Issue No.6
25th July 2015
T H E
A R A B I A N
RACEHORSE
Dubai International Arabian Races Preview Edition
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T H E
A R A B I A N
RACEHORSE Issue 6 - 25th July 2015 3
News Dubai International Arabian Races ;
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Dubai International Arbaian Races Preview Trainer Focus - Julian Smart, Peter Hammersely and Georgina Ward
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DIAR Prep Races The last of the series at Newbury, plus the Royal Cavalry of Oman Maiden Stakes
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Feeding the Lactating Mare and Foal Important points to consider from Jane Buchan
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Hereford Review Full report and pictures from the second Wathba Stud Farm Cup meeting
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Bird's Eye View - DIAR Preview
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Shadwell Super 7 Competition Leaderboard
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Results
Produced by equine creative media Stable Flat, Moreton Manor Stud, South Moreton, Oxon, OX11 9AH
equinecreativemedia@gmail.com 00 44 7782 349 047 www.equinecreativemedia.com Excluding News reports, unless otherwise stated, all features, reports and photographs are by Debbie Burt (copyright) - photographs may be viewed and purchased at www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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NEWS
STAGE SET FOR ARABIAN SHOWCASE
The stage is set for the most exciting renewal yet of the Dubai International Arabian Races at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday, 26 July which boasts a day of top class Arabian racing, valuable prize giveaways, family entertainments and free admission for all. Staged under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the action on the track features no fewer than three Group 1 events, attracting runners from across Europe, as part of a fully sponsored eight-race programme which begins at 2.25 p.m. Announcing plans for this year’s event at a Press Conference held at Newbury Racecourse today, H.E. Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of the Office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “The Dubai International Arabian Races now extends to many countries beyond the UK but the Newbury raceday remains very special to H.H Sheikh Hamdan. The quality of the racing is superb and it has provided the inspiration for
many of the other events staged under the banner of the Dubai International Arabian Races around the world. ‘His Highness Sheikh Hamdan is looking forward to supporting the event with runners in what we expect to be a competitive renewal which has attracted some of Europe’s best Purebred Arabians.’ After a standout performance in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) from Al Hibaab last year, champion Qatar trainer Jassim Ghazali is hoping Rasi, his first Arabian horse in UK training, can hold his own as a 4 year old against older horses if he is declared for the feature race. Julian Thick, Newbury Racecourse CEO said, ‘We are looking forward to welcoming the Arabian racing community to Newbury on Sunday and we are hopeful that with good weather and the offer of free admission, there will be a strong local crowd.
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‘The event has moved around our calendar in recent years, but now that it has returned to its traditional successful slot on the fourth Sunday in July, we are looking forward to building on the excitement that the fixture generates in the local area as a family event that should not be missed.' On-course the day will be presented to by TV personality Derek Thompson who will be introducing racegoers to many of the sport’s top names throughout the day and attempting to find all the winners both on and off the track and all eight races will be broadcast live by leading dedicated horseracing channel Racing UK and by
Dubai TV. Competitions for all ages There are prizes of iPad Minis up for grabs in the Best Children’s Hat Competition – one each for the winners of the boys’ and girls’ categories, exquisite jewellery by Malabar for the winner and runners-up in the Best Dressed Lady Competition which will be guest judged by local stylist, Victoria Locchead, and racegoers can see themselves larger than life on the giant screens by entering the popular ‘selfie’ competition and be in with the chance of winning an iPad.
One of the finalists in the Best Children's Hat competition in 2014
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Notid (FR) in the paddock on his 100th start in 2014
Family entertainments Entertainments for all the family will include a young artists’ workshop held in the Pavilions adjacent to the preparade ring and led by equine artist Elizabeth Armstrong which will run in conjunction with an exhibition of works by fellow members of the Society of Equestrian Artists entitled, ‘The Art of Arabian Racing’. The creative theme continues throughout the Pavilions with face painters and Henna artists on hand to help racegoers enter into the spirit of the day. The British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust (BHEST) will be making their ‘Equiciser’ available to
budding jockeys, young and old, with coaching sessions on the mechanical ‘horse’, a training aid used by all the top professionals. There will be the chance for younger racegoers to meet Arabian Racing Organisation Kids Club ambassador, Notid, in the pre-parade ring while Harry the Horse, the Newbury Racecourse Mascot will be looking forward to meeting young race-goers as he visits all enclosures during the day. Also in the Pavilions, internationally renowned illusionist Marc Oberon will be performing his unique brand of magic in two live shows throughout the afternoon.
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pupils to paint with their own designs. The finished sculptures will be displayed at Newbury Racecourse on the day and the winner and two runners-up, who will receive £2,000, £1,500 and £1,000 respectively. Big prizes to be won
Arabian Rainbow Competition community art project Arabian Rainbow is an exciting art project for primary schools. Promoted in conjunction with the Dubai International Arabian Races at Newbury Racecourse, the competition challenges youngsters to create and apply an original design inspired by the event using acrylic paints and lots of imagination. At almost 2.3m in length and standing more than 2m high, the models provide plenty of scope for pupils and teachers to explore a wide variety of subjects including language, geography, sport and culture in their designs. Since its introduction in 2009 the project has contributed more than £50,000 to supporting the education of children in West Berkshire. This year the near lifesized horse sculptures have been delivered to 14 schools in the region for
Free-to-enter prize draws have become an established feature of the Dubai International Arabian races and racegoers can win one of three holidays drawn on the day to Dubai with flights and accommodation provided by the multi-award winning Emirates Airline and the Middle East’s leading hotel group, Rotana. Jebel Ali Racecourse, who are also responsible for the first of the day’s Group 1 races the Jebel Ali Zaabeel International Stakes, have added to the prize-draw offer by providing four highvalue wristwatches which will be presented throughout the day. The day’s biggest prize will be drawn after the eighth and final race at 6.30 p.m. and will see one lucky racegoer drive away in a brand new eye-catching Citroen C1 Touch Hatchback. Entries into the free prize draw will be accepted throughout the day but the holder of the winning ticket must be present to claim their prize when the draw is made.
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Outstanding commercial support The Dubai International Arabian Races enjoys enthusiastic support from some of the UAEs most recognisable brands which for the first time this year include Dubai Duty Free, the world-leading airport retailer, also title sponsor of two thoroughbred meetings at the Berkshire course, who support the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes. Renowned international racing and breeding operation Shadwell Stud, whose horses run in the famous colours of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, sponsors the feature race of the day the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes and the Group 1 trio is completed by the Zaabeel International Stakes which enjoys the support of Jebel Ali Racecourse, Dubai’s ‘family racecourse’. Under the experienced guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shadwell’s global Thoroughbred and Arabian racing and breeding enterprise stretches from Shadwell Estate Co. Ltd. in the UK to Shadwell Farm (USA) and Derrinstown Stud in Ireland. Between Shadwell Stud, Derrinstown Stud (Ireland) and Shadwell Farm (USA) 12 Thoroughbred Classic winners have raced in the famous blue and white colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Al Hibaab (FR) and Steve Drowne after winnng the Dubai International Prep race
Shadwell Arabian Stallions have won numerous international Gr.1 races. Their progeny have been successful across the globe, winning in the USA, Sweden and Russia as well as the UK, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Four Arabian stallions stand in Europe and a further 3 in the USA. In addition, over 50 horses in training race across Europe and in the UAE in the same famous blue and white colours as their Thoroughbred relatives. The Shadwell Arabian headliner of 2014 was AL HIBAAB, winner of the Shadwell Stud Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) and International IFAHR Trophy (Gr.2 PA).
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Emirates Airline lends its backing to the opening Premier Handicap while Rotana Hotels and Resorts are responsible for a 13 furlongs Premier Handicap later in the programme. Emirates NBD, the Dubai-based banking group with offices in major cities world-wide including London is responsible for a 10 furlongs event the third race while the first of the day’s Group races, a Group 2 contest over 7 furlongs is backed by Emirates Equestrian Federation. Long-standing supporters of the Dubai International Arabian Races and
sponsors of the final race on the card, The National Academy of Indian Payroll, have once again extended their involvement to include stable staff and will present a cash prize of £200 to the stable responsible for the Best Turned Out Horse in each of the day’s eight races. Gates open at 12.00 noon and racegoers arriving early will be presented with a voucher which can be exchanged for a ‘goodie bag’ packed with memorabilia during the afternoon. www.diaraces.com
H.E. Mirza Al Sayegh, [centre] Director of the Office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum addresses the press conference THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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DIAR DECLARATIONS PUBLISHED The declarations for all eight races at the DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN RACES on 26 July at Newbury Racecourse have now been published. The overall number of entries has increased from 2014, showing a renewed support for the fixture from home and abroad. HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is well represented in both the Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes and the staying contest, the Rotana Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap Stakes. The latter sees previous DIAR winners Aljawaaher and Azizi take each other on. However, they will have to face the winner of the preparatory race for this contest, Kamikaze, who will be chasing a bonus by following his Chepstow success with a win at the flagship day for Arabian racing in the UK. Last year’s joint top rated Arabian racehorse in the world Djainka Des Forges has been supplemented by trainer Julian Smart for two Group 1 PA races, the Dubai Duty Free Hatta International, that she won in resounding style last year and the feature race of the day the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes. New Arabian trainer James Owen has supplemented Warko Du Cayrou for the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Group 2 PA) after the 3 year old
made a very impressive racecourse debut; finishing second to the Peter Hammersley trained Cheik Roque in the final DIAR Preparatory race. Both horses would be in with a chance of winning a bonus if they could get their nose in front on the day. Arabian Racing Organisation Racing Manager Amanda Smith commented “I am delighted with the strength and depth of entries for both the International and Handicap races. The Dubai International Arabian Races are the yearly target for so many of the UK and overseas trainers and I am particularly encouraged to see UK trained horses supplemented to challenge the overseas rivals in the Group races. ARO is very grateful to HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his continued patronage of this day and I feel that the quality and quantity of entrants reflects the worldwide appreciation of his support of Arabian Racing. I am looking forward to a very competitive and exciting day.”
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DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN RACES PREVIEW The wait is nearly over! A look ahead to this Sunday's UK Arabian Racing Season highlight, starting with profiles of three very different trainers who all have high hopes of making an impact at Newbury.
