The Arabian Racehorse Issue 14

Issue No.14

May 2016

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

Aghsaan wins ARO Cup Chelmsford & Hereford

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T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE Issue 14 -May 2016 3

News IFRHA Student Colley; NAIP Prize Increase; DIAR International Increase; WAHRC Programme; Royal Cavalry Increase UK Sponosrship; Drug; HARC website; ARO support AHS classes

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ARO Cup Report and pictures from first UK Pattern race

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Qatar Coupe D'Europe Al Mourtajez back on form in French Group1 PA

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First Listed Race in Italy DIAR support at Capanelle

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Flying Start for ARO Season Report and pictures from Chelmsford

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HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival at Hereford Report and pictures from the first of four meetings

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New Year, New Career Interview with new trainer Philip Collington

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Team Work Interview with Newcomer Award winner James Owen

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James Gillick New solo exhibition in London

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2016 HH Sheikha Fatima Series Reports from Toulouse and Casablanca

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Shadwell Super 7 2016

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Results

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The Arabian Racehorse BTO Awards

Produced by equine creative media Stable Flat, Moreton Manor Stud, South Moreton, Oxon, OX11 9AH

equinecreativemedia@gmail.com 00 44 7782 349 047 www.equinecreativemedia.com Excluding News reports, unless otherwise stated, all features, reports and photographs are by Debbie Burt (copyright) - photographs may be viewed and purchased at www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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NEWS GREAT START FOR IFHRA MENTORSHIP STUDENT RYAN COLLEY The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted to welcome International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) mentorship student, Ryan Colley, to their first meeting of the UK Arabian racing season which started at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Sunday 17 April.

Colley, who is a graduate from the Northern Racing College, is one of two UK recipients of the inaugural worldwide mentorship programme sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Horse Racing Festival, the other being 2015 Champion Apprentice Tom Marquand.

The overseas placement saw Colley arrive in the States in February at the Thoroughbred Training Centre to work with the starting gate team and gain his Racing Officials Accreditation Programme Certificate.

Now back in the UK, he is still working as Assistant Trainer to Ruth Carr, but is using his Sundays off to further his ambition of becoming a starter by assisting BHA Starter Peter Haynes at a number of ARO full fixtures this year.

Speaking of his new assistant at the ARO meeting, Haynes commented.

“He’s a nice lad who took to the job really well at his first attempt on Sunday.”

ARO Racing Manager Amanda Smith was also supportive of Colley and the

initiative saying. “The IFHRA mentorship programme is an amazing opportunity for young people in racing to further their knowledge of both the sport and other cultures worldwide, and ARO is delighted to be able to provide Ryan with extra raceday official experience. Fittingly his next scheduled meeting is the second of four HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival sponsored fixtures, which is at Hereford on 5 June.”

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as Associate Partner, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with and sponsored by Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland , Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Viola Communications, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

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NATIONAL ACADEMY OF INDIAN PAYROLL ANNOUNCE PRIZE MONEY INCREASE FOR DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN RACES Mr Qazi of the National Academy of Indian Payroll (NAIP), sponsors of the National Academy of Indian Payroll Handicap Stakes over 7 furlongs at Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), Newbury, today announced that they would be increasing the prize fund to £8,000 for this years’ contest.

In addition he confirmed that NAIP would continue their sponsorship of the Best Turned Out award at DIAR 2016 at the very generous rate of £300 per race.

delighted by the news saying. “The National Academy of Indian Payroll Handicap Stakes for Purebred Arabians is always popular and routinely fields the maximum number of runners. It is aimed at supporting those at the grass-roots of the sport in the UK and ARO whole heartedly welcomes this news and the continuation of NAIP’s support of Arabian racing here in Britain.”

Amanda Smith, Racing Manager for the Arabian Racing Organisation was

www.naip.in www.diaraces.com

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INCREASED INVESTMENT IN INTERNATIONAL ARABIAN RACING FROM DIAR The Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) are back for 2016 and they are bigger and better than ever!

The international programme of Arabian racing which is run under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum seeks to educate more people about the Arabian breed, the sport of Arabian horse racing and the Arabic culture which underpins it.

Mirza Al Sayegh, spokesperson for the DIAR programme commented: “The culmination of this programme is a flagship event held at Newbury Racecourse (UK) each year and is widely acknowledged to be one of the best and most prestigious days of Arabian racing anywhere in the world.

