kington Stud; breeders may organise the shipment of the semen to other insemination centres within the UK. More details about the stallions are available on Shadwell Arabians website: https://shadwellarabian.co.uk/news/exciting-opportunity-for-british-breeders/

To discuss terms and availability with Shadwell email to: arabians@shadwellstud.co.uk

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ARO PROGRAMME FOR 2022 ARO have published their provisional fixture list for all their single races in 2022.

The list is subject to approval by the BHA and may change.

A provisional race plan has also been circulated to all owners and trainers registered for the 2022 season, however that is likely to change as more horses become registered in the run up to racing commencing on May 3rd.

For further information and to register as an owner, trainer, or to register your horse, please contact the ARO office.

2022 FIXTURE LIST All fixtures may be subject to BHA approval and change Date May

Racecourse Tue

Bath (Eve)

16

th

Windsor (Eve)

Mon

23

rd

Wolverhampton (AW)

Tue

31

st

Brighton

Mon

July

Sat

4

th

Doncaster

Sat

11

Mon

20

th

Chepstow

Thu

30

th

Newbury (Eve)

Tue

th

Fri

5

7 8

th

th

Bath

Wolverhampton (AW) Newbury (Eve) Chepstow (Eve)

16

th

Doncaster (Eve)

Wed

20

th

Bath

Wed

27

th

Goodwood

Sat

Fri

5

th

th

Brighton

Sun

7

Sat

13

th

Newbury

18

th

Chepstow

24

th

Lingfield Park (AW)

29

th

Southwell (AW)

Thu Wed Mon September

11

th

Thu

August

Lingfield Park (AW)

th

Wed

June

3

rd

Sat

3

rd

Windsor

Haydock Park

10

th

Doncaster

Tue

13

th

Wolverhampton (AW) (Eve)

Thu

22

nd

Southwell (AW) (Eve)

27

th

Wolverhampton (AW) (Eve)

Sat

Tue

(AW) All weather courses (Eve) denotes an evening meeting T TH HE E A AR RA AB B II A AN N R RA AC CE EH HO OR RS SE E

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HH SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL INCREASES UK SUPPORT FOR 2022 The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomed the increase in support for UK Arabian racing in 2022 by the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival. This year they have increased their commitment with an extra five races, taking their total sponsorship to eleven, including the Group 3PA HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup. As in 2021, the Festival highlight will be the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup run at Haydock Park on Saturday 3rd September. Held over a mile, with a prize fund of £14,000 it takes place as part Haydock’s premier Flat racing three-day festival, the Sprint Cup Celebration.

The ever-popular Wathba Stallions Cup series which aims to promote the breeders of Arabian racehorses around the world by supporting the sports’ grassroots is back, and has increased to ten races from five. This season the series will visit Bath, Brighton, Chepstow, Royal Windsor and Wolverhampton

racecourses. The races on offer range from maidens to mid-range handicaps, all of which will have a prize fund of £4000 per race.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival has played a significant role in the promotion of Arabian racing and breeding around the world since it began in 2009. The Festival aims to continue the efforts made by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to preserve heritage sports and equestrian sport in particular, promoting Arabian horses and UAE heritage around the world. Sponsoring more than 150 races in 2022, the Festival supports a wide variety of contests from the grassroots to the highest level. These events culminate in the worlds’ strongest Arabian horse race on Turf, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, a Group 1 PA run in Abu Dhabi in December.

Runners in the paddock for the Wathba Stallions Cup at Royal Windsor THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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ARO CEO Genny Haynes presents Tom Marquand with the 2021 HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup winning jockey trophy for his ride on Bayan Athbah

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, said: “The Festival is delighted to support the Arabian Racing Organisation through the sponsorship of these races in the UK and looks forward to returning to Haydock Park for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup.”

our racing for which ARO is extremely grateful. Their first race with us was the Wathba Stud Farm Cup Series UK Breeders Stakes run in 2011 at Newbury.

Two years later ARO hosted the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Conference in London, with supporting races also at Newbury.

Khalil Dababneh commented: " The mandate of Sheikh Mansoor Festival is to promote Arabian Horse Racing worldwide, and we follow that directive wherever we can, we have faith in Arabian Horse racing in the UK and we help the owners, breeders, trainers, and all involved as much as we can.

“The continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival for UK Arabian racing has been very well received and we look forward to a competitive season, culminating in HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup. We are also grateful for the support and assistance of the British Horseracing Authority and all the racecourses.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “For over ten years the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival has generously supported

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Horse Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Etisalat as the official sponsor, with National Feed as strategic partner, The National Archives as the official partner , Emirates Airline as the official carrier, sponsored by Al Massood Automobiles Nissan, Areej Alameerat, Omeir Travels Agency, YAS Sports TV, Viola Communications, the UAE’s General Women’s Union , Emirates Arabian Horse Society & Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (formerly the ARO Cup) Group 3PA - £14,000

Save the Date!

Saturday 3rd September 2022 Haydock Park Racecourse, UK

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ROSSDALES VETERINARY SURGEONS CONFIRMS CONTINUED SUPPORT OF UK ARABIAN RACING The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomes the return of Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons, who will support Arabian racing for a fourth year with a race at Lingfield Park Racecourse on Wednesday 24th August.

Fred Barrelet, who is one of the clinical directors at Rossdales said: “The team at Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons is delighted to continue supporting Arabian horseracing through our association with ARO. For more than 60 years, Rossdales has been closely connected with the racing and breeding industries in and around Newmarket and now, more recently, also through our branch practices in Hertfordshire and Lambourn.

“Our dedicated teams of racing and stud vets work closely with many racehorse trainers and stud farms, including a

number of longstanding clients who breed and train Arabian racehorses.

We’re very much looking forward to seeing who will win this year’s renewal of our sponsored Arabian race at Lingfield.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO is thrilled that Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons have chosen to continue their association with us, having previously sponsored our races at Lingfield Park in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

“We also thank the British Horseracing Authority and all the team at Lingfield for assisting with our racing this forthcoming season.” www.rossdales.com

Mummayez and Jim Crowley, winners of the Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park in 2021 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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

Save the Date!

Saturday 13th August 2022 Newbury Racecourse, UK

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THE ROYAL CAVALRY OF OMAN CONFIRM UK ARABIAN RACING SPONSORSHIP FOR 2022 The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is delighted to confirm that long-term sponsors the Royal Cavalry of Oman will be back supporting UK Arabian racing with five races in 2022. Their support will visit three racecourses, Doncaster (16th July), Newbury (30th June, 7th July) and Royal Windsor (7th August), with their sponsorship highlight, the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes, a Group 2PA, run over six furlongs, also held at Newbury on August 13th.

The Royal Cavalry has been a valued supporter of UK Arabian racing sponsoring a variety of races from grassroots to group level since 2008. They have a particularly strong connection to the black type sprint races through their previous sponsorship of the Clarendon Stakes over five furlongs, and their own success in the Za’abeel International over six furlongs, which they won four times in a six year period. Taking over sponsorship of the Za’abeel in 2021, the race, now known as the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes, is run on BetVictor Hungerford Stakes day, a card which also features two thoroughbred Group races.

Dr Sarhan Salim Hamed Al-Zeidi, Director General of The Royal Cavalry of Oman commented: “The Royal Cavalry of Oman is delighted to confirm their sponsorship with the Arabian Racing Organisation for 2021.

The Royal Cavalry have had a long and successful working relationship with ARO for many seasons and we are proud to be supporting UK Arabian racing at all levels.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO is extremely grateful to the Royal Cavalry of Oman who have been loyal and generous supporters of UK Arabian racing for many years. They have showed continued commitment to our participants, supporting racing at every level from the grassroots to the international pattern. We look forward to welcoming them back to the UK in 2022.

“We are also grateful for the assistance of the British Horseracing Authority, Doncaster, Newbury and Royal Windsor racecourses for supporting our racing this season.”

Dr Al-Zeidi (centre) with the Royal Cavalry of Oman team at Newbury in 2019 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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UAE PRESIDENT CUP AND THE EMIRATES BREEDERS SERIES BACK IN THE UK FOR 2022 The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is thrilled to confirm that the UAE Presidents Cup and the Emirates Breeders Series will be back in the UK sponsoring Arabian racing in 2022. The UAE President Cup sponsors the UK Arabian Derby, a Group 1PA exclusively for four-year-olds with a prize fund of £80,000. The Emirates Breeders series will also sponsor six races throughout the UK season.

Since the UAE Presidents Cup resumed its’ sponsorship of the UK Arabian Derby at Doncaster in 2016, the mile and a quarter race has been won by some of the best up and coming Arabians in the world. The list of winners includes four winners of the French Arabian Derby, and four winners have gone on to continued Group 1PA success.

The prestigious Cup series is now in its 29th year and is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and with the support of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. It is held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs in support of the vision and approach of the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan, to raise the status of the Arabian horse in all countries of the world.

2021 UAE President Cup - UK Arabian Derby at Doncaster THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Winning jockey Oliver Peslier with Faisal Al Rahmani and the 2021 UAE President Cup Faisal Al Rahmani, Event Manager for the UAE President Cup commented: “We hope that the success of these races will encourage people to spread the word and bring more new people into the sport. I’m very pleased with how the UAE President Cup series is going, as we have many followers all around the world. Every race produces a star, just like Abbes in the UK last year. We need to keep this momentum going and to encourage more breeding of Arabian racehorses which is part of the aim of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO continues to be extremely grateful to the UAE President Cup Series for their support of our feature race for fouryear-olds and to Doncaster racecourse for their support of our racing. We are also grateful for the support that the Emirates Breeders series gives to the grassroots of our sport.

“In addition we thank the British Horseracing Authority for their assistance with our racing, particularly with our international runners in our black-type races.”

Zayin Zyperion with Pete Hammersley, Sue Wileman and Paul Simmons after winning the Emirates Breeders Series Handicap at Wolverhampton in 2021

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

President of the UAE Cup UK Arabian Derby Group 1PA - £80,0000

Save the date!

Saturday 10th September Doncaster Racecourse, UK

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THE UK’S MOST VALUABLE ARABIAN RACE THE QATAR INTERNATIONAL STAKES IS CONFIRMED The Arabian Racing Organisation announced this week that the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA), the UK’s most valuable race for Arabians will be run this year on Wednesday 27th July. The £400,000 mile contest sponsored by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is also the most valuable race over that distance for Arabians in Europe and is part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The race has seen many of the highest rated Arabians in the world compete and win such as Al Mourtajez, Muraaqib, Tayf and Lady Princess, as well as Ebraz, the only horse to win it twice.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “The Qatar International Stakes never disappoints in terms of the quality of horses it attracts, as you would expect with the very generous prize money

on offer. Year after year is it an absolute privilege to see some of the world’s best Arabians compete in this race and showcase our sport to a wider audience.

“ARO is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of UK Arabian racing by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, who have been sponsoring this race at the Qatar Goodwood Festival since 2015.”

Concluding she said: “We would also like to thank the British Horseracing Authority and everyone at Goodwood and Fontwell racecourses for their assistance, in particular for our overseas runners.”

Lady Princess (FR) winning the 2021 Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Qatar International Stakes Group 1PA - £400,000

Save the date!

Wednesday 27th July 2022 Goodwood Racecourse, UK

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ARO INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR AVAILABLE NOW Following the confirmation of all the Arabian Racing Organisation Purebred Arabian Group races currently sponsored, their international calendar is available to view and download.

ARO is still in negotiations with several potential sponsors for their other PA Group races and further updates may be issued in due course.

Click the link below to view:

https://issuu.com/thearabianracehorse/docs/aro_group_races_2022_brochure_6f9f63825e8b11

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ARABIAN RACING ACHIEVEMENTS RECOGNISED AT HWPA DERBY AWARDS The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted to announce their late Patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the recipient of the 2021 Arabian Racing Achievement Award, for an unprecedented second time.

The award was presented to Richard Hills on behalf of Shadwell Estates as part of the Horserace Writers’ and Photographers’ Association (HWPA) Annual Derby Awards on Monday 6 December, at the Royal Lancaster, London. Now in its’ eighth year, the award, generously sponsored by Equine MediRecord, recognises an individual or organisation for their contribution to UK Arabian racing.

His Highness was a great champion of the Arabian horse and his passion for the breed was instrumental in maintaining and developing Arabian racing in the UK since the 1980’s.

2021 would have seen His Highness gain his 20th ARO leading owners’ title, whilst his champion racehorse and stallion No Risk Al Maury secured a second ARO sires’ title. This success highlights two of the important contributions he made to the sport, alongside many years of generous sponsorship at all levels.

His Highness’s passion was clearly expressed in his aims in supporting ARO. “We want to see more participants in the sport from Britain. We want them to appreciate the beauty and strength of the Arabian horse. It is important to us that people are aware of the noble attributes of the Arabian horse and the thrill that competition in races can bring. We do not want it to be solely a sport for owners from the Middle East. We want everyone to recognise the magnificence of the Arabian horse.”

HH Sheikh Hamdan in the paddock at DIAR THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Equine MediRecord's Finlay Dargan presents the Arabian Achievement Award to Richard Hills on behalf of Shadwell Estates

In recognition of HH Sheikh Hamdan’s achievements, Charles Gregson, ARO Chairman commented: “We were so very grateful for His Highness’s constant enthusiasm for the Arabian horse for nearly 40 years. Next season marks a turning point, with the door wide open for new champions to make their mark, honour his memory and bringing alive his desire for the Arabian horse to gain a wider appreciation.”

Pierce Dargan, Equine MediRecord Chief Executive Officer said: “We are proud to sponsor the Arabian Achievement Award that raises Arabian racing’s profile at this prestigious annual event. The impact that HH Sheikh Hamdan had on racing and Arabian racing in particular, cannot be overstated.”

Association for their continued support of UK Arabian racing, allowing us to acknowledge the achievements of our participants in this way.

“In what has been an extremely challenging year for ARO and for all of the wider horseracing community, we also thank Equine MediRecord for their sponsorship, as well as the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Coral and Vertem Asset Management for supporting the 55th HWPA Annual Derby Awards.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “We thank the Horserace Writers and Photographers THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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ARO TRAINERS TO COMPLY WITH BHA PASSPORT SCANNING RULES In 2021 the BHA confirmed only clearly legible horse passports will be accepted i.e. the passport number must be clearly visible on each page, see examples: BHA licenced trainers already comply with this instruction for thoroughbreds, although initially they faced similar issues of poorly scanned documents. ARO trainers are now also required to comply with these rules.

To assist ARO trainers with the transfer of documents to the ARO office in an acceptable format, ARO recommends downloading a scanner application onto your phone.

Sample 1 is an acceptable PDF scan, where the passport number on each page is clearly visible.

For all new registrations ARO will require each horse’s passport including the front page, pedigree, markings and all vaccination pages.

The ARO office will do its best to assist with any problems encountered when creating and sending passport copies or other documents.

For further information on all the current regulations for UK Arabian racing or for assistance, please contact Willie McFarland at the ARO office: willie@aroracing.co.uk

Sample 2 is not acceptable, as the passport number is not visible on each page.

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PLANS AGREED TO IMPROVE AND MODERNISE WEIGHING ROOM FACILITIES Weighing rooms are to be upgraded as part of a long-term programme of improvement works to modernise and future-proof facilities across all British racecourses.

A cross-industry group of jockeys, racecourses and the BHA has worked since March 2021 to agree a clear programme of objectives, aimed at meeting the current and future needs of jockeys of all ages and genders.

Under these plans, the weighing and changing room areas will be reconfigured in line with new minimum standards, delivering greater consistency across all British racecourses and meeting the evolving requirements of professional sports venues.

Some of the upgrades are immediate priorities, such the introduction of key safeguarding measures to provide private changing and shower facilities for jockeys, particularly for under-18s, but also for any jockey who wishes to use them.

The safeguarding changes will be implemented by 1 February 2022, together with the permanent closure and removal of racecourse saunas, which have been out of operation since COVID-19 safety measures were introduced in June 2020.

The remainder of the adaptations will be introduced on a phased basis, with racecourses set to review their existing provision and, where necessary, develop plans to ensure that by October 2024, each weighing room includes: - additional private changing and shower facilities in male and female changing rooms, following the initial increase by February 2022

- shared communal rest, food provision, and warm-up areas for jockeys - new communal working space for valets, equally accessible from both female and male changing rooms - sufficient flexibility to adapt changing room sizes according to varying numbers of participants and to changing societal needs.

Some courses have already taken significant steps towards delivering the new safeguarding minimum standards, with improvement work either underway or already close to completion.

