The Arabian Racehorse - Spring 2021

Spring Issue 2021

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

Breeding & New Season Special Shadwell Arabians - Stable Tours

'Spirit' - Bronze Edition of 9

DEBORAH BURT Award Winning Sculptor in Bronze - Commissions Welcome

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

Email: equinecreativemedia@gmail.com

3

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE Spring Issue - 2021 4

News

19

Breeding Special - Leading Sires

26

Breeding Special - Shadwell Arabians

40

New Season - James Owen

53

New Season - Phil Collington

67

New Season - Pete Hammersley

74

New Season - Jen Harris

76

New Season - Steve Blackwell

78

Gulf Review - 2020/2021 Season

88

HH The Amir Sword Review

96

Obaiya Arabian Classic

102

Dubai Kahayla Classic

105

Pat Buckley

113

Lorna Brooke

114

The Final Furlong

Front cover: No Risk Al Maury - Leading sire in the UK in 2020

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

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

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

4

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE PODCAST RESUMES With the 2021 UK Arabian racing season about to get underway at Wolverhampton on Wednesday April 28th, the Arabian Racehorse podcast returns with a new guest presenter - ARO handicapper Stephen Molyneux.

Molyneux has been a producer and presenter on the Dubai Racing Channel for seven years and though usually returns to the UK for the summer, has remained in the UAE due to the restrictions imposed

by Covid 19.

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

Stephen Molyneux with the Royal Cavalry of Oman's Adil Al Hosni at Newmarket's Future Champions Day in 2019

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyrCR47MWgo4RXTCFF8V6mw

and will be posted on The Arabian Racehorse and EMR facebook and social media from Tuesday 27th April.

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

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

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

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

5

VAN DEN BOS DOPING SCANDAL CONTINUES - KIM AUGENBROE BANNED FOR THREE YEARS On April 2 2021 France Galop published a statement regarding the two positive samples for the synthetic blood agent MYO-INOSITOL TRISPYROPHOSPHATE (ITTP) taken from Lightning Bolt and one from Flying High in 2020.

Lightning Bolt has been suspended for 34 months and deleted from the results of the Doha Cup (Gr1PA) and the Prix Dragon (Gr1PA). Flying High has been suspended for 17 months and has also been deleted from the results of the Doha Cup (Gr1PA).

Both horses were bred and originally trained by Karin Van Den Bos who made

history when another of her homebreds, owned by Langoed Waterland, Akoya, became the first racehorse in history to test positive for ITTP following his win in the 2019 Prix Dragon. Akoya was suspended for two years, and Van Den Bos for one. Van Den Bos' subsequent appeal was rejected by France Galop.

Her horses then transferred to Kim Augenbroe and ran under the ownership of D Kooman Business Management for the 2021 season. Following this new investigation Kim Augenbroe has been suspended for three years.

The full statement may be read by clicking this link: https://www.france-galop.com/sites/default/files/bij_2021_13bis.pdf

Lightning Bolt (FR) goes to post for the 2019 UAE President Cup - Coupe des Europe (Gr1PA) at ParisLongchamp THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

6

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

7

ARO 2021 PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST PUBLISHED The Arabian Racing Organisation fixture list for 2021 has been published. With regards to the challenges of Covid19, all fixtures are subject to change, however ARO is committed to keeping all registered participants informed of any changes, as soon as they arise.

Part One of the ARO Racing Calendar may be viewed on their website or by following this link below:

particularly with respect to fines, which will be on the same scale as for thoroughbred trainers.

Participants who race in Europe are reminded that from May 5th, the vaccination rules in France have changed, further information and advice may be obtained from the ARO office or Equine MediRecord, whose system is mandatory for all horse running under ARO rules in 2021.

ARO contact:

http://www.aroracing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Racing-Calendar-Part-One-Issue-1.pdf

Particpants are reminded to familiarise themselves with updated rule changes for 2021, which further align UK Arabian racing with thoroughbred racing -

willie@aroracing.co.uk Equine MediRecord contact: darganph@equinemedirecord.com

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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

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

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

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

9

HH SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE UK FOR 2020 The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is looking forward to welcoming back the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival to UK Arabian racing in 2021. The ever-popular Wathba Stallions Cup series supporting the sports’ grassroots is back with five races starting on April 28th at Wolverhampton. However, the Festival highlight will be the Group 3PA HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup run at Haydock Park on Saturday 4th September. The one-mile contest will have a prize fund of £14,000 and is registered as the ARO Cup which was previously run at Newbury and Royal Windsor racecourses.

The five UK Wathba Stallions Cup races will be held from April through August at Wolverhampton, Bath, Royal Windsor, Lingfield Park and Chepstow racecourses. They range from a maiden contest to open the season over seven furlongs, to mid-range handicaps from a mile to a mile and a half.

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

The Wathba Stallions Cup series aims to promote the breeders of Arabian racehorses, and is supported by Wathba Stallions, the breeding arm in the UAE and France, of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, who is also Chairman of the Emirates Arabian Horse Association.

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “ARO is extremely grateful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival over the last ten years. Their first race with us was the Wathba Stud Farm Cup Series UK Breeders Stakes run in 2011 at Newbury. Two years later ARO hosted the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Conference in London, with supporting races also at Newbury. It is also thanks to the Festival’s sponsorship that we held five meetings at Hereford in 2013, which was instrumental in keeping that racecourse operational.”

“The return of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival to the UK has been very well received and we look forward to a competitive season, culminating in HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup. We are also grateful for the support and assistance of the British Horseracing Authority and all the racecourses, in particular Haydaock Park who will be hosting Arabian racing for the first time. With regards to the ongoing challenges of Covd19, ARO remains committed to keeping all its’ registered participants informed of updates to UK Arabian racing as soon as they are available.”

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

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

10

BHA ANNOUNCE INNOVATIVE JOCEKY SALIVA TESTING PILOT In a move to further safeguard human and equine wellbeing and safety, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is currently developing a pilot programme to assess the use of saliva testing on racedays as a method of screening for cocaine and some other banned substances.

Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA, said:

The pilot, which is currently planned to commence in the spring, is being developed in conjunction with the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and uses oral swabs to provide a nearinstant indication as to whether substances are present in a rider’s system, above the existing thresholds.

“This is an exciting and innovative proposal which could have a huge impact on our ability to protect the sport against individuals who are competing while under the influence of prohibited substances. We are pleased to be working with the PJA on its development.

Should the pilot prove successful, British racing would become the first major sport in Britain to utilise on-the-day screening for banned substances through oral swabs.

“We hope that the use of on-the-day screening, alongside increased testing capacity, will provide greater deterrent to potential offenders and greater reassurance to riders that they are competing in a safe environment, should the pilot be successful.”

Any jockey who tests positive would be stood down from riding for the day, in the interests of the safety of fellow jockeys and horses, as is the case with breathalyser tests for the presence of alcohol.

As well as providing instant responses, saliva testing is also highly cost effective.

If the pilot proves successful and the system is rolled out on a permanent basis, this – combined with increased funding being allocated to testing in 2021 – would result in a significant increase in the number of raceday tests carried out each year.

Saliva testing will be used alongside urine testing with a broad range of substances detectable. Raceday saliva tests will act as a preliminary screen, and any jockey who tests positive in this manner would then be required to take a confirmatory test for the purposes of any further investigation or disciplinary action.

Moreover, any jockey who returns a positive test will also be contacted by the BHA’s Chief Medical Adviser to discuss any care and support that may be appropriate.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

11

9.00am to 5.00pm it will be answered by Sporting Chance and outside of those hours the service is provided by Health Assured, where jockeys will be able to speak with a counsellor directly.

Brant Dunshea added: “There is much more to tackling issues such as substance use than pure regulation. The BHA is also working with the PJA to take a wider look at this issue and how we can better educate and protect our participants and rehabilitate those who do become involved.

“We want to encourage a culture of openness within our sport. We want people to have confidence to come forward and speak up about all issues around health and well-being, and will seek to support anyone who faces problems or has found themselves in difficulty.

•

Alternatively jockeys can contact a member of the PJA team during office hours. All calls will be treated in strictest confidence. They will organise for one of Sporting Chance’s trained counsellors to call the jockey and set them up with the individual support you need.

•

If a support plan is recommended, the PJA will fund a minimum of eight sessions as part of the PJA membership.

“We would encourage anyone who is involved with issues around substance use, or know of someone who is, to contact the PJA or the BHA’s Chief Medical advisor Dr Jerry Hill directly, or contact the PJA’s confidential helpline and support network run by Sporting Chance.” the PJA works with Sporting Chance to provide a 24/7 helpline and national support networK as they understand that jockeys might not want to talk to someone they know or might need some additional support even after opening up to a friend, partner or colleague.

•

Jockeys, or a member of their support network, can call the helpline directly. The number is 07780 008877 and this is manned 24hrs a day. From THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

12

PART TWO OF THE AFAC CALANDAR PUBLISHED AFAC have published part two of their provisional calendar for races between April 25 and August 22nd.

CALENDRIERS PROVISOIRES 2021 3 ANS 4

BORDEAUX 9-mai WATHBA STALLIONS CUP DJELFOR

1 600

58

TS

3

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

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

5

22-mai

TOULOUSE NORNIZ

1 600

57

M/H

3

6

22-mai

TOULOUSE FEDORA

1 600

57

F

3

2 000

58

TS

3

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

16 000 €

Prémium

1 600

58

TS

3

3 ans : 58 kg

50 000 €

Prémium

1 200

58

TS

3

n'ayant jamais gagné ni reçu 1500€ en place

12 000 €

PMH

1 400

58

TS

3

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

18 000 €

Prémium

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

7

4-juin

8

25-juin

9

4-juil.

10

6-juil.

11

16-juil.

LA TESTE RAZZIA III

GR. 3 PA

1 900

57

F

3

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

25 000 €

Prémium

12

16-juil.

LA TESTE TIDJANI

GR. 3 PA

1 900

57

M/H

3

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

25 000 €

Prémium

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

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

13

16-juil.

14

21-juil.

15 16

GR. 2 PA

LA TESTE NEZ D'OR

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

LA TESTE AKBAR

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

DEAUVILLE GR. 1 PA AL RAYYAN CUP KESBEROY

1 900

58

TS

3

1 600

57

TS

3

1 900

58

F

3

1 900

58

M/H

3

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

2 300

58

TS

3

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

2 000

58

TS

3

3 ans : 58 kg

19 15-août

VICHY IFAHR

1 400

58

TS

3

20 20-août

LA TESTE DJOURMAN

1 900

58

TS

3

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

16 000 €

Prémium

16 000 €

Prémium

50 000 €

Prémium

-

16 000 €

Prémium

-

16 000 €

Prémium

4 ANS et + N°

DATE

9

TOULOUSE 25-avr.

CARTHAGE

10

11

12

HIPPODROME

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

13

8-mai

DAX DJERBA OUA

14

9-mai

BORDEAUX DAMAS

15

TOULOUSE 15-mai BAROUD II

CATEGORIE

DISTANCE

POIDS SEXE

AGE

CONDITIONS

DOTATIONS TOTALES

TYPE

30 000 €

Prémium

GR. 2 PA

2 000

56

TS

4 et +

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

GR. 2 PA

2 000

58

F

4 ans

4 ANS : 58 kg / 5 ans: 58kg

30 000 €

Prémium

GR. 3 PA

1 900

58

TS

4 ans

+ 2 kg tout gagnant de Gr. 1 PA

20 000 €

Prémium

14 000 €

Prémium

14 000 €

Prémium

GR. 3 PA

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

2 300

55

TS

4 et +

1 400

56

TS

4 et +

1 600

56

TS

4 et +

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

20 000 €

Prémium

4 et +

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

14 000 €

Premium

2 100

55

TS

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

13

CALENDRIERS PROVISOIRES 2021 16

17

18

TOULOUSE PRIX ZULMA HH SHEIKHA FATIMA BINT MUBARAK CUP PARISLONCHAMP THE PRESIDENT OF THE UAE 16-mai CUP - COUPE D'EUROPE DES CHEVAUX ARABES

1 600

57

F

4 et +

(4 ANS : 57 kg / 5 ANS et + : 59,5 kg) +1 kg par 1 500€ reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er Juillet de l'année qui précède,

14 000 €

Premium

GR. 1 PA

2 000

56

TS

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 59,5 kg

100 000 €

Prémium

GR. 2 PA

2 000

56

F

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + :60 kg Gagnants Gr. 1 PA + 2 kg

30 000 €

Prémium

14 000 €

Prémium

15-mai

22-mai

TOULOUSE QATAR PRIX DE L' ELEVAGE

19

22-mai

TOULOUSE HIPPODROME DE TOULOUSE

2 100

56

TS

4 ans

4 ANS : 56 kg n'ayant pas gagné une course de Gr. PA + 1 kg par 2 000 € reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

20

4-juin

TOULOUSE AISSA - Véronique BRIAT

2 100

55

F

4 et +

4 ANS : 55 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57,5 kg +1 kg par 4 000€ reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

14 000 €

Prémium

21

9-juin

LA TESTE BA TOUSTEM

1 900

55

TS

4 et +

4 ANS : 55 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57 kg n'ayant pas gagné une course de GR. +1 kg par 4 000€ reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

14 000 €

Prémium

22

CHANTILLY 20-juin QATAR DERBY DES PUR-SANG ARABES DE 4 ANS

2 000

58

TS

4 ans

4 ans : 58 kg

150 000 €

Prémium

23

MONTAUBAN 20-juin WATHBA STALLIONS CUP FERNAND FLOTTES

2 250

56

TS

4 et +

12 000 €

PMH

24

25-juin

DAX AFAC

1 400

57

TS

4 et +

14 000 €

Prémium

25

4-juil.

POMPADOUR PIERRE PECHDO

1 700

56

TS

4 et +

10 000 €

PMH

26

6-juil.

GR. 3 PA

1 900

56

TS

4 et +

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

20 000 €

Prémium

27

6-juil.

GR. 2 PA

1 900

56

F

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 58 kg

30 000 €

28

16-juil.

