R A C E H O R S E
4 HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup
- Past Winners
5 HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup
- Race History and runners overview
Welcome to another special edition of The Arabian Racehorse previewing the UK's most valuable race for Arabians over a mile
Year on year Arabian racing continues to grow around the world and with the increase in prize money for such events, such as the Jewel Crown, the HH The Amir Sword, the Saudi Cup, the Dubai World Cup and the Arc de Triomphe meetings, international interest in these races grows with it
Since it's establishment under the current sponsorship at Haydock, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup has been won by Athbah Racing's Bayan Athbah, pictured on the front cover.
The Arabian Racehorse is primarily a digital magazine, however print editions may be ordered, you may subscribe to our e-newletters and watch our podcasts, supported by Equine MediRecord on their dedicated YouTube channel For further information or access to back copies go to our website:
www.thearabianracehorse.com
Produced by equine creative media
There is also a special edition of the podcast supporting this race, featuring Australian racecaller and Sheikh Mansoor supporter, Victoria Shaw Click this link to view:
https://youtu.be/lVRNF6JkVkU?si=57F-Hfp289J7FDAt
Debbie Burt Editor, The Arabian Racehorse
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
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E
3 H H S h e i k h a F a t i m a b i n t M u b a r a k C u p - 2 0 2 3
Windsor in 2018 under the sponsorship of the Royal Cavalry of Oman A further twoyear gap followed before the Group 3PA contest over a mile found a new home at Haydock Park, and a new sponsor, in the Sheikh Mansoor Festival Run since 2021 as the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, this year it boasts a prize money increase, taking the fund to £20,000. The race concludes the feature day of Haydock Park’s Sprint Cup Celebration fixture, the Saturday of which has a thoroughbred Group 1, a Group 3 and a Listed race along with some valuable handicaps and therefore is an ideal showcase to bring new people to the sport of Arabian racing.
declarations, this was reduced to six. As you would expect for a race of this calibre, the UK’s leading Arabian trainers have supported the event, with two runners from two-time ARO leading trainer, Phil Collington and two runners from five-time ARO leading trainer James Owen. They are joined by Peter Hammersley’s remarkably consistent mare who seeks to improve on her second and third placings, along with another evergreen runner from Welsh stalwart Delyth Thomas.
The forecast ground is good, though they watered on Wednesday, the track remains good (going stick 7.0).
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E F N
5 H H S h e i k h a F a t i m a b i n t M u b a r a k C u p ( G r o u p 3 P A ) H a y d o c k P a r k , U K
1. PARAMER ANGEL
12 G Parador x Picamer Angel (Amer)
Mrs Delyth Thomas
Cam Hardie
Made a belated start to his career, but has always shown a decent level of ability. Won his maiden and a novice over this trip at Chepstow (on Good and Good to Firm) back in 2019, with Abiyah Athbah the runner-up on both occasions, however he has not progressed as well as that one since
Proving that age is no barrier to success, he won on his seasonal debut last year over 1m2f, beating the useful Balqees (who was rated 80 at best) Dropped back to six furlongs for only the second time in his career in what is now known as the IFHAR Cup (formerly the Za’abeel International) a Group 2 PA, he led before
weakening when it mattered, finishing last, with Abiyah Athbah a sold third, six lengths ahead of him.
Making his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow in a 0-75 handicap over this trip – a race that on form should have suited him perfectly – and having again been prominent, he faded at the business end to finish last, a good 24 lengths behind the winner, Upstart Crow, with Mayfair, third, and Lujain, fifth, who he reopposes here.
Has conditions to suit once more, and his trainer has, in the past, been adept at keeping older horses sweet, but on the basis of his last two runs, he looks the outsider.
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E 6
Paramer Angel (GB) goes to post for the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) in 2021
2. UPSTART CROW
6yo G Al Jakbar x Merwah (Bengali D’Albret)
Mrs Linda Reeves
James Owen
Miss Teagan Padgett
Too weak to show much in his debut season, he has blossomed after a year off, winning four in a row for his new connections and for stable amateur, Teagan Padgett, who keeps the ride Trainer James Owen gives full credit to the owner’s daughter who takes care of him at home and is an integral part of the horse’s training regime.