The Racecourse Association is working with all courses to develop a funding proposal to support the wider reconfiguration.

In the meantime, all racecourses have carried out risk assessments and, alongside adherence of minimum safeguarding standards, are applying best practice guidance to protect and support jockeys while the wider structural and layout changes are delivered.

Discussions are also ongoing with jockey and trainer representatives about future weight structures, with jockeys having been supported through the pandemic with additional weight allowances.

BHA Chief Operating Officer, Richard Wayman, said: “These agreed upgrades are the product of cross-industry collaboration, with jockeys, racecourses and the BHA working together since the beginning of this year."

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“The recommendations, which have been endorsed by industry leaders, will deliver substantive improvements to meet the evolving requirements of a modern weighing room environment, catering not just for today’s human athletes, but also future proofing for the next generation.”

PJA Executive Director (Racing), Dale Gibson, said: “Having consulted with our Members, the PJA supports the permanent closure of saunas. 88% of the 190 Jockeys who responded to our recent survey voted for their removal, with just 8% wanting them to remain. The COVID Weight Allowance structure is currently being debated amongst industry representatives, with no immediate changes agreed, it is vital that in remains in some shape or form.

“We have been lobbying for major improvements to facilities, particularly for our female riders, for years. Progress until now has been disappointing, but we welcome the change in approach and a lot of work has gone into the creation of this plan.

“The agreed improvements contained within it will bring all venues up to a defined minimum standard and the result will be improved facilities and a far more professional working environment for all our members”.

creation of significantly improved weighing and changing room facilities that are in keeping with other elite and professional sports.”

Commenting on the decision to remove racecourse saunas, Dr Jerry Hill, BHA Chief Medical Adviser, said: “Saunas have been out of operation throughout the pandemic, which has presented the opportunity for a wider discussion about their long-term future in the context of making weight safely.

“Acute dehydration, such as that following sauna use, shortly before racing has been shown to reduce performance as it has a negative impact on reaction time and strength. There have been reports of increased falls and by extension injuries in jockeys who have suddenly dehydrated to make weight.

“There are safe and effective methods of maintaining weight healthily through fitness and nutrition and this bespoke support is available to jockeys through the PJA Nutrition Team as well as at the IJF Centres”.

RCA Chief Executive, David Armstrong, said: “The RCA welcomes the announcement of the long-term plan to upgrade weighing rooms across Britain’s 59 racecourses. This presents a significant milestone and many months of hard work by the PJA, RCA, BHA plus jockey and racecourse representatives.

“The initial stage of meeting all ongoing safeguarding requirements is due to be completed by February which will include the welcome removal of saunas. The outcome of this project will be the THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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BHA CONFIRMS RAISING OF RIDING WEIGHT FOR JOCKEYS ON FLAT AND OVER JUMPS The BHA has confirmed that the 3lbs COVID allowance will be replaced with an across-the-board 2lbs rise in published weights, with the current 3lb back protector allowance rising to a general 4lbs safety allowance for jockeys.

The changes, which come into effect for races staged from Monday 2 May 2022, follow further discussions with the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), and a number of Flat and Jump jockeys.

The rise in published weights and the introduction of a 4lb safety allowance means that horses will continue to carry the same weights that they have been carrying since the COVID allowance was introduced as an emergency measure in June 2020.

The weights published in race cards, however, will increase by 2lbs, providing the racing public with more accurate information about the weights being carried by horses.

The 1lb safety allowance will be added to the longstanding 3lbs allowance that compensates for the weight of a jockey's back protector. This increased 4lbs safety allowance aims to assist jockeys with managing the natural daily variations in their body weight and supporting their physical and mental well-being.

Work will also take place to ensure increased transparency for customers around the existence of the 4lbs safety allowance.

The 2lb across-the-board weights rise will mean that the minimum weight in Flat races will increase from 8st to 8st 2lb. The standard top weight will rise from 10st to 10st 2lb.

The 2lbs weights rise will impact all runners in nearly all races. The only

exception will be in a small number of Pattern races, particularly over Jumps, where there would be no obvious reason to apply the 2lb weights rise. This includes races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup where the published weight for runners is already 11st 10lb.

The BHA's racing department will review race conditions in novice weight-for-age events, particularly over Jumps, with a view to managing the weights carried by young horses running under a penalty.

Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA, said:"I would like to thank the many people from within the weighing room who have spoken with us in recent weeks. This process has allowed us to consider further concerns which did not feature as part of the initial consultation.

"During these discussions, riders have stressed the psychological benefits that the COVID allowance provided in terms of allowing them to manage the natural fluctuations in their body weight that occur from day-to-day. Many have stated that retaining at least some of this flexibility is as important for their wellbeing as any rise in the weights.

"We also recognise, however, that the decision to introduce a temporary COVID allowance has had a number of other consequences. Customers rightly expect transparency and accurate information, and the allowance has meant that horses have been carrying nearly half a stone more than the weights published in race cards and what is recorded in historical records.

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"Whilst there is an allowance for the jockey’s body protector in most other major racing nations, including Ireland and France, we are concerned that the COVID allowance has created a much greater discrepancy between published weights and what horses are actually carrying in Britain compared with elsewhere.

"In reaching this solution, we have sought to balance all of these considerations with horses continuing to carry what they have been carrying since June 2020. Raising the published weights as well as publicising the existence of the safety allowance means the public will be better informed and have a more accurate understanding of what horses are carrying. The extra 1lb safety allowance will also provide riders with some flexibility to manage daily variations in their body weight.

"We are grateful to the NTF for their ongoing participation in these discussions, and for their acceptance of a revision to the original, agreed outcome from the consultation. A point of concern raised by trainers has been in relation to the weights carried by horses running under a penalty in novice events, particularly over Jumps, and the BHA’s racing team will be reviewing the conditions of these races with a view to managing such concerns.

"Finally, the welfare of our riders is very much a key priority, and we will continue to work with the PJA and its members to support the well-being of jockeys.

Upgrades to weighing rooms as part of a long-term programme of improvement works to modernise facilities across all British racecourses have already been announced and, in addition, the issue of race weights will remain under regular review."

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ARABIAN HORSE RACING CLUB OF BELGIUM PUBLISHES 2022 CALENDAR The AHRCB's calendar for the 2022 racing season has been published.

The highlight is the meeting at the Hippodrome de Wallonie, Mons Ghlin on 17 August which will be televised by Equidia. The meeting has four Arabian races scheduled: - one Junior Emirates Breeders for 3 year olds only , 1500m , 7.000 euro + 333 euro (belgian) breeders premium - one Emirates Breeders for 4,+ year

- one Emirates Breeders for 4,+ year olds, over 2100m , 7.000 euro + 1000 euro (belgian ) breeders premium - the IFAHR – CUP for 4,+year olds, over 1500m, 25.000 euro For further information please email Nelly Phillipott - moirmonay@skynet.be

olds , MAIDENS, over 1500m, 7.000 euro + 1000 euro (belgian) breeders premium

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AFAC CALENDAR AFAC's provisional calendar for racing up to 31st May 2022 has been published.

3yo (Provisional)

4yo+ (Provisional)

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FRANCE GALOP AND THE QATAR RACING AND EQUESTRIAN CLUB EXTEND ARC SPONSORSHIP TO 2027 France Galop and the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) have confirmed an extension of their sponsorship agreement of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend that takes place each year around the first Sunday in October.

The renewal of this important partnership for French racing covers a period of 5 years, from 2023 to 2027.

In the world of sport, this sponsorship agreement stands out for its extraordinary longevity. Initiated in 2008 for a period of 5 years (2008-2012), in 2010 it was extended for a further twelve years until 2022. This new extension will now run until 2027.

The renewed partnership reinforces the prestige of a weekend that includes no less than 12 Group 1 races (including 4 dedicated to Purebred Arabian races) and offers total prizemoney of 10 Million Euros. The two days of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, together with the Friday meeting at the Saint-Cloud racecourse, thus are the main targets for Europe’s best horses at the back end of the season.

Two iconic races of the weekend will offer record prizemoney: The €5M Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the €1M Qatar Arabian World Cup, the world’s most prestigious race for Purebred Arabians.

Thanks to this partnership, the international stature of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has grown stronger with each renewal (every year the event is broadcast live in 60 countries) and the historic race has reinforced its leadership.

On Tuesday, 25 January 2022, Longines and the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities), the co-organiser of the Longines World Racing Awards, announced that the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe had once again been named the best race in the world, based on the official rankings. Since the inception of this ceremony in 2015, the Arc has been named the best race in the world five times, notably in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and in 2021.

H.E. Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Chairman of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club said: “We are very pleased to announce the renewal of the partnership between QREC and France Galop to 2027 to continue and enhance our sponsorship of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, which started 14 years ago. It has been a journey of exemplary success and mutual benefit over the years, and we are confident more successes are ahead.

The long-standing, yet ever developing, relation between QREC and France Galop is entering a new era with our renewed partnership further reinforcing our position on the international stage as it now comprises the top two thoroughbred races in France. Under the renewed agreement, the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club is now part of sponsorship agreement along with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. We are also very proud that since 2008 we have been supporting Purebred Arabian races in France and we will continue promoting the Qatar Arabian World Cup and the other premier Arabian races at the French racecourses in the coming years.

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NEW INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED FOR AJC’S RACING HALL OF FAME & TENT OF HONOR In 1995, the Arabian Horse Trust began an honorary program that recognized great Arabian racehorses (Racing Hall of Fame) and leadership individuals within the sport of Arabian racing (Tent of Honor). In 2008, all voting privileges and decisions were transferred by the Arabian Horse Trust to the Arabian Jockey Club (AJC) and have remained under the AJC’s domain ever since. With respect to great achievement superseding all criteria, inductees are chosen only when individuals and horses are found to be worthy of the honor. As such, this award is not awarded annually. In fact, this year’s inductees represent only the 14th induction into the prestigious program.

2021 Racing Hall of Fame Inductee: FRYNCH In order for a horse to be considered into the Racing Hall of Fame, it must meet criteria within the following mission statement: “The horse shall have made a significant contribution to Arabian racing in the United States through the horse’s own performance and the performance of its progeny.” Additionally, there is a gender criteria that must be met, which for mares is: Mares will have had to race for three years with at least three Graded Stakes wins, foaled at least 3 Graded Stakes winners, and be retired from racing for five years.

Frynch (FR) photo supplied by AJC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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The AJC have announced the 2021 Racing Hall of Fame Inductee, Frynch.

Frynch joins her dam Fryga in the Racing Hall of Fame who was inducted in 1999.

Bred by Dianne Waldron and Willie J. Linahan, Frynch was born in the country of her namesake, France, on February 6, 2000, and was then imported in December of that year to Dianne’s Rosebrook Farm in Brooksville, Florida.

Frynch would go on to earn $249,756 in just 28 lifetime starts, surpassing even her famous mother in earnings, and doing it in about a third the number of races.

Frynch stormed tracks from coast to coast, even as a three-year-old. But her fouryear-old campaign was her breakout year, when she took the Jewels of the East Sapphire Sprint Stakes, the Buzz Brauninger Distaff Stakes, the Cre Run Oaks, and a second in the Gladys Brown Edwards Arabian Cup Distaff Championship Stakes (G1). Frynch would be named Darley Champion Four-YearOld Filly later that year. Even so, it would be in the breeding shed that her royalty would truly shine, particularly through her daughters.

seconds and a third from 20 starts, including the Cre Run Oaks Arabian Distaff Stakes (G2) and the Texas Arabian Oaks Stakes (G3). She was also named Darley Champion Four-Year-Old Filly.

Finally, RB Madymoiselle (’12 filly by Majd Al Arab) made her own mark with eight wins, four seconds and a third from 18 starts, including the Buzz Brauninger Distaff (G1), the Texas Arabian Oaks (G3), the Shadwell Arabian Stallion Texas Distaff Stake, and the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Stake. She was also named Darley Champion Four-Year-Old Filly.

Frynch’s ability to produce winners became quickly clear. Bred by Dianne Waldron’s Rosebrook Farm, Rich Frynchman (’07 colt by TH Richie) picked up five wins, two seconds and two thirds from 12 lifetime starts (including the Liberty Bell Stakes (G3), the Bob Magness Memorial Arabian Derby (G2), and the Delaware Park Arabian Classic Handicap (G1) and was a Darley Three-Year-Old Colt Nominee.

In 2009, Wycked (Burning Sand) was born to Rosebrook. She earned three wins from four starts in the United States and was named Darley Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.

RB Madymoiselle (US) goes to post for the 2017 Dubai Kahayla Classic

Two years later, RB Frynch Broad (’11 filly

by Madjani) gave Rosebrook five wins, six THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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2021 Tent of Honor Inductee: MICHELLE MORGAN In order for an individual to be considered into the Tent of Honor, he/she must meet criteria within the following mission statement: “The person nominated shall meet the criteria of length of service to the breed (15 years in the Arabian horse industry, having raced 10 years), courage to do what is best for the horse, be above reproach, devoted to the horse and community, and provide service in the areas of leadership, heritage, education and/or research.”

Owner and founder of Mandolynn Hill Farm in Aubrey, Texas, Michelle Morgan is an industry leader in Arabian breeding, flat racing, and endurance in the United States and around the world. With the goal of breeding and producing superior athletes with the capacity to perform and excel, Michelle’s horses have successfully competed in many disciplines nationally and internationally.

Morgan grew up in Texas with a passion for Arabian horses. She purchased her first Arabian in 1987 and fell in love with the breed’s personable nature and ability to bond with people. As a young adult, she competed in the Arabian show world, as well as dressage and Hunter/Jumper.

In 1991 under the encouragement of her husband, Dr. Mickey Morgan, Morgan entered the racing arena mentored by September Farm’s Martha Dean Thurman (owner of the legendary *Sambor) with an Arabian stallion named Amazing Son, who proved to be one of the best in the field of Arabian racing. Later, Denise Gault of Race Street Management, Inc., became an instrumental guide and personal friend in building the Mandolynn Hill Farm program.

She has remained a stalwart leader in Arabian racing for three decades and has served as a national and international

spokesperson and ambassador for the promotion and preservation of Arabian racing and breeding. She has been invited to participate on numerous panels of the Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Racing Festival conference in Abu Dhabi and around the world to lend her expertise on racing and breeding practices.

Michelle Morgan with one of her horses at Mandolynn Hill Farm

photo supplied by AJC The homebred horses of Mandolynn Hill Farm (many of them horses that Michelle also trained) bear the familiar “MHF” initials and have been seen in countless winners’ circles in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Michigan, Texas, the United Kingdom, Oman, and Poland. One particular homebred, Sudden Mischief, also was named Darley Older Horse of the Year award in 2005.

Michelle has bred over 250 Arabian racehorses throughout her breeding career.

Under Morgan’s care, Mandolynn Hill Farm has also stood as one of the nation’s premier stallion stations, standing elite breeding stallions such as Chndaka, Kaolino, Nivour De Cardonne, Grilla, and others.

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In addition to over twenty years of service on the board of the Texas Arabian Breeders Association, Morgan currently serves on the Arabian Racing Cup (ARC) Board of Stewards – a position she has held for many years – particularly overseeing the ARC Breeders Incentive Program which offers cash bonuses to breeders of the top three nominated horses in over 15 races annually across the United States.

inducted into the Arabian Jockey Club Tent of Honor on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Lone Star Park in conjunction with the Texas Arabian Claiming Series Stakes.

The Arabian Jockey Club is a nationally chartered non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion & education of the Arabian racing industry in the United States and serves at the US representative to the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing.

In recognition of her lifelong talent, commitment, and leadership within the sport of Arabian racing Morgan was

For more information, visit www.ArabianRacing.org

Kao Kat MHF (US) and Sean Levey win the 2016 Royal Cavalry of Oman Stakes (Gr2PA) at Newbury THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

WE LISTEN. WE SUPPORT.

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RACING WELFARE TO CONTINUE THEIR BEST TURNED OUT SERIES IN 2022 Racing Welfare have just confirmed that they will continue with sponsorship of their Best Turned Out series for 2022.

Further details will be released in due course.