In 2016 this event will be held on Sunday 24th July and will feature a total of 5 Group and International level races including: 3 Gr.1 PA (IFAHR) races as well as a Gr.2 PA (IFAHR) race for 3 year olds.

Of significant importance this year is the introduction of travel allowances for international runners competing in the races at Newbury on 24th July and the renewal of the DIAR bonus prize fund for 2016. The bonus fund encourages international runners to the UK by offering a prize money bonus to horses placed in DIAR races in their own country which then go on to win one of the bonus races at Newbury.

In addition to these initiatives, 2016 will see a £20,000 increase in prize money for the flagship event. The prize money will be used to boost the Gr.1 PA Shadwell Dubai International Stakes; the Gr.1 PA Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes and the Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Stakes (Gr.1 PA).”

The rest of the DIAR programme will be made up of international prep races and domestic races to support Arabian racing across the world.

DIAR is delighted to be able to sponsor the first ever IFAHR recognised international stakes race for Arabians in Italy. The Premio Dubai International Arabian Races 2016, a Listed contest for 4 year olds and up, will be run as part of a day of Thoroughbred racing sponsored by Shadwell on Sunday 8th May at Rome Capannelle Racecourse.

The programme has also expanded to incorporate Sweden for the first time with the sponsorship of 4 races including the Gr.3 PA DIAR Stockholm Arabian Cup on 4th July at the newly completed Bro Park Racecourse.

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The programme will be visiting the UK, France, Holland, Italy and Sweden during the summer and work has begun to return to the USA following the successful inaugural visit to Lone Star Park, Texas in 2015.

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes (Listed): 4YO+ 2150m (turf) No Risk Al Maury International Stakes: 4YO+ 1800m (turf) Duindigt, Holland

The following races are official warm up races for the DIAR Flagship event at Newbury on 24th July. Further information will be circulated via the International Racing Bureau (IRB) in a document dedicated the DIAR programme.

23rd June 2016 Dubai International Arabian Races at Newbury 24th July International Stakes: 3YO only 7f (turf) Newbury

8th May 2016 Premio Dubai International Arabian Races 2016 (Listed PA) 4YO + 1900m (turf) Rome Capannelle, Italy

4th July 2016 Dubai International Arabian Races Stockholm Arabian Cup (Gr.3 PA): 4YO+ 1800m (turf) Stockholm, Sweden

9th June 2016 Shadwell Arabian Stallions International Stakes: 4YO+ mares & fillies 1m2f (turf) Newbury

Dubai International Arabian Races International Fillies & Mares Stakes: 3YO+ 1600m (turf) Stockholm, Sweden

*10th June 2016 DIAR Premier Handicap Stakes: 4YO+ 1m4f (turf) Chepstow 11th June 2016 Shadwell Prix Ourour (Listed PA): 3YO colts, geldings and fillies 1600m (turf) Toulouse, France 12th June 2016 Dubai International Arabian Races Stakes (Listed PA): 4YO+ 1800m (turf)

7th July 2016 Dubai International Arabian Races at Newbury 24th July International Stakes: 4YO+ 1m2f (turf) Newbury 12th July 2016 Shadwell Prix Tidjani (Gr.3 PA) 3YO colts 1900m (turf) La Teste, France *Races open to UK domestic horses only

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WORLD ARABIAN HORSERACING CONFERENCE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED The eagerly awaited programme for the forthcoming World Arabian horseracing Conference in Rome at the end of the month has been released as follows: 25 May 11 am Press Conference at the Monte Napoleone 26 May 10.am World Arabian Horse Racing Conference at The Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resort -Welcoming Speech of HE Saqr Alraisi UAE Ambassador to Italy -Welcoming Speech of HE Sami Al Boueinen Chairman of IFAHR -Welcoming Speech of Stefania Mastromarino Ministry of Agriculture -Welcoming Speech of Ex Director of Capanelle Danilo Di Caprio -Welcoming Speech of Anica President Francesco Samtoro -Welcoming Speech of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Miss Khulud Al Nuaimi 10.30 am - 12 pm Breeding Session Moderator : Derek Thompson( UK) - Stefano Daneri (Italy) - Catherine Dunnett (UK) - Dr Andrew Dagliesh(Morocco/UAE) - Ilka Gansera-Leveque (UK) - Kathy SmokeUS) - Analisa Landuci (Italy) - Csaba Pribenszky (Hungary) - Ezzeldine Sedrati (Morocco)