Djainka Des Forges leads her half sister Gidwa up the gallops at Whatcombe
JULIAN SMART Based: Whatcombe, Berkshire/ Doha, Qatar Runners: Djainka Des Forges (Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes Gr1 PA) Gazwan ( Shadwell Dubai International Stakes Gr 1 PA) Abhar (Rotana Hotels & Resorts Premier Handicap Stakes 0-115)
Unfortunately because of the introduction of the first leg of the DohaTriple Crown, my runners at Newbury will be greatly reduced. Basically because the races are six days apart, which I think as far as planning goes, it is not very helpful for Arab racing at all. When you’ve got the biggest Arabian racing day in the UK – Dubai Day - six days before the richest race now in Europe bar the Arabian World Cup, and then, two weeks later you’ve got two very big races in Deauville – it’s just silly.
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I think that it’s high time that people got together as one for Arabian racing and stopped doing things like this. I’ll probably run in the Gazwan in the Shadwell and Djainka the Hatta, and that’s probably it. Maybe Abhar as well, I’m not sure. Arabian racing is as strong as it could be expected to be in the Gulf regions at the moment. Having said that I was a bit concerned over the winter in Qatar where I’m based, that the Arabians were maybe being put a little bit on the back burner. However the new programme has recently come out and though I haven’t been fully through it, it seems to be that it has been brought back on to a more even keel. So with the increased prize money of the Kahayla Classic in Dubai, the new race in Abu Dhabi in November, the rumours about the Emir’s Sword increasing in prize money again, it looks as strong as ever in
the Gulf and in the States it’s not looking too bad, I can’t speak personally because I’m not there anymore but following it, it looks like it’s coming back to the good old days. In France it’s as strong as ever. As a follower on facebook Morocco are posting, Holland had a nice race that Lahoob won. In the UK I’m on the fence, I really am, because numbers seem to have diminished, we’ve still got lots of old horses running around. I’d like to consider myself part of UK Arabian racing but I don’t seem to be, I guess I’m in limbo between international and domestic. I’m not really sure which way it is going here. I think it probably has to go the way it appears to be going, which is single races. I think Abu Dhabi in particular and HH Sheikh Mansoor through Lara Sawaya are certainly doing wonders for the sport, it’s just whether other people come on board as well.
Julian Smart and Taraf (QA) with Harry Bentley after winning at Newbury last year THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Julian Smart watches Djainka Des Forges (FR) head to the gallops
The question of allowing professional trainers is a good one, for me the answer is always going to be yes. If you’re speaking to an amateur, then they are obviously going to say no. But I am a professional and for me it can only enhance the sport. If one of the top five Thoroughbred trainers in the UK had an Arabian or two I think that would promote the sport, more than it’s getting right now because to be honest. It’s not an amateur sport anywhere in the rest of the world – its professional in the Gulf, in the States, in France, I’m only mentioning these countries because they are the big countries, apologies to any country that takes offence that I haven’t mentioned. It seems to be only the UK which is stuck in their ways. You will never take it further staying amateur. It’s going to hurt a lot of people to hear that, but it’s the truth, you can see it works everywhere else. It’s not working here right now. I reluctantly moved to Canada with the family because and it ended up being the best move we could have made obviously. We bought a house off a gentleman called
Roger Hoffort who owned TJ Ranches. He owned a diamond drill bit company for oil rigs and he had some Arabian racehorses and he asked me would I be interested in working and I said, yes because I was doing A Levels at the time, I was going to do the typically student summery thing and do nothing, so he offered me a job in the oil and that didn’t interest me at all, so he offered me a job with the horses and I thought, well I’m in the wild west, why not give it a go! The great story about that is one of the first horses I ever came across and got to know really well was a horse called Sueade, who Roger Hoffort owned. So I had an absolute privilege of working with him when I was at an early stage of my career. He was already racing, but he was a youngster. In the short period of time that I had to work with a couple of Roger's trainers, I got to know him well – I used to sleep in the stable next to him, I lived and breathed the game. I was in it 24-7, there were no breaks for me. He used to wake me up in the middle of the night munching on his hay.
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One thing led to another and Roger was eventually good enough to take him from Canada to the States because I said to Roger he’s a great horse, and your horses in general are just too good. The Canadian racing wasn’t at a great level - it’s now stopped which is a shame because there are some great racetracks over there. But you had to have a little bit of money to do it back then and fortunately he supported his hobby with his oil rig business so we went to the fair meets in Montana and Washington and we were at the opening of Arapahoe Park in Colorado and we eventually ended up in California. Sueade won numerous stakes races and it was through him that I was offered a position in the Gulf really, because they wanted to buy him. The Sheikhs from Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansoor, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed were all in San Deigo in college, they wanted to buy the horse because he was beating everything that they had bought. Roger wouldn’t sell him, he said absolutely no, this is going to be a horse that retires to my back garden he’s going to eat grass outside my porch! So they came up with the idea of renting him and Roger said ok
that’s not a bad idea and then you give him back to me. Then they said we want the trainer as well and Roger left that up to me. I’ve always travelled from a very young age so I didn’t have to think twice, I said yeah lets go, why not? But it was around the time of the first Gulf war, so over in America it was all ‘don’t go, it’s too tricky’ but no. That was twenty plus years ago now and I’ve been there ever since. I’m in awe that a horse that I was remotely involved with has been inducted into the American Hall of Fame. As they say in America, that’s just awesome, for Roger, and for the horse, because he was a super horse. He never got to shine in the Gulf and he did unfortunately pass away there so he never got the chance to come back to the garden, but Roger was great about the whole thing. He won something like 33 or 34 from 60 starts, he had 50% win ratio, and it wasn’t running around the bush in Canada, it was in the States - we were labelled the ‘Canadian Invaders’. It was brilliant, we were flying the flag for Canada, beating the Americans at their own game. He absolutely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, that’s really terrific. I would have loved to have been able to get over there, just for the ceremony.
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So I Landed in Abu Dhabi with Sueade in 1992, though I didn’t finish a complete season there because they sent me to France and to look at the French Arabians to buy. I’m very grateful again to them for doing that because I learnt to speak French in a hurry because nobody would speak any English to me, so I now have a second language! The year we came back I had a 50% strike rate in the Gulf and we were one of the first stables to import French Arabians for racing. I think the Qatari’s might have been there the same year, so I think it all might have kicked off at about the same time. I had 14 absolutely brilliant years working in Abu Dhabi for His Highness the President Sheikh Zayed until he unfortunately passed away and then obviously the sons said they couldn’t sustain it anymore because everything was divided over many
children, so I had to leave. I was very fortunate to get the job with the Royal Cavalry of Oman, and I was there for five years I think, so 14 years in Abu Dhabi and five years with the Brigadier Abdulrazak Al Shawarzi. It was absolutely fantastic at the Royal Cavalry, I brought them back to the UK and look at them now they’ve gone on leaps and bounds. Then I got the offered Al Shahania and I actually refused them once, but you can’t refuse twice – it’s a massive stable and you’ve only got to look at the results we’ve had. We’ve been lucky enough to win three Emirs Swords, three World Cups, a Kahayla Classic, a three Shadwells, a Hatta, numerous big races, so look I’ve had a great run – long may it continue! My career has really blossomed at Al Shahania, but with the quality of the horses they have, it can’t not do.
Djainka Des Forges winnng the 2014 Shadwell Hatta International Stakes
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I’m asked all the time what is the highlight of your career? There are way too many, but honestly from the smallest maiden winner to the biggest Group 1 winner, it’s the thrill of taking a particular horse to beat everybody else’s horses who are trying to do exactly the same – the thrill of competition, whether it’s a one million euro race or a small race at Hereford – ok it’s not quite the same, but for me as a racehorse trainer, I’m in it to train racehorses, obviously to win the big races, but anytime you get your horse in front, at the wire, its job done isn’t it? I personally get immense satisfaction from winning the big races but I am still very, very satisfied winning any race because that’s what we’re in it for. Travelling the horses is a challenge, it used to be too difficult, but now you don’t think twice putting them on a plane or a train or a boat or whatever. There’s a lot involved, but it’s very, very easy to do now. Like the racing game, from where I started my career to where I am now, it’s not anywhere near to what it used to be. When I began no one had heard of the Gulf, no one knew there was racing in Dubai, where was that? Nobody knew where it was. Now you’ve got Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, they all do it and everybody knows where they are. Beforehand nobody had ever heard of them. The goal post have changed all across the board, it’s much easier now, but we’ve also got the added advantage of having very, very good people that ship the horses. If you talk to poor old Ryan Skelton who is the handicapper out in Doha you’ll know exactly what my feelings are on handicapping. I truly believe there should be no handicapping in Arabian racing. We’re not big enough. This is not
Thoroughbred racing. Thoroughbreds are on a massive scale and always have and always will be. I’ve been in it 20 years and it’s been around a lot longer than me of course, but honestly we are still fighting a battle. I see us as fledging sport. There is no room for handicaps. There is no room at all. When I see these guys get together and have this International Handicappers meeting, honestly for what? If you take a horse from the UK rated 100 to the Gulf he going to get absolutely spanked for want of a better word. Because he is not a 100 rated horse in the Gulf. I believe we have to take a leaf out of the American’s book and go maidens, maidens and winners of one, maidens and winners of two, with a weight allowance, then non-winners of three, four, five and so on and you’ll always find enough races for everybody. And you’ll certainly stop the bitching about the handicapping.