1 900

56

F

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57,5 kg N'ayant jamais reçu une allocation de 6 000€ Toute gagnante portera 2kg

14 000 €

Prémium

29

POMPADOUR 25-juil. WATHBA STALLIONS CUP DES SABLES

1 700

56

TS

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57 kg n'ayant pas reçu 6 000 € en victoire et place + 1 kg par 1 000€ reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

12 000 €

PMH

1 600

57

TS

4 et +

20 000 €

Prémium

1 600

56

TS

4 ans

14 000 €

Prémium

2 200

55

F

4 et +

10 000 €

PMH

2 000

56

TS

4 et +

12 000 €

PMH

2 000

56

TS

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57,5 kg

50 000 €

Prémium

2 000

56

TS

4 et +

n'ayant pas reçu une allocation 10 000 € +1 kg par 2 000 € reçus en victoire et place cette année

14 000 €

PMH

1 900

56

F

4 ans

+ 2 kg pour les gagnantes de Gr.1 + 1 kg pour les gagnantes de Gr. 2

20 000 €

Prémium

4 et +

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 58,5 kg n'ayant jamais gagné + 1 kg par 1 000 € reçus en place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

12 000 €

PMH

30

31

LA TESTE SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL COUPE DU SUD-OUEST LA TESTE SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL CRITERIUM DES POULICHES LA TESTE MANDORE

MONT DE MARSAN 30-juil. WATHBA STALLIONS CUP BURKEGUY LA TESTE 1-août WATHBA STALLIONS CUP ARCA

LISTED PA

GRAMAT MADERBA

32

2-août

33

AURILLAC 8-août WATHBA STALLIONS CUP DANBIK

34

10-août

DEAUVILLE DOHA CUP - MANGANATE

35

15-août

VICHY ACA

36

20-août

LA TESTE NEVADOUR

37

GR. 1 PA

ROYAN 22-août WATHBA STALLIONS CUP ALBAN JAMME

GR. 1 PA

GR. 3 PA

1 600

56

TS

4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 59 kg n'ayant jamais gagné +1 kg par 1000€ reçus en place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède 4 ANS : 57 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57,5 kg +1 kg par 5 000€ reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède 4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57 kg n'ayant jamais gagné une course +1 kg par 1 500 € reçus en place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

4 ANS : 57 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57,5 kg + 2 kg tout gagnant de GR. 1 -1 kg n'ayant pas gagné cette année' + 1 kg par 3 000 € reçus en victoire et place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède - 2 kg pour les chevaux n'ayant jamais couru 4 ANS : 55 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57 kg n'ayant jamais gagné + 1 kg par 1 500€ reçus en place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède 4 ANS : 56 kg / 5 ANS et + : 57,5 kg n'ayant jamais gagné + 1 kg par 2 000€ reçus en place depuis le 1er janvier de l'année qui précède

Page 2

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Calendriers_Provisoires 2021

Prémium

14

34th ANNUAL DARLEY AWARDS

up to the awards.

Sponsored by the Texas Arabian Breeders Association (TABA),the 34th Annual Darley Awards presented by the Arabian Racing Cup was a virtual event fro a second year running and was broadcast worldwide on Friday 19 March.

Uptown Sandy Girl’s previous awards were Darley Three-Year-Old Filly (2017), Darley Four-Year-Old Filly (2018), Darley Older Mare (2019) On receiving a second Older Mare award for 2020, she joins the unique band of Fryga and Paddys Day as the only horses to win awards in four different years. She is also the first mare to win Horse of the Year since Sand Witchh in 2009/2010.

The finalists for the Darley Horse of the Year included three living US Arabian racing legends Dance With Me BW, Paddys Day and Uptown Sandy Girl. They had already won eleven Darley Awards between them in previous years.

This year’s winner was Uptown Sandy Girl, bred by Jon and Krista Henningsgard and owned by their Uptown Arabians. The seven-year-old mare had added a further three black type wins in 2020 to her previous 11 successes. Earlier that day she took the Darley Distaff Stakes, a Listed contest over 1400m as part of the build-

She beat her fellow challengers for Horse of the Year, Paddys Day and Dance With Me BW in her opening race of 2020, the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Sprint Stakes, a Grade 1 over 1400m in Sam Houston, Texas. Following up over the same course and distance in the Listed Darley Sprint Stakes, she was later placed in two further Grade 1’s including the UAE President Cup on Preakness Day.

Uptown Sandy Girl (US) wins the Yellow Rose Stakes (Gr3PA) in 2018 ©Coady Photo THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

15

Uptown Sandy Girl was bred for success.

She is a daughter of the many times champion sire Burning Sand, out of Arabian Racing Hall of Fame Mare, Wibwilcca.

Wibwilcca won 12 races, including six stakes races from 46 starts and was the Darley Older Mare of 1999. She is also the dam of DC Willeys Song, Darley Older Mare of 2015.

4 Year Old Fillies: RB Kinetic (Baseq Al Khalediah)

Commenting on the awards Kirsta Henningsgard said: “It’s absolutely exhilarating, as she’s a homebred baby that we’ve raised. From the time that she was a weanling, she just was something special.

She’s always had a heart.”

Breeders: Krista & Jon Henningsgard

There was further success for the Henningsgards as their Uptown Lady Arabella (Burning Sand), a sister to Uptown Sandy Girl, was the Darley Three-Year-Old Filly, and they also won the Darley Breeders Award.

34th Darley Awards: 3 Year Old Colts/Geldings: First Classs (Dahess) 3 Year Old Fillies: Uptown Lady Arabella (Burning Sand) 4 Year Old Colts/Geldings: RB Rich Lyke Me (Majd Al Arab)

Older Horses: Paddys Day (Burning Sand) Older Mares: Uptown Sandy Girl (Burning Sand) Owners: Rosebrook Farms LLC

Trainers: The ARC Chief Steward has elected not to award a 2020 Trainer of the Year, and instead produced a special video compilation recognizing the accomplishments of each trainer who won races in 2020.

Jockeys: Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez HORSE OF THE YEAR: UPTOWN SANDY GIRL The Darley Awards were supported by the Darley Distaff and Darley Sprint Stakes both black type Listed races worth $30,000 each and run at Sam Houston Park in Texas, earlier in the day.

Uptown Sandy Girl’s win in the Distaff Stakes opened the card, whilst the evergreen Paddys Day secured his 29th win from 50 starts in the Darley Sprint.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

16

TURKEY'S SUPERSTAR TURBO PASSES ON AT 16 It is very sad to announce that one of Turkeys most famous Arabian racehorses, Turbo, has passed away at only 16 years of age. A winner of 28 of his 31 races, he recorded a remarkable seven wins at each of the three Group levels. A winner from 800m to 2400m on Dirt and Turf, he was most proficient around a mile with 18 of his wins coming at 1400 to 1600m.

Bred and owned by Erdin Düzarat he was trained by Ümit Arslan, Turbo will be best remembered internationally for his win in the International Malazgirt Trophy in 2009, beating General by two lengths, with No Risk Al Maury and Dariya in third and fourth.

Turbo (GB) © Mehmet Marangoz

Turbo (GB) © Mehmet Marangoz THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

17

RACING WELFARE BEST TURNED OUT SERIES RETURNS FOR ARO 2021 SEASON The Arabian Racing Organisation is thrilled to announce today that the popular Best Turned Out Series sponsored by Racing Welfare will be returning for the new season of UK Arabian racing. The series rewards the hard-working grooms with points awarded in every race and at the end of the season, the winners in each category will receive a cash prize of £125.

The three awards are presented as follows: to the individual with the most points from a yard with nine horses or less, to the individual from a yard with ten horses or more and a further award to the yard that accrues the most points overall.

In addition, there will be five individual Best Turned Out cash awards of £20 presented by the regional Welfare Officer who will be representing Racing Welfare at the following meetings: Chelmsford

City (3rd June), Newbury (10th June), Chepstow (19th August), Lingfield Park (25th August) and Haydock (Saturday 4th September).

“Racing Welfare is delighted to once again be supporting the ARO Best Turned Out series.” Said James Schofield, Head of Fundraising for Racing Welfare. “We are looking forward to being able to get back on the racecourse to present the Best Turned Out prizes and recognising the hard work of racing staff.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director commented: “ARO is extremely grateful for the continued support of Racing Welfare, recognising all the hard-working staff behind the scenes and on course. We look forward to our season commencing on April 28th at Wolverhampton racecourse.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

We listen.

We support.

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

Racing’s Support Line

0800 6300 443 - 24/7 Telephone line

www.racingwelfare.co.uk - Online live chat

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

19

Breeding Special Leading UK Sires

No Risk Al Maury (FR)

With only 14 races in a season shortened by the challenges of Covid19, and those races not covering the full spectrum of distances and mostly run on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton, it is best not to draw too many conclusions for UK breeding from the 2020 results. However after missing out by one winner in 2019, it was highly

likely that Shadwell’s No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy) would claim the top spot in 2020. Weight of numbers will always be a factor, as in 2019, his nine winners came from 56 runs, whilst in the much-reduced race calendar for 2020, it was three from 24. Nonetheless his ability to produce successful progeny cannot be denied.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

20

ARO 2020 Sires Championship Sire No Risk Al Maury (FR) Amer (SA) Mahabb (AE) Tabarak (GB) Al Saoudi (FR) Munjiz (FR) Jaafer ASF (GB) Sadeem (FR) Madjani (FR) AF Albahar (AE) General (GB) Al Mamun Monlau (FR) Kayeed (GB) Majd Al Arab (GB) Monsieur Al Maury (FR) Nizam (GB) Al Reeh Janoob (GB) Snoopi (FR) Dahess (GB) Nivour De Cardonne (FR)

1st 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

The top scorer for No Risk Al Maury was the leading mare of 2020, Wanaasa, trained by James Owen for HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. On pedigree she was entitled to do well, being the sixth foal of Ouassila Thabet (Akbar), winner of the Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA), who also broke her maiden on her third start as a juvenile. This cross to an Akbar mare has produced the Group 3PA winner Darius Du Paon and Daisy De Vialettes.

Wanaasa had always looked to have plenty of potential and it seemed to be a question of when, not if, she would gain her victory. Campaigned over 7f and a mile, trips that her half-sister Al Azeeza (Munjiz) did so well at in the UK, she should have the scope for further this year.

Her dam won over 1m2f at three and was twice runner up over a mile and a half, in the UAE and Belgium.

His other winners were Mazyoonah, out of

2nd 3 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3rd 4 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

4th 1 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0

Runs 24 4 6 4 8 11 3 4 12 5 4 1 6 3 2 1 5 4 10 2

Prize Money 12,120 127,000 81,400 2,320 19,760 2,640 13,240 1,160 2,320 880 7,400 16,000 560 560 560 16,000 280 3320 200 120

Udjidora De Bozouls (Dormane) and Arwen Forta out of Bay Brulee (Sam Tiki).

Udjidora De Bozouls is also a half-sister to a Hatta winner in Udjidor De Bozouls and though still a maiden from 11 starts, she was runner-up three times from 6f to a mile. With Dormane such a popular sire, it is no surprise to find plenty of winners bred on this cross, headed by Hyla Du Loup, winner of the Prix Razzia (Gr3PA) last year. Mayzoonah stepped up on her previous successes over a mile (Chelmsford City 2018) and 6.5f (Duindigt 2019) to win on her first attempt at 9.5f when taking the Wathba Stallions (0-75) at Wolverhampton.

Arwen Forta is a half-sister to Aurora Forta (Abu Alemarat), both took a while to break their maidens, though Arwen Forta won over a mile, Aurora Forta was Group placed over shorter but eventually needed a trip, winning up to 1m5f.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

21

Wanaasa (GB) One for the notebook for 2021 who is still a maiden was the five-year-old Zayin Zyperion. Out of CS Comete (Bengali D’Albret), who won four times at 7f and a mile, he is a half-brother to the consistent and recently retired nine-time winner, Zayin Zachilles (Kaolino). With fellow ShadwellArabian sire, Bengali D’albret as a damsire, this has proved a fruitful cross, most notably producing Rd2 Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) winner Barnamaj, as well as four-time UK winning filly, Anfaas.

Having looked backward in his sole run at four, the delayed start to the 2020 season probably worked in Zayin Zyperion’s favour, whilst his trainer Peter Hammersley has a good record for bringing on horses slowly. Making the frame in his last three outings, from a mile to 9.5f, he should lose the maiden tag this year.

Zayin Zyperion (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

22

The continued success of Amer (Wafi) is no surprise, though obviously four years after his passing at the age of 33, the champion’s star is inevitably on the decline. Ebraz continues to be ones of his leading active progeny, adding a second Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) to his impressive total of top-level wins in 2020.

Out of Massamarie (Tidjani), his was a proven cross that has produced Ebraz’s Group 1 PA winning brothers, Mared Al Sahra and Mu’azzaz.

Mahabb (Tahar De Candelon) looks set to take over the mantle of leading Wathba sire from the recently deceased Munjiz, his top UK performer was most certainly the Anglo-French Derby winner Hattal.

Hattal has the benefit of one of the world’s leading racemares as a dam in Mizzna (Akbar), who lowered the colours of subsequent leading sires, Madjani in the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) and Dahess in the Liwa Oasis (Gr1PA). His other winner, Toofan is out of Zaaqya (Al Sakbe), who was also a debut winner, and later secured two further wins at 7f and a mile.

Toofan (GB) Al Shaamikh (QA) The three-year-old Al Shaamikh out of Afraah (Djendel) remained unbeaten in two starts, for new trainer Jessica Quinlan.

He has since been exported to Qatar where he has yet to make an appearance.

His cross is also well-established recipe, that has produced another multiple Group 1PA winner for Al Shahania Stud in Gazwan.

Not surprisingly Mahabb’s best winners to date are mostly from Sheikh Mansoor mares, Group 1PA winner Deryan, is out of an Akbar mare, though of course Dubai Kahayla Classic winner Manark (out of Mendra by Sousse) originated from the Haras de Mandore. In the UK Shadwell have already had success with the Mahabb – Al Sakbe cross with Taqdeeraat (out of Maiziane) who won the premier handicap over a mile at Dubai International Arabian Races in 2018.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

23

Tabarak’s two winners in France, Snow Girl and Mountasir are bred on similar lines, Mountasir is out of a granddaughter of Manganate, whilst is out of a great granddaughter of Manganate.

Al-Tabari (GB) The leading UK Arabian of 2020 was AlTabari, who is from the first full crop of Tabarak (Nizam). His dam Altesse Kossack (by Marwan, a son of Manganate) was a very successful handicapper, winning eight times, from a mile to 1m6f an AlTabari is her first foal.

Fifth on the list is Al Saoudi (Nuits St Georges), still doing well from limited opportunities. Whilst last season’s top Arabian Tijaary was placed, as was Farhaa, he has a new standard bearer in the Phil Collington trained Loolwa. Like many of her sire’s stock she is a big rangy filly and she showed a very professional attitude to be placed in the UK Arabian Derby behind Hattal on her debut run. Though better suited to Turf, she was not disgraced behind some useful novices at Wolverhampton, an experience she put to good use on her next outing there, when winning the final race of the season from Farhaa. Given another year on her back to develop, she should be an exciting prospect for 2021. Out of the juvenile Group winner Zormania (Dormane), she is bred on similar lines to the Moroccan millionaire winner, Adi De Saint Lon, being out of a granddaughter of Manganate.

Loolwa (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Roster Standing in the UK No Risk Al Maury

Kesberoy - Nectarine Al Maury (Baroud III)

Sire of recent Stakes winners MIN’HA (Gr.2 PA), JAHRA (Gr.2), HYLA DU LOUP (Gr.3 PA), AL NOURY (Gr.3 PA), SALMA NOUR GRINE (Gr.3 PA) Out of the outstanding maternal line of numerous International Group winners Fee:

€3,500 Frozen Semen Only

Al Jakbar

Al Sakbe - Essaada (Hosni)

Group 1 winner over a mile in France Sire of Group winners and performers Fee:

€750 Frozen Semen Only

Manark

Mahabb - Mendra (Sousse)

Multiple Group winner by exceptional sire MAHABB FIRST YEARLINGS 2021 Fee:

Visit our new website

€2,000 Natural Cover Only

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

www.shadwellarabian.co.uk

Handassa

Madjani - Ziva (Dormane)

Multiple Group winner by exceptional sire MADJANI Fee:

€1,500

Af Al Buraq

Amer - Al Hanouf (Sabaan)

Leading sire in the UAE by number of wins for the third consecutive year Sire of stakes winners and performers including: AF MAHER (Kahayla Classic Gr.1 PA), AF AL SAJANJLE (Gr.2 PA), AF MAQAYES (Gr.3 PA), AF ALWAJEL (Gr.3 PA) Fee:

€3,000 Natural Cover Only

Sivit Al Maury Akbar - Savavit Al Maury (Dormane)

Multiple Stakes winner

FIRST FOALS 2021 Fee:

€2,000

Concessions may be available for blacktype mares, mares travelling from overseas and multiple mares T H E A R A B I A N R AMarion C E H O RLachat, SE

Contact us to discuss terms: Shadwell Estate Company Ltd. arabians@shadwellstud.co.uk

facebook.com/shadwellarabian

26

Breeding Special Shadwell Arabians The 2021 breeding season offers an exceptional opportunity for UK Arabian breeders as Shadwell Arabians will be standing six stallions at their Norfolk base. The roster is headed by current UK champion, No Risk Al Maury, who is joined by two exciting new recruits for natural cover - available to UK breeders for the first time - in four-time UAE champion sire AF Al Buraq and Kahayla Classic winner Manark.