Racing Welfare’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

2021 - large yard winners

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_

Zara Brooks with James Owen and team Racing Welfare teams are also contactable during weekday office

hours via the numbers below:

Malton: 01653 696 869 Middleham: 01969 624 123 Lambourn: 01488 670 034 Newmarket: 01638 560 763

2021 Small yard winner - Sue Wileman and Pete Hammersely 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

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2022 Breeding Special ARO works to support UK Breeders

Whitely Meadows Racing Arabians Popsstar (GB) and Martin Dwyer wins the 2019 Emirates NBD Handicap at Newbury

UK Arabian racing was always going to be hit hard by the passing of HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and the subsequent dispersal sale of all his racing and breeding stock. The impact of Covid over the last two years, both in the wider financial sense and in the reduction in races, has inevitably also been a concern for breeders. Consequently, the domestic Arabian racing population outside of the Shadwell empire has been on the decline and the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) has been working hard behind the scenes to find ways to encourage new and existing breeders to invest in their bloodstock to secure the future of the sport in the UK. As an incentive for early registrations for 2022, ARO put forward a nomination to first season sire AF Mathmoon, generously

donated by Shadwell Arabians, to be raffled between those owners registering their horses before December 31st. There was to be one ticket per horse registered and after all the registration documents had been verified, 55 tickets went into the draw for the nomination, with Newbury Racecourse’s Sales Executive Siobhan Hayes pulling out the winning ticket.

That lucky winner was Jill Irwin of Whitley Meadows Racing Arabians. Speaking from her stud in Bodmin, Irwin said: “I can’t believe it, that’s marvellous news. I’ve always loved AF Mathmoon, he’s my favourite of all the Shadwell Arabian stallions on offer at present. It’s been a tough time for us recently and this news couldn’t have come at a better time, it’s a real boost, as I didn’t want to give up breeding Arabians.”

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She continued: “All being well I will use it on my Dubai Day winner Popsstar. She’s due to RB Burn at the end of March/April and I think AF Mathmoon will be a good match for her. I’d like to thank Shadwell and ARO for making this possible.”

Consequently Popsstar was a likely speedy type, winning on only her second run, trying that distance for the first time.

Her DIAR win was over seven furlongs and she was placed from six to ten furlongs in a career spanning five seasons.

Popsstar won twice from 19 starts, including the Emirates NBD Handicap Stakes at Dubai International Arabian Races in 2019 and was also placed five times. She is by Dahess out of Irwin’s foundation mare, the Dutch bred Popidol Kossack, a daughter of Marwan. Dahess needs little introduction, but he is a threetime Za’abeel* winner [*now the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes], the UK’s only six-furlong black type contest.

Her dam Popidol Kossack won as a threeyear-old in Holland and was placed over six furlongs in the UK. Every horse in her pedigree is a winner and her damsire is Aspect, one of the fastest horses produced by the Tersk Stud, winner of the Derby, 2000 Guineas and many other races.

To race in 2022 Irwin has registered the homebred geldings Vikktor (Marwan) and Starman (Madjani), both will be making their debuts, in what could continue to be an exciting season for the Cornwall based owner-breeder.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO was delighted to learn that Jill Irwin’s Whitley Meadows Racing Arabians was the lucky recipient of the nomination and we wish her all the best with her breeding programme and for her racehorses this year. We were pleased with the take-up that this incentive to register early for 2022 produced and we thank Shadwell Arabians for their support of our racing and the donation of this nomination to an exciting first season sire.”

AF Mathmoon (AE) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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ARO has also announced the UK Breeders Incentive Scheme, which has been designed to reward UK Arabian breeders who race their horses with ARO in 2022.

The scheme will offer monetary incentives per race (excluding black type races) to the ARO registered breeder of any horse placed first, second or third in Purebred Arabian Races under the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) regulations for Arabian Horse Racing 2022.

To be eligible: The breeder/owner, must be registered with ARO in 2022 and confirm they are domiciled in the UK (proof of address is required).

Arabians must be bred in the UK and registered with the Arab Horse Society (passport to confirm the breeder).

Arabian horses must be registered to race with ARO during 2022 by no later than 31st March 2022.

Horses must finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd in any eligible Purebred Arabian race in the UK in 2022 (excluding Listed, Group Races).

In eligible races that are won by a nonqualified horse/breeder, the bonus scheme prize money will accumulate into the UK Arabian Breeders Fund and supplement the total funding available in 2022.

Throughout the season there will be a points system to establish the ‘Leading UK Breeder’ of 2022, as well as recognition for the second and third placed breeder.

The Leading UK Breeder will be awarded a nomination to a selected stallion free of charge – though this does not include the veterinary, technical and shipment costs which remain payable by the breeder.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “ARO has been working for some time to fund this scheme to help invigorate the breeding of racing Arabians in the UK and reward our breeders for their efforts. This is just one of several incentives that we are introducing this season, further details of those and the exact financial rewards for the scheme in 2022, will be published in the coming weeks.”

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

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Jewel Crown HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Special

ARO Annual Awards 2015

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2022 Breeding Special Zayin Arabians

Paul Simmons at Zayin Arabian Stud Paul Simmons’s Zayin Arabian Stud is set in around 20 acres of rolling Exmoor countryside. He became involved in Arabian racing in 1999, just at the time the Arabian Racing Organisation was formed and has since been involved at all levels, from competing and breeding, to serving on the board of ARO Directors. He has also been bloodstock consultant to the late HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s W’rsan Stables in the UAE. Owner-breeder (and sometime trainerjockey) Simmons purchased two mares, Aliesha, “a bit mad and not too talented” and Sweet Simplicity in 1998. He had always held dreams of owning, training and riding his own racehorses and quickly realised his dream on Sweet Simplicity when they won the Heart of England

Maiden Stakes in 1999. It remains his only win as a jockey and trainer and little did he realise at the time, that it would be a ten year wait until he won again.

Though he has had more winners/prize money in previous years (eg 2016 with three wins and 24 places for £10,738), the 2021 season saw Zayin Arabians best ever placing in the leading owners’ table, when finishing runner-up to Shadwell Estates.

Considering his 22-year journey to this point, Simmons says: “It’s ironic that for several years when I fielded big teams of five horses, all of which were well handicapped, the best placing I managed was fourth in the Owners Championship in 2015. So I didn’t really give it much thought last year with just two horses!”

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[Above] Aymee (GB) and Zayin Angkor Centurion (GB) [below]

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“Obviously Zayin Zyperion did brilliantly winning twice and being placed twice.

Aymee is very backward and it was a surprise to see her come fourth at Windsor. But it was both a surprise and a delight to be second to Shadwell and I was thrilled that Zayin Zyperion was runner-up in the leading racehorse category.”

Following the dispersal of the Shadwell Arabian racing stock, and based on early registrations, Simmons currently has the largest team in the UK for 2022 with seven horses registered. Whilst one or two are returning from minor setbacks, or coming out of retirement and therefore might not make the grade for whatever reason, he stands a good chance of challenging for the title again.

Asked what going one better this year would mean he says: “I would love to be leading owner - after nearly 25 years of

being in the game it would be an incredible achievement. But it is not the be all and end all, I am just happy if the horses run well, win their races and show their potential. The Zayin team is split this season. My main team, Zayin Zyperion, Aymee and Zayin Angkor Centurion is with Peter Hammersley, who has been training for me since 2012. Of course I hope all three will do well, but Centurion has missed a season with a slight injury.

“I also have two unraced five-year-old maidens, Zikada Zayin (full sister to Zyperion) and Mayzuna Zayin (No Risk Al Maury half-sister to Centurion) in training with Mitchell Hunt. He is local to me and has been training my thoroughbred, Opticality this winter. Zephyrella Zayin is a definite maybe, but will be focusing on endurance, and Zayin Zachilles will only run once as he is has reached advanced level in endurance.”

Zayin Zyperion (GB) and Joey Haynes win at Wolverhampton THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Zayin Zachilles (GB) and Harry Bentley win at DIAR 2016 In a previous interview Simmons noted that when Zayin Zachilles was born, it marked a turning point in his breeding.

Though Simmons has had higher rated horses, he has been the most successful numerically and provided him with a much coveted, first Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) winner. Considering the horse, who is now also siring foals, Simmons says: “I had been through some very tough years running the stud, working full time and the horses were all running badly, I had concluded the stud was a disaster. Zachilles came just at the right time. When he was born in 2009 it made me realise I had done something right as he was pure quality from the start, a huge, big, strong dark chestnut colt, with a great confident attitude.

“He had a touch of class even then and he has been a superstar ever since, with nine wins and 21 places, including the NAIP Handicap Stakes at DIAR and was 2014 British Bred Champion Arabian. He is

now advanced endurance and has a healthy crop of progeny, the oldest of which is three this year. They are inheriting his size, looks and great temperament. In 2010 the Zayin homebreds started winning (Zayin Barakaldo and Sakeena Sky Zayin), so for me he definitely represents a turning point for my stud.”

When asked about a tenth win if Zayin Zachilles goes back into training, Simmons smiles: “That would be my dream, as he came close in 2019 with two seconds. His last win was at Chelmsford in 2018 off a mark of 67 and he is currently rated 50, which is his lowest ever mark.

His main focus will be endurance, but he might race once or twice if I think he has a chance of winning. He’ll go back into training to see if he still retains his ability and enthusiasm, so we’ll see. He owes me nothing and at 13 he is fully exposed, but if I don’t try, I think I will regret it.”

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With his foundation mares Barryh (Djelfor) and CS Comete (Bengali D’Albret) now retired, Simmons reflects on their influence at Zayin saying: “I feel very lucky having got Barryh and Comete as my foundation mares, as between them they have built Zayin. I have their last progeny racing this year, the two five-year old fillies. Both mares had size, substance and good temperaments and superlative pedigrees from long dam lines of top race performers. Both were multiple winners and rated 90, whilst Comete was full sister to Group 2PA winner, CS Al Wahed.

wins and runner-up in ARO Cup (Gr3PA) and the Emirates Premier Handicap at DIAR, rated 107). Barryh is now 27 and Comete is 25 and they are enjoying their well-earned retirement in Wales with my friend Fiona.”

“Comete has produced CS Jakari (placed fourth in Group 2PA at three years) and Zayin Zodiac who won on his debut at four and was fourth in the ARO Cup (Gr3PA) rated 90, as well Zachilles and Zyperion.”

He continued: “Barryh has produced my highest rated race winners with Zayin Barakaldo (three wins, rated 100) and my superstar Zayin Angkor Centurion (two

Zayin Zodiac (GB)

Zayin Ankor Centurion (GB) [left] finishing second in the 2018 ARO Cup (Gr3PA) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Shadiya (GB) and Kallista (GB) Simmons currently has four active broodmares, though Zephyrella Zayin (Madjani) is returning to training in 2022 having produced a Mister Ginoux filly last year. Samauring Zayin (The Wiking) is due to Sivit Al Maury in June, Kallista (Sambist) is due to Handassa in May and Sakeena Sky Zayin (Karmah) was rested last season. There are also two new additions, Shadiya (Khoutoubia) and Raheeq (No Risk Al Maury) to make breeding arrangements for too. Discussing his prospective plans for these mares in 2022 and the reasoning behind the stallions he is considering, he says: “I try not to breed more than one or two foals a year and this season Shadiya has been booked to Aziz ASF, whilst Sakeena Sky Zayin will probably visit either Muraaqib or Barnamaj.

“I like to use Group 1PA winning stallions who have consistently performed well at the highest level and come from true blue blooded race pedigrees. Aziz was impressive when he won the Za’abeel* International [* now the Royal Cavalry of

Oman International], as was Muraaqib when he won the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood. The best stallions I have used to date are No Risk Al Maury and Dahess, although I have been extremely impressed with my Handassa filly, who is now rising two - I think he will be a sire to note in future.”

All successful breeders need to review their bloodlines, and Simmons is no different. When asked what lines he might like to add to his herd in the future, it is clearly something that has been under consideration for a while.

“I think the stud is at a crossroads and I need to make some tough decisions this year. I want to investigate some new dam lines as I think I have fully explored those of Barryh and CS Comete, which have done so well for me. I want to breed higher level performers as my aim has always been Group winners and so far Centurion is the closest I have got with a second in a Group 3PA.”

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Mayzuna Zayin (GB)[above] and Zikada Zayin (GB) [below]

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Shadiya (GB)

This reasoning has led to two new additions at Zayin Arabians. The first was Shadiya, who is out of the Tidjani mare Sing Me A Song. She won twice and was placed third in the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan Cup (LRPA), finishing only two lengths off the winner Djet Taouy, and ahead of Group 1PA winners Lahoob and Radames. She was also placed in several premier handicaps and at her best was rated 90. To date her son No Risk No Reward (No Risk Al Maury) has won twice and been placed twice from four starts in Sweden. She has a Russian

damline, with her third dam being Stihia, a product of the Tersk Stud, who is the dam of Sambist.

Simmons is also one of the many breeders around the world who has purchased from the Shadwell Arabians dispersal, as he explains: “Whilst it is extremely sad to see the end of Shadwell’s active involvement in Arabian racing, as HH Sheikh Hamdan was such a huge supporter of the sport worldwide, and particularly in the UK, it has presented an opportunity for breeders.

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“I feel very fortunate to have recently acquired the superbly bred three-year-old Raheeq, who is out of Sunbulla (Monsieur Al Maury). She had an injury which means she cannot race, but as she is a filly from the black type producing Ietlato De Carrere damline, she is a really valuable addition to the broodmare band. This is an exciting development for my Zayin breeding program and she will be instrumental to the new phase of breeding here.”

Her dam Sunbulla was rated 104 at her best, winning a top-level handicap and placing four times including when second

in the Emirates NBD International Stakes at DIAR. She is a half-sister to Al Hibaab (Al Sakbe), winner of the Dubai International (Gr1PA), the IFAHR Trophy (Gr2PA) in Istanbul, the UAE President Cup (LRPA) at the Curragh and two other races, as well as placing in three further Group1PA events. Their dam Ielato de Carrrere was Listed placed in France and is also the dam of Nesnas (Jehol De Cardonne), a winner of six races and placed at the highest level five times in the UAE. She is also the dam of four further winners and is from the family of the Group1PA winner and sire Akim De Ducor.

Al Hibaab (GB) wins the Dubai International Stakes at DIAR in 2014 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Warcry Zayin (GB)

Like a number of UK breeders, Simmons took advantage of Al Shahania Stud’s generous offer of a free breeding to their HH The Amir Sword winner Assy in his first season at stud. The result is a very attractive four-year-old filly, Warcry Zayin.

Assy has had good results already, with Samlla winning the Al Rayyan Cup (Gr1PA) and the Coupe des France des Chevaux Arabes (Gr2PA) and Moharram winning two Group 3PA contests in France.

“Assy’s first crop to race in 2021 have been very impressive. It was an inspired idea to offer free coverings, which has helped to boost the UK population and it will be interesting to see how they

perform. Warcry is a lovely young filly, she is tall and scopey, but very weak physically and mentally so she won’t start this year, though I am looking forward to racing her next season once she has more time to mature.”

He continues: “Al Shahania have done a similar exercise this year with Aziz ASF, offering 50 free breedings of which I was lucky enough to win one for Shadiya - it’s a great way to promote your stallion and attract a good book of mares. I think incentivising breeding in the UK is the way forward and free coverings to quality sires is a great way to increase numbers and stimulate more domestic breeding.”

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Protocol Zayin (GB) [above] and Zarkana Zayin (GB) [below]

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The Zayin herd

In the past Simmons has used proven sires such as Madjani and Dahess, however many of his horses have been sired by stallions that were top racehorses with long careers, but unproven as sires, because of the time taken for Arabians to reach the track. When asked if he considers the timescale as an added challenge for breeders, he comments: “Definitely, but it is probably worse for me as I don’t race my colts until they are four and my fillies until they are five so there is a long wait from conception to the racecourse. I like to use new Group 1PA winning stallions with strong black type pedigrees as it is exciting to see who will be the next promising young sire. I think all breeders have to be patient and play the long game, then when it’s successful it is all the more rewarding.”

Along with Warcry Zayin, waiting in the wings are fillies by Handassa, Sivit Al Maury and a particularly strong looking filly by the exciting Mister Ginoux, all look likely future broodmare prospects. Of their progress so far, Simmons says: “The Handassa filly (out of Samauring Zayin) Protocol Zayin is outstanding. A big, strong, powerful and confident filly from birth, she seems to be tougher than her siblings and though she was a difficult

yearling, I am delighted with her. I am also really pleased with my Mister Ginoux weanling filly Zarkana Zayin (out of Zephyrella Zayin), she is very powerfully made and is very bold, but well-mannered like the rest of her family. The Sivit Al Maury filly (out of Sakeena Sky Zayin), Shakura Sky Zayin has a wonderful temperament and is a fantastic mover.”