Djainka Des Forges (FR) and Julian Smart after winnng the Hatta
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When the pool is so small just it doesn’t work – it can’t work. A perfect example is my filly of last year Djainka Des Forges. She won the Group 1 Hatta and the Qatar Arabian World Cup. She ended up joint top rated horse in the World at 124 with a horse that finished second to her in the Qatar Arabian World Cup and that was its’ only run of the whole year. I know that is a bit political, but where’s the sense in that handicapping system? However the handicappers are still needed, because they are generally the race programmers. Let’s get rid of the current system and go with maidens, winners of one with a penalty etcetera. Let’s try. Keep weight for age, your fillies allowances , you have to have that, just don’t give them handicap marks. I have ruined horses careers before they’ve even started. I’ve run horses in the UK as maidens and because of who they are owned by or whatever, the handicap mark is just wrong, so when we
go to the Gulf we can’t win. Horses can go up 15-20 pounds in a heartbeat but they come down one or two, every two or three runs so you can never get them back to a mark they could win off, so you’re forced retire them. In jurisdictions where there isn’t enough racing, you find that horses will have to run over trips or with conditions that are not suitable for them because there is nowhere else to run. The UK is a very good example of not enough races, but then there are not enough horses. For the one guy sat there with horse that needs a mile, seven is too quick, a mile and a quarter is too far, and there’s only a mile contest every two or three meetings and it’s not the right handicap band, what’s he to do? It’s very difficult. I’m not trying to put anyone out of a job, I’m just trying to think of what is best for the sport. For me, handicapping with such a small pool is not the way to go.
Unraced three year olds Maysam (QA) and Aeenah (QA) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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I’m a classic distance trainer. I like horses to be running over a mile and half. I’m not saying that Arabian racing needs its own identity away from that of the Thoroughbred, but when we’re running five furlongs, six furlongs, seven furlongs, it’s everything that the Thoroughbreds do. So when the public watch Arabians running, they see that there is nothing that is any different, other than that they are slower, so why should they bother? They don’t understand anything about the form so you can understand why they might prefer to watch the Thoroughbreds. If we leaned a bit more towards longer trips – the Arabian breed is supposed to be an endurance horse anyway, so surely you’d want to go a bit further. I can’t be too critical as I have horses that need sprint trips, but I enjoy training horses to go long. I like to think that as well as having the quality of horse to win these big group races, I pride myself on getting horses fit and ready to run beyond a mile. The way I was brought up was the American way, so my mentality should be I don’t care if my horse is bred for a mile and half, I’m going to run him over six to start with, however my view is more European, so if they horse is bred for a mile and a half, that’s what I’m looking for first timeout more often than not, though there is the odd exception. Maiden races over five or six furlongs - I’m not a fan of them because for me they don’t learn anything in them.
It’s all about teaching the horse. In my opinion anything that the horse can do once its finished its racing career is a good thing. If you can home some of these horses that have been good to us and carry on doing something then that’s great. The majority of our horses retire to stud and the colts that are not good enough to stand as stallions for Al Shahania go to other countries who need help with their breeding programmes. Our horses may be well bred, but not what we want, so they are sold as stallions to continue a career elsewhere, some go to the sales and some go on to endurance. There is only the sale in France, there are not enough breeders anywhere else who can breed in enough quantity to support a sale. The majority of good Arabs throughout the world are either French bred or they have some kind of French breeding in them. This new group, HARC, I don’t want to get into pedigrees, that’s a whole different issue, but essentially it’s too late now. What are you looking for in an Arabian horse? A dished head with funny ears, big eyes and a high tail? The Arabian racehorse has never looked like that, it’s only people’s perception – the French Arabian has never looked like that. They look more Thoroughbred than anything else – Desert Bred, French Bred, whatever it maybe, that’s not what Arabian racehorses look like.
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I really want to reiterate my point from earlier which is everybody needs to start working together for the good of the breed. If they don’t work together, whatever any of them are doing right now is pointless, it’s a waste of time. I know everybody’s got issues with each other, but when it comes to the Arabian Horse, there needs to be a unity.
I look forward to the race at Goodwood with interest. Because for £400,000 worth of prize money to have Arabians there, I do hope they treat them the same as the Thoroughbreds are treated. Having run Arabians in the UK on cards with Thoroughbreds we are usually not treated very well at all. Including Newbury. They need to do a lot better.
We also need much more harmony between the bodies in the UK. Because, as I have said, many many times, when we race our Arabians, who I have had based in the UK for the last six years, when we race in France, we are stabled in the next door stables to notable UK Thoroughbred trainers such as Mr Gosden and Sir Michael Stoute with no problems, no complaints. In the UK we are treated unbelievably poorly in my opinion. Somebody somewhere has got the idea we are some sort of second class citizens.
It is huge pet peeve of mine – it only happens in the UK, which of course is the only country where you do not have professional Arabian trainers. I hear stories of the starting stalls having to be disinfected after the Arabian races at Newbury before the Thoroughbreds go in. What about the jockeys that ride them – do they get disinfected? What about the stalls handlers? It makes no sense. Not being able to use the saddling boxes is dangerous and it can often delay the start of the race.
Abhar (GB) and Richard Mullen at Newbury THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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The other week at Newbury, my jockey didn’t show up, so I had to make a last minute substitution. I couldn’t saddle at the stables which is 10 minutes away, so I had to saddle in an area which wasn’t really suitable. Newbury is supposed to be the ‘home’ of Arabian racing. At Doncaster last year, we were in the sales barn, it’s like we’ve all got diseases. For a race with a prize fund of £150,000 surely we deserve better? It’s not that the stables are bad, they‘re fine, I do understand where they were coming from
years ago, but not now. Every Arabian has to have a passport and vaccinations before it can run, so where’s the issue? What about the Thoroughbreds giving our horses something? In France the Qatar Arabian World Cup is worth a million Euros and it is run the race after the Arc de Triomphe and then there are more Thoroughbred races after that. In the UK we are the first race on the card to get us out of the way. It’s not good enough, the whole perception of us has to change.
Abhar (GB) on the gallops at Whatcombe
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Tom Marquand with Cheik Roque (FR) Stef Gandola and Peter Hammersley
PETER HAMMERSLEY Based: Hurley, Warwickshire Runners: Cheik Roque (Emirates Equestrian Federation Interntational Stakes Gr 2 PA) Aurora Forta (Emirates NBD International Stakes) Delishess (Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes Gr 1 PA) Zayin Zachilles, Unity Belle, Zayin Zodiac, Kermit The Frog (National Academy of Indian Payroll Handicap Stakes 35-75) Dubai Day is great, always well attended, with runners from all over the world. It’s on Racing UK so it has to be good exposure
and good for the sport. So along as they are all ok, we’ll have four in the 0-75 handicap, Zayin Zachilles with Steve Harrison, Zayin Zodiac and Phil Collington, Kermit The Frog and Stef Gandola and Unity Belle, who we’ve yet to confirm a jockey for. All four would stand a chance, Kermit has had a bit of break and he’s really well at present. Delishess in the Hatta, that will be hard for her. She would be better suited by the Conditions race but because she won a graded stakes in the US she’s not eligible. Aurora Forta I hope will go to the Conditions race, she gets the fillies allowance, an age allowance and a maidens allowance, so it works in her favour and the mile and a quarter will be perfect for her.
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If we are fortunate enough to have a winner on the international stage it will mean a lot. When we took Forgehill Cosaque to Ostend and won the President of the UAE Cup that was very good for us, so to have a winner at home, on Dubai Day, that would be very special. Cheik Roque in the International Stakes is of course very exciting, to have my first Group winner on Dubai Day would be amazing. The introduction of the prep race series was an excellent idea and to go into a Group 2 with a strong hand and to be in with a chance of winning the bonus, particularly for new owners, would be brilliant. In the early eighties I was mad keen on being a jockey at the time, I saw Arabian racing advertised, so I went along to a couple of meetings just to see what it was. I ended up buying a horse, El Rih Sarsar, training it and riding it myself and was quite successful. Then I bought a horse called Typhon. When Dubai Day was at Kempton, he ran in the Dubai International and finished third to Cherifa. I was picking up spare rides as well as training and though I was still keen on
riding, I got too heavy and went into Point to Pointing. Then I left racing completely for a while until the mid nineties when I bought a mare to go pointing, Fair Enchantress, I raced her for a couple of seasons, but she got a leg injury so I put her in foal. I moved from Cornwall back to the Midlands and the yard where she was kept stood a stallion – Band On The Run. The first foal I had by him was Son Of Sophie. He went into training for a couple of years with Chris Kellet without success , then I happened to see that there was Thoroughbred racing on the ARO cards so I gave it a go back in 2007 and he won 11 races for me. I also bought another Thoroughbred from Chris Kellet – Annie Moyles - and she won 10. It was through Stephen Harrison that I got back into Arabians. He had started to ride Annie Moyles and was also riding for Angela Colledge. When she packed up, Hidalgo and Altesse Kossack went to Beverly Deutrom and then they ended up with me. We were quite successful with them and it’s just snowballed from there.
Steve Harrison and Zayin Zachilles (GB) winning at Wolverhampton in May THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Paul Simmons,Peter Hammersley, Zayn Zodiac (GB) Joe Walsh and Steve Harrison after woinning at Wolverhapmton on his debut
Paul Simmons is my main owner breeder and currently has four with us. Paul went 10 years without a winner and I think I’ve had 10 winners for him so far. Paul’s been great, it’s nice to have somebody like that who is so keen and who just loves racing and understands that you can’t win all the time. His mare Samauring Zayin is coming back into training shortly having been off for three years as a broodmare. We managed to win a race with her and as Paul had youngsters coming through, he decided to put her in foal. Now she’s bred a foal (a colt by Mared Al Sahra), she’s back to being a racehorse again – which just shows the versatility of the Arabian. I’m now training for overseas owners, Kermit The Frog for Javier Cervera, Cheik Roque for Athbah Stud and another nice colt SS Mothill, sadly we’ve had a few hold ups with him, but I’m hoping he’ll run before the end of the season. And of course Forta Stud with Aurora Forta, Delishess and Secret Sentinel. We’ve got 12 on the go
at the moment with Samauring Zayin coming back and we’re expecting a couple of Munjiz fillies from Mrs Kippen. They’ve been in training in France and I’m hoping they will arrive in the next fortnight. One is a half sister to Tidabret, so that’s exciting to have another owner-breeder on board. Being based in Warwickhire, it’s quite central and easy to get to all the racecourses. We are getting to the point where we’ve outgrown the place, so if we could find a bigger yard to suit the budget then we’d move. But it is difficult because we’ve got local staff to consider and I wouldn’t want to lose them.Steve Harrison is our stable jockey and this will be our fifth season together. He’s formed a great partnership with Paul’s horses, he wouldn’t have anyone else as first jockey. I don’t know how long he’s going to keep going, as he keeps threatening retirement now he’s made it to 100 winners, so we’ll have to see.