He is proven over this trip on Firm through to Good to Soft and has already beaten three of Saturday’s rivals on his last start at Chepstow, racing off a career high of 76. In those races he has had his jockey’s claim to help him, which she will be unable to utilise in Saturday’s contest, which will also be her first ride in a PA Group race
Whilst it will be a step up in company for him, his half-brother, Jaldi Karo (by Jehol de Cardonne) was very useful, winning three races in the UK (from 6f to 1m1f), placing fourth in the UK Arabian Derby (Gr1PA), and the Clarendon Stakes (Gr2PA) After his sale to Sweden he won a Group 3PA (over 1730m) and ended his career having won 11 times from 59 starts and was placed 21 times, the highest mark he attained was 106.
Still open to further improvement and comes here fresh from a short break.
“Upstart Crow has done really well for us, as has Teagan who has improved with every ride
Obviously the horse has gone up in the handicap, but he’s handled it well. This is a massive step up in grade, but we’re not afraid to have a go. Lissie [Reeves] has done all the hard work with him at home, and she and her parents have really enjoyed the ride with this horse and are looking forward to the race on Saturday.”
James Owen
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E 7
Upstart Crow (GB) and Miss Teagan Padgett win the first of their four races at Bath in May
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E
3. ABIYAH ATHBAH
9yo M Jaafer ASF x Burning Fancy (Burning Sand)
Dilmun Racing
Mr Peter Hammersley
Mohammed Tabti
Consistent, likeable mare who was second in this last year, and third the year before. Though useful on good, as when second over this distance on her return (Lujain 4th), quick ground brings out the best in her, as when a very close fifth (beaten a short head) in the 2020 Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) at Goodwood
Like many by her sire, she is also very effective on artificial surfaces, with her three wins coming at Wolverhampton, Lingfield and Chelmsford (from 7f to 1m4f) However she has also been Group 2PA placed in what was the Za’abeel International (now the IFAHR Cup) when third at Newbury last year
Her dam, Burning Fancy, was by the US’s multiple leading sire, Burning Sand, and was a multiple graded winner in the USA, before winning at this level in the UK and France from five furlongs to just over a mile.
Sure to be thereabouts again, further drying of the ground a definite plus.
“Abiyah Athbah’s so consistent She’s been placed a few times in this and other Group races and she so deserves to get her first black type win. Mohammed has been riding for me this season. He’s a great young jockey who has really impressed me and he gave Abiyah a lovely ride to be second at Lingfield last time.”
Pete Hammersley
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E 10
Abiyah Athbah (GB) and Mohammed Tabti go to post at Lingfield in August
4. LUJAIN
4yo F Mahabb x Tawaazun (Monsieur Al Maury)
John Elliott & Teresa Kinsey
Mr Philip Collington
Adam Farragher
Looked a filly to follow in her debut season when third to subsequent dual Group winner Ekleel Athbah (now rated 111), before scoring over this distance on quick last year. She had the subsequent winner of the Al Ain Marathon Series behind her, Al Mahbooba, who went on to be rated 100 Fair effort to be fourth on return, (Abiyah Athbah 2nd) also at this trip for today’s jockey, but lacked speed in the IFHAR Cup Group 2PA sprint next and looked awkward on easier ground behind Upstart Crow latest.
Leading sire can impart speed into his progeny, whilst dam was useful, winning four times from a mile to 1m4f and was runner-up in a Group1PA over 1m2f. Also dam of Sultana (by AF Al Buraq) who has twice been third in Group1PA contest in France and has won in the UAE and Belgium
A return to her form of last year would put her well in with a chance of place prize money, with first-time hood applied.
“We really hope Lujain can put her last run behind her, nothing came to light and the quicker ground will be more to her liking on Saturday. She seems in good form at home, and she’s proven over a mile, so we’re hoping for a big run from her as well ”
Phil Collington
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E 11
Lujain (GB) wins at Windsor last August
5.