The passing of Sheikh Hamdan, the loss of his generous sponsorship and the dispersal of the Shadwell stock was obviously very sad, and in the short term can be viewed as a negative impact for UK Arabian racing. However, after 20 years of domination, it can also be viewed as an exciting opportunity for existing and new owners and sponsors to get involved and compete on what might be considered a more level playing field. Simmons agrees saying: “It was extremely sad as HH Sheikh Hamdan was such a huge supporter of ARO and UK Arabian racing, he was also a huge inspiration to all owner and breeders with his highly successful breeding program; but yes, he was very dominant in UK racing. It is a tough blow to us here, but I also see it as an opportunity for me as an owner, which is why I am fielding such a big team of six [or maybe seven!] to race this season.”

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In the past Simmons has sat on the ARO board, whilst his day job as a compliance professional in financial services gives him a good idea of some the financial challenges that lie ahead for the sport in the UK. Asked to think about the future for the sport he says: “Over the years I have done what I can to support Arabian racing, from doing the racecards to writing race reviews for publications, sponsoring races and awards and spent two years as an ARO Board member. It is very easy for people to sit on the sidelines and criticise, but I feel we all need to step up and support Arabian racing in the UK or we will lose it.

going racing population.”

As well as his own Zayin Arabians, Simmons spent two years overseeing the breeding at W’rsan in the UAE, speaking of his involvement he said: “It was my complete honour and such a privilege to be asked to be bloodstock consultant for W’rsan Stables and the late HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. W’rsan Stables is such a beautiful setting outside Abu Dhabi and I loved my trips there, but it was challenging breeding from just the in-house stallions and trying to balance Heritage bloodlines with more modern racing lines.

“There is no magic silver bullet to solve the problem, it will take time to rebuild. I think there are enough Arabian horses in the UK to sustain a race plan - but we need more horses, owners and trainers for the sport to grow. Prize money has improved over the years and the UK race plan now features some excellent and competitive group races. Incentivising breeders in the UK is helpful, but it will take several years for domestic numbers to improve enough to support an on-

“As I was breeding up to 40 mares in my first crop and then 23 in the second crop, I wanted to create a wide variety of performance lines using the best producing and performing race mares with some of the leading sires. This involved mixing Amer and Heritage lines and as well as using the fantastic Russian Stallions. It was a great experience to manage the breeding program and have an input into the breeding direction of Arabian racehorses on that scale.”

W'rsan Stable's most famous resident stallion, Monarch AH (US) and some of his offspring at his 30th birthday party in 2017 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Kallista (GB)

Looking ahead to the current season, it would be fair to say that breeding by AI can be a testing experience for those new to it. Asked what advice he could give to those new to the practice he comments: “Breeding is generally very challenging, it is a long process and can extremely rewarding, but also endlessly disappointing - you have to have the stomach for it and be prepared for the constant ups and downs.

“With AI this is especially the case, my worst experience was in 2016 when Barryh and Comete were at stud for nearly five months with endless problems conceiving with frozen AI, partly due to their age and other issues, it cost a fortune and definitely tested my resolve. They got in foal at the end of August and both had fillies the following July. Zikada and Mayzuna are due to race this season so that is long five-year to wait to see if all the stress, hassle and cost was worth it. My advice for AI is to budget for three cycles, always check the post thaw motility of the

stallion semen and make sure you use an experienced AI centre vet and pre check your mares’ fertility if she is a maiden or veteran.”

Regarding maiden mares, he has one, Kallista, producing her first foal this year, asked what his past experience taught him to be aware of, he comments:”It’s always more stressful with maiden mares as so much can go wrong, so the sleepless nights are a bit more intensive. My mare Sky’s first foal was a still born which was a real tragedy and she was devastated, which was upsetting to witness, though fortunately she had a lovely filly last year.

Kallista is a massive mare from a fantastic Russian family, she won twice and her halfbrother Mack The Knife was very smart so I think she will be a smart broodmare.

Sadly she re-absorbed to No Risk Al Maury last year sometime after her 30 day scan, but she appears to have held to Handassa.

I am hopeful she will be a great mum, but to be honest you never know until they foal.”

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Simmons is now firmly established in Exmoor having moved his horses to parents farm several years ago. He recently bought the farm outright, just before the first Covid lockdown, “a great location to be locked down in” he says appreciatively of it’s beautiful setting.

With Endurance riding as his other sport, the local area is ideal for training and maintaining his horses’ fitness. Of the facilites he says: “The rolling hill fields are great for maturing youngsters and I have renewed all the fences so they are safer and more secure. Fortunately, there’s not much more to do as there are three barns/ field shelters and I never have more than 10 at home (the others are usually at Pete’s in training or resting). Zachilles lives at the front of the property where he has two paddocks and I also built him his own stable/field shelter which he can use as he wants. He spends his time watching my neighbour schooling her event horses in

her arena!”

This life milestone and of course Covid has led Simmons to change his working life, with a new more flexible job that allows him to spend more time working from home. Considering these changes he says: “I think Covid and lockdown made a lot of people re-evaluate their jobs and work-life balance. Working from home has made things easier for me, managing and looking after the horses before and after work, without worrying about the commute. This means I can spend more time with them at the weekend too and in the summer after work, it helps with improving endurance training and handling the youngsters and also more time to enjoy them. I used to work in London Monday to Friday so would have to cram all my horse tasks into each weekend before heading back to London on Sunday night.”

Shakura Sky Zayin (GB) and Sakeena Sky Zayin (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Having a winner at DIAR was the annual goal of the majority of UK ownersbreeders, so with that target gone, Simmons has other aims for the future, as he concludes: “It’s a great shame that we have lost Dubai Day as it was such a pivotal event in the UK racing calendar and really put UK Arabian racing on the global stage, attracting runners from all over the world. I feel very lucky to have

had a winner there with Zachilles.

“My ultimate aim has always been to breed a Group winner and we have some great Group races in the UK this season. I would also like to race my Arabians abroad, with the UAE a particular target, but that plan is way in the future due to the significant costs involved.”

Zayin Zachilles (GB) 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

NEWCovered for 2022 Every Angle Standing Top-Quality Stallions

Barnamaj

| HANDASSA No Risk Al Maury - Tashreefat (Bengali D’Albret)

Group 1 winner by Champion sire NO RISK AL MAURY Won the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (Gr.1 PA) and placed in 6 Group races | MURAAQIB

NEW for 2022 | SIVIT AL MAURY

Half-brother to MURAAQIB AF MATHMOON |

NEW for 2022

Af Mathmoon MANARK |

Af Albahar - Temptayshuhn (Arawak D’Aroco) AF Mathmoon

First UAE-bred horse to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic PA) | Son of Champion ALBAHAR First(Gr.1 UAE-bred horse to sire winAFthe Fee: ¤1,500 +VAT | ¤2,000 +VAT (frozen) | Standing in France

Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr.1 PA)

Handassa

Multiple Group winner by Champion sireof MADJANI Winner 6 Group Promising first crops to run

races

+VATof (frozen) | Standing insire FranceAF Fee: ¤1,200 +VAT | ¤1,500 Son Champion

Manark

ALBAHAR

Group 1 winner with smashing first foals Fee: ¤1,500 +VAT | Standing in France

Muraaqib

Muraaqib

Multiple Gr.1-winning son of late sire MUNJIZ Promising first foals on the ground

Fee: ¤1,800 +VAT | ¤2,200 +VAT (frozen) | Standing in France

Munjiz - Tashreefat (Bengali D’Albret)

Sivit Al Maury

by his late sire GROUP IN AT START Group 1 winner at 3

thefoals best sons Multiple Stakes One winnerof | First 2021

Fee: ¤1,200 +VAT | ¤1,500 +VAT (frozen) | Standing in France

Barnamaj

Group 1 winner by Champion sireof NO7RISK AL races MAURY in Winner Gr.1 Half-brother to 7x Gr.1 winner MURAAQIB

| BARNAMAJ

NEW for 2022

4 countries Fee: ¤1,000 +VAT (frozen) | Standing in Morocco Promising first foals on the ground ADD TWO No Risk Al Maury EITH

Champion Arabian racehorse & sire of Group 1 winners Fee: ¤3,500 +VAT (frozen) | Standing in UK

For further

NO RISK AL MAURY |

Contact: Marion Lachat | arabians@shadwellstud.co.uk details on our stallions, Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

please visit our website www.shadwellarabian.co.uk THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE facebook.com/shadwellarabian @ShadwellArabian www.shadwellarabian.co.uk

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2022 Breeding Special New Stallions

Muraaqib (FR)

The 2022 new stallion roster for Arabians features an exciting array of Group 1PA winners to suit all pockets. Though it should be noted that Muraaqib has already made a start to his career, this will be his first public season. Having brought all their stallions back to the UK in 2021, Shadwell have now sent five to France, including the aforementioned Muraaqib, along with AF Mathmoon.

Whilst France will always be the breeds traditional stronghold in Europe, it is worth noting is that Morocco is clearly a country with an eye to developing its Arabian racing. SOREC have secured the services of top-level dirt winners and first season sires Barnamaj and Reda, along with the established Asraa Min Albarq.

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AF MATHMOON (AE)

Liwa Oasis (Gr1PA) 1400m

2011 AF Albahar x Temptayshuhn (Arawak d’Aroco)

Bani Yas (Gr2PA) (twice) 1400m

Haras de Thouars, France www.shadwellarabian.co.uk

Mazrat Al Ruwayah (Gr2PA) 1600m €720,400 HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s final Kahayla Classic winner, AF Mathmoon was gifted to him, by his breeder Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda.

AI (fresh) €1,800 (+VAT) AI (frozen) €2,200 (+VAT) France – Live Foal Export – At Booking A winner of nine races from four to six years including: Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) 2000m Rd1 Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) 1600m

A son of AF Albahar, who continues to produce great results in the Gulf this winter, he is out of the French bred mare Temptayshuhn, who was placed over 1400m and 1000m in Qatar. Her dam Tidjida D’Albret (Tidjani) is a half-sister to Mangalie D’Albret (Manganate), dam of Bengali D’Albret.

AF Mathmoon (AE) ©Shadwell Arabians THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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[Above] AF Mathmoon (AE) wins the 2016 Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) and [below] Round 1 Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA)

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BARNAMAJ (FR) 2013 No Risk AL Maury x Tashreefat (Bengali D’Albret) SOREC, Morocco www.shadwellarabian.co.uk

Barnamaj came out on top by a head in Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge.

His wins in France were over shorter, at 2000m and 1400m.

AI (frozen) €1,000 (+VAT) A winner of three races from three to five years including: Rd2 Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) 2200m €201,833 Currently the only son of No Risk Al Maury at stud, having been trained like his halfbrother Muraaqib by Francois Rohaut, his arrival in Dubai coincided with that of US superstar, Paddys Day. That winter saw some memorable duels between them, having been beatne by a neck in Round 1, THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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KHATAAB (FR) 2012 Amer x Djelana (Al Sakbe) Haras Du Mazet, France www.harasdumazet.com €500 (Natural cover) +tax Live Foal AI with frozen semen A winner of six races from four to seven years including: Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) (Gr1PA) 2000m French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic (Gr1PA) (Zayed Cup) 1900m

Prix Carthage-Hannibal (Gr2PA) (twice) 2000m French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic (Gr2PA) 2200m €784,890 In addition to his PA Group wins he was twice runner-up in the Qatar Arabian World Cup, first to Fazza Al Khalediah (2018) and then to Ebraz (2019). He was also second to Tayf in the 2019 UAE President Cup and to Hayyan in the 2020 Doha Cup.

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Marid (FR) going to post before winnng the 2018 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains

MARID (FR) 2015 TM Fred Texas x Al Dahma (Amer) Haras Du Grand Courgeon, France www.legrandcourgeon.com €1,000 (natural cover) +tax Live Foal €1,200 (frozen semen) +tax Live Foal 2023 France €1,200 (frozen semen) +tax at booking Export A winner of four races from 3 to 4 years including: Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) (Gr1PA) 2000m

Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1PA) 2000m €170,298 With fertility problems bringing an early halt to his sire TM Fred Texas’s public stud career, Marid is likely to prove popular with those seeking his bloodline.

A precocious juvenile, he is out of one of Umm Qarn’s most celebrated racehorses, and now a successful broodmare, Al Dahma, winner of 14 Group 1PA races, sister to General and dam of Yazeed.

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Marid (FR) winning the 2018 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1PA)

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MASHHUR AL KHALEDIAH (FR) 2014 Jalnar Al Khalediah x Amerah Al Khalediah (Amer) Haras De Saint Faust, France www.haras-saintfaust.com €1,800 (natural cover) €2,000 AI with frozen semen A winner of seven races from four to seven years including: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) 1600m UAE President Cup (Gr3PA) Ostende 1600m

Though a winner of the Prix Baroud over 2000m at four years and later over 2100m in Belgium, Mashhur Al Khaleidah’s best black-type form was undoubtedly over a mile. He was also third in the inaugural Obaiya Arabian Classic as part of the Saudi Cup meeting in 2020.

His dam Amerah Al Khalediah (Amer) is a daughter of Polish Oaks winner Savvanah (Monarch AH) who represents the sixth generation of Janow Podlaski Stud’s world famous ‘S’ family of winning race mares descending from Sabellina, winner of the Polish Oaks and Derby of 1958.

UAE President Cup (LRPA) Baden Baden 1600m €1,110,737

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Mashhur Al Khalediah (FR) and Jean Bernard Eyquem finish third in the 2020 Obaiya Arabian Classic

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MURAAQIB (FR)* 2012 Munjiz x Tashreefat (Bengali D’Albret) Haras de Thouars, France www.shadwellarabian.co.uk AI (fresh) €1,800 (+VAT) AI (frozen) €2,200 (+VAT) France – Live Foal Export – At Booking One of the best horses to be bred by HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Arabians, and to date, the best out of Tashreefat, who’s current representative on the track, Moshrif (Dahess) looks pretty smart too.

more Group 1PA winners in Barnamaj and Moshrif. By Bengali D’Abret who has proved himself a better broodmare sire, than sire, Tashreefat possed plenty of speed, winning from 1000m to 1400m in the UK and the UAE and placing second in the Liwa Oasis to Mizzna. *2022 will be his fist public season at stud, having already produced two foals last year.

Muraaqib makes a huge appeal as a stallion, winning the best races in France at three years and going on to have a hugely successful career further afield winning at the highest level in the UK, Abu Dhabi and Turkey.

By Munjiz, a former leading sire in France, Tashreefat, has already produced two

Ghaidaa (GB) 2021 Muraaqib x Essalda filly

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Muraaqib (FR) gets the better of RB Burn (FR) in the Poulains [above] and Ebraz (GB) at Goodwood in the Qatar International Stakes [below]

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REDA (QA) 2012 Burning Sand x Ba’scherit (Barour de Cardonne) SOREC/Haras de Thouars, France www.harasdethouars.com €1,500 AI with frozen semen *50% discount for black type mares France – live foal 2023 Export – on booking A winner of five races from four to six years including: Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) 2000m €901,315 An interesting recruit to Morocco’s SOREC with excellent dirt form and

pedigree having been far superior on that surface, than he was on turf. He was the first Qatari bred horse to win the Kahayla Classic and the second Gulf-bred after AF Mathmoon.

His sire Burning Sand needs no introduction, his dam Ba’scherit was foaled in France and exported to Qatar at two years and was unraced. Reda is her most successful product to date, though Al Almarrad (Majd Al Arab) did win over 1900m and Fer’ha (Mared Al Sahra) over 1400m, both as four-year-olds. Her grandam Gora was also unraced, but produced winners including Vigor Du Moulon, Gloria Deo and Gardenia Gora (dam of six winners).

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Reda (QA) wins the 2017 Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) from RB Burn (FR) and going to post for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA)

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TAYF (FR) 2012 Amer x Djelmila (Manganate) Haras Du Grand Courgeon, France www.legrandcourgeon.com €1,500 (natural cover) +tax Live Foal 2023 €2,000 (frozen semen) +tax Live Foal 2023 France €2,000 (frozen semen) +tax at booking Export A winner of 7 races from four to nine years including: Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA) 2000m Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) 1600m UAE President Cup - Coupe d'Europe (Gr1PA) 2000m Qatar Gold Sword (Gr1PA) 2000m Seen as the successor to his brother Majd Al Arab (who is ten years older), Tayf has returned to stand at his birthplace, the

Haras Du Grand Courgeon. Best known in the UK for his epic battle with Ebraz in the pouring rain at Goodwood for the Qatar International Stakes, three years later at the age of eight he triumphed in similarly testing underfoot conditions in the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Paris.