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Kermit The Frog (FR) and Stef Gandola
We were talking about handicapping the other day and how well the ARO Open Thoroughbred series has worked out with the bandings based on the horses’ existing ratings. With is being so basic and with so few horses you would think that most of the races would be processions, but it’s not been like that. It’s amazing how well that has worked. We had to come up with a system that would be fair, but wasn’t a handicap because we wouldn’t have an official handicapper. We worked off a set of horses that have handicap marks, with the new horses coming in at mid point, so they soon find their level. If they win they go up a band, if they are placed twice consecutively, they go down a band. As simple as that, so there are no arguments, ‘why has my horse gone up 5lb’ or ‘why has so and so’s horse been treated so leniently’ that sort of thing. The rules are in black and white. It is possible it could be applied to the Arabs though you would obviously have to have more bands, and based on the existing handicap rating. It also stops any suggestion of horses protecting their marks as it doesn’t matter if you win by a distance or a short head you go up one band. Same if you are beaten 50
lengths or a head, that counts as going down. Obviously there is still the chance that horses might not be ridden out fully, however it is up to the Stewards to police that. At the other end of the scale, in this country when you’ve got horses rated between say 95 and 105 it’s very difficult because they are not good enough for Group races and particularly if you’ve got a filly, they’ll be top weight in an open handicap or 0-100 contest, it’s just impossible to place them. So we’re struggling to find races with the likes of Delishess and Aurora Forta at the moment. A Winter Series does appeal – I don’t know about 12 months of the year, but certainly to extend the season later on. The horses do need a break and so do we. Early in the year it’s difficult in this country with the weather, both for training and to get to the races sometimes, but especially with the All Weather, why not carry on the season through October and maybe into November as the horses are fit. It still gives a nice break for everyone, but extends the opportunities for owners and helps keep us in the public eye.
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Aurara Forta (AE) in the parade ring at Taunton in May
I don’t know how many professional trainers would be interested in training Arabians, but it would give us greater credibility. If it was opened up and we were able to take out a professional licence to train Thoroughbreds alongside the Arabians as they do in other countries, that would be a help financially, as the available Arabian horse population is small in the UK. I think Arabian racing is at a crossroads in this country. ARO have stated on more than one occasion that the full meetings lose money and the single races make money. Anyone that runs a business knows that if you’ve got two different parts of the business, one losing money, the other making it, well you’d be stupid to keep trying to pursue the part that loses money. In the Regional Representatives meetings I’ve suggested we have more single races to subsidise the full fixtures where possible.
mind just single races, but it would of course be a shame if we lost the smaller owner-trainer-jockeys and if it was just single races, that is what is likely to happen. It would be like it is in France, but then if we had better prize money and facilities and were treated the same as everyone else (professional Trainers) at the racecourse, that of course would be a great benefit. But of course you have to get the racecourses on our side too, though I understand that we will be able to use the saddling boxes at all courses soon which will make life easier and safer for all of us. When you only have a couple of runners it makes the day more enjoyable and I only need myself and one other member of staff, whereas at the full fixtures I can have as many as nine runners and that’s no fun. It’s a real headache and it takes the enjoyment out of it – the race day is supposed to be where the enjoyment is.
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I’ve said before that to increase the profile you ought to have at least one race a week, maybe two – I keep pushing for races at Wolverhampton for example. With the single races it would make more sense to have the higher rated handicap races at the more high profile courses such as Newbury - which for Thoroughbreds is classified as a grade one track - and the lower rated ones on the All Weather. It would probably be a better advertisement for the sport. I definitely think it would be benefit the owners too, to have regular racing on
courses with good facilities, where they can book a table in the restaurant for example or to see the races televised (even as a recording), particularly where overseas owners are concerned. Though I have my concerns over the race at Goodwood. It does little for the domestic Arabian racing scene, I don’t think the grassroots are very happy with such a huge prize fund for one race. Spreading the money over a smaller prize fund and more money to support the lower level through the season would have been more appropriate.
Unity Bell (FR) and Stef Gandola go to post at Hereford
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Simon Walker withToutatix (FR), Brett Norris and Georgina Ward after winning the Emirates Airline Premier Handicap Stakes, the opening race on Dubai Day
GEORGINA WARD Based: Newark, Nottinghamshire Runners: Jaldi Karo (Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes 50-90) Selketh(Emirates Equestrian Federation Interntational Stakes Gr 2 PA) Toutatix (Emirates NBD International Stakes) Nekhen Taoui (Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes Gr 1 PA) I have all my horses entered on Dubai Day, Toutatix and Jaldi Karo for the syndicates and Nekhen Taoui and Selketh for the
Daverio’s Edwina Stud, so we’ll just have to see. Jaldi Karo is in the race Toutatix won last year, which looks very competitive. The options are limited for Toutatix this year so he’s in the Conditions race, which also looks tough and I have Luke Morris booked for them. Manuela and Paul like to use their own jockey, Manuel Manueddu, so he will be riding Selketh and Nekhen Taoui. It’s the flagship day of the season and Shadwell have supported it for a long time, so we want a good day for HH Sheikh Hamdan - I don’t think anybody disagrees with that. We’d have been lost without his support on more than one occasion.
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I do think the prize money will have to increase in the future if they want to keep up with the rest of the world, but I’m not talking silly money, maybe just the smaller races to help encourage new people into the sport. That or maybe put another race on for the smaller horses, or perhaps bring the rating down on the stayers race for example. Though I do think they do a great job with what they’ve got. In the past I’ve won the Hatta for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani with Magadir - she was a lovely filly - but I get just as much pleasure with the smaller races, like when winning the Premier Handicap with Toutatix last year. I’ve not managed to win the Dubai International, but I’ve only run in it three times and managed a fourth with Arsene Rupin and was second with Have Fun and Jaafer. To win these Group 1’s you need a good horse these days. I think the meeting is as good as it ever has been in terms of overseas runners and the quality of the horses. I think if you want the real big players you would have to increase the prize money. Obviously the
Goodwood race probably hasn’t helped, though the joint top rated Arabian, Djainka Des Forges is running in the Hatta. It can’t all be about the top horses, we need to support the lower level too, which this meeting does. I got into Arabian racing by accident! I was doing Endurance with a Thoroughbred, won a best condition award and the vet asked me how long I’d been competing as I had an extremely fit horse, and I said ‘not long’. He told me if I want to go to the top of the sport, I’d need an Arabian. So following a 12 month search for an Arab, I realised I was looking at all the wrong types of Arab and eventually I saw an advert in the Horse and Hound. It was a horse belonging to Lesley Hartley who was an owner breeder trainer at the time. They were the nicest Arabs I’d seen at that point and I finished up buying a little horse called Anwar Wahid. No French blood at all. I was looking back at his form the other day and I managed to get him to win a 0-100 conditions race, purely on his toughness and his character. I did train them hard in those days, probably much harder than I do now.
Nekhen Taoui (FR) winning at Hereford from Samir (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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He won the Breeders Cup that year and I only just missed out on the trainers championship, I was beaten by one point by Jenny Candlish, when I only had four horses. I was very competitive and wanting to prove a point to myself. After that I started training for others and then went over to France to see Gerard Larrieu. I eventually ended up buying half a horse, Have Fun, and he was my first venture in to Group races. He was a maiden with three runs under his belt in France, I brought him to the UK and put him into my tough training regime that I followed in those days. He won a Group 3 first time out at Brighton, won the Derby Trial and then was fourth in the Derby with Steve Harrison riding. At this stage I was still quite inexperienced at how to run horses at that level. Then we went into the Shadwell Dubai International. He was only a little horse and we only just missed out, coming second and then he was sold to HH Sheikh Hamdan.
at two, and picked him, Arsene Rupin, but the one I originally had gone to see was sold to HH Sheikh Hamdan and we beat that one several times. Arsene Rupin won first time out at three and I ran him at Brighton as a four year old like I did with Have Fun, and won easily. I booked Alan Munro to ride in the Derby Trial and we won by 10 lengths going away and then became the first independent small trainer to win the UK Arabian Derby, beating the all the overseas horses. When I look back, those were massive steps, you have to bear in mind it was all done on a shoestring. It amazes me how I could achieve all of that with just a few decent people helping me along the way, what could I have done with more funding, and not having to sell the good ones.
What you have to bear in mind is that people today, with their non-French bred horses, who complain and don’t upgrade I was in exactly in that position once. I worked on the principal that I’m not afraid to get beaten, daring to have a go and actually succeeding on several occasions, which then propelled me into a different situation. I’ve experienced Arabian racing from all levels, as a little person with just four horses, right up to working for the Sheikhs. But then when we sold have Have Fun, that was when I went back to France and bought my first two year old, which was Arsene Rupin. He turned out to be even better, so whether I got lucky, or you make your own luck, I don’t know. He was by Dormane , had a solid pedigree but not a great one. The irony was, I actually looked
Jaldi Karo (FR)
With Arsene Rupin we got invited to Istanbul, but that went all wrong when he swerved to trying to go back to the stables, though we still managed to get fifth. From there we applied to race in the Kahayla Classic, and it took ages until we were told we were accepted. It wasn’t until about 10 days before the race. So we went and Johnny Murtagh rode him, but he didn’t
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Sean Yourston and Toutatix (FR) on the gallops at Danethorpe, Newark
have the speed on the dirt. Whilst we were there, he was sold to HH Sheikh Hamdan and Erwan Charpy had him and won with him a week later, going on to win a leg of the Maktoum Challenge. So that obviously got me quite a bit of attention as I wasn’t backed by anybody, I had bought the horses, trained the horses and I got results. That’s when I got approached by Al Shahania - would I go out to Qatar? I jumped at the chance, really because I wanted to see if I could apply the training methods I used on four or five horses, to 40 or 50 horses. People kept telling me it couldn’t be done with a big string. We actually it can, but only if you have enough staff to help you, by having good organisation, training people to your methods and by being supportive of your
staff as well. It was brilliant. I enjoyed the challenge. However looking back what I probably struggled with was other people getting involved with the decision making. Not the Sheikh, but the entourage. However I got the results. I was only there a year, I brought the horses back to England and soon after called it a day. I was once asked which meant more to me - winning the Emir’s Sword or winning the Derby? Without hesitation I said the Derby because I’d bought the horse and trained it from scratch. I put so much into it, every ounce of me goes into my horses, you couldn’t look after a child any better. It’s the nurturing, the wanting to do the best for the horse, but you can’t get it right all the time. There is so much invested in it on all sorts of levels.
