4 Al Nujaifi Racing - 100 years of racing and breeding
7 Al Nujaifi Racing Stallions
11 Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy Preview 3
Welcome to the Spring edition of The Arabian Racehorse previewing the UK's most valuable race for Arabians fillies and mares and celebrating the longstanding international commitment to Arabian racehorse breeding of the Al Nujaifi family.
Year on year, Arabian racing continues to grow around the world and with the increase in prize money for such events, such as the UAE President Cup series, The HH The Amir Sword Festival, the Dubai Kahayla Classic and the Saudi Cup and Arc de Triomphe meetings, international interest in these races grows with it
This year Al Nujaifi Racing has sponsored a completely new Arabian race for the UK at Royal Windsor racecourse in Berkshire, aiming to promote the breeding of Arabian racehorses.
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SheikhAbdulazizAlNujaifi
Photo:AlNujaifiarchive
SheikhAbdulazizAlNujaifi,fatherofDrMohammad AlNujaifi,figureheadofAlNujaifiRacing,sadly passedawayonTuesdayJune252024.Thefounder ofthefamily’sstudfarm,hewasinstrumentalin preservingtheArabianracehorseinIraq,aswellas ensuringthecontinuityofracinginacountry constantlyaffectedbychallengingevents.
TheAl-Nujaififamilyandtheirstudshaveplayeda majorroleinpreservingthecontinuityofracingand thepurityoftheArabianbreedinIraqduring challengingtimes.WhenSadamHusseinimposeda banonracingin1978,fewbreederstookupthe opportunitytobuytheseunwantedracehorses. SheikhAbdulazizAlNujaifisawthisasanopportunity tobuytheverybestbroodmaresavailable,including maresthathe’dbeenunabletopurchasewhenthey wereracingbecausetheirownerswouldn’tsell.This
enabledhimtoamassanenviableselectionof bloodlines.TheseincludedShabab,thebesthorsein Iraqfrom1973to1975,winneroftheirDerbyin 1975.HavingbeenboughtbytheIraqigovernment andgiftedtotheBahraniRoyalFamilyheeventually foundhiswaybacktoIraqonceracingresumed during1980/81andwaspurchasedasastallion.
TheIraqigovernmentalsoboughtandimporteda numberofArabianstallionsforbreederstousefree ofcharge,hopingtoupgradetheirhorses,along similarlinestothenationalstudsthathadsprungup inEurope.OneofthesewasValiantGold(General Gold),bredbyLadyWentworthintheUK,froma classicCrabbetbloodline,hetracesallthewayback toIbrahim,bredandraisedbySheikhAbdullahAbd Ar-RahmanoftheBanuSakrBedouins,andsireof thefamousPolishStallionSkowronek.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nujaifi had great faith in this small chestnut stallion and when Dr Al Nujaifi took over the racing and breeding program, its continued success is due in part to his father’s belief in Valiant Gold That sire has shown to be a positive influence, appearing in many of the pedigrees of the recent leading Al Nujaifi racehorses, such as Hilal Al Zaman (Mencour) and Gharraa (Matador 12), the dam of champion Al Ghadeer (Al Mourtajez)
During the period from 1992 to 2008 the only stallions (both Arabian and Thoroughbred) that were available to Iraqi breeders were from the Al-Nujaifi Studs To this day, the family continue to be leading owner breeders in Iraq and support several training stables around the country in Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul. When he took over the management of the breeding program Dr Al Nujaifi wished to maintain the foundations of the family’s Iraqi bloodlines, however he knew he needed to add in some outcrosses. Initially he purchased several horses from Russia’s famous Tersk Stud, including Matador, the sire of Gharraa He then looked to France, the modern-day source of Arabian racehorses, to improve his program further First came the stallion
Mencour and two broodmares by the top sire
Dormane in 2003 The mares had been bred to French stallions before all three were exported to Iraq
The second stage of his grand vision was to send a select group of horses from Iraq to France, to set up a racing and breeding operation there, with the first horses arriving in 2009 He periodically refreshes the French based stock with new Iraqi blood from his farm at home More recently he has also developed his racing and breeding operations in Saudi Arabia with around 20 racehorses, broodmares and youngstock, as well as a stallion, currently Morad (Al Mourtajez), based there
Though pedigree is important, racing ability is paramount to the Al Nujaifi Racing programme As racing and breeding manager Val Bunting explains, “Both the broodmare and stallion must have a proven record on the track. The broodmare band are all from ‘Black Type mares, those that have proven themselves at Group level, with one exception of a young mare who was retired due to an eye injury
“For us it is not an option to breed from a mare who has not achieved - just to breed another nonachiever. Good stallions can definitely improve a pedigree, but they cannot be expected to work miracles There are exceptions to every rule, but it costs as much to raise an inferior horse as it does to raise a champion, so why take the risk?”