Champion UK Arabian Sire of 2020 - No Risk Al Maury (FR) It is natural for the most successful longterm racing and breeding operations to periodically review their operational policy, whether they be thoroughbred or Arabian racehorses. Prior to his death last month, HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum had broadened the scope of his former

jockey turned Racing Advisor, Richard Hills’ role to include his Arabian racehorses. To assist him, he brought in the highly experienced Deirdre Hyde, repatriated from the UAE to fulfil the role of Arabian Pedigree Consultant.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

27

Hills explains: “Though thoroughbreds are my main focus, Sheikh Hamdan asked me a year ago if I would like to get more involved with his Arabian racehorses, to point the operation in a different direction and to work with Deirdre. It’s been really interesting for me actually.

"When you’re a jockey, you just turn up and ride them, whereas being more involved with the training and everything else is something that I’ve really enjoyed over the last couple of months, such as picking four three-year-olds to go to France for example.

“We’re at a really young stage of the partnership and where it goes from here will obviously be up to the family now, but we could be at the beginning of an exciting new era for Shadwell Arabians.”

Hyde continues: “We hope that we can continue to carry out Sheikh Hamdan’s wishes which he expressed to me when I met him, which is that he wants to see his horses winning the big races, such as the Kahayla Classic.”

In line with the tried and tested policy used by the big thoroughbred studs such as Juddmonte and their own thoroughbred arm of Shadwell Estate, she feels judicious selection at an earlier stage will help keep Shadwell Arabians sights set firmly at Group 1 PA level. Certainly, the regular sale of both surplus breeding stock and handicapping types has proved popular with the smaller thoroughbred owners and breeders, and she feels that this is something they should emulate with the Arabians.

Richard Hills and Deirdre Hyde THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

28

Deirdre Hyde and Richard Hills assessing the Shadwell horses in training “We do need to cut back on numbers. If we can inspire the British owners to get more involved, over the next couple of years there should be a lot of opportunities to acquire some very good stock either to start breeding, or to go racing and to have a bit of fun with.”

Regarding the range of stallion options, Shadwell Arabians have plenty to offer outside breeders, both in bloodlines and covering choices. Both Manark and AF Al Buraq are available for natural cover, with the others available for AI with frozen semen.

Of their own breeding programme, she is excited by the outcrosses their new stallions offer them saying: “I think what surprised me coming here and seeing the Shadwell mares, they are like good old fashioned Crabbet mares, very solid, so you wouldn’t want to use a Madjani-type stallion, they need a lighter framed horse, like AF Al Buraq for example.”

Hyde continues: “We are hoping to increase the availability of our frozen semen to ensure that all our stallions will be available anywhere in the world. I do think that in the coming years, Shadwell Arabians will have extraordinary stallion power and of course we still have No Risk Al Maury who continues to be our most popular stallion.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

29

NO RISK AL MAURY 2020 UK Arabian Champion sire No Risk Al Maury heads the six strong UK roster for the 2021 season.

A winner of 17 of his 25 starts, from four to nine years over 7 furlongs to 1m2f, he was the highest rated Arabian in Europe on 128 when the international classification system was introduced. He won six Group 1PA races including back-to-back Dubai International Stakes, and a further five Group 2PA races during that time.

By Kesberoy, sire of another leading European sire in Munjiz, No Risk Al Maury hails from one of the most outstanding maternal lines of recent times which is still producing numerous International Group winners and sires of the future. Not least the Group 1PA winning half-siblings Mister Ginoux and Lady Princess, who are

out of No Risk Al Maury’s full sister, Nacree Al Maury.

Described by Richard Hills who rode to him victory on nine occasions as “the ultimate Arabian to ride”, he praised his versatility on the Turf and the Dirt saying: “That’s the great thing about him for breeders, I wish we had a thoroughbred stallion like him!

“To ride, he was always up for it, he never had a bad day, he always put in his best and that quality is coming through in his progeny I think. What’s great about No Risk Al Maury, is he’s not a big horse, but he rode like a proper mini racehorse.

“I’m so proud that he’s so sought after as a stallion, he was a real dude. It gives me a kick and it really gave Sheikh Hamdan a kick too.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

30

"He always travelled well and had a good turn of foot. Speed is king in both breeds, if they settle, then you can enhance them to go further, so if they’ve got speed and they can get a mile and a quarter or more, then that’s the ultimate."

To date he has sired the multiple Group1PA winning mare Al Shamoos, whose dam, the Iraqi bred Hamiya, recently produced a full sister. Her trainer Charles Gourdain said of the filly: “Al Shamoos is not a big horse, but she has the biggest heart and is very brave. She has a great cruising speed and is always at the right place during a race. Like all champions, she shows speed as well as stamina, which allow her to win races from 1400 m to 2000 m.”

Another a top-level winner for his sire was

Barnamaj, a half-brother to HH Sheikh Hamdan’s most successful homebred Muraaqib. No Risk Al Maury’s black type winners in 2020 include Min’ha, Hyla Du Loup and Jahra who all won in a particularly fruitful three-week period last summer.

In a UK season shortened by Covid, he was responsible for the exciting young filly Wanaasa, who was the leading mare of 2020. Of her Hills says: “Wanaasa is only going to improve, Arabians don’t really reach their full potential until they’re six or seven.”

Available via frozen semen only, it is a testament to his success that his book has been limited to approved mares only for 2021.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

31

AF AL BURAQ New to the UK for breeders by natural cover only is four-time leading UAE stallion AF Al Buraq. Bred by four-time UAE champion owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, who has been his greatest supporter, AF Al Buraq relocated to France in 2018 to stand at the Haras de Saint-Faust under the Shadwell Arabians banner. By Amer out of Al Hanouf, he is a full brother to Haras Du Thouars resident AF Albahar, whose fee is private for 2021, making AF Al Buraq all the more desirable to breeders.

Hyde enthuses: “He’s a very exciting stallion, who was rather overlooked in

Europe, I think because AF Albahar has had far more publicity as he’s had more opportunities over here. However what AF Al Buraq has done in the UAE is quite phenomenal.”

She is of course very familiar with his stock in the UAE and when asked about his qualities she says: “For all that he himself is on the small side, his offspring are all a good size. He suits most mares because he’s such a good outcross, with an unusual Saudi dam line that makes him very useful for the Shadwell mares and also the domestic UK Arabian population as they are mostly free of Amer blood. Hopefully next year he will have a strong representation on the ground here.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

32

“He is a very versatile stallion, he gets horses at all distances, on both Turf and Dirt, and most importantly, he does seem to be capable of upgrading his mares considerably.

“I would gently like to advise trainers that his stock do need time, if you study how Khalid runs his horses, they often don’t run until they are four, rising five, and are still running at eight or nine years of age.

Though that could be partly down to the conditions of raising horses in the Emirates, so it may well turn out to be different here. Hopefully here they will be a bit more precocious, but I certainly wouldn’t dismiss them if they didn’t do much as three-year-olds.”

AF Al Buraq’s flag bearer has of course been 2019 Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) winner AF Maher, who defeated the Qatar Arabian World Cup winner Fazza Al Khalediah in a thrilling duel to the wire for his owner breeder Al Nabooda. He very nearly scored in that race again this year with AF Alwajel, who lost by less than a length after brave front-running performance, also under Tadgh O’Shea.

Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) success - in 2019 AF Maher (AE) [far side] wins from Fazza Al Khalediah (FR).

In 2021 AF Alwajel (AE) [far side] finishes a close second in the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) ©DRC

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

33

AF Alwajel had initially been campaigned with great success at sprint trips, winning the Liwa Oasis (Gr2PA), before stepping up to a mile to win the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Gr3PA). He has also sired the Group winners AF Al Sajanjle and AF Maqayes, interestingly all are from French dam lines.

Shadwell Estates have three of his progeny in training in the UK with Phil Collington, two colts, Al Barq, Barakka and a filly, Sultana. Of them Hills comments: “The AF Al Buraq’s, I think they’re showing good potential. As Deirdre says, they take a bit of time to mature. It’s still very much a learning curve with them at the moment.

“I think AF Al Buraq will probably bring more speed to the table than some of the sires available here. In the UAE, tracks like Abu Dhabi and Al Ain where his progeny have had great success, you need a bit of tactical speed and that will be a good asset in the UK too.”

Sultana (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Al Barq (GB)

Barakka (GB)

34

MANARK With his first yearlings this year is 2015 Dubai Kahayla Classic winner Manark. He showed plenty of speed at three years, winning possibly the strongest ever renewal of the Dubai International Arabian Races juvenile contest, the EEF International Stakes (Gr2PA). Behind him that day were no less than five subsequent PA Group winners, including the dual Hatta International and Qatar Arabian World Cup winner Djainka Des Forges. By that time he had already won three times in France over 7 furlongs, and been Group 1PA placed for Damien de Watrigant.

A minor injury forced him to miss his fouryear-old season and he came to the UK to recuperate. Returning to action for Gill Duffield, he was placed over the minimum in the Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon

Stakes (Gr3PA) and the QREC Harwood International (Gr1PA) over a mile. That winter he joined Erwan Charpy in Dubai and made his first appearance on the Tapeta a winning one, with an impressive near ten length victory in the Bani Yas (Gr2PA) at Meydan.

Manark (FR) wins the EEF International (Gr2PA) at DIAR 2012 ©GJMultimedia

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

35

At that point, still considered a sprinter, he stepped up to the mile and a quarter trip of the Kahayla. Making good use of his speed Dane O’Neill sent him to the front and he won comfortably by two and half lengths from the US Champion Valiant Boy SBFAR. The next season he defeated fellow Shadwell sire, Sivit Al Maury in the Mazrat Al Ruwayah (Gr2PA) over a mile, and concluded his career placing third behind AF Mathmoon in Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA).

Hyde comments: “Manark’s an exciting young stallion, certainly we need another outcross here to catch up with the other major breeders in the industry. He will also be ideal to put on to our AF Al Buraq fillies in due course.”

He is a son of the dual PA Group winner Mahabb, who was twice runner-up to Dahess in the Za’abeel International (Gr1PA). Mahabb is the sire of this year’s Kahayla Classic winner Deryan, as well as many other top-level winners. Two of Manark’s full siblings were sales toppers at the Arqana PA Sale in 2015 and 2016, whilst his brothers Mestor and Great Victor have been black type winners in the UAE and Russia. He is also from a strong international winning dam line, that of Mandore, which most recently has produced the multiple Group 1PA winners Ebraz, Mon’nia and Methgal as well as many times leading sire Dormane.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

36

AL JAKBAR 2016 was significant year for Group 1PA winning miler Al Jakbar with Aghsaan providing him with his first black type winner, when taking the inaugural ARO Cup (Gr3PA). Two month later, Jamaayil won the opening handicap on Dubai Day (repeating Aghsaan’s win of the previous year). Fourth in the UK Arabian Derby (Gr1PA) she went on to win the French Arabian Breeders Sprint Challenge (Gr2PA) in Toulouse that October.

Breeders took note of this success, and Al Jakbar has seven representatives registered so far with ARO this season, mostly three and four-year-olds, bred and owned between Shadwell Estates, Athbah Stud and John Elliott and Teresa Kinsey.

John Elliott & Tersa Kinsey's Upstart Crow (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

37

HANDASSA Dual winner of Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) in Dubai and of the International IFAHR Trophy (Gr2PA) in Turkey, Handassa proved equally effective on Turf and Dirt around a mile and two furlongs.

transferred to France to replace him at the Haras de Saint Faust. Returning to the UK for 2021 he will have his first runners next season.

HIs dam Ziva won the Hatta International (Gr1PA) and has been an exceptional source of winners. She is a daughter of the influential racehorse and broodmare Cherifa, grandamof Majd Al Arab and Tayf among many black type winners for the family.

Though starting off in the UK, on the sad demise of his sire Madjani, Handassa was THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

38

SIVIT AL MAURY President of the UAE Cup Malazgirt Trophy (Gr1PA) winner Sivit Al Maury was effective from seven furlongs to a mile on Turf. He is a half-brother to the multiple Group winner Sylvine Al Maury, by the HH The Amir Sword winner, Akbar. He is from the family of Nizam, Dahess, Nivour De Cardonne and Kaolino.

Sivit Al Maury retired to stud in 2020 and is expecting his first foals this year.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

DEBBIE BURT EQUINE CREATIVE MEDIA ARO Official Photographer HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Award Winner International Photographer To view and purchase photos from the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 ARO seasons please visit www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

40

New Season Special - Stable Tours James Owen

James Owen with Aldaana (GB)

Four-time, and current reigning ARO champion trainer James Owen, has another strong hand for 2021, with 25 horses registered. Of these 18 are for Shadwell Estates, however his James Owen Racing Club continues to grow in popularity and boasts a new recruit for the season in Serafim Forta. Owen raced

successfully in Belgium last year and expects to be out there again this year as the challenges of Brexit and Covid19 (hopefully) begin to ease.

Looking ahead he comments: “This is the best team of staff I’ve ever had, they all love the Arabians."

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

41

"We have nice group of four-year-olds, though the three-year olds are bit more backward than usual, but they change so quickly. They’ve changed so much since Christmas, it’s hard to tell. Hopefully one or two will step forward soon. Muneer looks the most forward at the moment.

“It’s great that the ARO Cup has a new sponsor, in the HH Sheikha Fatima Cup, and a new venue at Haydock, I like races over a mile. We’ll campaign quite a few for it, Tijaary, Farhaa, there’s be some fouryear-olds, Wanassa possibly, it should be a good day out for everyone.”

OLDER HORSES ABQARRY 2016 h (Madjani x Ziva) He was in training with Francois Rohaut, but is unraced. A nice big horse who came late to me last season and we just couldn’t

get him ready in time. He goes nicely and I think will stay well, he’s got a good attitude. I think Chepstow will come too soon, so we’ll probably go to the third maiden at Lingfield. He’s well bred, a brother to Handassa. He could be ok.

AL KAASER OR 106 2014 g (Munjiz x Horkidee) I was very pleased with him last season, he went to Belgium a couple of times, running well against very good horses such as Messi, wher he was the last one off the bridle. He seems to be showing a lot more pace at home and in his races, even though he won over a mile and a half at Wolverhampton with top weight on his last UK start. We’re going to try him over a mile, at Chelmsford in the 0-105 in May and we’ll see where we go, he just might be a horse we take to Ostend for the UAE President Cup, a Group 3PA in August.