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I had about a year or so in Dubai, but training from a training centre doesn’t really fit my methods. Several people suggested I go to America, but that would have been more of the same. I don’t want to train at a track, where I can’t have paddocks and it’s too regimented. At the time Emirates racing subsidised their trainers so if you came in as an independent you couldn’t take on clients because you couldn’t do it as cheaply. So you were always struggling against the tide. I had some time away from the sport, to think about what I wanted to do and I ended up going out to Abu Dhabi, to ADIHEX and ended up talking to Brigadier Abdulrazak Al Shahwarzi of the Royal Cavalry of Oman.
Forta Stud have done with Gill Duffield and Pete Hammersley. In the short term we need to look to these big players to spread it around a bit, like they do that in France where the bigger owners don’t just have horses with one trainer, which is mainly what happens here.
They wanted another trainer, but I think he realised that it would be difficult for a woman to train for the Cavalry, but it wasn’t quite as I expected, as I was in a different location to all the others and it didn’t really seem to work. I brought four back to train in the UK, not to Wargrave, but the West Country. Although they were very good people, it didn’t really work for me. So I decided to stop in England. It is difficult for the small independent trainer, you need at least 10 paying customers and they’re hard to find. It is almost impossible to make any money with the Arabian racing in this country as it is at present. You can’t sustain the lack of new horses and people into the sport under the current system, it’s ridiculous. We are not attracting the smaller people and yet at the same time the big owners are not really encouraged either. Unless you get more people back into the sport we won’t get anywhere. You’ve got to keep the momentum of competition going. Spread your horses between a few trainers like Athbah and
Selketh (FR)
I take my hat off to Maneula and Paul [Daverio], they have two horses with me in England, they have Ameretto with Gunter Richter in Germany and horses in France with Georges Mikhalides. They are sharing their horses between countries and that takes money and effort to see them, and see to them race. They also have five endurance horses, as well as their broodmares and they’ve been doing it for many years now. I hope they keep supporting England, they have some nice youngsters who probably need a bit of time
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so we’ll see. I met them in Qatar during the Emir’s Sword Festival and then again last year at Dubai Day when Toutatix won; they saw that too and I think that helped in securing them as owners. I think it’s a bit naive when people claim that they just do it for fun, you’ve got to be very, very wealthy to have horses just for fun! There’s got to be balance somewhere along the line. For me the only way I can make it work is what I’ve done this year, which is to have a couple of nice horses though keep in mind that nice horses cost money! And run small syndicates. This is what I mean by you can’t just be in it for the love of it, because everything has a price, whether that is an emotional price or a financial price. So everything has to be costed out and you put a package together that works. So by having enough people in
your syndicate you can spread the cost of your upkeep, transport, entry fees and so on. To sell that, it’s got to be fun, there’s got to be an obvious expectation of enjoyment and enough opportunities to go racing. Which brings me to race planning, you need to be able to progress a horse and find enough races for it. On one hand people complain that I don’t race my horses enough, but I have to have somewhere to run them! I’ve thought about handicapping a lot and I think the handicapping system falls short at the highest level. There are not many options for the higher rated horses, those that are not up to Group level. For me the real problem is the race planning, not the handicapping system. Everything comes back to the shortfall in people and horses.
Nekhen Taoui (FR) and Simon Walker go to post at Hereford THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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We have the option of more single races because I understand that they make money, which is great. The 0-60 at Newbury this week was well supported, it had 11 runners which made it the joint biggest field on the card. Most of the Thoroughbred races only had six runners, which the bookmakers won’t like. I don’t care where we run, as long as we can run. As long as there are enough maidens and so on it doesn’t matter. We do get a bit more camaraderie when we are a single race on the Thoroughbred card, though it is difficult. If you are a small owner or trainer, things like getting work riders and transport are expensive, why not share more, or a few of us getting together and going to race abroad to share the costs.
secondhand version of the real thing. I run a syndicate which covers the expenses and gives the members a share of the prize money and the experience of ‘ownership’ but they don’t own the horse. Where that method of syndication becomes difficult is that I don’t have enough money to buy more horses, so if we take the other option, which is to sell shares in the horse as well, to go to France and buy a nice horse you’ll need at least 20,000 Euros. So how can I sell that sort of expenditure to people when you’re unsure about your race plan and prize money for the coming season? Your only likely chance of getting your money back is if you can improve the horse and sell it. It’s very, very difficult if you’ve not got a backer.
If you opened the sport up to professional trainers in the UK it wouldn’t worry me at all. Because I think that there would only be a limited amount of Thoroughbred trainers that would take it up. There will be trainers out there who won’t touch them with a barge pole and those which will try for a few seasons and say never again. Because as we know, Arabians are quirky little characters that need a little bit more individual treatment than your average Thoroughbred, but that level of individual attention would naturally be more suited to a smaller Thoroughbred trainer, rather than the big operations. I think that it would be great to encourage some cross over between the two, I would like to have got together with a Thoroughbred trainer this season and run a joint syndicate – with an Arab and a Thoroughbred - so that owners could experience both. The difficulty is you’re competing against the Thoroughbred product which is in this country is perceived as ‘racing’ and when you put it to someone who doesn’t appreciate Arabians, all they see that they’re being sold is a THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Jaldi Karo(GB) going to post at Hereford under Simon Walker
In France, not only have they been breeding for a long time, they’ve also been breeding some of the best racing Arabians in the world and they have positioned themselves at the top of the market. In this country it would be very difficult to have the same level of breeding as they do there. In the past when we had bigger breeders in the UK they flooded the market, putting the smaller breeder out of business and then they left the sport. So now the availability of horses is drastically reduced. Whilst I can understand breeders not wanting to sell their stock, we desperately need more horses to race in this country so why can’t trainers lease them to race?
Public when I talk about Arabian racing, is when I ask them what chance have they got to run on World Cup night in Dubai, or in Longchamp at the Arc meeting, or to go to Istanbul? Then they pay attention. This is where having a racing club with a Thoroughbred and Arabian makes sense to me. To sell this you do have to have a good horse, but not nearly as expensive as a good Thoroughbred to achieve the same objective.
In other countries nobody worries about what breed of horse is running, but in this country we have to fight against the system, we have to do something to change their perception of us. The only way I can get the attention of the Thoroughbred Joe THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
Dubai International Arabian Races SUNDAY 26TH JULY 2015 NEWBURY RACECOURSE Featuring 3 Gr.1 PA Races
Best dressed lady competition
Holiday giveaways
Henna painting
Win a car competiton
Children’s hat competition
Gates open12noon. First race1.50pm. ●
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FREE ENTRY (www.diar2015.com) INTERNATIONAL RACING FREE PRIZE DRAWS COMPETITIONS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT ●
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www.facebook.com/DIARaces twitter.com/DIA_Races
For more information: www.diaraces.com
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Tom Marquand going to post aborar Cheikh Roque (FR)
Dubai International Arabian Races at Newbury Racecourse, 26th July International Stakes Newbury 9-7-2015 A field of seven well bred runners lined up for the last of the DIAR prep races which was confined to juveniles, with only one having any previous racecourse experience in Nicsar Diamond Jubilee. Njamsuhail set the early pace but was headed by Warko Du Cayrou entering the last quarter mile with Cheikh Roque moving into second. Cheikh Roque easily took the lead with a furlong to go and ran on well at the finish to win by a length and a half from Warko Du Cayrou, who was not disgraced repelling Rasaasy’s
challenge for third by a neck. Cheik Roque (FR), a €24,000 euro purchase for Athbah Stud made an impressive debut under Tom Marquand and (like the second and thirfd placed runners) will be in line for the bonus, should he win the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes Gr.2 PA on Dubai Day. After the race Marquand commented. “I started with pony racing and Arabian racing running alongside each other, it’s all good experience to get these rides at an early stage. It’s been a brilliant season for me so far and I hope to get a ride on Dubai Day too. It’s a great to be able to ride both breeds, as whatever experience you get, is good experience.”
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Royal Cavalry of Oman Maiden Stakes Newbury 18-7-2015 It was a great day for American ownerbreeders who filled the first two places in the Royal Cavalry of Oman Maiden Stakes over the straight mile at Newbury. Run on the high profile Weatherbys Super Sprint Day in front of a crowd of over 12,000. Kathy and Paul Smoke’s Storm Troupour set the early pace under Matt Johnson as the runners made their way down the centre of the course. Oriental Myth was close up in second, with Aurora Forta and Mandolynn Hill Farm’s Katonahotinroof MHF tucked in behind. At halfway Storm Troupour had
extended his lead by two lengths with Oriental Myth starting to fade and drift taking Katonahotinroof MHF who was stalking her, over to the rail. Two furlongs out Matt Johnson was getting to work on Storm Troupour but Walker on Katonahotinroof MHF was travelling well upsides. He only had shake the reins at the furlong pole to accelerate away for an impressive 15 length victory ahead of Storm Troupour and Aurora Forta (whose dam is US bred too). After the race trainer Bill Smith said. "I;m delighted. He was just a bit green on his debut last year and learnt alot on his first run this. He's entered in Group 1's on Dubai Day but also in the 0-90 handicap, he'll get a penalty there, but we'll seehow he is. He's a lovely guy to train. If he's ok we'll run, as the owners are coming over from America."