Tayf is the most successful of three 2012 embryo transfers from the good racemare, Djemila. Winning ten races in the UK, France, Qatar and the UAE, including the Hatta International at Newbury, the Abu Dhabi Derby at Chantilly and Rounds 2 and 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Nad Al Sheba, she was retired to stud in 2001. A product of the De Watrigant’s Haras de Mandore, Djemila is by Manganate out of the exceptional mare Cherifa, making her a sister or half-sister to many successful racehorses and progenitors including My Princesse, Djebbel (Djelfor) and Ziva (Dormane).

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Tayf (FR) winning the 2019 UAE President Cup (Gr1PA) from another new stallion recruit for 2022, Khataab, and the 2017 Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) from Ebraz (GB)

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Breeding Special Leading Sires

The UK's leading sire by races won for a second consecutive year Shadwell Arabian's No Risk Al Maury (FR)

The UK leader boards are traditionally decided by races won, rather than by prize money, given the high value of the Qatar International Stakes which can give a false impression of the most successful sire. Shadwell Arabian sire, No Risk Al Maury has taken over from his former stablemate Madjani as leading UK sire on numbers, which was reviewed in the Autumn 2021 edition. In this breeding special an overview of the top 20 leading sires in the UK, France and the USA is based on earnings.

Lady Princess’s win in the Qatar International Stakes, the UK's most valuable race, naturally gives her sire General the top spot, whilst Amer, who for many years was dominant in the UK on races won as well as earnings, is in second place, from two runners. TM Fred Texas gains third due entirely to the win of Abbes in the UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby at Doncaster, so it is the mid-division of the table where things become more interesting.

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77 2021 LEADING ARABIAN SIRES - BY EARNINGS UK

Wathba Stallions Mahabb was well represented on the UK racecourses, with his biggest earner being the Qatar International Stakes fourth, Deryan.

However a debut win from Farasah, a couple of places efforts from Toofan, plus Awtaar’s second and her fifth at Doncaster all helped Mahabb secure fourth spot.

Possibly the more significant placing is AF Albahar in fifth. He is a brother to fourtime leading UAE sire AF Al Buraq, who sadly only completed one season under the Shadwell banner in the UK before returning to France for 2022. AF Albahar is a proven producer of Group 1PA winners with AF Mathmoon, Alsaker and Conchita DA making him a sire of note, with the first two named, now at stud in France.

two races each, with his final winner, the three-year-old AJS Hajaj scoring towards the end of the season.

Bayan Athbah’s wins were of course black type and it should be noted that her juvenile younger brother Mlatem Athbah was a respectable fourth to the useful looking Muneer on debut. The colt has since gone on to win in Saudi Arabia and run with credit in the Qatar Derby and may well return to the UK for the 2022 season and a crack at the UAE President Cup - UK Arabian Derby at Doncaster.

In 2022 in the UK AF Albahar was close behind No Risk Al Maury on winners thanks to the exploits of two fillies, Muneer and Bayan Athbah who both won THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

General (GB)

78 2021 LEADING ARABIAN SIRES - BY EARNINGS FRANCE

The influence of Rene Koch’s Haras Du Maury continues in her native France as well as the UK, with the meteoric rise of Mister Ginoux. By Amer, he is a threeparts brother to Lady Princess, and his dam Nacree Al Maury, is a sister to No Risk Al Maury. Mister Ginoux had made an exceptional start to his career at stud becoming leading sire in France with only two crops to race and siring an incredible five Group 1PA wins from only 19 starters.

That he looks likely to be that rarest of sires, one that can improve his mares seems validated by his French Derby and Qatar Arabian World Cup winner, Hoggar De L’Ardus. A colt with such an unremarkable pedigree as to be led out unsold for €14,000 at the Arqana PA Sale in 2019. Amer and Dahess are naturally high on the leader board, in second and third place and AF Albahar is prominent

here too in fourth place. He’s likely to feature strongly again this year with 12 three-year-olds registered to trainers on the France-Galop website.

Assy is another young sire to watch, he placed fifth last year, with his progressive Samlla adding to his Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) Group 1PA win with another in the Qatar International Cup at the HH The Amir Sword Festival last month.

Mister Ginoux (FR)

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79 2021 LEADING ARABIAN SIRES - BY EARNINGS USA

This year, as it has been since 2006, the leading US sire was Burning Sand. His top earner was, once again, the evergreen Paddys Day, though recent less than sparkling efforts suggest that another horse will take that mantle in 2022. Majd Al Arab was runner-up thanks to the exploits of RB Rich Lyke Me, who has gone on to gain his first Group 1PA win since arriving in the UAE in the care of new connections Valiant and Fawzi Nass.

importantly he represents the blood of Amer, a stallion until now lacking physical representation (by his sons) in the US, and of course completely free of Burning Sand, as well as beng a brother to Gazwan. Domiciled at America’s foremost stud for Arabians, Diane Waldron’s Rosebrook Farm, he will undoubtedly have every chance to move up the leader board in subsequent years.

The one to note here looks to be Rathowan. Familiar to UK Arabian racing fans as one of Al Shahania’s charges during Julian Smart years, he was something of a bridesmaid, beaten a nose

by Djet Taouy in the Dubai International and by his stablemate Mkeefa in the UK Arabian Derby. He was also second to her in the World Cup in Paris and to Tabarak in the HH The Amir Sword.

Despite lacking a PA Group win, his black type placings were solid and more THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Rathowan (GB)

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2022 Breeding Special Sales Review

2021 Arqana PA Sale topper - lot 19 Manabb (FR) €230,000 by Mahabb (AE)

Fears over Covid depressing the market for racehorses appeared unfounded with strong sales of thoroughbred yearlings and horses-in-training similarly reflected in the demand for Arabians. A good-looking well-bred horse of any breed will always command a high price, however

September’s annual Arqana PA sale produced its best average prices since 2017. Arabian racing has also gained new buyers, the interest stirred by the advent of the Saudi Cup in particular, is having an effect.

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With new sales around the world, some were sadly finite, as with the Shadwell dispersal, but others such as the Elevage de Bozouls and the Wathba Stallion Jewel Crown sales, have the potential to become annual events. Qatar’s Al Rayyan racecourse hosted a broodmare and foal sale, whilst online auction houses such as Auctav and the Instagram based Middle Eastern Equine Auctions (MEEA) keep the ball rolling on a regular basis.

Top lots are not hard to predict. At Arqana the two-year-old Manabb (#19) was an outstanding individual with an outstanding pedigree. A half-brother to Mister Ginoux and Lady Princess, he was bought by Alexandra Saint-Martin and Jean-Pierre de Gasté (I.T.C.) for Saudi Arabian national, Mohammed Al Huzami.

Heading the horses-in-training segment was Moshrif (#85) a surprise wild card entry from Shadwell Arabians which was to be the forerunner of the later dispersals. As

2021 drew to a close it was clear that Shadwell Arabians would exists as a stallion operation only, truly an end of an era for one of the sports’ most passionate owner-breeders.

In recent years the Arqana catalogue seems to have settled on offering around 100 lots, including a small section of endurance horses. No doubt this year’s offering could have been bigger if more Shadwell horses had been included, though it’s likely there was still uncertainty as to the way forward when the entries were closing.

The trend is still for horse-in-training to be bought privately before the sale, which certainly impacts the strength of that segment. There are still a number of Middle Eastern buyers and their representatives who spend time going round the training yards in France at the start of the season looking to pick up the next champion.

lot 85 Moshrif (FR) €185,000 by Dahess (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Trainer Francois Rohaut watches the bidding for Moshrif Emanuel Cessac of Haras de Thouars with Marion Lachat of Shadwell Arabians

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lot 2 Rudees Du Loup (FR) €36,000 by Dahess (GB)

Whilst this may be good for individual breeders, it should be remembered that the Arqana PA Sale is held in association with AFAC and deducts a small percentage of its turnover to supporting prize money in France, which none of these of new sales do. Looking at the dispersal sale of the Shadwell horses, imagine what that system could have done to boost racing in the UK for example. That moment has passed however, and the UK no longer has the big Middle Eastern studs based there to drive an auction forward with surplus stock.

At the Arqana sale despite advancing years, Dahess had the highness number of lots offered with nine, for an average of €42,222. The results are naturally skewed

by Moshrif’s result, however the five twoyear-olds were headed by Rudees Du Loup (#02), a colt from the family of French and UK Derby winner, Rodess Du Loup who made €36,000, sold to Al Ghunami Stables. The sire of Moshrif’s fee for 2022 is €2,000 (fresh semen, live foal) or €2,500 (frozen semen) and represents excellent value for a stallion that can improve his mares and deliver results on the track.

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Lot 21 Neptune Al Maury (FR) €78,000 by Jaafer ASF (GB) Lot 42 Carshabb (FR) €65,000 by Mahabb (AE)

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Also well represented with the five lots sold of the seven lots offered was Al Mourtajez, himself a son of Dahess, averaging €30,0000. Headliner for the eight-time Group 1PA winner was Nkila (#20) who made €90,000 sold to Theirry Delegue of Pegase Bloodstock. This marked a notable return to the sales ring for Sheikh Mansoor’s YAS Horse Racing operation, as Delegue explained to Jour de Galop Arabians after the sale: “She was bought so as to further reinforce the Nevadour strain within Sheikh Mansoor's breeding operation. Al Mourtajez was an exceptional racehorse and there are high expectations of his progeny.The filly is very attractive and a remarkable mover.

She has an impeccable pedigree.”

For 2022, Al Mourtajez who has his first runners this season, is available to breeders for €3,000 (fresh semen, live foal) or €3,500 (frozen semen). Whilst plenty will be expecting him to challenge

his erstwhile stablemate and now leading young sire Mister Ginoux, it should be noted that Al Mourtajez only ran once at three years. His former trainer Thomas Fourcy, who naturally has a few of his three-year-olds in his care, has said they don’t look like early types so it could well be 2024 before he makes his presence felt as a sire on the track.

Thierry Delegue

Lot 20 Nkila (FR) €90,000 by Al Mourtajez (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Lot 6 L'Artiste Du Paon (FR) €60,000 by Muniz (FR) Lot 39 Alghabraa (FR) €35,00 by Dahess (GB)

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lot 54 General (FR)

Leading UK sire No Risk Al Maury continues to make his presence felt around the world and had four representatives at Arqana, selling for an average of €29,000. The recently deceased Munjiz did well with his three, averaging €32,333, whilst AF Albahar whose stock have continued to run well in the Middle East this winter averaged €27,333 across three lots.

Another surprise entry in the catalogue

was the sire of Lady Princess, General (#54). One of two stallions offered, the other being Rijm (#53), there was a considerable amount of interest, but in the event he was led out unsold at €180,000.

However with Lady Princess a very close second in the Qatar Arabian World Cup, it did at least give breeders and buyers the opportunity to see in the flesh one of two dual winners of France’s most valuable race, the other of course being Al Mourtajez.

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Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the new owner of Moshrif Lot 42 Carshabb (FR) €65,000 by Mahabb (AE)

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Top of the mares segment was Rbaija (#65) an unraced embryo transfer product of Noreen by Dahess who was sold for €45,000, in foal to Azadi. Her dam is a sister to Kahalya Classic winner and sire, Nez D’Or, as well as many balck-type producing mares such as Nisaee (dam of Mkeefa) and Nelka (dam of Rajeh).

Noreen is out of one of Rene Koch’s wonderful daughters of Nevadour, Naiada Al Maury. The mare got a further catalogue update at the HH The Amir Sword Festival in February, with Al Mirage (out of Noreen’s sister New Princess) winning the Gulf Cup over a mile on the second day.

The most expensive fillies in training were Rysk Tout (#84) and Al Garbiyah (#99) at €42,000. Rysk Tout was presented by trainer Charles Gourdain. She had won and been placed twice at four years for

Stephane Chazel, who had purchased her for €14,000 at this sale in 2020. Staying with Gourdain for her new owner, the Qatari Dhafi Al Marri, she finished fourth in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Gr1PA), placing and winning at Pau on her next two starts. Finishing fifth in the Saudi prep race won by Deryan in Pau in January, she was invited for the Al Mneefah Cup (LRPA), securing $30,000 for finishing fifth.

Purchased by Paul Basquin's Haras Du Sauboas, Al Garbiyah came from the stable of Thomas Fourcy, having raced once and finished fourth over 1900m at La Teste in the Prix Mangalie D'Albret. By Nizam, she is out of Sarahmina, dam of Group winners Tameemah, Neef and Raqiyah, who provided a timley catalogue update as the dam of UAE President Cup UK Arabian Derby winner, Abbes.

2021 Arqana PA Sale Sire Statistics

Top ten sires by average, with more than one lot sold at the 2021 Arqana PA Sale.

2022 covering fee is for frozen semen and does not include taxes where applicable.

For full results click on the link below: https://www.arqana.com/resultats/purebred_arabian_sale_saint-cloud_30_september_2021/281 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Lot 84 Rysk Tout (FR) €42,000 by No Risk Al Maury (FR) Lot 99 Al Garbiyah (FR) €42,000 by Nizam (GB)

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Following the Arqana Sale, Shadwell Arabian’s main draft of horses in training were shipped to Dubai for a boutique sale at Meydan at the end of October. Hosted by the Dubai Racing Club and the Emirates Racing Authority, 33 of the 39 scheduled lots were offered, realising a total of €1,069,758.

Top price of €89,845 went to the No Risk Al Maury colt, Madrassa, a strong twoyear-old son of the Group 2PA Criterium des Pouliches winner Jamaheer, herself a half-sister to Handassa. He was purchased

by Mansour Ali Sulaiman on behalf of the Saudi businessman Khalaf Al Shammari, who has horses in training in Europe and the Gulf. Keen to take his bloodstock interests to the next level, Al Shammari is developing his stud in Janadriyah, and has been keen to introduce the No Risk Al Maury bloodline for some time. A career as a stallion beckons for Madrassa once he’s been tried on the track.

Topping the unraced juvenile fillies was Mawazeen, the third foal of Neige Al Maury by General. Hilal Alalawi went to €65,886 to secure the filly, whose dam is a half-sister to No Risk Al Maury and Nacree Al Maury and therefore closely related to Lady Princess.

A further six horses, including two stallion prospects were offered via the Instagram sale MEEA. UAE President Cup -UK Arabian Derby (Gr1PA) third Loolwa, was the best of the in-training offerings realising €33,846. The six-year-old mare joins the stable of Nasser Askar, who has already been rewarded from the Meydan sale with Al Khaleejy breaking her maiden on her debut at Meydan in January. Al Zahir, a three-time Group 1PA winner on the dirt and turf trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi fetched €30,167 knocked down to Salem Rashed Alotaibi, whilst Ali Mohamed Al Maadeed secured Sauternes Al Maury for €22,073.

Top lot at Meydan lot 35 Madrassa (GB) €89,845 by No Risk Al Maury (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Lot 19 Mawazeen (GB) €65,886 by General (GB) Lot 39 Barakka (GB) €68,909 by AF Al Buraq (AE) won at Meydan in February

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In December it was the turn of the broodmares, who had been shipped to the Haras de Thouars in France, which was conducted online by Auctav. The star of the show was always going to be Tashreefat, dam of the Group 1PA winners Muraaqib, Barnamaj and Moshrif. Despite advancing years, the 19-year-old mare was the subject of intense bidding, going the way of Sheikh Mansoor’s YAS Horses Racing Management for €310,000, setting a new auction record for Auctav.

who have been breeding Arabians for a long time," he said. "The Shadwell dispersal gives us a unique opportunity to buy some high-quality mares. I saw all the mares, foals and yearlings at Shadwell. If you want to upgrade your Arabians, it’s the best place to start. This is an unmissable sale."

Her daughters, the Listed PA winner Ajaayib and the Group 2PA placed Maraasem also attracted plenty of attention. Ajaayib, was secured by Will Douglass on behalf of Charlie GordonWatson Bloodstock, who also acquired Jamaheer. Both mares in foal to AF Al Buraq.

"The mares are for well-established clients

lot 12 Jamaheer (GB) €210,000

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Pictured on her sole start in 2018, lot 21 Watheeqa (GB) €210,000

Maraasem, along with Tashreefat’s halfsister Watheeqa (Munjiz) were purchased

by Saubouas Bloodstock for €170,000 and €225,000 respectively.

"I was able to inspect the mares at Haras de Thouars. This was a very nice sale, very well organised, where the very good fillies made the price they deserved."

Paul Basquin of Saubouas commented: “In addition to our own purchases, Ajaayib and Jamaheer will come to the Saubouas stud farm, having been acquired by owners who were already customers of Saubouas.