Al Kaaser (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

42

Al Mahbooba (FR) AL MAHBOOBA OR 85* 2016 m (Madjani x Amaan) She’s a nice filly, quite big, who was in training with Francois Rohaut. She’s done a few little bits of work, but was just a bit late coming in her coat. She’ll go to Chepstow for the mile maiden, that’s the plan at the minute. I can’t yet decide what to run her in, she’s run in blinkers in France, and we exercise her in a hood. I’m happy with her though, she placed over seven furlongs, probably went off the boil a bit, but she ran eight times over two seasons so I think the experience should help her at a track like Chepstow.

slipped to a very good mark of 85 which he should be able to win off here. He might even go to Doncaster. He’s one of the first horses we had and he’s an absolute saint, he’s loves his racing, he tries and though he lacks that little bit of kick, he’s run some great races. I know he goes as a companion horse, but I think he was in the money in every race he ran in abroad last year.

EMIRAATY OR85 2011 g (Al Saoudi x Horkidee) Emiraaty’s our lead horse when we gallop.

He’s tough and he’s in good order. He’ll travel abroad if we need him and he’s THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Emiraaty (FR)

43

Farhaa (GB) and Jaahez (FR) lead third lot in the trotting ring FARHAA OR 90 2015 m (Al Saoudi x Maiziane) I didn’t think the season really suited her last year. We did a lot of travelling and I think it just knocked her a bit having a long campaign, we just never had her in top form. This year she’s good, strong and looks well in her coat. She’ll go to Waregem with Mazyoonah on May 12th for the HH Sheikh Fatima Cup over a mile which we won last year with Al Azeeza.

JADAAYIL OR 88 2015 m (No Risk Al Maury x Zormania)

young amateurs that work for me to ride, so that’s Hayley Lewis who won on him in 2019, Zara Brooks and Jamie Gambin, who had his first ride in a point-to- point recently.

We’ll do it fairly, he’ll run in every race he’s qualified for and should give them a lot of fun hopefully. He’s rated 80, he stays, so one of them is going to be lucky if they get him in the right race. For him that’s probably going to be Doncaster over a mile and a half, whoever draws him out of the hat will get a good ride!

She only ran once last year, but it was a good run where she chased home Storm Troupour in Belgium. She’ll stay a mile and four furlongs and she could go to Belgium, but I think she’s more likely to go to Doncaster or Chelmsford over a mile in the 0-105 handicap. She’s a nice filly.

JAAHEZ OR 80 2014 g (No Risk Al Maury x Ziva) We’ve recently purchased him from Shadwell, to be shared between the THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Jadaayil (FR)

44

Sattam (FR) MAYZOONAH OR 78 2015 m (No Risk Al Maury x Udjidora De Bozouls) She’s a nice filly, a real trier. She won over nine furlongs last year at Wolverhampton, which would be stretching her stamina as all she is, is speed. She’d won quite well in Holland the year before over six furlongs and Tadhg O’Shea quite liked her. She’s training well and will go to Belgium with Farhaa on May 12th over a mile.

matured and he’s been training nicely.

He’ll go to Chepstow I think for the maiden over a mile. I just hope he can step forward again, as I’d like to think he’d be one we can travel with and have a bit of fun for the Club.

SATTAM OR 80 2016 g (General x Al Basheq) A horse who started off very well last year, who was runner-up on his debut in probably the best maiden of the season, then made a quick reappearance to finish fourth in the Derby. That probably took its’ toll a bit, he went a little bit downhill after that, but he’s a horse that’s grown and

Mazyoonah (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

45

Tijaary (FR) TIJAARY OR 89 2013 g (Al Saoudi x Petraunille)

he’s a mile and a quarter horse through and through.

He’s our flagship horse for the Racing Club, who’s training well. He will go to Chelmsford for the 0-105 over a mile, which is great because quite a few of the club members are local so hopefully they can come along.

There’s not a lot for him early on in the season here, so we’ll take our time with him as I’d like to get him on the grass. He’s well handicapped, so we’ll head to Doncaster for 0-90 race over a mile and a half, he’s quite sensible so will settle, and I’d rather run him on the grass than on the All Weather over shorter.

We’ll aim him quite high with him again, hopefully we can win a race, but the goal is for some good days out for the members.

TOOFAN OR 89 2016 g (Mahabb x Zaayqa) I was pleased with his debut win over a mile as he wasn’t wound up for it and he looks a horse with a lot of class. I wasn’t going to run him again, though I probably put him in the deep end a bit in the conditions race next time and coming down in trip wouldn’t have suited him –

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Toofan (GB)

46

Aldaana (GB) FOUR-YEAR-OLDS ALDAANA 2017 f (AF Albahar x Aljawza) A rangy filly who was backward last year and took a long time to mature. I wasn’t going to run her, but she did a nice piece of work so we decided to take her to Belgium and she ran great, finishing second, not under a hard ride, having had a nice experience. She travelled there well, and I think the horse that beat her has won two since. She’s still got maturing to do, but she’ll go to the first maiden at Wolverhampton. I think she’s a filly we can step up in trip, she could be nice.

struggled as a colt last year, not giving us his all. He had one run and was very green in it and was gelded after that. He’s improved for that and is showing a lot more ability, so will start back in one of the first two maidens.

ALGHADEER 2017 g (Dahess x Al Marwa) He’s a very well-bred horse, who just

Alghadeer (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

47

Farasah (GB) FARASAH 2017 f (Mahabb x Ranya Du Croate) She's a half-sister to Zaaqy (by Al Jakbar) and Tatbeeq (by Madjani) who I both trained, they won over six furlongs and a mile and six furlongs respectively.

At this stage I think he’s a horse we might give a break to after that run, then bring him back for another maiden. His ultimate goal will be the Heritage race in Belgium in September, which has confirmed that it will be staged. With any luck he should be quite competitive in that.

She was in training with us last year, but has just needed time. She has really come to hand over the last few weeks and is not without ability.

HERITAGE VALENTINO 2017 c (Vadeer x Heritage Silver Delaney) He’s been a lot more straightforward than his brother, Heritage Vadel and he looks like he might have more ablity too. He’s a stronger, more compact type who’ll run at Wolverhampton in the first maiden and we’ll see how he gets on, on his pedigree he's up against it, but he should be ok once he finds his level.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

48

Mathaayel (GB) MATHAAYEL 2017 f (Al Jakbar x Kaarine) A sister to Al Murjaan who was owned and trained by Maria Hagman-Eriksson and ran in the Zabeel. I've have had several from the family, Mahaasen by Madjani who won over a mile and Madany, by Al Saoudi who won over seven furlongs.

straightforward and did a lot of developing last year. Obviously with the season being as it was, we got more runs than usual into our three-year-olds and he won his last start in Belgium nicely.

His rating is 80 which can be a hard mark to work with, but there’s a race for him at Wolverhampton at the end of May.

She's big, tall filly, who’s been a backward throughout, who is just starting to show signs of ability. She’ll probably run in either the Chepstow or Lingfield maidens, but I don’t think she’ll be ready for the first one. She’s done a couple of bits of work so far.

NADELSHIBA OR 80 2017 c (Majd Al Arab x Qusoor) OR 80 He’s a lovely colt, who is very

Nadelshiba (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

49

Serafim Forta (GB) SAHIS 2017 c (Al Tair x Amindala Princess) A lovely horse who I bought at Arqana sales, the first two-year-old that I’ve bought. He just needed a bit of time last year and we thought it better to wait. He improved with every bit of work this year, he’s not fully wound up for his debut, but the way he’s going, he should go to Wolverhampton. I don’t think he’ll be far away, but I definitley think he’ll come on a lot for the run and probably come on again once we step him up in trip. If he doesn’t win, he could turn out at Chepstow two weeks later. He’s a horse that we like a lot.

like he has done well over the winter. He wouldn’t be 100% wound up for his reappearance at Bath, but I’m sure track and trip will suit, he’s got a real speedy action, so as long as the ground is quick it should suit him. He’ll have plenty of weight, but it looks like Alex will still have his claim which will help and he rides him every day at home. Hopefully he can progress for the Racing Club.

SERAFIM FORTA OR 67 2017 c (Sadeem x Serafina) He did very well last year, winning carrying top weight as a three-year-old. I thought he improved with every run and he looks THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Sahis (FR)

50

Wanaasa (GB) WANAASA OR 85 2017 f (No Risk Al Maury x Ouassila Thabet)

However, I’d like to drop her down to 6f in good company, that would be my aim, I’d rather go down in trip with her than go up.

She was exciting last year. Probably should have won first time out but went for home too soon and then got outstayed by Toofan, who looks a good horse for us for this year. She was entitled to win her last start easily, all she’s done is strengthen and we knew that form was there.

WASMI FORTA 2017 c (Sadeem x Manaal)

Wanaasa is the quickest horse I’ve trained and she’s showing that speed again this year. There are not many options here for her in the UK, but I don’t want to travel with her on her reappearance. She’ll go to the 0-105 at Chelmsford if she’s training well, then later there’s a Listed race over nine furlongs in Ostend, she could go there.

He's a half-brother to Asraa Min Al-Talqa who won over a mile in the UK for Pete Hammersley and most recently, a mile and five furlongs in the UAE four weeks ago.

He's big strong colt who has lots of scope.

He was in training at three years, but wasn't quite strong enough to run. He's really strengthened up over the winter and we expect to get him out by the end of May. He looks an exciting type for the future.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

51

Muneeer(GB) THREE-YEAR-OLDS JAZEELAH 2018 f (Majd Al Arab x Maiziane)

but she’s completed all her early training and shows a good level of ability. She’d be one of my earliest three-year-olds at this stage. I doubt she’ll be out until June.

Jazeelah is the fourth horse I've had out of Maiziane, all of whom have won for me.

Farhaa (by Al Saoudi) we obvioulsy still have in training, whilst Rafeef (by No Risk Al Maury) won over seven and twelve furlongs and Munbaher (by Madjani) won three races from six to ten furlongs.

She's a nice, well-made filly, who we won't rush. She'll most likely make her debut in the autumn.

MUNEER 2018 f (AF Albahar x Salaama) A nice filly, who is really starting to come to hand now. She’s not worked as such, THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Jazeelah(GB)

52

MUMAYYEZ 2018 c (Majd Al Arab x Sanadji)

ZAFARANAH 2018 f (Dahess x Najla)

He’s a lovely three-year-old colt who’s taking a bit of time, but he’s very athletic.

The dam won over a mile and a quarter and he's a half-brother to Al Bustan who won over the same trip for Phil.

A nice three-year-old filly, quite speedy, but has been through a bit of a growth spurt so we had to back off her and we’re just getting going with her again now. I think she could run in June, I quite like her, she’s a happy filly.

We might get two runs into him if we’re lucky this year. He’s not without ability though, a real good stamp of a horse who carries himself well, he could be a nice horse for the future.

TAQADDOM 2018 c (Madjani x Ziva) He’s a brother to Aqbarry and of course Handassa and Taajer. He’s just taking a bit of time, it’ll be one run at the end of the season for him I think, he’ll be more of a four-year-old type next year.

Zafaranah (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

53

New Season Special - Stable Tours Phil Collington

Phil Collington with Loolwa (GB)

2018 ARO champion trainer Phil Collington had a quieter season last year, having hit the heights with his first Group 1PA win that winter in Abu Dhabi with Mashhur Al Khalediah. Many of his older horses have retired, leaving room for an influx of newcomers.

“We’ve a young team this season, mostly three or four-year-olds. They’ve got some really nice pedigrees and I know quite few of the dams well, having ridden them when I was stable jockey for Gill Duffield and Sheikh Hamdan. It’s really interesting seeing the family traits come through.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

54

Bayan Athbah (GB)

OLDER HORSES AL MONTHER OR 72 2014 g (Monsieur Al Maury x Ietlato De Carrere) He will most likely go straight to Doncaster. He’s run well in that race before and a mile and a half suits, he was just out of the frame at Chepstow over that trip too. If he runs like he did first time out last year, it should give him a squeak.

Being back on the turf is also a plus and he’ll have a light weight.

wants time anyway. She’s only just come back from wintering in Saudi Arabia and probably wouldn’t run until end of June or later. She ran once in Saudi last year and she’ll probably want around nine or ten furlongs.

BAYAN ATHBAH 2016 m (AF Albahar x Keen Game) She’s a half-sister to Mehdaaf Athbah, who I had in training, but was too weak to run at three years.

She's grown and strengthened up on those long pasterns, but the whole family

Al Monther (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

55

Loolwa (GB)

IZENTERISKY OR 75 2015 g (No Risk Al Maury x Pinkie Tuscadero) He won his maiden over a mile nicely in 2019, but he’s only in steady work at the moment. He probably won’t run until after June and we’ll look for a suitable handicap for him then.

getting her back into Group company, something over ten furlongs , maybe somewhere like Milan, it’s a nice big galloping track, I’m sure that ten furlongs there would be ideal for her, there’s the Jockey Club Cup and a UAE President Cup, out there in the autumn for example.

LOOLWA OR 95 2016 m (Al Saoudi x Zormania) She’s done well, she won on November 30th and after a small break she came back in and has been steadily brought to hand. She’s doing great. The ten furlong conditons race in June at Newbury would be ideal. Othersiwe we might have to look at going abroad.

As a starting point any conditions race around nine or ten furlongs would suit, but longer term we’d be building towards

Izenterisky (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

56

Upstart Crow (GB)

JINAAN OR 70 2016 m (Madjani x Laqataat)

into the string well.

She will most likely start in a handicap somewhere and off the back of her runs last year, being a bit deeper and stronger now, I’d like to start her off at ten furlongs.

We will work towards Lingfield for his debut, but if not that race, then soon after.

Being a full-sister to Saleemah, who stayed well, that would be her minimum trip.

UPSTART CROW 2015 g (Al Jakbar x Merwah) Upstart Crow is a half-brother to my first winner Hau Kola (by Madjani) and to Jaldi Karo (by Jehol De Cardonne) who won a Group 3PA in Sweden over 1700m.

He's a horse who has come on leaps and bounds since he arrived five weeks ago from pre-training. He’s going fantastically well and is a very quick learner, joining THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Jinaan (GB)

57

Akala Sunbird (GB)

FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AKALA SUNBIRD 2017 c (Tidabret x Casslebar Nadiva) He will definitely run in one of the mile maidens at Chepstow or Lingfield. He didn’t start at three as he was broken in a little bit later in the year and now should be running. He’s a bigger sort than Falcon Du R’och or Akala Firefly who we’ve had by that sire.

ALSIMSAAM 2017 g (Monsieur Al Maury x Zaaqya) He didn’t run last year but did a barrier trial and some nice bits of work. If he doesn’t run in the first maiden, then it will be the second one. I’m sure he’ll want a mile or 1m2f. It will be good to get him out soon.

Alsimsaam (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

58

Awtaar (GB)

AWTAAR OR 74 2017 f (Mahabb x Zormania) Was fourth in a novice race on her debut, in which Balqees was second and she could have a similar start to her season, in a maiden or the 0-80 at Wolverhampton at the end of May.

she doesn’t start in a maiden, then she’ll go to the 0-80 at Wolverhampton. I think her ideal trip will be nine or ten furlongs.

She’s a half-sister to Loolwa, so she’ll want ten furlongs, or maybe even a bit further.

BALQEEES OR 77 2017 f (Madjani x Najlaa) She's the first foal of Najlaa, who won the Prix Arca over 1900m in France and was a narrow second in the UK Derby for Damien de Watrigant.