Bill Smith with Katonahotinroof MHF (GB) and Simon Walker THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Whisper (GB) [far side] just hold on from Callymay (GB) and Synergy (GB) [centre]
Free Racing At Newbury, Sunday 26th July Handicap Stakes (0-60) Newbury 23-7-2015 A remarkable performance by the Almost All Partnership's Whisper takes the Adam Newey trained mare to the top of the ARO Arabian Championship when scoring her third victory of the season under Page Fuller. In a desperately close finish she managed to repel the challenge of the fast finiishing Callymay. Matt Johnson had brought Delyth Thomas's filly down the stands rail and was very narrowly denied a win when a photo finish revealed that Whisper had held on by the hsortest of heads. There was more joy for the Newey stable as their other runner for the Almost AllPartnershoip, the homebred Synergy, ran a cracking race to finiish half a length away in third. THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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THE ART OF ARABIAN RACING
'In The Hood' Lisa Miller ASEA
The Society of Equestrian Artists Exhibition 26 July - Preview - Dubai International Arabian Races, Newbury 1 August - 5 October -National Horse Racing Musuem, Newmarket For further details, or view work online:
www.equestrianartists.co.uk www.diaraces.com Registered Charity: 29472 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Feeding the Lactating Mare and her Foal Jane Buchan of Baileys Horse Feeds highlights the important points to consider
Laying Foundations Breeding any foal can be a costly undertaking so it makes sense to do everything you can to ensure your mare not only produces a live healthy foal but also that the foal is given every opportunity to develop to its full potential. The role that nutrition can play is frequently underestimated and yet getting it right need not be complicated or expensive and, whilst it won’t guarantee the outcome, it will help avoid some of the problems associated with producing a healthy youngster. Correct feeding should begin even before the mare visits the stallion, as a mare who is in good condition and receiving a
balanced diet is more likely to conceive than one who is either over or under weight or lacking nutritionally in some way. Once conception is confirmed, correct nutrition becomes even more important to support the correct growth of the foetus and allow the mare to build reserves on which the foal will draw once born and suckling. Minerals like copper are vitally important in a mare’s diet because they, and other essential nutrients, including quality protein, are needed to build the cells and tissues that create a foal. Choosing a specially formulated stud ration is therefore imperative to ensure these requirements are met.
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Milk Production The primary aim of feeding the lactating mare is to provide good sources of energy and protein to enable her to produce enough nutritious milk to support the foal during its first three months, when the growth rate is especially rapid. Once she has foaled and is lactating, her energy requirements will increase by as much as 44% and nutrients such as protein, calcium, phosphorous and vitamin A will be in particularly high demand. During the first 3 months of lactation a mare will give 3% of her body weight daily in milk production so, for example, a mare of 454kg will produce in the region of 13.6kgs of milk per day. Not providing the mare with enough feed at this stage will reduce milk production and quality and compromise reproductive efficiency, which
could eventually affect the foal’s health and growth rate. For mares who maintain condition during lactation on grass/forage alone, the additional source of vitamins and minerals provided by a low calorie stud balancer is ideal. Alternatively, for breeding stock kept at grass, a specially formulated paddock lick is an ideal way to allow individuals to supplement their diets at will. This should contain a balance of vitamins, as well as minerals key to tendon and bone development and , if possible, amino acids for muscle development and repair. Mares who require additional calories however, are best suited to a stud mix or cube containing 15 -16% crude protein and fed little and often to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
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The composition of mare’s milk changes rapidly during the first days of lactation with further gradual changes thereafter. Within the first 12hrs after birth the mare must pass adequate passive protection to her foal via the colostrum. At this point the foal’s small intestine is permeable to large protein molecules, such as the antibodies contained in colostrum which will help build up its own immune system. Ideally the foal needs to be suckling within the first 2 hours after birth, as the antibody content of the colostrum is at its highest during this period. If the mare has not received a balanced and energy dense ration, her milk is likely to be of a poor quality or she may not produce enough milk to support the foal’s growth. Should this be the case, the foal’s diet will need to be supplemented with a milkbased creep feed to provide the extra calories and other nutrients that will be deficient. 3 - 5 weeks into lactation the mineral levels in the mare’s milk drop naturally by 40-60% and at this time a milk-based creep feed can be fed to help counteract any short falls. Foals often begin nibbling at hay and concentrates between 10 and 21 days of age and providing a creep feed at this age, especially if the milk supply from the dam,
or the amount of grass, is inadequate, should encourage a normal growth rate. Feeding a creep feed as soon as the foal shows an interest, will help enhance the anatomical and physiological maturation of his digestive tract in preparation for the eventual change to forage and compound feeds. It is also an ideal transition from milk to “hard feed” for orphan foals being reared on a mare’s milk replacer. During month four of lactation, milk production decreases to approximately 2% of the mare’s body weight, therefore her nutritional requirements begin to decrease. The milk will now be only providing about 30% of the foal’s energy requirements so now is the time to change from a milkbased creep feed to a feed designed to complement forage. This should be selected according to body condition, growth rate and limb conformation with a stud balancer being ideal for the good doer, or more rapidly growing foal, and a stud mix or cubes more suited to those requiring a little more condition. Introducing this now will ensure that the foal is well established on his weaning diet prior to separation from the dam, thus reducing the problems of dietary set-backs post weaning.
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Steady Growth Attention to nutrition from conception onwards will help encourage a foal to grow as evenly and correctly as possible. Careful monitoring of bodyweight, using a simple weightape and growth chart, is ideal for plotting the rate of growth and allows changes to be made to the diet as soon as any deviations from the “norm” are spotted. The “normal” rate of growth will vary according to breed, sex, body condition and gender and tools are available to help find the appropriate rate according to the foal’s anticipated mature bodyweight.
developmental problems. Steady growth supported by correct nutrition is more likely to pay off in the long term with the production of a healthy youngster able to go on to enjoy a long and useful performance career. If you have any doubts about feeding your breeding stock, contact a Baileys nutritionist for free, no obligation advice on 01371 850247 or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.
Producing foals for show or sale may increase the pressure to overfeed in order to promote rapid weight gain. This should however be avoided at all costs, as it can increase a foal’s rate of growth which, without sufficient support from micronutrients and protein, can lead to
Lisa Miller Fine Art
Original Arabian horse paintings and prints for sale at: www.thepaintedhorse.co.uk. Commissions available. Email: lisa@thepaintedhorse.co.uk or Tel: 01994 453545
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
THE ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION LTD Who we are… The UK is a world leader in Purebred Arabian racing. The Arabian Racing Organisa on (ARO) runs a programme of full Arabian racedays, supported by a number of single Arabian races on Thoroughbred fixtures. The UK is a summer base for top horses from the Middle East whose owners want to experience the pres ge of running at some of the world’s best racecourses. The ARO season is also a proven training ground for young horses. Prize money includes incen ve schemes and bonus awards for UK Owners and Breeders. The 2015 season starts at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Saturday 2nd May, Free Admission!
CONTACT ARO LTD ‘T
S
A R
A UK’
ARO Ltd, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire, RG14 7NZ 0044 (0) 1635 524 445 info@aroracing.co.uk THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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HEREFORD REVIEW 4 July 2015 The run of good weather continued at Hereford for the second of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival sponsored meetings, the weather and free entry securing a good crowd. Scorching temperatures during the week had raised concerns with regards the going, but the course had been watered to maintain it at Good to Firm and there were only three non-runners. The Wathba Stud Farm Cup Maiden Stakes over 7f opened proceedings with four nicely bred representatives for HH Sheikh Hamdan dominating the market. Heading that list was NAAR, a Madjani half sister to recent Newbury winner, Tawaazun (by Monsieur Al Maury). She had run with credit on her debut here last month, but was no match for the winner; now dropped back in trip, she was odds on to go one better.
Naar (FR) and Phil Collington go to post for the openng race of the meeting
Zamhareer is a first foal of the Group 2 PA International Stakes winner Zormania and with three runs in France and a run at Taunton under his belt, he was the most experienced in the field. Making their debuts were Maidaan, a gelded full brother to stablemates Azizi and Elraawy , both string stayers, and Habeebah, whose dam had won and been runner-up in the Group 1 PA Hatta International. Majid Bin Krayaan for HH Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed Al Maktoum made up the field and delayed the start when stumbling and unseating, though Bradley Paris- Crofts kept a firm hold and was soon back in the plate. Still keen, he briefly disputed the lead with Zamhareer, with Naar settled behind in third. The remainder were caught flat footed at the start and had plenty of ground to make up. Matt Johnson had set a good pace on Zamhareer and was trying to extend it round the home turn, however Phil Collington was hard at work on Naar and the filly edged ahead in the final furlong, eventually extending her winning margin to two lengths. As his pedigree suggested, Maidann stayed on resolutely to take third, some five lengths behind Zamhareer. Giving HH Sheikh Hamdan a one two three, all with homebreds.
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Kiraa (FR) leads her daughter Kayclaire (GB) home
Still over the same trip, the Wathba Stallions (0-55) Handicap Stakes followed. Delyth Thomas had half the field including the mother and daughter KIRAA and Kayclaire, and the far from predictable Al Mamoon - who had refused to race on his last start here. Top Trip and Shuwaiman Al Kebir had both scored this term and Vindetta, who has been a little disappointing, made up the remainder. Al Mamoon was mounted on course and quickly unseated David Turner in a somewhat theatrical fashion, however they were soon reunited and on their way to post. Top Trip who likes to dominate, was
smartly away and stole a couple of lengths, however that was all too brief as Simon Walker sent Kiraa to the front, with Shuwaiman Al Kebir at her shoulder. Positions remained unaltered at half way, though Al Mamoon was becoming more detached at the rear of the field. Matt Johnson made his move on Kayclaire entering the straight and though the filly passed Shuwaiman Al Kebir, she was no match for her dam, who was idling in front and recorded a cosy length and three quarter victory. Shuwaiman Al Kebir is consistent at this level and was two and half lengths back in third.
