Zayin Arabians

from The Arabian Racehorse - Winter Issue 2022

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!”

“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. ”

**Zayin Zyperion (GB) and Joey Haynes win at Wolverhampton**
© Debbie Burt

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.

**Zayin Angkor Centurion (GB)**
© Debbie Burt

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. ”

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.

**Zayin Zachilles (GB) and Harry Bentley win at DIAR 2016**
© Debbie Burt

“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. ”

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.

“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 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. ”

**Zayin Ankor Centurion (GB) [left] finishing second in the 2018 ARO Cup (Gr3PA)**
© Debbie Burt

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.

**Shadiya (GB) and Kallista (GB)**
© Debbie Burt

“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. ”

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.

“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 Hibab (GB) wins the Dubai International Stakes at DIAR in 2014**
© Debbie Burt

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. ”

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. ”

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.

“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 ongoing 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.

**W'rsan Stable's most famous resident stallion, Monarch AH (US) and some of his offspring at his 30th birthday party in 2017**
© Debbie Burt

“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. ”

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. ”

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)**
© Debbie Burt

Having a winner at DIAR was the annual goal of the majority of UK owner-breeders, 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. ”

2022 Breeding Special

Zayin Arabians

This article is from:

The Arabian Racehorse - Winter Issue 2022