Balqees was second to Wanaasa at Chelmsford in the seven furlong novice, on her only start last year. Like Awtaar, if THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Balqees GB)

59

Tamjeed (GB)

JAMARAAT OR 67 2017 f (Dahess x Qosheeya) Jamaraat ran last year, but she was one of the few who was adversely affected by the delay due to Covid as she was ready to run early on. She could run at Wolverhampton over seven furlong, but will also be in at Bath. I think it’s more likely to be Bath as she does show a liking for the quick ground rather than the AW. TAMJEED 2017 f (Al Saoudi x Explosive Heat) She’s another nice big Al Saoudi filly. She’s going really nicely and has done a few good bits of fast work already. She did a barrier trial last year, but she wasn’t just quite ready to run, a little bit like Loolwa she just missed that three-year-old campaign. If she doesn’t make it to the first maiden it will be the second one.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Jamaraat (GB)

60

Thayer Athbah (GB)

THAYER ATHBAH 2017 c (Mahabb x Keen Game) He’s a big, big horse, very deep bodied, so it was unlikely that we would get him on the track last year. He’s matured and most importantly strengthened now, and he should make his debut at Chepstow or Lingfield. He’ll defintely be a ten furlong horse.

He’s a half-brother to Mehdaaf Athbah, Bayan Athbah and Mtlatem Athabah, hopefully we can have a nice full year with him.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

61

Alanwaar (GB)

THREE-YEAR-OLDS

Madjani) to win twice over a mile and I also won twice on the dam, Neige Al Maury, over twelve furlongs.

ALANWAAR 2018 c (Al Jakbar x Naar) He’s the first foal out of Naar who I rode to win on her first attempt at seven furlongs at Hereford. When Gill retired, I took her over and she was placed five times for me at ten and twelve furlongs on the turf and the All Weather.

He’s probably the most backward of our juveniles, but hopefully we should be able to get at least one run into him before the end of the season.

He's always been very forward and quite a strong and progressive colt from the outset. I think he will want upwards of a mile as he doesn't show a lot of speed, but he's come together very quickly. He'll run at Wolverhampton and hopefully he can progress, I'm sure he'll be winning races in due course.

AL BARQ 2018 c (AF Al Buraq x Neige Al Maury) I trained his half-sister Ashjaan (by THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Al Barq (GB)

62

Al Khaleejy (GB)

AL KHALEEJY 2018 f (Al Saoudi x Qusoor) Al Khaleejy is a half-sister to Al Muthana (by Al Jakbar) who won on his debut for me at Wovlerhampton over seven furlongs.

spurt, the dam was small but she’s going to be very big. So she’s just cantering easy at the moment, she’ll be more likely to have just one run towards the end of the season.

She’s a lot more forward than the other Al Saoudi fillies I’ve had, as she’s big, but she shows strength even as a three-year-old.

We had a few little hiccups, she tripped and skinned her knees on the road which just held her back a bit, but we’ll get her out soon. She’ll certainly run in the first part of the calendar.

BAAHYA 2018 f (General x Zaaqya) She’s a half-sister to Alsimsaam. A very big filly, she has just gone through a growth THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Baahya (GB)

63

Barakka (GB)

BARAKKA 2018 c (AF Al Buraq x Laqataat) Barakka is a half-brother to Jinaan and Saleemah (by Madjani) and to Anfaas (by No Risk Al Maury). Anfaas won four times from six furlongs ot a mile, whilst Saleemah was a good stayer winning five times.

away nicely for now, so we’ll see how she progresses and take a view later in the season as to whether she'll run this year.

He’s coming along nicely now.

HATTIE SPARKS 2018 f (General x Pinkie Tuscadero) She’s a homebred half-sister to Izenterisky (by No Risk Al Maury) who is going well at the moment.

Izenterisky missed his three-year-old season with sore shins, but she’s going

Hattie Sparks (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

64

Maramir Athbah (GB)

MARAMIR ATHBAH 2018 f (Al Jakbar x Louran) She's a half-sister to Jomanah Athbah who was placed for Pete Hammersley last year over a mile. The dam won twice, at a mile and twelve furlongs, trained by Bill Smith.

moment, but he’s not as heavily set as Thayer, and looks stronger than Bayan at the same age, so he could be a runner this year, but it’s too soon to tell.

She’s a nice filly with a good attitude, though it will be mid-season at the earliest to start her off, as she didn’t arrive that early from the stud in Normandy to be broken in. She’s very strong mentally and has a nice way of going.

MLATEM ATHBAH 2018 c (AF Albahar x Keen Game) He’s only just come in. I know the family well, being a brother to Bayan Athbah and a half-brother to Mehdaaf Athbah and Thayer Athbah. He’s only cantering at the

Mtlatem Athbah (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

65

Talaaqy (GB)

SULTANA 2018 f (AF Al Buraq x Tawaazun) Sultana is the second foal out of Tawaazun who won four times from a mile to twelve furlongs.

She seems very switched on and more forward than the two AF Al Buraq colts we have. Physically she should definitely handle a run or two this year. She nearly went to France, but she wasn’t quite showing enough as the No Risk Al Maury’s we had, so they went and she stayed here.

and distance the previous year.

A very big filly, quite long and looks a bit weak behind still, but she belies that when ridden. She could be one of the earlier ones, we’ll have to see, but she’s going quite nicely at the moment.

TALAAQY 2018 f (Al Jakbar x Sunbulla) Sunbulla was another mare I inherited from Gill when she retired, who is a halfsiter to Al Hibaab. She won once for me at Hereford over nine furlongs, I rode her when she'd been placed over that course THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Sultana (GB)

66

Taranom (GB)

TARANOM 2018 c (Al Jakbar x Tania Du Clos) The dam is a sister to Sahib Du Clos (by Kerbella) who won the National Day Cup in Abu Dhabi, and Round One of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan, both Group1 PA's over a mile.

He’s a lovely big scopey horse, very nice to look at, who moves well. He won’t be an early type, the dam had some training issues as she was a big mare, so we’ll bring him along quietly. If he can take a run then we’ll get him out later this year.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

67

New Season Special - Stable Tours Pete Hammersley

Pete Hammerlsey with Abiyah Athbah (GB)

Based in Appleby Magna in Leicester, Pete Hammersley finished second in the ARO trainers championship last year despite not having the numbers of either James Owen or Phil Collington. His flagship horses were 2019’s leading mare, Abiyah Athbah and Al-Tabari, a homebred gelding produced in partnership with Julie Kelway.

With Zayin Angkor Centurion unfortunately sidelined for a year and Dilmun Racing's latest addition Belle Angelique also on the easy list, he nonetheless has a strong, if somewhat smaller hand than previous years to start the new season with.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

68

Abiyah Athbah (GB) Abiyah Athbah put up a huge performance at Goodwood to finish a neck fifth to Ebraz on her first run of the season off a mark of 81. In front were Ebraz (128), Deryan (117), Tayf (124) and Bel'Izam (116) all proven Group 1PA performers who'd had the benefit of racing. Tayf went on to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup and Deryan the Dubai World Cup.

Obviously, the Qatar International over a mile, in which she was a very close fifth last year would be an option as well. This year, with the benefit of a run beforehand she ought to be even better. Then the HH Sheikha Fatima Cup at Haydock would be perfect for her in September.

ABIYAH ATHBAH OR 95 2014 m (Jaafer ASF x Burning Fancy) I think she’s improved again from last year.

She’s stronger and still retains her enthusiasm, she’ll start off in the 0-105 handicap over a mile at Chelmsford. She ran so well over seven furlongs at Chelmsford last year, I’m tempted to try her over shorter in Group company if there was suitable opportunity.

Abiyah Athbah (GB) with Aymee (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

69

Al-Tabari (GB)

ARO Leading horse of 2020 was Al-Tabari, a first foal out of Altesse Kossack who Hammersley trained for the majority of her career. She won eight times from a mile to a mile and six furlongs, and with Al-Tabari dropping down from his debut win over a mile and a half for a convincing win over nine and a half furlongs, he looks as versatile as his dam.

proven over the trip. I’m pleased with him so far, he still looks progressive, the sky could be the limit for him.

AL-TABARI OR 65 2016 g (Tabarak x Altesse Kossack) He’s done so well over the winter. He obviously likes Wolverhampton so were going to wait for the 0-80 at the end of May in which he’ll have a low weight.

All depending on how that goes, he might then go to Doncaster for the 0-90 as he’s

Stonehenge (GB) with Al-Tabari (GB)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

70

Aymee (GB)

A new recruit to the Zayin Arabian string is the six-year-old daughter of useful handicapper Estival, who won four times from ten furlongs to a mile and six furlongs.

that she’s a sprinter, despite being by Dahess, so I think a stamina test is more likely as her dam stayed well.

AMYEE 2015 m (Dahess x Estival) She’s been very slow to come to hand obviously, as she's been with me now for a couple of years, but we’ve been very patient with her and given her every opportunity to strengthen up. She’ll go to Wolverhampton at the end of April and she’ll get a racecourse gallop there beforehand.

She’s very different to her half-sister Our Dream. It’s hard to say what her ideal trip is, she’s hasn’t shown enough to suggest THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

71

Bin Al Reeh (GB)

The seven-year-old Bin Al Reeh has often looked a winner in the making, but as yet is still a maiden. Experiments with headgear have been abandoned, though Hammersley thinks he could well be very much a 'horses for courses type' with Wolverhampton not playing to his strengths.

BIN AL REEH OR 47 2014 h (Al Reeh Janoob x Edelphy) He’s another who has thrived over the winter. He’ll go to Bath on 3rd May. The wide-open spaces of a turf track should suit him a lot better than Wolverhampton.

We’re hopeful this season that he might get his head in front. He’s content with life and more switched on to the job, so we just hope he can transfer that to the track.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

72

Stonehenge (GB)

Last seen as a four-year-old in 2019 when he was a close second on reappearance at Brighton over ten furlongs before a cosy six length win over two miles at Wolverhampton. Lost his way a bit thereafter, but has really grown into himself in his enforced year off.

Chelmsford. It probably did him the world of good to have that year off, as he’s strengthened up during that time.

STONEHENGE OR 53 2015 g (Madjani x Kateland) He’ll need a bit more time as we’ve only just stepped up his work having come back from a minor injury. There’s a race at Chelmsford, the 0-65 over 1m2f, he’ll start there and then one of the Wathba Stallions Cup's, the 0-65 over 1m2f at Windsor would be his main target.

He’ll almost certainly need the run at THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

73

Zayin Zyperion (GB)

A half-brother to stable favourite and ninetime winner, Zayin Zachilles (by Kaolino) who has now retired to stud. Zayin Zyperion has been steadily brought to hand, placing three times last year in his first full season to race, from a mile to nine and a half-furlongs at Wolverhampton.

Seven furlongs to a mile would be his ideal trip.

ZAYIN ZYPERION OR 57 2015 h (No Risk Al Maury x CS Comete) He’ll start at Bath as well. He’s in good order, he did nothing wrong last year, a little bit unlucky possibly, but he’s been working well and is fit and ready to go.

Hopefully he should win this season.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

74

New Season Special - Stable Tours Jen Harris

Kayack (GB) goes to post with Serena Brotherton

Evermore Racing is run by Jen Harris with amateur jockey Nath Morris as her assistant, they are based in Headley, near Epsom. Her homebred horses are all by Harris's stallion Kayeed (by Kheiralla).

Kayeed won over 1m5f for Harris and is the sire of Kayote, winner of the 2017 Rotana Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap, the longest race at Dubai International Arabian Races. Kayack and Kaydennce’s dam Penny Black (by Chndaka) was a winner over 6f and has also produced Tiger Lily, a dual winner from 1m1f -1m2f and placed six times from only 12 starts.

KAYACK OR 52 2014 g (Kayeed x Penny Black) We’re really hopeful of some big runs from him this year as he will be coming into this season off the back of some nice form.

We're aiming to run him at Doncaster over a mile and half, hopefully Serena Brotherton will take the ride as she has struck up a good bond with him.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

75

Kaymeleon (GB) and Nath Morris go to post int he second colours at Wolverhampton

KAYDENNCE 2016 m (Kayeed x Penny Black) She’s a full sister to Kayack who’s showing a good turn off foot at home. We will be starting her off over seven furlongs and seeing where she is after her maiden debut.

down in distance, so we’ll aim her at Wolverhampton for her seasonal return over seven furlongs, we’re hopeful of a nice run.

KAYMELEON OR 40 2015 m (Kayeed x Moogali) She’s lightly raced as after her first two runs as a four-year-old we thought we would back off her for the year and let her grow and mature. As she’s not the easiest of mares to train, we gave her a run at Wolverhampton last season over nine and a half-furlongs to see how she handled the All Weather and if she stayed the trip. This winter we found she might need to drop

Kaydennce (GB) ©Steve McCormick Photogrpahy

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

76

New Season Special - Stable Tours Steve Blackwell

George Blackwell with Aljawaaher (FR) and Steve Blackwell after finishing third on Dubai Day in 2017

Based in South Wales, owner-breedertrainer Steve Blackwell has two horses currently registered for 2021. Aljawaaher is an old favourite, who has been kept busy trail hunting during the enforced break due to Covid, which he loved according to Blackwell.

The new addition is the homebred filly Aloof, out of the well-related Spirited Game. A third, her three-year-old halfsister Sassy (by Assy), needs more time to mature and will most likely be out next season.

ALJAWAAHER OR 66 2009 g (Bengali D'Albret x Tamani) A former top-level handicapper winning twice for his breeder HH Sheikh Hamdan around a mile, he joined the Blackwells on Gill Duffield’s retirement. Like Spirited Game, he also gave Steve's son George some good days out and has been a regular runner in the HH Sheikha Fatima Apprentice and Ladies races, running with credit. Placing fourth on his most recent outing in the Ladies race at Windsor in

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

77

Aloof (GB) © Steve Blackwell

2019, he retains enough ability despite advancing years to be competitive off a career low mark.

Spirited Game (by Vert Olive) is out of Keen Game was bred by HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum and is a halfsister to Medhaaf Athbah (by Amer).

Though winning six times in France, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and the UK, Mehdaaf Athbah has been Group 1PA placed five times, including runner-up to two of the best Arabians of recent times, Al Mourtajez (Qatar Arabian World Cup 2016) and Muraaqib (President of the UAE Cup, Coup d'Europe, 2017).

Spirited Game raced 18 times, ridden in all bar one of her races by Steve's son George. Winning once over a mile, she

was also placed four times from 6f to 1m1f. Her victory at Royal Windsor in the Muscat (0-85) Handicap Stakes when she rallied to win in a photo finish, earned George 'ARO Ride of the Season 2014'.

She also won the UK Owned Mares’ Championship sponsored by Al Alwal Stud, which earned her a free cover to Seraphin Du Paon, Aloof is the resulting filly.

ALOOF 2017 f (Seraphin Du Paon x Spirited Game) Aloof is currently in training, hopefully to run in June at Chepstow in the mile maiden. She does seem to enjoy her work so far.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

78

Gulf Review 2020-21

UAE Champions Tadhg O'Shea and Khaldi Khalifa Al Nabooda ©DRC

UAE In the UAE the winners of both the owner’s and jockey’s championships had been clear for some time with Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and Tadgh O’Shea retaining their titles. However, the trainer’s championship went right to the wire, with the seasons’ final meeting at Al Ain on April 9th, providing the deciding victory to put Doug Watson ahead of Ernst Oertel by one win.

In another successful season for the Al Nabooda team, he recorded his fourth owners’ championship in five years, with 39 winners, 12 ahead of Godolphin and 15 ahead Al Adjban Stables.