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Edwina Stud's Nekhen Taoui (FR) and Simon Walker
The Wathba Stud Farm Cup Restricted Maiden, for owners with fewer than five horses registered with ARO, was held over a mile and a furlong. With the withdrawal of Secret Sentinel, last years’ champion novice and champion lady rider, Steph Gandola was switched to Unity Belle, also trained by Pete Hammersley. NEKHEN TAOUI, a half sister to Group winners Ameretto and Djet Taouy had been keeping better company than this and was a clearly justified market favourite against unrated horses. However she was not guaranteed an easy time with the Athbah Stud debutant colt Samir in the line up. His dam is a half sister to Madjani and he is trained like Madjani, by Gill Duffield. No trouble at the start here and Gandola set a modest pace on Unity Belle ahead of Wahiba and Nekhen Taoui, with a couple of lengths back to
Synergy, Samir and Kallista. Wahiba couldn’t maintain her position for long and had started to fade by the half way point. Unity Belle still led the way, though Nekhen Taoui was travelling sweetly for Simon Walker in second. Running downhill towards home, Walker pushed the button and effortlessly went clear by four lengths. However she was very green in front and drifted away from the rail, allowing the fast finishing Samir to close, but she was certainly better than the half length suggested and should go on from this. There was plenty to like about the way Samir got down to business and he will have learnt plenty. Unity Belle improved on her debut performance, as did Kallista, though on breeding, she is likely to been seen to better effect over further in time.
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Only four runners for the 7f Wathba Stallions (0-80) Handicap Stakes, a case could be argued for all of them though the market spoke in favour of Man of Dreams, a winner and runer-up on his two starts this term.
allowing room for Syrah Gris to strike if good enough and though he responded well to Will Pettis’s urgings he was always held by Zayin Zachilles who kept on for pressure to score by half a length.
The Dutch import Parma T and Page Fuller set the pace, with ZAYIN ZACHILLES, Man Of Dreams and Syrah Gris all in close attendance. At halfway it looked briefly as though a three way tussle was about to develop, but Parma T could not sustain her effort and Man of Dreams was making heavy weather of going ahead.
Though he has won over much further, this was Paul Simmons’ home bred’s fourth victory at this trip and his sixth in the hands of Steve Harrison. Eased in company and by the handicapper here, there could still be a little more improvement if placed to good effect. A further length and a half behind, Man Of Dreams was not disgraced in third giving weight to the winner. He was a good seven lengths clear of Parma T who was again disappointing.
Now heading the field, Zayin Zachilles drifted wide on the home bend
Steve Harrison and Zayin Zachilles (GB) cross the line ahead of Syrah Gris (GB) and Will Pettis with Man Of Dreams (GB) and Jay Harris in third
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Simon Walker and Callymay (GB)
Following the defection of Florys Folly, a field of five lined up for the Wathba Stud Farm Cup (0-40) Handicap Stakes over a mile and a furlong. Amirah Bint Goudah shied at the start losing a couple of lengths, as Yaqueen made off in front in company with Djazira. CALLYMAY was a length or so behind, ahead of Tiger Lily and the slow to start Amirah Bint Goudah. Djazira took it up from Yaqeen towards the end of the back straight, with Callymay travelling ominously well in the hands of Simon Walker in third, ahead of the handicap debutants who were still a few lengths behind.
along for a stride or two to keep in touch with Yaqeen whose effort was beginning to peter out. He was soon able to challenge however, and smoothly went ahead on the turn for home. She did need a bit of further encouragement once in front and then ran on well up the home straight to draw away from Yaqeen who had rallied, but was still 12 lengths adrift. Tiger Lily ran on to snatch third from the tiring Djazira, whilst Amirah Bin Goudah never go it into it and was beaten a distance.
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Run over the same trip as the previous contest, the feature race of the day was the Wathba Stallions (0-90) Handicap Stakes. Just four runners, they were headed in the weights and the market by Vent De Faust, who had been beaten less than a length on his seasonal bow last time. Despite the small field it lived up to its’ billing and provided a very competitive finish. Sharaf, a winner over further on his previous start, set a modest pace and JALDI KARO was undoubtedly too free in the early stages, though eventually settled in third behind Oriental Myth. They raced in Indian file to the last half mile and as they
rounded the home turn they bunched up and it was all to play for, almost four abreast in the final furlong. Oriental Myth and Max Kendrick took the advantage from Sharaf and Alessandro Guerrini, but Simon Walker sent Jaldi Karo up the rail and in a perfectly timed ride, delivered him right on the line to score by the shortest of heads. Sharaf was half a length back in third, with a rather disappointing effort from the favourite Ven de Faust who failed to pick up under pressure.
Jaldi Karo (GB) just snatches victory from Oriental Myth (FR) and Sharaf (FR) on the line THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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The Wathba Stud Farm Cup (0-65) Handicap was the longest of the day, at a mile and a half. Stephen Gregory’s Koline, who has shown promise in her two starts was keen to get on with things and forged ahead from WHISPER, Katwalk and Gelliwen. Koline who had established a substantial lead in the early stages, was still in front at half way, though with a much diminished advantage. Heading downhill for home, Page Fuller brought Whisper alongside Koline and inched into the lead though there was little between the four mares at that stage. Whisper slowed and needed to be pushed along to maintain her
advantage and Katwalk may have been squeezed a little for room but they soon spread out once in the home straight. Even with Gelliwen making ground up the middle of the track for second and Fullers mount idling in front having drifted from the rail, they were never in danger and scored by two lengths. Katwalk was four lengths behind, though she only just held on for third as Koline rallied and was coming back to her at the finish.
A delighted Page Fuller and Whisper (GB) return from their two length win
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Kayclaire (GB) who finished second to her dam Kiraa (FR)
Simon Walker ruled the day, riding doubles for both Delyth Thomas and Georgina Ward. After racing Thomas discussed her wins saying, "Paul Beard bred Kiraa to Dahess and he bred our other winner today Callymay, also by Dahess, out of Raada, who was very temperamental. "So we took our time with them, Callymay didn't arrive until last year, and she is a very different mare to Kayclaire, very temperamental, like her dam. We took a long time to break her and we had to do it one step at a time and back off if need be. She's just been learning slowly. "But with Kayclaire she has Kiraa's laid back character, we love this mare you know and today eveything has come together. You have to give them time, last year we had Callymay so late that her first run was in a maiden in June, at Newbury out of stalls. She got left in
the stalls and though she caught up, she got spooked by a colt, all on her first run. She's progressed but slowly, that was her tenth run. Whereas Kayclaire is sharper, it sinks in a lot more quickly with her. "All being well they will most likely reappear in the handicaps at Newbury on the 23 July over 7f and at Bath on the 31 July over 1m2f." Walker's assistance was also welcome for Ward who started training for Dr Paul and Manuela Daveiro's Edwina Stud last year with the arrival of Nekhen Taoui. Fourth in the UK Arabian Derby on her first start for Ward, she had been too free on her seasonal bow and the drop in class has allowed her to gain her confidence. Having bought Jaldi Karo over the winter to syndicate, she felt he will have learned a lot from this race and can now progress from here.
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BIRD'S EYE VIEW DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN RACES 2015 PREVIEW GARY CAPEWELL
Simon Walker and Katonahotinroof MHF coast to an easy 15 length course and distance victory and their latest start
2.25 Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (50-90) 1m A race that His Highness Sheikh Hamdan and Gill Duffield have teamed up to win five of the last nine renewals, of which four of those were making there handicap debuts. A victory for any of their five runners here wouldn't surprise - with marginal preference at this stage for Aghsaan or Naar. Jaldi Karo won well last time out and looks progressive; his stable took this
race last year so he's respected. Despite no top weight ever winning this race, the selection is Katonahotinroof MHF who bolted up in a course and distance maiden last weekend, though hehas to shoulder a six pound penalty for that success. This is a better race, but if in the same form he's effectively very well in under his penalty and should take all the beating.
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2.55 Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes 3 Group 2 PA 7f Not a lot of form to go on. Newcomers Lou Raynal and Saayif Al Arab are interesting on their debuts and a paddock check is advised. Cheik Roque looked very professional when beating most of these last time over of course and distance and he is
the pick to enhance the excellent record that French bred Arabians have in this race (winning 10 of the last14 renewals). Of the ones that were in behind that day, Rasaasy could improve most and maybe get closer to him than he did last time.
Cheik Roque (FR) makes an impressive debut at Newbury under Tom Marquand and is on course for the bonus if he wins this contest.
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Rasi (GB) and Harry Bentley shed the maiden tag in Doha this February over 1m2f
3.30 Emirates NBD International Stakes 4+ PA 1m2f Bon Basier De Faust and Najlaa both have decent form in France and in the UK, though both probably need to improve a little on what we've seen from them this season, but that's definitely possible. Vulcain Du Clos went down narrowly in Holland last time out behind the very classy Samima and strictly on ratings, he's the one to beat despite giving weight away all round.
However a chance is taken on Rasi who is trained by the Qatari champion trainer Jassim Al Ghazali. He is taking a steep step up in grade, but arrives here in excellent form having won his last 3 starts in Qatar earlier this year.
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Al Mouhannad (FR) leads them home in the Zabeel last year
4.05 Jebel Ali Racecourse Zabeel International Stakes 4+ Group 1 PA 6f Salaama hasn't been at her best this year but is interesting down in trip as her sire was second in this race twice. AJS Intifadah has some excellent form in her native Qatar but is an unknown quantity over here but is respected. However French trained runners have an excellent record in this race having won 11 of the last 13 renewals and there's little between the top class trio
Meeyur, Ghazwa and Al Mouhannad on ratings. Meeyur beat Al Mouhannad earlier on in the season however they meet on level weights here and that form can be reversed as Al Mouhannad aims to follow in the hoofprints of the great Dahess who also won this race three times.
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4.40 Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes 4+ F&M Group 1 PA 1m2f Nekhen Taoui and Tawaazun both arrive here on the back of decent wins and are respected up in grade, particularly the latter who won the trial race over course and distance here last month very takingly. Last years winner Djainka Des Forges ended last year as the joint top rated Arabian in the world. She aims for her 4th Group one victory
here and will be very tough to beat if in the same form as last year. However a chance is taken on Loraa. A dual Group 1 winning mare herself, she was impressive winning a Group 2 race in France last time out and can enhance the great record French trained runners have in this race (winning nine of the last 15 renewals).
Loraa (FR ) just heads Taraf (QA) in the Group 1 PA Qatar Total Arabian Trophy (4yo Fillies) at Longchamp last October THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Last years winner AL Hibaab (FR) wins the Dubai International Stakes prep race in good fashion in June. He also qualifies for the bonus if he wins.