The 22 lots realised €1,728,000, with five lots exceeding €150,000. Auctav's managing director Arnaud Angeliaume said: "The result of this Shadwell sale is absolutely fantastic. We are delighted to have had the chance to host this historic sale in the history of the purebred Arabians.

"This is the future we have invested in tonight. This is the case for Tashreefat's sister, Watheeqa, who will hopefully produce as well as her sister. She is a very beautiful mare with a lot of frame and she moves very well.

"I was lucky to have the two Tashreefat daughters in pre-training for Shadwell.

François Rohaut did a great job in training with these fillies. This is a new step regarding my involvement in those mares’ lives with their new careers at stud.

"We of course thank Shadwell for their trust, Haras de Thouars for the wonderful welcome extended to the visitors of these 22 incredible mares and all the bidders and purchasers. The future of the Arabian racing was certainly written during this sale, which impressed me with the enthusiasm it generated among investors.”

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The final sale of the Shadwell dispersal came in February, also through Auctav with Athbah Racing the leading buyer. Securing seven lots through International Thoroughbred Consultants for a total of €331,000, Athbah Racing’s purchases included the top priced lot 18 Aqwaam and one of two yearlings by Muraaqib to be offered at auction, lot 6 Fawaayed.

Sold for €90,000 Aqwaam is a very attractive two-year-old son of leading young sire Mister Ginoux out of the Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA) winner Ouassila Thabet. He is already a halfbrother to three winners, including the ARO leading Arabian mare of 2020, Wanaasa. His half-sister Somayya (Munjiz) realised AED 200,000 at the Meydan Shadwell Sale in October last year.

Fawaayed, who sold for €52,000 is his halfsister.

Athbah racing also went to €52,000 to purchase Jameelaty, a two-year-old filly by Munjiz out of French Arabian Breeders Challenge Sprint (Gr2PA) winner, Jamaayil.

lot 6 Fawaayed (FR) €52,000

by Muraaqib (FR)

lot 18 Aqwaam (GB) €90,000 by Mister Ginoux (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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lot 2 Torjomaan (GB) €68,000 by Al Saoudi (FR)

Athbah Racing’s manager Abdul Moniem Ahmed Ali commented: “I am so delighted that we have been successfully able to purchase Aqwaam, a top-quality young colt. He was the best horse in the sale in my humble opinion.

“He is very correct and well-balanced, very well proportioned and very well-muscled for a two-year-old. A very smart young horse. His sire is of course one of the best sires of the moment. His dam was an excellent racehorse, she has not yet produced a special son, however, she has never been bred to a sire like Mister Ginoux before. Perhaps Aqwaam is going to be the one.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the proud owner of Athbah Racing for his strategic planning, great

leadership and continued support. His Highness has done everything to support Athbah Racing team financially and motivationally."

Concluding he said: “Finally I would like to thank the Shadwell Arabians management for their professionalism, dedication, transparency and great organization.”

Heading the yearling segment was Lot 2, Torjomaan, the final Shadwell bred produce of the top lot of the December Shadwell Arabians broodmare sale, Tashreefat. By Al Saoudi, the yearling was sold for €62,000 to New Approach Bloodstock on behalf of Helal Al Alwai.

In total Shadwell Arabians offered 30 lots through the online auction site Auctav, realising €802,000 (£668,179) with a clearance rate of 100%.

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Whilst the Shadwell dispersal marks the end of an era, it is hoped that the other new sales may invigorate a greater interest in the breed. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club are aiming to hold a series of auctions at Al Rayyan, with a Broodmare and Foal offering in December. 38 lots were catalogued of which 29 were Purebred Arabians. Mostly young broodmares or 2021 foals, there were a handful of well connected older mares, including the 25year-old Sahara Croixnoire, grandam of TM Fred Texas, and dam of Ateej.

Baida Algaa Farm’s Al Amarah was the top lot at €43,512, purchased by Jassim Bin Hamad Al Attiya. The unraced five-year-old mare had a very attractive covering, being due to Mister Ginoux. Her dam Desirada was the last of 17 foals from Djebella, making her a half-siter to Djel Bon and Djelfor.

In Abu Dhabi in November, as part of the revived World Arabian Horse Racing Forum, the first equine event was the Jewel Arabian Horse (Flat Race) Sale. Hosted by the Emirates Racing Authority at Abu Dhabi racecourse, 24 two-year-olds bred by

Sheikh Mansoor’s YAS Horse Racing Management were offered. Top lot was Nidal Al Wathba a Mahabb colt out of the twice-raced Seham, who made €57,500.

lot 9 Nidal Al Wathba (FR) €57,000

by Mahabb (AE)

Also in November, Marcel Mezy’s Haras de Bozouls held a boutique sale of mostly endurance horses organised by Balsan Enchères Horses at the Haras National de Rodez, with 68 lots sold to buyers from all over Europe and the UAE.

Links to the Shadwell Arabians Catalogues and the Auctave results can be found below: Horse-in-training:

https://issuu.com/shadwell_stud/docs/shadwellarabians_salescatalogue_2021 Mixed sale through MEEA on instagram:

https://issuu.com/shadwell_stud/docs/shadwellarabians_salescataloguedigital_dec_2021_fi Broodmares:

https://issuu.com/shadwell_stud/docs/shadwellarabians_maressalescataloguedigital_dec_20 https://auctav.com/en/resultat-27-shadwell_arabian_broodmares_sale.php Yearlings & Two-year-olds:

https://issuu.com/shadwell_stud/docs/shadwellarabians_2yos_yearlings_pages_cataloguedig https://auctav.com/en/resultat-30-shadwell_arabian_horses_sale.php THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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2021 Arc Weekend Review

Hoggar De L'Ardus (FR)

Though there were still challenges to overcome with travel, there was a definite feeling that things were returning to normal at the 2021 Arc meeting, which for Purebred Arabian racing followers spans four days. The sale [see page xx] brought in new owners, and though the races had a familiar feel with Qatari owners taking three of the four Group 1PA races on offer, the headline event saw a new star cement his place in the spotlight. Europe’s premier challenge for the breed, the Qatar Arabian World Cup, had attracted the last two winners, the old stalwarts Ebraz and Tayf, along with the world’s top mare Lady Princess, plus a further five individual Group 1PA winners.

With the ground again on the testing side, Tayf, who seems to excel in those conditions, was favoured to beat Ebraz again. He had won the Prix Dragon by a head on Arc Trials day, bringing his exceptional tally of top level wins to eight.

However his trainer Julian Smart, has always held reservations about the effect of that race on the outcome of the feature race with only Al Mourtajez winning both races in the same year, and despite his immense talent, was certainly not given a hard race in the Dragon. It should also be noted that the feat occurred during the building works at ParisLongchamp, when both the Dragon and the World Cup were held at Chantilly.

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Winning trainer Thomas Fourcy's eight jockeys gather in the parade ring Hoggar De L'Ardus (Mikael Barzalona) edges ahead of Lady Princess (Oisin Murphy), with Tayf (Olivier Peslier) and Ebraz (Maxime Guyon) behind

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Tayf had undergone a something of a revival since spending his summers with Thomas Fourcy and having the cheekpieces dispensed with, but had been beaten by Lady Princess and Ebraz at Goodwood when the three last met. He was one of eight runners to be saddled by Fourcy, who not surprisingly ended the 2021 European season as leading trainer in France.

Lady Princess was another one of the eight and was a course and distance winner of the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments in 2020. Along with Derby winners, Hoggar De L’Ardus and Abbes, Doha Cup winners Soko and Khattab and the Group 1PA placed Melabi, Mounjared Al Cham and Nalink.

Maxr, stablemate of Ebraz, took up the lead, with Soko close behind and the remainder of the fancied runners settled in the rear. At the 400m pole Lady

Princess gamely tried to emulate her course victory of last year, with a sweeping run down the centre of the track. Ebraz had gone up the rail, taking advantage of the fading leaders, whilst Tayf laid down his challenge hitting the front with 200m to go. As Tayf and Lady Princess competed for the lead, they drifted towards the rail where Hoggar De L’Ardus was making his move between Tayf and Ebraz.

It was a race to enthral the crowds with the young challengers Lady Princess and Hoggar De L’Ardus gaining the edge to draw clear of old rivals Tayf and Ebraz. In the final strides, Hoggar De L’Ardus just had enough in hand to assert himself, winning by a neck under Mikael Barzalona. Finishing fourth, Ebraz certainly came off the worse as they tightened up, and there was a lengthy stewards enquiry following the race, however the result stood.

Hoggar De L'Ardus (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Hoggar De L'Ardus (GB) returns to the winners enclosure where he is viewed by the Princess Royal

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Winning connections for the Qatar Arabian World Cup 2021

This was a sixth win for HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Thani who owns 90% of the horse, though the first for his daughter, HE Sheikha Reem in whose colours Hoggar De L’Ardus runs. Of Fourcy’s eight runners, he was responsible for the first three home, with Lady Princess and Tayf filling the places.

His total in the race now stands at four wins, having won twice with Al Mourtajez, and also with Tayf in 2021.

Of Hoggar De L’Ardus performance, Barzalona said:“ He was very easy to ride and tried his best. I followed Olivier Peslier, as he knows these races so well.

He accelerated very well when I asked him.”

Whilst Fourcy commented: “It is very hard work for the Arabians in that ground.

Hoggar De L’Ardus had the perfect run around the inside. I received him quite late on and he just keeps progressing. He was very good at Chantilly and I knew that the ground would not be a problem. He has got better with every race. There is a chance that he could go to Doha this winter for the Amir Sword, and then Dubai maybe. We will discuss with his owners first.”

Of his placed runners he continued: “Lady Princess found the final 50 metres very hard work, but I am extremely happy with her second place. Even at nine, Tayf gave his all and ran well.”

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Teema (FR) A one - two in the Juments for YAS with Elaf (FR) [left] and Teema (FR) [right]

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The previous day in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments also produced a close finish, when the stablemates Teema and Elaf fought out the spoils to the line.

Teema, ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal just prevailed by a nose for Xavier Thomas Demeaulte and YAS Horse Management, the racing operation of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with Abdullah Fahad Al-Attiyah’s Petite Leia in third.

Of his winner and runner up ThomasDemeaulte commented: “Teema had a few health issues during a spell at stud last year. She made a promising reappearance and had come a lot for the race. When she is relaxed, she’s capable of finishing off her races strongly. Elaf

keeps her cards up her sleeves and is as hard as nails. Although lacking a turn of foot, she refused to throw in the towel.”

Olivier Trigodet, trainer of Petite Leia said: “Petite Leia is a filly that we have always held in high regard. She only saw racecourse for the first time this year and is still tender. We had targeted a place in the first three in this Group 1 PA, and so its mission accomplished. She had a perfect race, Christophe Soumillon told me that she was a bit slow to pick at the beginning of the straight. He suggested that I should equip the filly in a pair of cheekpieces on her next start, but maybe it’s also down to a lack of maturity.”

Teema (FR) [yellow cap] and Ioritz Mendizabal THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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From left to right: Image Du Croate (FR) Monda (FR) and Sahab (FR) Image Du Croate (FR) winner of the Qatar Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1PA)

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Friday’s top level races took place at Saint-Cloud, starting with the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches. The action went all the way to the line with HE Sheikha Reem’s Image Du Croate scoring in a three-way photograph from Mohammed Fahad Al-Attiyah’s Sahab, with Martial Boisseul’s Monda, in third.

The excitement was to continue in the Qatar Trophy des Poulains where Moshrif, the top lot of Horse in Training segment of the Arqana PA Sale, was due to run.

Remaining in the capable hands of trainer Francois Rohaut, Moshrif debuted for his new owner Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari and ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

Setting a strong pace was Group 2PA winner Hargan and though pursued by the Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) (Gr1PA) winner Samlla, neither of the Al Shahania homebreds were a match for Moshrif. Soumillon had timed their run to perfection, winning by three-quarters of a length, but appeared to have a bit in hand over the placed horses.

Moshrif (FR) and Christophe Soumillon THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Moshrif and Christophe Soumillon win the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1PA)

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Arc Review - Pedigree Focus HOGGAR DE L'ARDUS (FR) 2017 c Mister Ginoux x Alfa De L'Ardus (Kash De L'Ardus) HH Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Philippe Meunier

Hoggar de L’Ardus is by Al Shaqab’s most promising young sire, Mister Ginoux, and has been his first top level product. From his first two crops to race Mister Ginoux is already the sire of five PA Group winners from only 22 runners and ended 2021 as the leading sire in France. The majority of those coverings were not of stellar matriarchs and at a very generous fee of €1,500, so he can clearly improve his mares. It is to be noted that for 2022 Mister Ginoux’s fee has risen to €5,000 (for frozen semen).

First offered at the 2019 Arqana PA sale as a two-year-old, Hoggar de L’Ardus went

through the ring unsold for €14,000. His breeder Philippe Meunier felt he had a good horse on his hands and wasn’t going to let it go for a song, however on paper, perhaps the pedigree was not so attractive, with four dams on the page and some Endurance form too. Putting the horse in training first with Elizabeth Bernard, he won by six lengths on his debut over 2250m at Montauban. At the start of 2021 Meunier then transferred him to Thomas Fourcy, brimming with confidence he told him: “You have the winner of the Arabian equivalent of the Arc”. Meunier apparently forgave him the quizzical look he received in return!

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Winning by almost as much on his second start in the Prix Warda – Jean-Francois Bernard, it was no surprise that the horse overlooked at Arqana was now attracting interest and he was sold to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, through Paul Basquin acting as agent. Staying with Fourcy, he placed on his first black-type outing in the Sheikh Mansoor Festival-Prix Dormane (Gr3PA) over 1900m, behind Abbes and Munir Du Soleil. His breeders’ confidence was proved not so fanciful when he won the Qatar Derby des PurSang Arabes (Gr1PA) leaving Abbes over three lengths behind in second, with Soko a close third. Soko gained revenge in the Doha Cup (Prix Managante) (Gr1PA) at Deauville, but then it was onwards to the Arc, to fulfil Meunier’s prediction.

Hoggar de L’Ardus’s dam Alfa De L’Ardus (Kash de L’Ardus) had a disastrous start on her debut, pulling up within a matter of strides after leaving the stalls. Her first foal, Gazelle de L’Ardus (Al Amyr) only

raced once too, and Meunier has a fouryear-old colt, If de L’Ardus (Josco Du Cayrou) who is yet to race. In the next three seasons, he used his own stallion, Beaune De L’Ardus (Akbar), a winner of four races including the Shadwell Prix Tidjani (Gr3PA) with Alfa de L’Ardus producing a colt last year, however he sensibly returned to Mister Ginoux in 2021, and a full sibling to Hoggar de L’Ardus is expected in 2022.

The grandam Lasma de L’Ardus (Djelfor) was also lightly raced, though was placed in Belgium over 2200m. Of her six registered foals, only Alfa de L’Ardus and Dakare de L’Ardus (Amerpor des Cedres) saw action, with the latter winning twice in Belgium. Her dam Iakuta (Masan) produced the four-time winner Ghasal de L’Ardus (Kesberoy) and Ishem de L’Ardus (Djelfor) a winner and herself a dam of the Group2PA placed Aakif (Munjiz).

Lot 16 Hoggar de L'Ardus (FR) unsold at Arqana PA Sale in 2019 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Arc Review - Pedigree Focus TEEMA (FR) 2017 f Bibi De Carrere x Dahwa (Tidjani) YAS Horse Racing Management

Following the success of Sheikh Mansoor’s homebred fillies in the Juments, his racing manger Thierry Delègue, commented: "In the prep race for this Elaf finished in front of Teema. However, Teema was making her return after an absence of several months. We felt that she had a lot of scope for improvement and so it proved. That said, there was nothing in it at the finish. In fact, we thought that it was dead-heat! To complete the forecast gives us all the more pleasure due to the fact that both fillies were bred by Sheikh Mansoor. They are both descendants of one of the great PA foundation mares, Amidou Douzaia and

herself the ancestress of many of the best Arabian performers currently plying their trade on the racecourse."

Teema had not been out of the frame in all her previous starts and had been third in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1PA) the previous year. Her dam Dahwa (Tidjani) won twice at Toulouse, including the Prix de L’Elevage (Gr2PA) over 2000m.

She was second in the 2010 Prix Nefta (Gr2PA), beaten by Djelana (dam of Khataab), with Al Ryma (dam of Kair Al Cham) third, Vivamaria (dam of Nafees) in fourth, all future black-type producers.

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Dahwa was no exception to that list, producing Thabit, Bandar and Najah, all to Munjiz and all Group winners with the best to date being Hayyan, the dual French and UK Derby winner, who currently has four Group1 PA wins to his name. Teema is her fifth foal, with the next , a filly, Tamari (Shadiya) unplaced in three starts last season. She produced a colt, Ghayth, to Dariya in 2020 and had two colts by Munjiz last year.