Receiving his trophy at Meydan’s final meeting on the 8th April, Al Nabooda dedicated his success to the late HH Sheikh

Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the former UAE Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

“Sheikh Hamdan did a lot for UAE racing and immensely supported the Purebred Arabian breed along with Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also a massive supporter of Purebred Arabian in the UAE and around the world. This is for them and the entire team that works behind the scenes: the trainer, the jockeys and the stable staff,” Al Nabooda said.

As in the 2019-2020 season, his principal winner was the six-year-old son of AF Al Buraq, AF Alwajel, who looked set to crown the season with an all-out win in the Dubai Kahayla Classic before losing top spot to Deryan in the last 200m.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

79

Not out of the first three in all six starts in Group company this season, he won the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Gr3PA) and the Al Ruwais (Gr3PA), both at Abu Dhabi. AF Alwajel is out of Samira De Carrere (by Djouras Tu), herself a Listed PA winner over a mile on Abu Dhabi’s turf.

An integral part of the team was jockey Tadhg O’Shea who recorded his ninth jockey’s championship and also reached the landmark of 600 UAE winners this season. Riding a double at Abu Dhabi’s final meeting of the season on April 4th, it was fitting that AF Alajaj for Al Nabooda and Oertel provided the landmark win.

“Wow, 600, that is amazing!” said O’Shea, whose 47 winners this winter included Secret Ambition in the Godolphin Mile on the Dubai World Cup card. “As I always say, I have the easy job and just steer them around in a race. It is all the teams behind the horses who do all the hard work.”

Trainer Oertel missed out on a fourth

trainer title, which was confirmed as Watson’s after the fifth race on the Al Ain card. Watson is now the leading UAE trainer overall, as his seventh championship takes him clear of Sateesh Seemar on six.

“We have such a great team at home, both the owners and the staff,” Watson said.

“They have been fantastic, and everyone works seven days a week and we went through the COVID situation and thankfully everyone's okay from that and things have gone well [since]. It was tough right down to the wire.”

Leading horse on prize money was Jewel Crown winner Messi, though the domestic honours went to four-time winner, Somoud, trained by Jean de Roualle for YAS Racing.

Campaigned exclusively at Abu Dhabi, ironically his sole defeat came in the Abu Dhabi highlight, however he still claimed two Group 1PA wins, including back-toback victories in the Emirates Championship over 2200m. By Munjiz, his dam Wadya won on her debut in France, and a further four times in the UAE, all over

AF Alwajel (AE) and Tadhg O'Shea ©ERA THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

80

2020-2021 UAE Group PA results

1. BRRAQ (FR) 2. Fettah Du Loup (FR)

November 19 2020

3. AF Alwajel (AE)

Bani Yas Stakes (Gr2PA) 1400m Meydan, Dubai

Dist: 0.75, 3.5 Time: 1.47.07 January 24

1. JAYIDE AL BORAQ (MA) 2. RB Money To Burn (US) 3. AF Alwajel

Al Ruwais Stakes (Gr3PA) 1200m Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dist: 1.75, 3.5 Time: 1.32.68

1. AF ALJAWEL (AE) 2. Rawaa (FR)

December 4

3. RB Torch (US)

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Gr3PA) 1600m Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dist: 5.25, 0.75 Time: 1.17.45 January 30

2. Sharaf Al Reef (AE)

Al Maktoum Challenge R2 sponsored by JAFZA (Gr1PA) 1900m Meydan, Dubai

3. Jayide Al Boraq (MA)

1. RB FRYNCHH DUDE (US)

1. AF ALWAJEL (AE)

Dist: 3.25 0.5 Time: 1.45.35

2. Brraq (FR)

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) 1600m Abu Dhabi, UAE 1. MESSI (BE)

3. Dagui Lotois (FR) Dist: 2.5, 3 Time: 2.07.07 February 11 Mazrat Al Ruwayah (Gr2PA) 1600m Meydan, Dubai 1. RB MONEY TO BURN (US)

2. Al Zahir (FR) 3. Hayyan (FR) Dist:3.5, shh Time: 2.30.65

2. Spaghetti (FR) 3. RB Torch (US)

December 19 Madjani Stakes sponsored by Masdar (Gr3PA) 1900m Meydan, Dubai

Dist: 2, 2.75 Time: 1.46.56

1. RB FRYNCHH DUDE (US) 2. Amwaj (FR) 3. Aoun (FR) Dist: 2, hd Time: 2.08.79 January 9th 2020 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (Gr1PA) 1600m Meydan, Dubai Messi (BE) ©ERA THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

81

February 21

March 7

HH The President Cup (Gr1PA) 2200m ADEC, Abu Dhabi

Arabian Triple Crown R2 (Gr3PA) 2200m ADEC, Abu Dhabi 1. OTTOMAN (US)

1. SOMOUD (FR)

2. Dergham Athbah (GB)

2. BF Mughadeer (OM)

3. Mutaqadim (FR)

3. Dagui Lotois (FR)

Dist: 3, nk, Time: 2.30.16

Dist: 1.25, 2 Time: 2.27.33 February 25 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 sponsored by JAFZA (Gr1PA) 2000m Meydan, Dubai 1. BRRAQ (FR) 2. Al Roba’A Al Khali (OM) 3. AF Alwajel (AE)

Liwa Oasis (Gr2PA) 1600m ADEC, Abu Dhabi 1. HAKEEMAT MUSCAT (OM) 2. Rawaa (FR) 3. MH Rahal (AE) Dist: sh, 1.25 Time: 1.31.78

Dist: 1.5, 3.75 Time: 2.15.38

Brraq (FR) winner of Round 1& 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) ©ERA THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

82

Somoud (FR) and Richie Mullen win a second Emirates Championship (Gr1PA )©ERA

March 12 Al Ain Mile (Gr3PA) 1600m Al Ain, UAE 1. DAGUI LOTOIS (FR) 2. Darius Du Paon (FR) 3. Arif (FR) Dist: 6.25, 1 Time: 1.49.44 March 14 Emirates Championship (Gr1PA) 2200m ADEC, Abu Dhabi 1. SOMOUD (FR) 2. Dagui Lotois (FR) 3. Basmah (FR)

Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) 2000m Meydan, Dubai 1. DERYAN (FR) 2. AF Alwajel (AE) 3. Mubasher Al Khalediah (KSA) Dist: 0.75, 3.5 Time: 2.11.87 April 4 Arabian Triple Crown R3 (Gr3PA) 2400m ADEC, Abu Dhabi 1. OTTOMAN (US) 2. Mujeeb (FR) 3. Nadhra (FR) Dist: sh, 6.25 Time: 2.45.17

Dist: 4, sh Time: 2.28.08 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

83

Qatar Qatar bases its’ championships on prize money won, so it was a fourth owners’ championship for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, with 3,903,736 QAR. However, with the horses from Al Shahania moving away from the sole ownership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani to include his children, had they been combined as in previous years, then it would have been a different story.

Last season de Mieulle ending Ghazali’s stranglehold on the previous six championships, which had been due in part, to the huge numbers of runners, Ghazali finished third this season with 67 wins from 615 runners.

With 28 winners, Sheail Al Kuwari was only bested by number of runners by third placed Injaaz Stud, who raced 329 times, for 38 wins, as opposed to Sheail Al Kuwari’s 230. Umm Qarn finished second, with 32 winners from 149 runners. Sheail Al Kuwari best Arabian runner was Qatar Derby (Gr2PA) winner, Lady Princess.

Alban De Mieulle again secured the trainers title with 60 winners from 313 runs, with Julian Smart in second with almost half the numbers on 28 winners from 169 runners.

Alban de Mieulle

Mon'nia (FR) leading Arabian © QREC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

84

Though close in number of winners, in the race to be leading jockey, Alberton Sanna was well clear of last years’ title holder Ronan Thomas. However, as the regular partner of the leading (thoroughbred) Noor Al Hawa, that should not be a surprise.

Mon’nia, the HH The Amir Sword winner, was leading Arabian with four wins. The five-year-old mare looks to have a bright future and finished the season rated 123.

Next best in the PA title race was stablemate Ebraz in fourth, with old rival Tayf in sixth. Both are rated 125.

The biggest new development in Qatar this season was undoubtedly the opening of the new track at Al Uqda on January 30th.

After the first race meeting at which he won the 2000m local bred Arabian plate

with Saad, trainer Julian Smart commented on the experience.

“The new track is very, very good. The surface was excellent, no kick back whatsoever, and it rode very fairly.

“However, the facility in general is a training centre and not designed to be a racecourse, so the stables are beautiful and the racing surface is very good, but they have a lot of work to do as far as bringing the facilities up to racecourse standards. For example, the weighing and jockeys’ rooms, parade rings, the positioning of cameras and so on, will all need to be addressed. The turf course also won’t be ready for use this season.”

He concluded: “If this new track gives racing in Doha an extra dimension, then that’s a good thing.”

Saad (QA) [no7] on his way to winning at the opening meeting at Al Uqda © QREC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

85

Lady Princess (FR) ©QREC

2019-2020 Qatar Group PA results December 12 The Late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Trophy – Qatar National Day Trophy (Gr2PA) 2000m Doha, Qatar 1. AL NAAMA (FR) 2. Gtnah (FR) 3. Ebraz (GB)

Qatar Derby 4yo (Gr2PA) 2000m Doha, Qatar 1. LADY PRINCESS (FR) 2. Jabalah (FR) 3. Methgal (FR) Dist: 2.75, 0.25 Time: 2.10.84 January 9th 2020

Dist: 1.25, 1.25 Time: 2.14.79

Majd Al Arab PA Sprinter Championship (Gr3PA) 1100m Doha, Qatar

December 20

1. ATEEJ (US)

Qatar Derby 3yo (Gr1PA) 1600m Doha, Qatar

2. Kasser (QA)

1. ANTAR (FR)

Dist: 1.25, nk Time: 1.08.52

3. RB Kindle (US)

2. HM Jalfane (FR) 3. Tare Du Soleil (FR) Dist: 0.5, 1.25 Time: 1.42.26 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

86

Tayf (FR) ©QREC

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup (Gr2PA) 1600m Doha, Qatar

1. METHGAL (FR) 2. Al Naama (Fr) 3. Arguya (FR)

1. TAYF (FR)

Dist: 0.75, 1.25 Time: 1.42.16

2. Ebraz (GB) 3. Djalnor (FR) Dist: 3.25, nk Time: 1.44.21

HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) 2400m Doha, Qatar

February 1

1. MON’NIA (FR)

HH Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy (Gr3PA) 2200m Doha, Qatar 1. MON’NIA (FR) 2. Al Naama 3. Ginkeau Dist: Time: 2.24.32

2. Ebraz (GB) 3. Lady Princess (FR) Dist: 1.25, 0.75 Time: 2.36.40 April 1 Qatar Gold Sword (Gr1PA) 2000m Doha, Qatar 1. TAYF (FR)

February 20

2. Mon’nia (FR)

Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) 1600m Doha, Qatar

3. Ebraz (GB) Dist: 1, nk Time: 2.08.57 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

87

Mubasher Al Khalediah (KSA) © Saudi Cup SAUDI ARABIA

January 28

Saudi Arabia continues to develop the Saudi Cup international fixture, with its’ feature Arabian race, the Obaiya Arabian Classic now given Listed PA status. The countries only Group 1PA race, the Prince Sultan Cup went to Mubasher Al Khalediah for a second time. That he was able to follow up convincingly in the Obaiya and then finish third in a hotly contested Dubai Kahayla Classic a month later, proves him the new champion of Saudi Arabia.

Prince Sultan World Cup (Gr1PA) 1800m Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Taking over the mantle from Tallaab Al Kahlediah, Mubasher Al Khalediah was rated 115 in the 19-20 International Classifications and looks a strong proposition for the leading PA Group races next season. Trained by Mutlaq bin Mushref for HHRP Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and bred by Al Khalediah Stables, he is a six year old son of Laith Al Khalediah.

1. MUBASHER AL KHALEDIAH (KSA)

1. MUBASHER AL KHALEDIAH (SA) 2. Tallaab Al Khalediah (SA) 3. Fettah Du Loup (FR) Dist: 2, Time: 1.59.73 February 20 Obaiya Arabian Classic Cup (LRPA) 2000m Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2. Mutawakel Al Khalediah (KSA) 3. Hajres (TUN) Dist: 1.25, 0.50 Time: 2.16.40

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

88

HH The Amir Sword Review 2021 Al Shahania's success welcomes a new generation

Mon'nia (FR) wins the HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA)

The HH The Amir Sword Festival never disappoints in terms of quality PA racing and this year’s event concluded with a magnificent display from the filly, Mon’nia, breaking the track record with an inspiring run that kept a host of Group 1 winners at bay.

It also marked the addition of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s children to the owner ranks, which is encouraging for the sport’s continued future. Whilst his son, Sheikh Khalifa has had horses racing in his colours before, Sheikha Reem, Sheikha Yasmeen and Sheikha Iman were all represented with runners in this years’ HH The Amir Sword for the first time.

During the most challenging times for global sport, horseracing in most countries, has continued, with only limited interruption. This has meant the opportunity to reach a whole new audience, for people isolating at home with tv and the internet their main connection to the outside that they once took for granted.

The wins of Mon’nia and Methgal, both of which were thrilling in different ways, can send a powerful message to the young people of Qatar that horse racing is exciting and inspiring. Hopefully a new generation of owners and breeders can be born from this success.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

89

HH The Amir Sword (Gr1PA) 2400m 4yo+ Doha, Qatar MON'NIA (FR) (5 m Amer x Margouia (Tidjani)) Owner: HE Sheika Yasmeen bin Khalifa Al Thani Breeder: Al Shahania Stud Trainer: Julian Smart Jockey: Tomas Lukasek

This years’ HH The Amir Sword had been billed as a clash between the old guard of three-time Amir Sword and Triple Crown winner Ebraz, and Tayf, who had beaten Ebraz in the Qatar Arabian World Cup in October. Add into the mix the diminutive Lady Princess, who also had three Group 1PA wins to her name and you have the recipe for a great race.

Whilst all eyes had been on the Julian Smart trained Ebraz in the preliminaries, he had another ace up his sleeve in the form of the five-year-old filly Mon’nia.

The well-bred filly had caught the eye at last years’ Festival, winning the fouryear-old Purebred Arabian Plate by four lengths.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

90

Mon'nia (FR) after winning the HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy (Gr3PA)

With the challenges of international racing uncertain when the 19/20 Qatar season ended prematurely, Mon’nia remained in Doha to strengthen, instead of heading for a European campaign.

It was a decision that has paid great dividends this season, as she won the Umm Salal Oaks Trial on her reappearance and then the Guineas.

Not at her best in the Qatar Derby (Gr2PA), she finished fourth behind Lady Princess, Jabalah and Methgal. However back to full strength she quickly made amends in the HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy (Gr3PA) over 2200m, beating the good yardstick Al

Naama by three lengths.