James Owen Racing Club
James Owen
Marco Ghiani
Makes quick reappearance after winning over an extended 5f at Brighton with visors reapplied Placed three times at this trip, to Lujain last season and twice behind Upstart Crow this. Like her stablemate, Upstart Crow, she has mostly been ridden by a stable amateur who has been able to claim the full seven pounds, however she will not have that assistance today
Sire, Al Tair, was a Group 1PA winner over 1m2f, but also won twice at this trip in lesser contests, however he has only had four winners in France and Mayfair, along with another former Owen inmate, Sahis, are his only winners in the UK. Dam was useful in low grade
handicap company for these connections, winning three times from 1m2f to 1m6f and was leading ARO Arabian in 2017.
Seems suited by any ground, needs to improve again but could sneak a place if things went her way.
“It was nice to get a win for Mayfair, our first homebred, on Sunday, but she’ll most likely be outclassed here. She accompanies Upstart Crow, but if she could get a bit of prize money that would be great, and a fairy tale if she could get a bit of black type.”
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E
MAYFAIR
4yo F Al Tair x Dolfina D’Ibos (Mahabb)
12
James Owen
Mayfair (GB) winning at Brighton last Sunday
6. THAYDAH ATHBAH
Athbah Racing
Mr Philip Collington
Tadhg
Big, unfurnished filly, who won her maiden over 7.5f in Belgium in February on the AW. Followed up in a novice on quick ground at Windsor for today’s jockey over this trip, winning easily and most recently scored in a conditions event in Ostend over 1m1f on soft
Sire got the dual winner of this race for connections, Bayan Athbah, as well as many other Group winners. Her dam has also produced Shomoos Athbah (by Burning Sand), who won this for these connections in 2018 when the race was run at Windsor.
Trainer and jockey have combined to win this race three times, and look to have found another progressive type, though unlike all of Collington’s previous winners, this will be her first foray into Group company
“Thaydah is unbeaten, winning twice in Belgium and here at Windsor. It will be good to see her against a horse like Abiyah Athbah who is a seasoned black type performer, and let’s hope Thaydah has progressed as much as she seems to have done ”
Phil Colllington
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E
4yo F AF Albahar x Djanet Monlau (Dormane)
O’Shea
13
Thaydah Athbah (FR) and Tadhg O'Shea win the Wathba Stallions Cup Novice Stakes at Windsor in June
Having dominated this contest since its inception, it is difficult to get away from Thaydah Athbah, who was the first pick from three potential Athbah Racing entrants Already successful for her jockey earlier in the year, a good win from her could see her head to France for the Qatar Arabian Trophy de Juments (Gr1PA) on September 30 at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend, over 2000m. Also on the cards could be a possible crack at the $1 million Al Mneefah Cup (Gr1PA), run as part of the Saudi Cup meeting in Fenruary each year.
Upstart Crow is a horse whose still on the upgrade and has the pedigree to get this level, being a half-brother to a Group3PA winner, by a stallion who won at the highest level over this trip in France. He also sired the first winner of
this race, Aghsaan, who was trained by Collington for HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
However, should the sun continue to shine at Haydock and the track dry out to Good to Firm or quicker, it will play to the strengths of Abiyah Athbah Whilst at nine years of age, she might not be in her prime, she has already shown her liking for the track and trip, and will exploit any weaknesses of the younger runners
Probable Sp’s
FAV 7-4 THAYDAH ATHBAH, 5-2 UPSTART
CROW, 3-1 ABIYAH ATHBAH, 6-1 LUJAIN, 13-2
MAYFAIR, 11-1 PARAMER ANGEL
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E
14
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, with Tadgh O'Shea, the race's winning most jockey
The Arabian Racing Organisation Limited (ARO) is the sole Arabian racing agency in the UK, operating under the rules and regulations of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) ARO's programme of Arabian races are fully integrated with the BHA thoroughbred fixtures and take place from the spring through to autumn This allows owners and breeders to participate at all levels, proving their bloodlines through competition, whilst the ARO International race season allows owners to experience the prestige of racing at some of the UK's leading Grade 1 racecourses
T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E
E m a i l : i n f o @ a r o r a c i n g . c o . u k w w w . a r o r a c i n g . c o . u k 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
C O N T A C T A R O L T D F O R M O R E D E T A I L S A B O U T A R A B I A N R A C I N G I N T H E U K
The Arabian Racing Organisation thanks all its international and domestic sponsors for their support in 2023