Since the inception of the French arm of the programme, it has consistently produced winner after winner, most notably with the initial success of dual Group 1PA winner Hilal Al Zaman. Born in Iraq, then trained in France, he is now their flagship sire and capable of getting top level winners too Whilst Al Ghadeer, sold first to Al Wasmiyah Racing and now a world champion for Al Shaqab Racing, needs little introduction.
However their fillies have always been strong too, the Iraqi bred mare Hamiya has been a standout producer Every single one of her eleven foals to race has either won and/or been black type placed. Her first foal Hurra was a tough performer, winning six times in the Netherlands and Sweden from 1800m to 2750m and placing nine times from Group 1PA to Listed PA level. Hamiya has since gone on to produce two top class Group 12PA winning fillies in Muneera (Dormane) and Al Shomoos (No Risk Al Maury), as well as Amir Al Zaman who is now a stallion Her latest foal to race, Amirat Al Zaman, lines up today at Windsor.
In the current crop of four-year-olds they have two promising colts, Moneer, a grandson of Hamiya, being out of Muneera by Al Mourtajez and Haseef, also by Al Mourtajez, out of their Group 1PA winner Ghazwa Moneer has been sold to Wathnan Racing and was third in the French Arabian Derby, as part of a remarkable 1-2-3-4-5 for his sire Haseef is retained and has won his last two starts, which includes the Prix Damas, Group 3PA in Bordeaux His main target will be the UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby at Doncaster in September
Val Bunting
Hilal Al Zaman (2005 Mencour x Amal Althania)
Was retired to stud in 2013 and has been the European based standard bearer for Al Nujaifi Racing Stallions. He stands at the Haras de Thouars in France with his 2026 fees starting at €1,500
A winner of 17 races from three to seven years, his most important international wins were the Za abeel International Stakes at Newbury over 6f and the Malazgirt Trophy at Veliefendi over a mile, whilst his wins in Iraq included the Iraqi Guineas, the Iraqi Derby (twice) and the Iraqi Jockey Club Trophy (twice). A tough and consistent performer he was also placed 15 times including finishing runner p in the Coupe d’Europe des Cheveaux Arabes (Gr1PA) at Saint-Cloud He was the first Iraqi bred Arabian to win in the UK
Some of his best progeny include Hiab Al Zaman, winner of the President of the UAE Cup (Grade 1PA) in the USA at Pimlico in 2022, closing out his UAE season this year with a win in the Group 3PA Al Ain Mile Bred by Al Nujaifi racing Ghurat Al Zaman (out of Gharraa (and therefore a half-sister to Al Ghadeer), won the Qatar Prix de l’Elevage (Gr2PA) and the Prix Damas (Gr3PA)
He is also the sire of Obaiya Arabian Classic third Najeeb Al Zaman, a Listed winner in Saudi, he has returned to France to recuperate after a minor injury in this year ' s Dubai Kahayla Classic and is expected to be back on the racecourse in the care of Al Nujaifi Racing's principal French traienr, Damien de Watrigant this summer His daughter Amirat Al Zaman runs today, and her brother Amir Al Zaman has recently been retired to stud as his natural successor
His dam Amal Althania is a product of inbreeding to the UK Crabbet import, Valiant Gold, and as well as producing Hilal Al Zaman, she is the dam of Osailan, a winner of 25 races in Iraq, including the Iraq Derby and Iraq 2000 Guineas, Izz Al Khail, four wins in France (sire of Fareedhat El Izz), Al Asad, three wins in France, Sweden and Iraq, all three are also stallions
Amir Al Zaman
(2016 Hilal Al Zaman x Hamiya)
Retired to stud in 2022, his first foals are now two years old
A winner of the Prix Fleur d’Avril – Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup in Tarbes over 2300m, his promising racing career was sadly curtailed due to injury By Al Nujaifi Racing’s dual Group 1PA winner he is the image of his sire, out of one of their most successful broodmares Hamiya, dam of the Group 1PA winning fillies Muneera and Al Shomoos He is also a half-brother to the black type placed Hurra, Al Haail and Salsabeel He is a full brother to Amirat Al Zaman who lines up at Windsor today.