When the gates opened and the field settled into the race, Bin General in the Umm Qarn colours, set the pace, with Ebraz, Tayf and Lady Princess all held up at the rear. Mon’nia was the most prominent of the Smart trained runners, settled in mid-field. The next Umm Qarn pacesetter Jabalah moved into the lead and it was obvious that whoever won, there would be no hard luck stories attributed to a slowly run race. Lying fourth at the 800m mark, Tomas Lukasek moved Mon’nia off the rail and to the outside, taking up the lead and accelerating away from the field.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

91

Congratulations for Lukasek and Mon'nia (GB) (above) and Julian Smart (below)

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

92

It was a brilliant strategic move. With the focus on Ebraz, who in the majority of his races enjoys battling through the pack to hunt down the leader for victory, Mon’nia was able to gain a vital advantage. The pair quickly put several lengths between themselves and their nearest rivals, gaining an important edge over Lady Princess, who also possesses a dangerous turn of foot.

As expected, Ebraz and Maxime Guyon were working thier way through the field, but Mon’nia had flown. Though Ebraz and Lady Princess had made inroads into her lead, Mon’nia was just too good.

“First and second, get in!” shouted Smart. Adding to his remarkable record, which now stands at six HH The Amir Sword victories for the horses of Al Shahania Stud and the first in the

colours of HE Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani.

“Mon’nia is a very good filly. She is a very good horse on fast ground, maybe not as much on softer ground.

We knew before the race that she was in good form. With horses like Ebraz, Lady Princess and Tayf to compete against, we knew it was not going to be easy. I am delighted for Mon’nia, and for the ‘old man’ Ebraz!”

Smart continued: “I am lucky to have very, very good horses. I am not the kind of trainer who has his horses ready to win in October, November or December. This is the biggest race in Qatar, and we plan and train for this day,” he added. “After the first two days, everyone said ‘where are you?’ ... ‘no winners yet?’. I just said hang on and wait until Saturday,” Smart said smiling.

Mon'nia (FR) winner of the 2021 HH The Amir Sword THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

93

Assy (QA) pictured at Al Shahania in 2014 prior to his HH The Amor Sword win

Mon’nia won in a time of 2.36.40, breaking the track record. At only five years of age, she has already amassed eight wins from 11 starts and the future looks bright for this athletic filly.

Mon’nia is a full-sister to Assy, the winner of the race in 2014, and the first Qatari local bred to do so. Smart has frequently referred to Assy as the ‘best horse he has trained’ and when you consider the others vying for that title, it is worth taking note. Though in common with many Arabian sires, Assy had two registered runners in his test crop last year, 2021 will be the year that his real first crop of three-year-olds

hit the track around the world.

In an immensely generous gesture, Al Shahania offered free coverings to Assy in 2017. Though that may appear commercially foolhardy at face value, it will produce a much more diverse offering of runners and crosses, as the mares are not just from the big breeders, but many small one-mare owners too. The UK has many Assy offspring and in France alone there are 13 registered juvenile, of which 10 are already assigned to trainers.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

94

Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) 1600m 4yo+ Doha, Qatar METHGAL (FR) (5 h TM Fred Texas x Theeba (Amer)) Owner: HE Sheika Reem bin Khalifa Al Thani Breeder: Al Shahania Stud Trainer: Julian Smart Jockey: Tomas Lukasek

The third and final day of the HH The Amir Festival features three Arabian races, with the Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) the second race on the card.

For a second consecutive year, Methgal took the honours, overcoming a far from favourable draw of stall 15 in the one mile contest. Breaking smartly, Maxime Guyon soon had the five-yearold grey well positioned in the middle of the field, as regular front runner Al

Naama led the way.

With over 300m to go, Guyon unleashed Methgal who showed good speed up the outside, reaching the mare by the 100m mark, with Arguya and El Afreeta in pursuit.

In a matter of strides, it was all over.

Methgal was giving trainer Julian Smart a three straight wins in the race, having taken it with Sharesa in 2019.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

95

Munir Du Soleil (FR) and Tomas Lukasek win the HH The Amir Silver Sword

Bred by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Al Shahania Stud, Methgal now runs in the colours of his daughter, HE Sheika Reem.

Trainer Smart commented: “What can I say, he was in great form coming into the race, Maxime has given him a peach of a ride. Being drawn 15 is not easy because we’re using the small track today, which is a real shame as we’ve got the big bend here, we should be using it on a big international day like this, though I don’t like to criticise the track.”

The HH The Amir Silver Sword is run over 1850m for four-year-olds owned by local individual owners. Strongly fancied to continue his winning streak was two-time Group 1PA winner Hadi De Carrere for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, one of a contingent of horses brought over from

France by Thomas Fourcy. However it was another Fourcy runner, Munir Du Soleil who took the advantage with well-timed ride by Tomas Lukasek, as Hadi De Carrere raced wide on the bend loosing many lengths. As the field entered the straight Munir Du Soleil was already reeling the leader, Hidalgo Du Croate and won going away by three lengths.

Munir Du Soleil was bought in utero by Du Soleil Stud at the 2016 Arqana PA Sale.

They paid €100,000 for the dam, Rahab, a full-sister to Al Dahma and General, carrying to Munjiz, with Munir Du Soleil being the result. He debuted at Mont-deMarsan in September carrying the Du Soleil colours of Lisa Demoynaz, finishing third and was sold to Abdullah Fahad AlAttiyah, though remaining in training with Fourcy.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

96

Obaiya Arabian Classic (LRPA) 2000m 4yo+ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia MUBASHER AL KHALEDIAH (SA) (6 h Laith Al Khalediah x Fayha Al Khalediah (ElSakr)) Owner: Al Khalediah Stables Breeder: Al Khalediah Stables Trainer: Mutlaq Mashref Jockey: Adel Alfouradi

The second running of the Obaiya Arabian Classic as part of the Saudi Cup card saw the crowning of a new champion in Saudi Arabian racing in Mubasher Al Khalediah.

Already the winner of two Prince Sultan World Cups (Gr1PA), the six-year-old took over the mantle of Al Khalediah’s star runner from Tallaab Al Khalediah.

In the run up to the race it had been announced that what is now the world’s most valuable race for Arabians had been awarded Listed status by IFAHR’s international pattern committee. Whilst that does not reflect the generous prize fund of $2 million dollars, it is in its infancy, and as such, takes time for its relative worth in terms of competitors to be established.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

97

As the list of probable runners was announced there was great excitement that the most improved horse of 2020, Messi, would be amongst the final 14.

However just days before the international runners began to arrive, the 2020 Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) winner was withdrawn.

Owner-trainer-breeder, Timo Keersmaekers explained: “Messi was doing very well, he delivered a superb piece of work on Wednesday on the track in Mons, he was ready to go.

Unfortunately, he touched his leg and cut himself.

“Messi has given us so much joy during his career for sure the past year and we want to keep him racing as long as possible. It wouldn’t be honest to him to race if he can’t defend himself at a 100%

fit level.”

He was replaced with the mare, Bodour Athbah, a debut winner in the UK when trained by Phil Collington for Athbah Stud in 2019. Exported to Saudi Arabia, she is now owned by Saad bin Mishriff bin Shannan Son, winning twice over 1800m this season, including the Riyadh stage of the President of the UAE Cup (LRPA) and was sixth in the Prince Sultan World Cup (Gr1PA) behind Mubasher Al Khalediah.

Defending champion Tallaab Al Khalediah had finished second in that race and was considered primed for a repeat victory. In third had been Fettah Du Loup, notably the first Omani privately owned winner of a Group race in France.

Tallaab Al Khalediah (KSA) wins the inaugrual Obaiya Arabian Classic in 2019 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

98

Last year's second, Hajres (TUN) ©Saudi Cup

Less than a length second to Brraq in Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan in January on his reappearance, the Obaiya was his target. Also from Oman was Shabah, seventh in 2020, he had been fourth to Mubasher in the Prince Sultan World Cup. From France came Group 1PA winner, Deryan, trained by Didier Guillemin for YAS Horse Management. Possessing plenty of talent, he can be difficult to win with and it was no surprise to see regular partner Ioritz Mendizabal booked to ride.

Joining him was last years’ second, the Tunisian bred Hajres, trained by Elizabeth Bernard, along with his stablemates, Jarif and Jaazmah Athbah.

Hajres had not been in the winners’ enclosure since gaining a Group 3PA victory in Milan in 2019, but nonetheless has run with credit in Group races in France (behind Deryan), Italy (behind Salam Al Khalediah) and most recently the Jewel Crown, in which Mubasher Al Khalediah had been fourth.

Jarif had been Group 1PA placed and had beaten Deryan in a prep race on the All Weather at Pau, in receipt of a 2kg allowance, but here faced a stiffer challenge at level weights. Bernard’s other runner, Jaazmah Athbah, one of two for Athbah Stud, was a Group 2PA winner, who had been Group 1PA placed in the Qatar Trophy des Juments in 2019.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

99

Mashhur Al Khalediah (FR) with Phil Collington ©Saudi Cup

From the UK was Athbah Stud’s 2019 Jewel Crown winner, Mashhur Al Khalediah, trained by Phil Collington, who had been third last year. Collington admitted his seven-year-old had not had the most straightforward preparations.

Having tweaked a ligament behind his knee in a Listed race in Baden Baden in September, another try in the Qatar Arabian World Cup in which he’d been third to Ebraz was ruled out and he was given a long break to recover.

The only option for a prep came in Belgium on February 4. Despite winning easily by a length and a half over 2100m, with only 16 days between races, it was a concern that it the Obaiya would come too soon.

Al Khalediah Stables also had representation through by Mutawakel Al Khalediah, owned by Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz. Ninth last year, when only four years old, there was still scope to improve. From their Polish division was Salam Al Kahleidah, a Group 3PA winner in Poland and Milan on his most recent start in October, beating Hajres.

The sole UAE trained runner was Byerley Racing’s RB Frynchh Dude. A recent import, he had not really taken to Abu Dhabi’s Turf track, but was unbeaten in two Meydan starts. They included breaking the track record when winning Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) over 1900m.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

100

As Saudi Cup day approached, it was anticipated that rain may fall. On the day, that forecast roved to be true, tightening up the Dirt on which the Obaiya is run at the King Abdulaziz racecourse. The Obaiya Arabian Classic was the fifth contest on the eight-race card, streamed live around the world via a variety of platforms.

Mubasher Al Khalediah was drawn in stall five, breaking well, he was settled in the rear on the rail, though was soon brought wide by Adel Alfouradi and steadily made his way closer to the pace.

Tallaab Al Khalediah had the advantage of stall one, which should have been ideal for this regular frontrunner, however by the home turn, it seemed that age had finally caught up with the 10-year-old. Deryan took over the lead,

tracked by Mutawakel Al Khalediah, with Mubasher Al Khalediah steadily making ground behind.

In the home straight Deryan asserted his position and only Mutawakel Al Khalediah could go with him, the pair drawing a good six lengths clear.

Mubasher Al Kahlediah gave chase and as Deryan’s effort started to fade, Mubasher Al Khalediah’s superior stamina took effect. At the line he was a length and a quarter in front of Mutawakel Al Khalediah with last years’ second Hajres bravely staying on for third.

RB Frynchh Dude came very wide down the outside, doing all his best work at the finish, he just stole fourth place from Deryan by a head.

Mubasher Al Khalediah (KSA) wins the Obaiya Arabian Classic (LRPA) ©Saudi Cup THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

101

Trainer Mutlaq Mashref gained a one-two in the world’s most valuable race for Arabians, which was more than enough compensation for the defeat of Tallaab Al Khalediah who finished 12th.

Prince Fahad, representing winning owner said: “It means a lot to us; His Royal Highness Prince Khaled always wants to have the first in all races. We wish that the champ of last year won it this year; thank God we won this race with a Saudi jockey and got first and second places, which is a very good start to the year, and we hope to get better in the future.

“Our jockey won a Group 1 at the end of last month, so we were expecting a lot out of him.

I think this horse is one of two future stars of Alkhalediah Stables. Hopefully we will see him in the Dubai Kahayla Classic, and hopefully he can win. We hope he repeats the love story of Tallaab Alkhalediah.”

Eddie Castro who rode Mutwakel Alkhaledia in second commented: "It was a nice race. My horse ran good. There are no excuses. I think maybe 2000 metres is a bit far for him. Maybe 1800 metres will be better for him."

It was a similar story from Cristian Demuro, who partnered Hajres, saying “He ran good. I think if the race was run over further, he would have finished second. Longer is better for him.”

The Saudi Cup successfully rose to the challenge of staging international racing during a global pandemic and can only continue to grow on the world stage.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

102

Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) 2000m 4yo+ Dubai, UAE DERYAN (FR) (6 h Mahabb x Haboob (Akbar)) Owner: YAS Horse Racing Management LLC Breeder: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin ZAyed Al Nahyan Trainer: Didier Guillemin Jockey: Ioritz Mendizabal

Deryan (FR) beats AF Alwajel (AE) in the Dubai Kahayla Classic © DRC There may have been a greatly reduced audience due to the Covid restrictions, but the victory of Deryan in the Dubai Kahayla Classic was a huge performance breaking the track record to win in a time of 2.11.87.

This year’s Kahayla looked a vintage renewal with the winners of nine Group 1 PA races in the field of 13. Strongly

fancied were the Saudi raiders, Mubasher Al Khalediah and Mutawakel Al Kaheliah, who had finished first and second in the Obaiya Classic, five weeks earlier. In that race Deryan had shown up well before fading to fifth, leading some to question his abilities on Dirt, despite winning a local Group 3 on that surface in Morocco over 100m less in 2019.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

103

Another with questions to answer was AF Alwajel, a brilliant Group winning sprinter owned and bred by Khalid Al Nabooda, trained by Ernst Oertel and ridden by Tadhg O’Shea. Having been five lengths third behind Brraaq in Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on his first attempt at 2000m, many considered him a nonstayer.

In both cases, the judges were wrong. AF Alwajel showed his brilliant speed, jumping smartly from the gate, and making full use of his number one draw.

O’Shea soon had him in front and, in manner of his previous win for connections on AF Maher in 2019, he looked like he would stay there. And he very nearly did.

However, Deryan, partnered by Ioritz Mendizabal, was cruising on the bridle behind them in the final stages. The only concern as they drew level, was that the horse might stop. He certainly looked

hesitant to go past for a stride and even when in front, AF Alwajel was able to claw back some of that lead, to finish three quarters of a length behind at the line.

After Deryan’s first, and some might consider, long overdue, Group 1PA win in Deauville last year, YAS Racing’s French manager Thierry Delegue had admitted that the fear was he would stop once in the lead. He had done so before.

Mendizabal, who was in the plate that day too, certainly has the horse’s measure.

Also aided by a very large pair of blinkers, which he has worn since losing Deauville’s Al Rayyan Cup by a neck to Marid in 2018.

Over three lengths behind at Meydan in third was Mubasher Al Kahalediah.

Whether the Obaiya had taken its’ toll, or the fact that not all dirt surfaces are equal, remains to be seen, but Deryan was certainly the best horse on the day in Dubai.

Deryan (FR) led in by Theirry Delegue © DRC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

104

“He did it really well this time,” said winning trainer Didier Guillemin, who was wining the Kahayla for the first time, but had lifted the Al Quoz Sprint with The Right Man in 2017. “He was quite nervous last time when he ran in Riyadh. This time, he was much calmer and we rode him differently, a little further back. I’m extremely proud to win a Group 1 here and to win it for owner Sheikh Mansour is just amazing.”

It was also a first win in the race for Mendizabal who said: “Last time in Riyadh, I was outside and he didn’t gallop and relax. Today I spoke to the trainer and he said it was important, after (leaving) the gate to stop him and relax behind horses.

He galloped and relaxed and after the first corner, I was in the (right spot). Turning (into the straight), I knew I would win."