Carrere). Also in the list is Haboob, dam of Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) winner Deryan (Mahabb), and his bother Shahm. Yet another Aryaan (Kesberoy), is the dam of Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 and HH President Cup winner, Naseem (Mahabb).

Dahwa’s dam Amidou Douzaia (Cheri Bibi) is no less remarkable as a producer, having left 15 foals including Dahwa to carry on her own legacy. They include Mowafaka, dam of Hatta International (Gr1PA) winner Bayan (Munjiz) and the runner-up to Teema, Elaf (Rabbah de

Bayan (FR)

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Arc Review - Pedigree Focus MOSHRIF (FR) 2018 c Dahess x Tashreefat (Bengali D'Albret) Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari Shadwell France SNC

By Al Shaqab’s world leading sire Dahess, Moshrif is a half-brother to Muraaqib, winner of seven Group 1PA races, including the 2015 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains. Six years later, Moshrif has repeated that feat, though not as precocious as his half-brother, who had won the Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) (Gr1PA) at Deauville, prior to his SaintCloud success. Both colts were Shadwell products trained by Francois Rohaut, though in this case, Moshrif’s first top-level win came in different blue and white colours, those of his new owner Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, who had purchased him the day before as an Arqana wild card entry.

Moshrif’s career took marginally longer to get going than his older half-brother’s.

Finishing sixth on his debut at Dax over 2300m in August, he reappeared 10 days later, breaking his maiden over 1900m at La Teste. It was somewhat of a surprise to see such a well-bred colt appear at Arqana, but by then the dissolution of the Shadwell Arabian racing stock was starting to pick up speed. He was always going to attract plenty of attention and he certainly justified his sale price twice over, as following his Saint-Cloud win, he later went out to Qatar and took the Qatar Derby (Gr3PA) for three-year-olds by two lengths.

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Moshrif’s dam Tashreefat was the jewel in Shadwell’s crown, a daughter of his Highness’s first Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA) winner, Bengali D’Abret, who was also the first horse to win his premier race twice, in 1993 and 1994. She was speedy, winning over six and seven furlongs and Group 2 PA placed over six furlongs in the UK as well. Exported to the UAE she also won over the minimum on the Turf at Abu Dhabi and was runner-up to the mighty Mizzna in the seven furlong Liwa Oasis when it was still a Group1PA contest.

Her first foal Sharaf (Mahabb) was a minor winner in the UK, the next Ashraaf (Madjani) won three races all over seven furlongs, including two premier handicaps. Muraaqib came next, followed

by Barnamaj (No Risk Al Maury) who won Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge over 2200m. Her first filly, Ajaayib (Mahabb) picked up a minor Listed event in Spain and was fourth in two Group 2PA

contest in Toulouse. Then she foaled another, Maraasem (Akim De Ducor), who won over 2100m at Dax and was second in the Prix Nevada II (Gr3PA) at La Teste.

Tashreefat then endured several barren years, with Moshrif arriving in 2018.

Further tragedy followed with her next foal dying at birth and she was rested that year. Last year saw the arrival of Torjomaan, a colt by Shadwell resident Al Sauodi.

Tashreefat was the first foal out of Seglaoui (Tidjani) who won twice and was placed four times. She produced Anayid (Djendel) a three-time winner in the UK from a mile to ten furlongs, Majaales (Chndaka) high level handicapper who won six times, and three other minor winners. Her maternal line goes all the way back to Fleur d’Avril one of the French Arabian Stud book’s foundation mares.

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Arc Review - Pedigree Focus IMAGE DU CROATE (FR) 2018 f Munjiz x Beanie Du Croate (Dahess) HH Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Jacques-Francis Boudet & Mme E Davy-Boudet

Image Du Croate was bred in the Aveyron region of France by Jacques and Eliane Davy-Boudet, in whose colours she initially raced, when trained by Erix Dell’ova. She was bought following her debut second in the Prix Quitaine over 2000m by Paul Basquin on behalf of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Now trained by Elizabeth Bernard and racing in the colours of his daughter HE Sheikha Reem, since breaking her maiden

in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches, she had gone on to further success in the Prix Nevada II (Gr3PA) in Toulouse, just three weeks later.

By Dahess, her dam Beanie Du Croate raced ten times winning once over 1850m and finishing runner-up over 1950m. She was also less than three lengths fourth to Sylvine Al Maury in the Qatar Prix de L’Elevage (Gr2PA) over 2000m at Toulouse in 2015.

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Image Du Croate (GB) at Saint-Cloud

Her first foal, Hidalgo Du Croate (Al Mamun Monlau), placed twice over 1400m and was fourth in the Prix Tidjani (Gr3PA) to Hadi De Carrere in 2020. Sold to Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari, he has won two races in Qatar to date, both over 1700m and most recently finished fourth in the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Wolrd Cup (Gr1PA) in Saudi Arabia.

President Cup – European Cup and the Prix Dragon). Her fourth dam Tidjida D’Albret is the dam of Temptashuhn (Arawak D’Aroco), dam of AF Mathmoon., and is a half-sister to the dam of Bengali D’Albret.

She has also produced a has a three-yearold full sister to Image Du Croate, named Jade Du Croate, in training with Eric Dell’ova, and a two-year-old colt (Khalil Du Croate) and a yearling filly (Lacaro Du Croate) both by No Risk Al Maury, to whom she is also due to foal in 2022.

Her grandam Shamilah Du Croate (Dormane) is out of D’Jadie De Teoul (Djouras Tu) and is a half-sister to Jade Des Pins (Octavius) dam of three-time Group 1PA winner and sire, Neishan and to Djavius Des Landes (winner of the UAE THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) 2200m 4yo+ 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: Jim Crowley

As the most valuable race on Turf for Arabians, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) will always attract a high-class field for the AED 5,000,000 prize fund. With travel and other restrictions easing in the Gulf states, it was an opportunity for Qatari owned horses to race in the UAE once more and Thomas Fourcy travelled over from France

with two of the best in the world, Lady Princess and Hoggar De L’Ardus. Also from France was Freddie Sanchez with Hayyan, not the easiest horse to deal with, but Sanchez has his measure. He arrived fresh from a fourth Group 1PA win in the French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic over the same trip in Toulouse in October.

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However it was to be a fifth Group 1PA victory for the diminutive Lady Princess.

Partnered on this occasion by Jim Crowley the five-year-old mare showed her trademark impressive turn of foot to accelerate away, having spent much of the race travelling well in behind horses.

Winning in a time of 2.26.26 they finished three lengths clear of Hoggar De L’Ardus (who had beaten the mare in October in the Arabian World Cup), with Hayyan a further two and a half lengths behind in third.

When asked about the way the race unfolded Jim Crowley said: “It was good, though obviously I was drawn 15, on the outside, which isn’t ideal, but I knew she was a hold up filly and straight away into the first bend I knew it was going to be a strong gallop; I just had to pick my way through, find the right horses to track and not get there too soon.

“It happens that quick in a race you don’t really have time to worry [about getting trapped], you’re just hoping that the gap comes. I always had plenty of horse under me and I knew if I could get out, she had plenty of kick, it wasn’t like I thought I would get caught flat footed when I did get out, so I wasn’t too worried. When I did go for her, she picked up well.

“I had a chat with Oisin [Murphy who won

on her at Goodwood and was second at Longchamp] a couple of days ago he was helpful. He thought he probably got to the front a bit too soon on her at Longchamp.”

When considering her against other Arabians he’s ridden he said: “I’ve been lucky to ride some very good Arabians, Muraaqib won this race, Al Zahir was a very good Arabian out here and she’s up there with the best of them. She she’s not very big, a proper pocket rocket. She loves the fast ground and likes a strongly run race.”

Bred in France, by EARL Champ Ginoux and Mademoiselle Bellaud, she was bought from the field by the Anglo-French Du Soleil Stud and raced initially in France in the colours of Lisa Demoynaz, trained

by Thomas Fourcy. Her debut win caught the eye of leading Qatari owner Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari, in whose colours she has raced ever since. [For full pedigree review see The Arabian Racehorse – Summer 2021 edition p.74] She is now a Group winner in France, Qatar, the UK and the UAE and now, at six years of age, she will return to Qatar to contest the HH The Amir Sword in which she was third to Mon’nia in 2021.

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2022 HH The Amir Sword Festival Review

Lady Princess (FR) ridden by Jim Crowley is led back in after winning the HH The Amir Sword along with trainer Thomas Fourcy ©QREC

The conclusion of the 2022 HH The Amir Sword Festival was a day of celebration for French trained runners, even if they were Qatari owned, and, in the case of Lady Princess and Moshrif, ridden by an Englishman.

again by Jim Crowley, who had partnered her to win the Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi, they provided Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari with a first victory in Qatar’s premier race for Arabians as well as a first win in the race for a private owner.

The HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) run over the stamina sapping 2400m of the Al Rayyan turf track saw another fast filly claim the spoils with Lady Princess finishing in 2.36.02, breaking the record time set by Mon’nia last year of 2.36.40.

Speaking in Saudi Arabia of the future campaign for Lady Princess following her Doha win, owner Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari said:“The plan for Lady Princess is the Triple Crown again, going to Goodwood, Paris and Doha. We lost it by a nose in France and this year I wish we will win it by seven lengths!"

Trained by Thomas Fourcy and ridden

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The Festival had opened with Al Zubara Trophy day, with the feature event of the eight-race card producing a narrow margin win for Mehdi ridden by Soufiane Saadi. They led home a notable one-twothree for Umm Qarn and Alban de Mieulle, with Al Balagh beaten a neck in second and Sealine making up ground at the end to be a length away in third. The seven-year-old homebred son of Majd Al Arab, is also a half-brother to Sealine, who later made a quick reappearance in the Obaiya Arabian Classic at the Saudi Cup the following week. The trophies for the $150,000USD race were presented by Arabian Racing Organisation CEO, Genny Haynes.

In the PA Four Year Old Open Cup, Hameed kept a clean sheet with a length and a half win over Muntazah. Having opened his account at Al Uqda in January the Al Shahania homebred is a brother to HH Amir Sword winner Gazwan.

On Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup day, the feature race for Arabians was the Gulf Cup over a mile for horses bred in the Gulf States, which was won by Al Shaqab’s homebred Al Mirage. The fouryear-old son of AF Albahar was recording his third straight win since arriving in Doha from France, having won the threeyear-old local bred Qatar Derby and most recently the HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy for local bred Arabians. Trained by Eric Lemartinel and ridden by Faleh Bughanaim, Al Mirage won in a time of 1.45.14 finishing a length and a quarter ahead of Abida, with Inqath a further length and a half behind in third.

On his way back to the paddock Bughanaim, who had ridden the colt in his last two winning starts, commented: “I’m not surprised he [Al Mirage] won it, as he has a very good turn of foot.”

ARO's CEO Genny Haynes with Alban de Mieulle and Soufiane Saadi after Mehdi's win ©QREC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Gulf Cup winner Al Mirage (QA) ©QREC Four Year Old Open Cup winner Hameed (FR) ©QREC

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Al Sij Al Sakab (QA) wins the Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup (LRPA) ©QREC

The Listed PA Sprint Cup over 1200m saw a new top sprinter for Qatar, with Al Sij Al Sakab picking up well in the home straight under Tomas Lukasek to take the lead with 100m to go. Last year’s winner Ateej endured a troubled passage and was denied second in a photo by Salsabeel. Al Sij Al Sakab is a four-yearold by TM Fred Texas, owned and bred by Al Sakab Stud and trained by Ibrahim Al Malki. This was the colt’s first win since opening his account on his debut in March last year, though he had been placed twice, including in the Qatar Derby

behind Gulf Cup winner Al Mirage.

That Qatar Derby proved to be pivotal on day two of the Festival as the opening race, a Local PA Graduation Cup was won

by Umm Qarn’s Blue Star, trained by Alban De Mieulle, who had finished second to Al Mirage. Umm Qarn’s Matraz was strongly fancied in the next, the PA Maiden Cup, however they had to settle for third behind the late challenge of Al Shaqab Racing’s Althagab, trained by Eric Lemartinel and ridden by Pranil Kharat.

Zidane was second, ridden by Sean Levey.

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HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) 2400m 4yo+ Doha, Qatar LADY PRINCESS (FR) (5 m General x Nacree Al Maury (Kesberoy)) Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari Breeder: EARL Du Champ Ginioux & Mme Elodie Bellaud Trainer: Thomas Fourcy Jockey: Jim Crowley

One of the slowest out of the gates, Crowley settled Lady Princess with the back markers during the race’s early stages, with a strong tempo set by Alsaher, acting as lead horse for the Al Shahania team. Heading round the final bend Maxime Guyon was riding a more positive race than usual on Ebraz, much closer to the pace and urging the Doha

Triple Crown winner into the lead at the 300m pole. However, coming with her trademark turn of foot up his inside on the rail was Lady Princess, briefly heading the nine-year-old, who fought back admirably for a few strides. With 150m to go Lady Princess dug deep to get back in front, whilst Abbes stayed on strongly on the stands side to deny Ebraz second place.

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Lady Princess and Jim Crowley, winners of the HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) ©QREC

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Commenting on the race Crowley said: “To win on Lady Princess was brilliant. It meant so much to the Al Kuwari family, obviously to win the Amir Sword is a very big thing out here and to do it with her, she was third the year before, things have to go right for her. We were a little bit concerned about the distance, so everything had to be perfect. I was very lucky that all the splits came, she’s a fantastic horse who gives everything, it was a great experience.

As with Al Mirage on the Friday, Lady Princess is from the family of Nevadour, being out of her granddaughter Nacree Al Maury. It is family that appears to cross very well with the Amer line with Lady Princess being a daughter of General, and her half-brother and leading young sire Mister Ginoux by Amer himself.

Rohaut’s and Crowley’s good run of form included the HH The Amir Silver Sword for four-year-olds run over 1850m, with Moshrif continuing to look a most exciting

young racehorse. Winning by a length and a half from the filly Sahab, who also appears classy, they confirmed the placings from December’s Qatar Derby (Gr3PA) for three-year-olds. Monda, who had been third to Sahab’s second in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1PA) at Saint-Cloud, was third, by a margin of eight lengths.

Moshrif also raced in the colours of Al Kuwari, who had purchased the colt at the Arqana PA Sale, as part of the dispersal of the breeding and racing stock of the Late HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. He is a half-brother to two other top-level winners in Muraaqib and Barnamaj who both stand their first public seasons at stud this year for Shadwell Arabians.

Crowley, who has ridden both Moshrif and Muraaqib commented: “Both are very strong individuals, both very talented.

Moshrif will keep on improving, he hasn’t reached his ceiling of potential yet."

Moshrif (FR) and Jim Crowley win the HH The Amir Silver Sword ©QREC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) 1600m 4yo+ Doha, Qatar SAMLLA (FR) (4 c Assy x Djakera Des Forges (Kerbella)) Owner: HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Breeder: Al Shahania Stud Trainer: Francois Rohaut Jockey: Maxime Guyon

The Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA)had been the first Arabian race on the card which saw Samlla secure his second top level win, to add to Deauville’s Al Rayyan Cup that he gained in the summer. Ridden

by Guyon and trained by Francois Rohaut, the four-year-old made good use of his age allowance and despite racing keenly in the early stages, readily drew clear down the centre of the course once he saw daylight. Winning in a time of 1.41.62 they were nearly three lengths clear of Jabalah, with Djafar a further length and three quarters away in third.

Racing in the colours of HE Sheika Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, Samlla is a significant winner, being from the first crop of their homebred sire Assy.

Notable for being the first Qatari-bred winner of the HH The Amir Sword in 2014, when he was retired to the family’s Al Shahania Stud, he was generously offered free to breeders around the world for one season. Samlla is also from the same female line as another multiple Group 1PA winner for HH Sheikh Mohammed in Djainka Des Forges.

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2022 Saudi Cup Festival Review

The inaugural Saudi Cup meeting took place just before the challenges of Covid struck. This year, in its third incarnation, the world, and in particular, the international racing world, is just coming round from that knock out punch and the green shoots of recovery were definitely present in Riyadh. The meeting presents an opportunity to showcase how far the sport of horseracing has progressed there and the Saudi’s hope that it is a marker for the Kingdom’s journey towards greater tourism and international investment.