Al Nujaifi Racing has long been a supporter of breeders in Iraq and to reflect their support of UK Arabian racing, in addition to the sponsorship of races, they are generously donating a free cover to the highest placed British bred horse in today’s event at Windsor
Qadem's first foal, out of Muneera © Val Bunting
Qadem
(2019 Moarrab x Raisoon)
Retired to stud in 2024, his first foals arrived in 2025
New to stud is the Iraqi bred Qadem, his dam Raisoon is out of Tarfa, a daughter of Akbar from Russian bloodlines, her dam Troia, was purchased by Val Bunting in foal at the Arqana Purbred Arabian Sale He is available by natural cover at the Haras Du Mazet in France
Currently standing at stud in Saudi Arabia is Morad (2019 Al Mourtajez x Nyriad), Bought from Al Shaqab Racing, hehas completed two season there and will return to Fracne for 2026, full details to be confirmed
AMIRAT AL ZAMAN
5yo Ch mare OR 82
Hilal Al Zaman x Hamiya (Al Hasim)
Al Nujaifi Racing James Owen
Pat Cosgrave Cheekpieces
By a Group 1PA winning sprinter-miler and a half-sister to two Group 1PA winners in Muneera and Al Shomoos, the latter winning the Sheikh Zayed Jewel Crown over a mile - at the time, the world’s most valuable race for Arabians. Started her career in France, racing twice before moving to the UK where she broke her maiden on debut at this trip at Yarmouth, then following up over 1m2f in a Newbury conditions event, both on good. Fifth, when
hampered by the winner and eased down in the UAE President Cup-UK Arabian Derby (Gr1PA) over 1m2f at Doncaster, winner has proved smart and gone on to further top-level success this term.
Probably needed the run on reappearance at Doncaster when third over 1m2f on Wolverhampton’s tapeta Runner-up in the prep race for this at Lingfield when making almost all to be headed by her stable mate, Fareedhat El Izz and was coming back to her on the line. That race was just shy of this trip at 7f 135y, so the extra distance today may help her turn the tables.
FAREEDHAT EL IZZ
5yo Gr mare OR 87
Izz Al Khail x Fareedha (Dhahman Baghdad)
Al Nujaifi Racing James Owen
Billy Loughnane Hood
Placed over 1500m and 2000m in Pisa, Italy at three years, then joined Francois Rohaut in France, but failed to score in two starts. Winner on UK debut over 7f at Newbury and then runner-up in a Group 2PA here over 6f Found things tough behind Al Ghadeer at Goodwood next time in the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) and was probably over the top on her final start last term at Chepstow.