Ernst Oertel, trainer of the second, AF Aljawel commented: "Great run. He didn’t have it the easiest [run] up in front. He ran a great race. A good horse beat me. He’s a young horse, it’s his second time over 2000m. Plenty to build on."

Tadhg O’Shea, was also positive regarding the AF Aljawel’s performance saying: "My horse ran very bravely. I had a good stall number and looking through the race there was no obvious pace horse.

So I was happy to do my own thing. He travelled great in the race. He ran a very brave race. Credit to the winner. The winner was very good on the day and my fellow lost nothing in defeat."

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayan is not only the owner, but also the breeder and wins this race for the second time after Rabbah De Carrère in 2014. A product of his Wathba Stud, Deryan is the second Kahayla Classic winner to be sired by Mahabb, after Manark in 2015. Deryan’s dam Haboob, is a daughter of Akbar and won on her debut over 1500m in France.

She was placed behind Gabra in the Qatar French Arabian Breeder’s Cup for threeyeqar-old fillies over 2000m at ParisLongchamp in 2007. Deryan is her sixth, and most successful produce, a fullbrother to 2018 UAE President Cup – Coupe Des Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1PA) winner Shahm.

Trackwork: Deryan (FR) and Clemence Guillemin © DRC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

105

Pat Buckley 1944 - 2021 Horseracing in the Gulf and Arabian raicng in particular, lost one of it's greatest supporters last month

Pat Buckley, one of the great characters of Middle Eastern racing and particularly of Arabian racing, sadly passed away last month aged 77. In a lifetime devoted to horses and racing, he was a jockey, trainer, steward, handicapper, racecourse manager and commentator, starting in Oman and then progressing to the UAE. Born near Naas in Ireland on July 14, 1943, Buckley was taught to ride by Mrs

O’Brien Butler and was soon riding her ponies in the show ring. Moving to England, aged just 13, he joined the Middleham training yard of leading post-war National Hunt trainer, Neville Crump. Though he won two Whitbread Gold Cups [now the Bet365 Gold Cup] on Hoodwinked and Dormant for Crump, it was for another famous handler that he scored his most memorable success.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

106

Year on year, the Grand National turns up a ‘story’ and Buckley’s win on 66-1 outsider, Ayala, in 1963 was certainly one of them.

Aged 19, his only experience of the race had come the year before when picking up the ride on the second favourite, Springbok, whose jockey Gerry Scott had been injured.

They got as far as the first.

Two weeks before the ’63 running, whilst riding at Newbury, he was approached by a stranger in the toilets, who asked if he had a ride in the National and if not, could he do 10 stone? Buckley confirmed that he could, and when the man told him he could ride his horse, Buckley responded that he would have to ask his boss [Crump], to which the man replied, “don’t worry I’ve already asked him”.

The man was Keith Piggott, father of Lester, whose yard was local to Newbury. He coowned Ayala with ‘Teasie Weasie’ Raymond, a celebrity hairdresser of the time who trained Vidal Sassoon and had his own tv show. Both liked a bet and informed Buckley in the paddock at Aintree that they stood to win a million pounds if Ayala won!

Buckley had famously dismissed feeling any pressure, saying: “It didn't matter to me if it was 10 shillings or 10 million pounds as I would still have ridden the same way.” He was more interested in following his riding instructions ‘to stay close to the pace’ and, most importantly, ‘to keep going.’

Keep going, he certainly did. The 1963 race was particularly well-reported as it included amateur jockey and Daily Telegraph correspondent John Lawrence [later Lord Oaksey]. Lawrence had picked up a spare ride on Carrickbeg, who jumped round like a stag. Buckley did not enjoy such a troublefree run as Lawrence, who, describing the famous Canal Turn fence wrote: “It was here that Buckley must have sat as tight as sticking plaster – for Ayala carved a hole big enough for a London bus.”

Having passed Buckley, and taking the last fence in front, Carrickbeg and Lawrence looked to have the race won. However, as he reported straight after the race: “Three quarters of a mile from home today the dream of a lifetime seemed to becoming true before my eyes. ‘Go on John you’ll win!’ – the speaker Pat Buckley on Ayala. He thought it true too.

“But half a minute later as Carrickbeg and I tired together in the final desperate 50 yards, it was he and Mr P B Raymond’s gallant chestnut who dashed our hopes.”

He continued “…the worst sight I ever expected to see on a racecourse, Ayala’s head appeared at my knee. He and Pat Buckley had never given up and must have struggled like heroes to make up four lengths from the last.”

Buckley’s one regret was that he never made the most of the victory, as the owner wasn’t there, and he went straight back to Middleham, riding out for Crump the next morning.

He also won the Scottish equivalent at Ayr five years later, though that was on a 4-1 shot Arcturus, who duly came home eight lengths ahead. Buckley recalled: "He was one of five Scottish National winners for my guv'nor Captain Neville Crump and we were also sixth at Liverpool the following year."

When David Mullins became the next teenage jockey to win the Grand National in 2016, Buckley said in The Times: “I was delighted for David Mullins — I know what it means to win the Grand National as a teenager. It changed my life. Fifty-three years later I was watching it on Saturday.

The first thing I did was ask him to be a friend on Facebook! I don’t know yet if he has replied.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

107

Retiring from the saddle in 1975/76 season, he first turned to training in Yorkshire, but found the finances of running a small string hard. He moved to the South to be an assistant to Barnstaple trainer, John Hill and then as Head Lad to Nicky Vigors in Lambourn.

Everything changed when he and his first wife Joyce moved to Oman in 1979, accepting an offer from HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said. There Buckley fulfilled many roles, helping to establish racing and equestrian facilities in the Sultanate. He designed and built their first racecourse at Seeb on the outskirts of Muscat for His Majesty. He also helped to establish the Royal Stud at Salalah in Southern Oman so that horses could be bred there, rather than shipping them in from other countries.

horses he trained, he recognised it was important to have a happy balance by using local riders too. He and Joyce taught the Omani lads to ride, both Arabians and thoroughbreds, and instigated their trips abroad to learn about racing in Newmarket and Epsom. This was the early origins of the Royal Cavalry of Oman. Buckley, an honorary ‘Major’ was proud to be part of its’ legacy and formed a great friendship with His Majesty.

Recalling his mission to establish a Gulf Championship in an interview with the Gulf News, Buckley said: "His Majesty Sultan Qaboos sent me in 1982, to invite horses from the UAE to take part in racing in Oman and that was when I first met His Highness Sheikh Zayed. The UAE sent horses to race in Oman including some owned by the late Sheikh Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Nahyan.

Whilst he welcomed overseas riders for the

Pat Buckley checks the runners in the paddock in Abu Dhabi THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

108

Pat Buckley sits on the jockey panel in the 2016 conference in Abu Dhabi

"Then soon after, we had a Gulf Championship in Bahrain. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar all took part and I had five horses from Oman. It ran on points system and Saudi with most entries, earned the most points, though I had two winners as Lester Piggott came over and rode for me. We won the main event, called the Gulf Cup or something."

At that time Oman was still very small in terms of racing and was yet to be interested in competing abroad. When the Buckleys relocated to the UAE in 1990, it gave him a far bigger stage on what was to become a very international racing country. Initially it was agreed that Buckley would be there for three years. In the event, he never left, and he later considered Abu Dhabi his home.

There he was integral to establishing racing, initially at the tracks in Sharjah, Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi. With the support of HH Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mansoor and Sheikh Hazza, they held their first race meeting in Abu Dhabi at the end of October 1991. There was no ruling body, so along with Dhruba Selvaratnam, who was

in charge of the Jebel Ali Stables of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Bill Mather, who was working for the late Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum in Dubai and Samira Bass in Sharjah, they got together to form a rule book. One of Buckley’s first rules was to instigate drug testing.

He also played a key role in the inaugural running of the first Dubai World Cup in 1996 at Nad Al Sheba, as he recalled in an interview with Thoroughbred Racing Commentary: “The year before the World Cup, there was an international jockeys’ challenge, won by Gary Stevens, if I remember rightly. I happened to be standing next to HH Sheikh Mohammed, and he turned to me and said, ‘Next year it will be horses.’ I believe those were the founding words of the first Dubai World Cup.” One of his roles involved leading in the World Cup winner and ensuring the jockeys weighed in, from Cigar to Dubai Millennium, he witnessed many historic winners.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

109

However, it is the track at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) with which he will be most strongly associated with. The course was originally established as a riding club by The President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1976. As racing in the Middle East developed, Buckley was appointed in 1991 to the role of the club’s racing manager and technical adviser and had been there ever since.

The Abu Dhabi track is best known for predominately purebred Arabian racing.

Buckley initiated the single thoroughbred race on each card when opportunities to race were limited during the transition from Nad Al Sheba to Meydan.

"Abu Dhabi is deeply rooted to traditions and the Purebred Arabians are part of the culture and heritage, thus the races in Abu

Dhabi are predominantly for the Purebreds," he said in an interview in The National in 2009.

"The late president, Sheikh Zayed, founded the breeding stables with the idea of establishing the finest Purebreds for racing and the tradition continues with the rulers of the country. They have used the best stallions and mares from around the world for the breeding and as a result the quality of the local breeds have improved remarkably.

“There are more races for the local breds today and we accommodate the majority of them in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi meetings have also attracted some of the finest Purebreds from Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, and we expect them to continue to participate, giving it an international flavour."

Harry Bentley interviewed by Pat Buckley in the paddock at ADEC THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

110

At the forefront of improving the local bred horses is three-time champion UAE owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, whose black and silver colours are a familiar sight in the UAE. He said: “I am really sorry to hear about Pat Buckley, one of the most respected gentlemen that I have had the pleasure of meeting.

“He was instrumental in helping most UAE owners and breeders and encouraged them in bringing local bred races to our country.

“He helped me from the very beginning by laying the foundation for races to be held in Abu Dhabi. Every time I attended the races in Abu Dhabi, when he met me, he always smiled and asked, ‘so how many races are you going to win today Khalid?’ I have always kept that close to me.

“I will miss him as will most owners and breeders, trainers and jockey whose path Pat crossed. May his Soul rest in Peace.”

Under Buckley’s tenure, the list of prestigious races at the capital’s Turf track

have grown, headed by one of Arabian racing’s most valuable contests, the HH Sheikh Zayed Al Nayhan Jewel Crown, worth more than the Kahayla Classic. The track also hosts’ two other Group 1PA contests in the HH The President Cup and the Emirates Championship.

Buckley was also a regular figure in the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Racing Festival.

Whether in an official capacity at ADEC, or as a speaker, or moderator at one of the many international conferences, he was well known and warmly respected by all who met him.

When in 2013 Sheikh Mohammed announced a ban on anabolic steroids following the positive samples returned by Godolphin trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni in the UK, Buckley responded in The National: “I and the vast multitude of Equestrian Sport lovers in the UAE are absolutely delighted to hear of the strong stand that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has taken against the importation of anabolic steroids into the UAE which will effectively stop the use of the drug in this country.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

111

The International Federation of Horse Racing Academies meet at the World Arabian Racing Conference in Poland in 2015

“Hopefully the new legislation will be clear and conclusive in banning the use of anabolic steroids and ensure that the use of these drugs becomes a criminal act and perpetrators will be severely punished.

“This legislation should concern all equestrian sports so we will once again have a level playing field which will produce fair and honest competition,” he added.

“The breeding industry will also benefit from the new rules and horses will develop according to how nature decrees and not be pumped full of prohibited and unnatural substances.”

He was also a regular on the Festival’s Jockey panels, a role he obviously had great experience of, but also as he mentored many of the European jockeys who came over to ride during the winter season as the UAE racing programme grew. One of those was eight-time UAE champion Tadgh O’Shea. He first came to the UAE on a racing scholarship from Ireland’s jockey school and who

commented on Buckley’s passing: “Farewell my friend and mentor, but I know you will be watching from above, especially every Sunday from November to March at our favourite track, as it was there that we first met in 2001, when I was like a lost puppy, but you helped me in every way possible to succeed, especially at Abu Dhabi.

“I will miss the banter in the weighing room before racing when Pat, being Pat, would greet all of us jockeys with a smile and joke, most probably about the one we got beat on at the previous meeting. You were a true gent and with be sadly missed.

Sleep well my friend, we have lost a legend.”

HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Racing Festival Director, Lara Sawaya, also described Buckley as ‘a legend’ and continued: “He was a teacher for me, he was a great contributor to everything we did with the Festival and we’re going to miss him.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

112

When asked in an interview in 2016 about some of the most notable people he had met during his time in the UAE, Buckley commented: “The outstanding one has to be the late President, His Highness Sheikh

Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan. He was an absolute gentleman and the way he looked after his own people, was a love that not many people would show.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

113

"To me he was the driving force behind getting racing going here. He was present for that first race meeting to award the trophies. This sent a message to the people, ‘if it’s good enough for His Highness, it’s good enough for me’, and at the next race meeting we had cars parked almost down to Airport Road, because His Highness was going to be here again. I appreciate everything that the late President and his marvellous sons, Sheikh Mansoor, Sheikh Hazza and Sheikh Tahnoon have done for me and my family over the years.”

Family and racing traditions were something that Buckley understood well.

His younger brother Seamus was also a jockey and then for many years, Clerk of the Course at Goodwood. Another

LORNA BROOKE 1984-2021 It was with tremendous sadness that we learnt of the passing of amateur jockey Lorna Brooke on April 19, having sustained a serious fall whilst racing at Taunton 11 days previously. Riding 17 winners under rules and 40 winners in point-to-point races, she was a popular figure in amateur sport.

brother, Willie, was a member of the Irish Horseracing Board’s security team until his death in 2019 while on duty at Dundalk.

Buckley is survived by his daughter Helen and son Kevin, who has been the face of Coolmore for many years and his second wife Sarah.

Jockeys wore black armbands in his memory in the last two races at Meydan during the Thursday evening card after his passing was announced. Whilst Kevin posted the following message on Twitter: “Rest in peace Dad. We’ll miss you so much. 'Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened'."

“I see no reason why Arabian racing can’t be on a higher level than it is at the moment…I know Steve Blackwell from Point-to-Pointing and I expect I might be surprised how many other people I know who are involved in the sport in the UK.”

Through the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) series she represented the UK on a number of occasions including in Bahrain and Poland where the accompanying photo was taken. She was also invited to enjoy the 2015 finale in Abu Dhabi. Interviewed by this magazine in 2015 she said: “Taking part in the Ladies World Championships is really interesting… you get to know some of the girls’ and we keep in touch outside of the races. It’s amazing the support behind it.”

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

114

The Final Furlong Toofan and David Judd at exercise on Racecourse Side of Newmarket Heath, Spring 2021.

Trained by James Owen for HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Toofan was an impressive winner on his debut in thearabianracehorse.com maiden stakes at Wolverhampton over a mile. Though out of a Dubai International winner in Sophie Du Loup, his speedy dam Zaaqya

was most effective from seven furlongs to a mile. However, when dropped back a furlong, it was just too sharp for Toofan and he finished third, behind the UK’s toprated mare Abiyah Athbah.

By Mahabb, sire of two Dubai Kahayla Classic winners in Manark and most recently Deryan, Owen feels the classic trip of ten furlongs will suit him best this season.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

System Endorsed by Arabian Racing Organisation

INTRODUCING

EQUINE MEDIRECORD A Great System to Ensure Your Compliance to Regulations

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

Ability Invite Vets/Assistants

Congratulations

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

MADE IN OUR OWN

UK MILL

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