This Saudi Cup meeting was also notable for the presence of the Qatari owned and or trained runners, who certainly made their presence felt in both the Arabian, and also the thoroughbred races. There may be some who might not have been quite so pleased at the increased competition, nonetheless it made the

Arabian racing in particular much stronger and in doing so, can only help improve the two races’ standing.

A new addition to the card was the Al Mneefah Cup, a Listed PA contest over 2100m on turf that closed out the Friday International Jockeys Challenge card.

With many of the horses doubled entered in both races, when it came down to the final 14, there was little to choose between the two races in terms of the horses at the top of the ratings. The proximity of the HH The Amir Sword Festival the previous week undoubtedly had an effect on the final fields, but with the top Qatari owners having such strength in depth in their teams, neither country’s headline race meeting could really claim to have lost out when it came down to the quality of their winners.

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[above] Assisting the international runners Max Pimlott and Adrian Beaumont of the IRB [below] Dr Waleed Sanab, head of the Saudi Veterinary Committee with Equine MediRecord's Finlay and Pierce Dargan

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Having trained the first-two home in Friday’s International Handicap for thoroughbreds, Alban de Mieulle’s First Classs looked exactly that in the Al Mneefah, whilst Hadi De Carrere continues the remarkable run of form for trainer Thomas Fourcy and his young Qatari owner, Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari.

Though the home team’s dominance of the Obaiya was curtailed by Hadi De Carrere’s nose, at four, providing he stays sound, Tilal Al Khalediah looks a young horse of great promise and one who should be back again next year for more.

The meeting, and undoubtedly the relaxation of restrictions between the racing horses of the Gulf States, is having a very buoyant effect on the Arabian market, as you would hope with $3 million on offer between just two races and 28 horses. Saudi Arabia produced their first stud book in 2000 and since then the number of foals has steadily risen to around 2000 per year, though it is not

known what the split is between Arabians and Thoroughbreds. With the average field size rising from to 14, the majority of races held at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz racetrack are thoroughbred races, with the Arabian races held primarily at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud racetrack at Al Nuquaia’h. This was where the country’s first, and to date only, Group 1PA race, the Prince Sultan World Cup is held, towards the end of January.

The racing season spans from October to the end of March in Riyadh, then following Ramadan, the horsemen and horses relocate to the cooler mountain region of Ta’if, a nine-hour drive to the northwest.

The more temperate climate there allows racing to continue until September and they hope that further development of the area will allow the sport to progress. The facilities already boast an equine hospital in addition to the dirt track and stables and plans for expansion and improvement are underway.

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The locally trained horses exercising on the King Abdulaziz racetrack

Emer Fallon, Director of Racing Services, explains what the next step is for the region following the Saudi Cup’s success.

She says: “They are looking to develop the GCC pattern, to co-ordinate racing between Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE. This is currently moving at a steady pace, but we are making small inroads with Saudi horses entered at Super Saturday in the UAE and Godolphin having had runners in the Bahrain International meeting. Increasingly trainers are latching on to this movement between the Gulf countries and it is hoped that it will gather pace, driven by the desire for international competition.”

“There’s a lot of emphasis on the local trainers targeting their home races, but you will see more horses invited from

Saudi to the Dubai World Cup meeting this year and the focus is now shifting to embrace a more international outlook. It’s about to take off, but the current infrastructure, which was excellent in the early years, now needs to develop alongside the increased demands brought about by international racing.

Creating a GCC pattern committee for both TB and PA will be a huge step forward for Saudi and the Gulf region in general.

“They have big expansion plans to build more racecourses and if they can develop the racing in Ta’if, then that will also be an option open to other Gulf countries to provide a much needed summer location for racing, without the expense of going to Europe.”

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[above] RB Rich Lyke Me (US) puts the finishing touches to his preparation [below] Deryan (FR) goes through the gears in morning trackwork

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You can always rely on a strong challenge from the home team in an international race, none more so than in the Obaiya Arabian Classic. HRH Prince Khaled bin Sultan in Abdul-Aziz Al Saud’s Al Khalediah Stables fielded three runners, with Mutwakel Al Khalediah hoping to go one better than his previous second and third placings in the race so far.

Mahabb had been pleasing connections during morning trackwork with his trainer Didier Guillemin saying: “I’m very happy with him. He looks well and I think I have him in better shape than last year. He seems relaxed, not as nervous as last year.

The only thing I’m worried about is the ground. I think the dirt is deeper here than in Dubai, which goes against him.”

All three were trained by Saad Mutlaq Mishref and with Tilal Al Khalediah a near ten length winner of the Prince Sultan World Cup (Gr1PA) last month, he was expected be the one to deny Mutwakel again. As a four-year-old, the colt had a useful weight for age allowance against the older more experienced horses and bar his juvenile debut, he had been unbeaten in all his starts since.

Fresh from his success in the HH The Amir Sword with Lady Princess, was Thomas Fourcy. His Hadi de Carrere carried the same colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and the five-year-old returned from almost a year’s absence to be a close fifth to Deryan at Pau in January in their prep. Though his jockey Olivier Peslier had expressed reservations regarding a return to this level after an enforced break, the colt had been training well in Riyadh and as a lightly raced individual, still had the scope to improve further.

Kahayla Classic winner and last years’ fifth, Deryan, headed the fourteen runners declared. The seven-year-old son of

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[above] Nabil Al Khalediah heads to the pre-parade ring [below] Mutwakel Alkhalediah in the paddock

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Hadi de Carrere (FR) and Olivier Peslier after winning the Obaiya

Following First Classs’s win in the Al Mneefah, followers of American Arabian racing were hoping to do the double with RB Rich Lyke Me. A six-year-old son of Majd Al Arab, he was untried over the 2000m trip but had been very effective since joining Fawzi Nass’s satellite stable in Dubai, winning two Group races by impressive margins. Nass owns him in partnership with Victorious having sourced the horse from his breeder Diane Waldron of Rosebrook Farms for whom he won four Grade 3 races.

With Thomas Fourcy in seemingly unstoppable form with his Arabians, his Hadi De Carrere became the first overseas owned and trained winner of the world’s most valuable race for the breed, the US $2,000,000 Obaiya Arabian Classic presented by Lexus, a Group 2PA.

Ridden by Olivier Peslier, Hadi De Carrere enjoyed a smooth passage on the rail just behind the leader RB Rich Lyke Me who had set a strong pace in front. Entering home straight RB Rich Lyke Me was still going well, however the locally trained Tilal Al Khalediah was closing on his outside. Peslier moved Hadi De Carrere into a position to challenge and with 50m to go, the three of them were in a line across the track.

In a thrilling finish for the crowds, Hadi De Carrere gained the advantage, winning by the narrowest of margins from Tilal Al Khalediah, to give Fourcy and Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari another notable victory.

Exactly seven days since Fourcy had trained Lady Princess to win The HH The Amir Sword, Qatar’s premier race for Arabians, also for Al Kuwari.

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[above] Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari with Thomas Fourcy, Amjad Al Jumaily, Oliver Peslier and Amandine Fourcy [below] Hadi De Carrere (FR) and Olivier Peslier winning the Obaiya Arabian Classic from Tilal Al Khalediah (KSA) and Adel Alfouraid

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Commenting after the race Al Kuwari said: “Of course I came to the Saudi Cup full of confidence and I knew that Hadi De Carrere would be a bit special today. We chose to put him in the Obaiya Classic because he is one of our special horses, a Group One winner. We wanted to have a finger print on the big day at the Saudi Cup. “Thank God we have had a week with three Group One wins, two in Qatar and now one in Saudi Arabia, we are now looking forward to the Dubai World Cup and the Kahayla Classic for Hadi De

Carrere.”

RB Rich Lyke Me was a gallant third, with Deryan improving a place on last year to finish fourth. These were the heavy weights according to the ratings and one takeaway from the race was that it was all about the younger horses, with the first seven finishers aged seven or less. Nabil Al Khalediah, the only horse to this point to best Tilal Al Khaleidah was fifth, with an improved run from Zalej Al Cham to finish sixth and claim the last berth for prize money.

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Ronan Thomas celebrates on First Classs (US) after winning the Al Mneefah Cup

Ronan Thomas rode the perfect waiting race on First Classs (USA) to crown a superb evening for Qatari based trainer Alban de Mieulle, when winning the US $1,000,000 Al Mneefah Cup presented by the Ministry of Culture. De Mieulle had already trained the one-two in the International Handicap for thoroughbreds with Lauderdale and King Shalaa.

Thomas had plenty of racecourse experience on the improving five-yearold. The pair had won the Qatar International Derby for 4-year-olds in December and Thomas was sure his mount would be able to handle the step

up in trip to 2100m. They travelled easily just off the pace throughout, making their move in the final stages to collar longtime leader Soko (FR), with Dergham Athbah staying on to deny Teema third place by a quarter of a length.

A winner of a Grade 3 at Lone Star Park in his native America for his breeders Alan Kirshner and Deb Mihalof of Cre Run Farm, at three years, he arrived in Qatar for his new owner, Nayef Saad bin Sharida Al Kaabi in December 2020. Once there it took a while for him to find his feet, but his trainer is a master at allowing a horse time to develop and realise his potential.

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A delighted Thomas said: “I was really confident before the race because I know my horse properly, he made a perfect race when he won the Derby in Qatar. It’s a very high level of Arabian racing there, we beat Abbes who finished second to Lady Princess in the The HH The Amir Sword.

“So, it was a tough race today, but I was really confident after the start that I had the perfect place and you can see I went to the front without using my whip. He’s a really nice horse.”

Of his second winner of the night De Mieulle commented: “He travelled very

well. Soko, the favourite was in front with the Al Khalediah horse on the inside. We thought it would be run at a faster pace but no, not too fast, but he was travelling so easily behind and he was waiting, waiting and then came on the outside. I’m very pleased.”

The Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Soko had run a brave race in defeat settled in second behind Tallab Al Khaleadiah, before going clear at the 400m mark. First Classs and Teema went after him and with the Qatari trained gelding travelling easily, Soko’s lead was short-lived as the grey pulled clear with 100m to go.

First Classs (US) and Ronan Thomas win the Al Mneefah Cup THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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[above] First Classs (US) leads them home in the Al Mneefah [below] Third placed Dergham Athbah (GB) and Fernando Jara - one of three Athbah Racing bred runners in the race

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The Royal Cavalry of Oman's Soko (FR) and Olivier Peslier

Soko was partnered by Olivier Peslier who said: "He’s a lovely horse and he travelled very well and fought very well. He was just lovely and always running well with good acceleration. He got beat near the finish and ran a great race. When the winner passed me, he went by really quick, so we were a good second. I’m very happy with him."

Teema, making her first start since winning the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments in Paris in October kept on well, but was unable to repel Dergham Athbah. The five-year-old son of AF Albahar stayed on resolutely, as his former UK trainer Phil

Collington had predicted he might.

He was ridden by Fernando Jara who commented: "We are really happy with him. Mohammed [Dagash] was really high on him. I got a clean trip. Coming to the stretch he responded very well. He’s OK on the dirt too but he’s better on the turf, I think. He showed a better turn of foot on it than in his last race. He’s really enjoying himself here, the way he was training and everything here. I think he is happy."

Also finishing in the money were Rysk Tout (5th) and Fettah Du Loup (6th).

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Saudi Cup Review - Pedigree Focus Obaiya Arabian Classic (Gr2PA) 2000m 4yo+ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia HADI DE CARRERE (FR) (5 h Nieshan x Viki De Carrere (Dormane)) Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari Breeder: Mme C Dell'Ova Trainer: Thomas Fourcy Jockey: Oliver Peslier

Hadi De Carrere had been the leading European 3-year-old of 2020, winning France’s two most important Group 1 races for that age group in the Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) and the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains. However, following his fourth place to Munir Du Soleil in the HH The Amir Silver Sword last year, the colt was off the track for ten months, before reappearing in Pau in January, finishing fifth on his All-Weather debut. This win heralds an impressive return to form and is a testament to

Fourcy’s abilities as a premier trainer of Arabians.

As a new breeding season commences, this is also a welcome result for his sire Nieshan, who could only finish second in the Kahayla (to Seraphin Du Paon), but scored a hat-trick of wins in Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) over the same course and distance. It should also be noted that his other top level son, Soko, was runner-up in the Al Mneefah.

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Nieshan is now based at the Dell’ova’s Haras de Carrere, where Hadi De Carrere was bred by Catherine Dell’ova out of the unraced Dormane mare Viki De Carrere.

He is the most successful product to date, though his year younger brother Izmir De Carrere won at Pau in December and has been placed at Toulouse this month. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani has purchased the three-year-old, Joye De Carrere (by Kerbella) and has put her in training with Fourcy. Her dam, Raha Du Bac, is also the dam of Farida Du Bac (by Royal De Carrere) who is the dam of Runner (by Tahar De Candelon), sire of a handful of progeny that included the impressive, but fragile PA Group winner, Al Ryma Monlau.

Her dam Guetlatou (by Sousse) is also appears as the third dam of Akim De Ducor and is a half-sister to Ietlato De Carrere (by Tidjani) dam of Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA) winner Al Hibaab.

Al Ryma Monlau (FR)

Hadi De Carrere (FR) in the pre-parade ring at Riyadh THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Saudi Cup Review - Pedigree Focus Al Mneefah Cup (LRPA) 2100m 4yo+ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia FIRST CLASSS (US) (5 g Dahess x Toppoftheclass (Genuine Monarch)) Owner: Nayef Saad bin Sharida Al Kuwari Breeder: Alan Kirshner or Deborah Mihaloff Trainer: Alban de Mieulle Jockey: Ronan Thomas

First Classs is a son of one of the most versatile Arabian racehorses and sires, Dahess who was also trained by De Mieulle to win six Group 1PA races. A product on one of the greatest sires of all time, Amer, Dahess had later set the record for the highest price Arabian to be sold at the Arqana Purebred Arabian sale when realising €1,050,000 in 2007.

Bred in the US at Cre Run Farm by Alan Kirshner and Deborah Mihaloff, First Class is a product of three generations of their breeding, as both his dam, Toppoftheclass

(her sire Genuine Monarch) and grandam, Top Ofthe Line were also Cre Run homebreds. They also represented Dahess in America for many years.

Speaking of their horses’ success Mihaloff commented: “We take such pride in our broodmare band…When you look at the bottom side of the pedigree you see Top Ofthe Line who is by By Golly +/. and the dam of Top Ofthe Line is out of the beautiful Sambor daughter Top Star. An unbelievable mare. So we always knew we would have distance.

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Continuing she said: “Classs had a full brother A Classs Act that we lost at a young age. He showed such promise and that the cross worked. So I rebred the mare back to get Taylors Touchof Class who was also a successful race filly who had to run against Our Princess and Royal Richess. I will be breeding all three mares this year for the first time. I had offered all of my mares for lease over the last couple years and still do offer leases for our mares, but these three mares will be bred for Cre Run. “I had concerns about our industry and the direction it was going. When Delaware Park was not given support from the Arabian horsemen for the meet last year, we decided to send Iridesse overseas. They were not filling distance races here. We lost six Graded Stakes races when Delaware Park was not supported.

“Classs's full sister Iridesse recently arrived in Dubai and unfortunately she

was unable to attend the Turf race in Saudi because of a Quarantine rule that she could not leave the UAE once she had arrived before being in the country for 40 days. It would have been a very interesting race. Iridesse will run in our colors and is trained by Ernst [Oertel].

“I am so fortunate to have the two horses that are running in the Middle East with trainers I respect so much.

“Classs has been known to be naughty the reason for gelding him when he was trained by Lynn [Ashhby]. We wanted to give him all the opportunity to prove his ability. He has.”

Concluding she said: “What is extra special about Classs, is he’s a versatile horse. He reminds me of Flaming Iron Ku. He can do short, long, grass, and yes, dirt.

It will be interesting to see him run in the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Inshallah.

“I hope I get to be there.”

First Classs (US) at morning trackwork 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

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The Final Furlong The jewel of Shadwell Arabians broodmare band was Tashreefat, pictured here in August 2018 not long after her Dahess colt, Moshrif had been weaned.

Already the dam of the multiple Group 1PA winner Muraaqib, earlier that year her then five-year-old colt Barnamaj had given his sire, No Risk Al Maury, his first top level winner at Meydan.

Following the passing of her breeder, HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum she was sold last December for a record price of €310,000 to HH Sheikh Mansoor's YAS Horseracing Management, despite being 19 years of age and not in foal. She is a daughter of Shadwell's first flag bearer Bengali D'Albret, who has proved himself an admirable broodmare sire.

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CHAMPION ARO TRAINER JAMES OWEN

ARO CHAMPION ARABIAN & CHAMPION MARE

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