Put that well behind her on return, when kept on well to score in a fast time back at Chepstow over this trip in a 0-80 handicap She put that run to good use when winning the prep race for this at Lingfield last month, under a penalty, with many of these behind her Seeking a hattrick for the season, will be suited by the conditions and should be a worthy opponent to her stablemate
PHARITZ ALANOOD
6yo gr mare OR 50
Lahoob x Laila (Tahar De Candelon) Pharitz Racing Mr Okbah Aashour
Charles Bishop
Sire a Group 1PA winner over this trip on the Polytrack and of a Listed PA event at the Curragh, whilst dam has produced two winners in the UK, one at this trip and one over 1m2f and two miles Best effort last season came over 7f on good when third in a handicap and not beaten far, but failed to build on that effort in subsequent starts.
Keen on reappearance on the Polytrack at Lingfield over a furlong less, briefly leading, though faded to fourth. Winner looks a potentially smart juvenile colt who was receiving weight, so not disgraced, but was beaten by Sassy and Victoria last season. Sure to improve for that outing in April, but first try at this trip and like many of these, is stepping up to black type company
PHARITZ LAHIA
5yo b mare Lahoob x Sophia (Kerbella) OR 44
Pharitz Racing Mr Okbah Aashour Aidan Keeley
Shares her sire with Pharitz Alanood. Her dam was tough, winning twice at this trip from 21 starts Both wins came on easy ground, however she was placed ten times, often on a faster surface.
Still very unexposed, she has failed to make an impression in her three starts to date, all over seven furlongs, though it took her dam five starts to break her maiden. Finishing well behind Fareedhat El Izz on her latest outing at Lingfield, she raced far too freely early on, giving herself no chance when it mattered. Looks very much a work in progress and too soon to write off.
PROTOCOL ZAYIN
5yo b m Handassa x Samauring Zayin (The Wiking) NOR Zayin Arabian Stud Tim Vaughan Mr Laurence Gallacher
Sire a dual Group 1PA winner over 1m2f, dam won twice over 1m4f and 1m6f but was also placed twice over 7f.
Found things happening a bit too fast on her debut behind Fareedhat El Izz at Lingfield, when outpaced and always behind. Will be worse off with most of those runners who reoppose here, however though she’s entitled to improve for that debut experience, her pedigree suggests she should be better over further, given more time.
SASSY
7yo b m Assy x Spirited Game (Vert Olive) OR49
Steve Blackwell Mr S Blackwell
Oliver Carmichael Hood, Cheekpieces
Sire a Qatar Guineas winner at this trip who went on to secure Group 1PA wins up to 1m4f. Best son to date also scored at the highest level winning the French Arabian Derby over 1m2f and the Qatar International Cup at this distance Dam was a course and distance winner and is a half-sister to Mehdaaf Athbah who was second in a Group 1PA over course and distance, and to multiple Group winning sprinter-miler Bayan Athbah.
Showed good form in handicaps last season, winning over 7f and placing three times from this trip to 1m5f, all for today’s jockey Appears to be suited by any going and will be sharper for her return behind Fareedhat El Izz at Chepstow, where she finished ahead of Victoria, but meets them both on worse terms outside of handicap company. Interesting to note her stable won with her half-sister on Monday and has first-time cheekpieces to add to her hood
VICTORIA
5yo b m RB Burn x Dolfina D’Ibos (Mahabb) OR 58
Mrs Wendy Hassall Mrs W Hassall Edward Greatrex Cheekpieces
From the first crop of her sire, who was a Group1PA winner at this distance. Dam was a useful staying handicapper winning three times from 1m2f to 1m6f, whilst her diminutive halfsister Mayfair, managed to squeak some black type, placing third in a Group 3PA at this trip.
Scored twice over 1m2f (good) and 1m6f (Tapeta) for previous connections and was probably at the limit of her handicap mark when changing hands over the winter. Her best effort this season came on Monday over 1m4f when third on the Tapeta. Has been beaten twice by Fareedhat El Izz this term and was fourth to Amirat Al Zaman’s third in April, so hard to see her reversing the form with either of them at level weights.