5.15 Shadwell Dubai International Stakes 4+ Group 1 PA 1m2f A top class renewal. Lahoob looks vastly improved this campaign and could get the run of the race from the front. Handassa has some good from in Europe and is also respected. As is Gazwan who has looked a Group horse in the making, winning his last three starts in Qatar. He's a full brother to Rathowan who was second in this race two years ago behind Djet Taouy, who was also second last year, but he'll need to improve on what we've seen so far this season.
Al Hibaab is aiming to become the fourth dual winner of this race and he was so impressive giving weight away here last time. He can follow in his sire, Al Sakbe's hoofprints and win this race for the second time and give His Highness Sheikh Hamdan his 13th victory in this race.
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Abhar (GB) in the paddock at Newbury last month
5.55 Rotana Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (0-115) 1m5f A race that amazingly His Highness Sheikh Hamdan and Gill Duffield are looking to win for the tenth year in a row. Azizi won this race last year and like his brother Elraawy (won this race in 2012) he stays so well. He could well reverse recent Chepstow form with Jumeira Palm and Kamikaze on better terms here, but the other pair are certainly respected.
However the top weight Abhar brings genuine top class Group form to the table here. He's up in trip but wasn't stopping at the end of a ten furlong race here last time out and despite giving weight all round (no outright top weight has ever won this race) he's the selection.
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6.30 National Academy of Indian Payroll Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (35-75) 7f Hugely competitive as ever. Kao Kat MHF has been off for a while, but is respected and the booking of Simon Walker always catches the eye. Zayin Zodiac will find this easier than his latest start. Koline, Atilla De Rouaisse, Unity Belle and Vindetta also make the short list.
The selection though is Maghazi who was a solid second at Lingfield on his return to the UK. A repeat of that form could well be enough and he looks to have been saved for this race.
Maghazi(GB) at the 2013 ARO season finale at Hereford THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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7
SHADWELL
SUPER Alex Cairns is still in the lead whilst Jenny Hogan's second team is 11 points behind. Steve Blackwell is still the top four and is joined by David Massey. However there are plenty of Group race bonus's up for grabs in the coming weeks. Alex Cairns:
123
Bon Baiser De Faust Salaama Al Hibaab Kamikaze Shuwaiman Al Kebir Whisper Zayin Zachilles
20 5 15 20 13 30 20
Jenny Hogan 2:
112
Bon Baiser De Faust Attila De Rouaisse Kiraa Whisper Shuwaiman Al Kebir Oriental Myth Gelliwen
20 18 15 30 13 8 8
Steve Blackwell:
96
Bon Baiser De Faust Callymay Kermit The Frog LB Farrah Spirited Game Top Trip Zayin Zachilles
20 20 13 13 0 10 20
David Massey:
96
Al Hibaab Vindetta Kamikaze Whisper Spirited Game Salaama Zayin Zachilles
15 6 20 30 0 5 20
Kaolino (FR) sire of dual winners Zayin Zachilles (GB) and Kamikaze (GB)
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Wathba Stud Farm Cup Restricted Maiden Stakes 3+ PA 1m1f Good to Firm
HEREFORD 7-6-2015
1. NEKHEN TAOUI (FR) 5 b m Djebbel (FR) - WinTaouy (FR) Wathba Stud Farm Cup Maiden Stakes 3+ (PA) 7f Good to Firm 1. NAAR (FR) 5 ch m Madjani (FR) Magie De Faust (FR) T: Mrs G M Duffield O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum B: SNC Shadwell France
T: Ms G. Ward O: Edwina Stud GmbH B: J.M.Daveiro J: Mr S. Walker
2. SAMIR (FR) 4 b c Akbar (FR) - Sbiba (FR) 3. UNITY BELLE (FR) 7 ch m Kerbella (FR) - Escada (FR) Dist: 0.5, 4
J: Mr P. Collington
2. ZAMHAREER (GB) 4 ch c Bengali D'Albret (FR) - Zormania (FR)
Another winner for GWRacing
3. MAIDAAN (FR) 4 ch g Monsieur Al Maury (FR) - Ziva (FR) Dist: 2, 3
Another winner for
Wathba Stallions Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (0-80) 7f Good to Firm
Wathba Stallions Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (0-55) 7f Good to Firm 1. KIRAA (FR) 11 ch m Akbar (FR) Kheira (FR)
1. ZAYIN ZACHILLES (GB) 6 ch h Kaolino (FR) - CS Comete (GB) T: Mr P. J. Hammersley O: Mr P. Simmons B: Zayin Arabian Stud
T: Mrs D. Thomas
J: Mr S. Harrison
O: Mrs D. Thomas
2. SYRAH GRIS (GB) 9 gr g Khoutoubia (FR) - Akara De Syrah (FR)
B: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum J: Mr S. Walker
2. KAYCLAIRE (GB) 4 b f Dahess (GB) Kiraa (FR) 3. SHUWAIMAN AL KEBIR (GB) 8 ch h Krayaan Dimun (BH) - Shuwaiman Bint Warda (BH)
3. MAN OF DREAMS (GB) 7 gr h Nizam (FR) - Dante's Dream (GB) Dist: 0.75, 1.5
Another winner for
Dist: 1.75, 2.5 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
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Wathba Stud Farm Cup Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (0-40) 1m1f Good to Firm
Wathba Stud Farm Cup Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (0-65) 1m4f Good to Firm
1. CALLYMAY (GB) 5 b m Dahess (GB) - Raada (GB)
1. WHISPER (GB) 12 b m The Wiking (US) - Sucha (GB)
T: Mrs D. Thomas
T: Mr A. S. Newey
O: Mrs D. Thomas
O: The Almost All Partnership
B: Paul Beard
B: Mrs E. Harrington
J: Mr S. Walker
2. AMIRA BINT GOUDAH (GB) 5 gr m Goudah (EG) - Dana Abyatt (GB) 3. TIGER LILY (GB) 4 b f Mirage Tigra (GB) - Penny Black (GB) Dist: 12,2.5
J: Miss P. Fuller
2. GELLIWEN (GB) 8 b m Phariz (GB) Gelma Du Volday (GB) 3. KATWALK (GB) 9 ch g Makzan (FR) CS Shamal (GB) Dist: 2,4
Wathba Stallions Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (0-90) 1m1f Good to Firm 1. JALDI KARO (GB) 4 b c Jehol De Cardonne (FR) - Merwah (GB) T: Ms G. Ward O: The Harvey Wallbangers Club B: John Elliot J: Mr S. Walker
2. ORIENTAL MYTH (FR) 5 gr m Madjani (FR) - Simooma (GB) 3. SHARAF (FR) 5 ch h Mahaab (AE) Tashreefat (GB) Dist: shd,0.5
Another winner for GWRacing
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels and Racing Post.
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY 28-6-2015 International Ali Riza Bey Trophy Group 2 PA 4yo+ 1400m Good 1. MOUHEEB (GB) 5 gr Mared Al Sahara (FR) - Sandytiki (FR) T: E. Kaya O: Remazan Kaya
CHANTILLY,FRANCE 29-6-2015 Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes Group 1 PA 3yo 1600m Good to Firm 1. MABROOKA (FR) 3 ch f Mahaab (FR) - Shamayl (FR) T: D Guillemin
B: HH Sheikh Al Thani
O: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan
J: S. Kaya
2. TANATAR (TUR) 6 ch h Surdahan (TUR) - Nevrakiz (TUR) 3. GUMBURGGUMBUR (TUR) 5 ch h Kaizbert (RU) - Kalamis Esentisi (US) Dist: 1.5, 0.5
2. MURAAQUIB (FR) 3. CAKOUET DE BOZOULS (FR)
LA TESTE, FRANCE 30-6-2015 Coupe De Sud-Ouest Group 3 PA 4yo 1900m Good
DUINDIGT, NETHERLANDS 28-6-2015 Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan Cup Group 3 PA 4yo+ 1900m Firm 1. LAHOOB (GB) 6 gr h Amer (AE) Dirama (FR) T: Ms B Deurtrom
1. AL MOURTAJEZ (FR) 5 gr c Dahess (GB) - Arwa (FR) T: Mr T Fourcy O: AL Shaqab Racing
2. TM THUNDER STRUCK(US) 3. SIR BANI YAS (FR) Criterium Des Pouliches Group 2 PA 4+yo Fillies 1900m Good
O: HE Sheikh Nasser Al Hassar B: hh Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani J: Tadhg O'Shea
2. AMERETTO (FR) 9 gr h 3. HURRA (FR) 5 gr f
1. LORAA (FR) 4 ch f Mawood (FR) Aleefa (FR) T: Suc. JF Bernard O: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan
2. AJS Rudainah (QA)
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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE Issue 7- online - 25th August
Dubai International Arabian Races Full review of all the days events at the Arabian Racing Organisation season highlight
DohaTriple Crown Report and pictures from the first leg of the series from Goodwood. Deauville All the Group 1 action from France Windsor Preview Preview of the Royal Cavalry of Oman meeting
www.lgbloodstock.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
One World, 6 Continents
January 23, Sportingbet Park, Australia February 08, St Moritz, Switzerland March 07, Sam Houston Park, Texas April 17, Toulouse, France
June 06, Stockholm, Sweden 28, Duindight , Netherlands July 05, Pleasanton, CA August 17, Ostend, Belgium 23, Sluzewiec, Poland September 19, Los Alamitos, CA
May 09, Ling�ield Park, UK 31, Sluzewiec, Poland
October 28, Toulouse, France Nov 08, Finals, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
Sustained By
Coordinated By
in Cooperation with
Sponsored By
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
Of�icial Partner
Of�icial Carrier
One World, 6 Continents
January 23, Sportingbet Park, Australia February 08, St Moritz, Switzerland March 07, Sam Houston Park, Texas April 17, Toulouse, France
June 06, Stockholm, Sweden 28, Duindight , Netherlands July 05, Pleasanton, CA August 17, Ostend, Belgium 23, Sluzewiec, Poland September 19, Los Alamitos, CA
May 09, Ling�ield Park, UK 31, Sluzewiec, Poland
October 28, Toulouse, France Nov 08, Finals, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
Sustained By
Coordinated By
in Cooperation with
Sponsored By
Of�icial Partner
Of�icial Carrier