2pm - 3.30 pm Racing and Training Moderator: Faysal Alrahmani - Mussabeh Almuhairi (UAE) - Pat Buckley ( Ireland/ UAE) - Craig Allen (Australia) - Thomas Fourcy(FR) - Mohamed Al Hashimi (Oman) - Marco Oppo (Italy) - Mark Powell (US) - Yasser Mabrouk (Sudan/ UAE) 3.45 pm - 5.15 pm Weight Loss Control Moderator: Gary Capwell - George Wilson (UK) - Daniel Martin (UK) - Philip Pritchard (UK) - Linda Meech (Australia) - Xavier Ziani - Christopher Watson (Australia) - Kai Schirmann (Germany) - Dr Jamal Hout (Canada) May 27 World Arabian Horse Racing Conference continues 10.30 am - 12 pm Media, PR & Communication Moderator: Philip Brenan(UK) - John Cobb (UK) - Jean Claude Allies (FR) - Debbie Burt (UK) - Stefanie Corum (US) - Yakoobi Al Saadi (UAE) - Derek Thompson (UK) - Mondher Zoueiten (Tunisia) - Satya Narayan (India)

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2 pm - 3.30 pm Women in Racing Moderator : Pamela Burton - HE Lulwa Alawadhi (Bahrain) - Muneera Al Marzuki (UAE) - Elizabeth Zindel ( Switzerland) - Laura King (UK) - Michelle Morgan (US) - Renee Koch (FR) - Victoria Shaw (Australia) - Lara Sawaya (UAE) 3.45 pm - 5.15 pm Rules, Conditions & Regulations Moderator : Pat Buckley (IRL) - Graham Walcroft UK) - Ahmad Saeed Almarzouki (UAE) - Dr Salah Al Jneibi (UAE) - Hicham Debbagh (Morocco) - Pam Cordrey (Scandinavia) - Dr Paul Gadot (FR) - Neil Abraham (Canada) - Michelle Youngdale (US) May 28 World Arabian Horse Racing Conference continues 10.30 am to 12 pm Future of Arabian Racing Moderator : Derek Thompson (UK) - Dr Abdulla Rayess ( UAE) - Matar Alyabhuni ( UAE) - Mubarak Al Nuaimi ( UAE) - Edward Hamod (US) - Boutros Boutros (FR) - Keith Brackpole(US) - Hamad Alahbabi (UAE) - Richard Lancaster(UK) - Ed Murphy (US) - Lara Sawaya ( UAE) 12.15 pm - 1.45 pm Conference Workshop Moderators Derek Thompson/ Lara Sawaya

Festival Award Gala Dinner at Pincio May 29 Emirates Day at Capanelle Featuring the HH Sheikh Zayed Cup, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship Series, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Lady World Championship Series.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with and sponsored by Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves SuitesAbu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

7.30 pm HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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The Royal Cavalry Of Oman

The red, green and gold silks of the Royal Cavalry of Oman are a familiar sight in Arabian Races around the world and their presence has grown considerably over the past years.

As well as their strong racing opera on, the Cavalry now boasts an impressive UK breeding establishment.

The Royal Cavalry is dedicated to Equestrianism; through breeding, racing, ceremonial ac vi es, sport and jockey development. ARO is incredibly grateful to the ongoing support of The Royal Cavalry. Their commitment to Arabian Racing in the United Kingdom beneďŹ ts Owners and Trainers across the spectrum, from those involved with the very best horses in training to the grass roots level of the sport.

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ROYAL CAVALRY OF OMAN INCREASES UK ARABIAN RACING SPONSORSHIP FOR 2016 The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was thrilled to announce today that the Royal Cavalry of Oman has more than doubled its’ sponsorship of Purebred Arabian racing in the UK for the 2016 season.

The 20 races include two full meetings at Chelmsford City Racecourse on 1 July and 25 September, whilst they also sponsor four races at the next fixture on 22 May at Taunton.

Of the five single races on Thoroughbred cards, the most prestigious is The Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon Stakes (Group 2 PA) run over 5f at Newbury, won for the last five years by trainer Julian Smart who had previously been the Cavalry’s retained trainer. They also sponsor the

longest race of the season, The Royal Cavalry of Oman Premier Handicap Stakes run over 2 miles at Doncaster next month.

The Royal Cavalry have been involved with Arabian racing in the UK for over ten years, however this is the first time their sponsorship has been extended to include the ARO Season Finale, which is at Chelmsford City on 25 September. This will now be merged with the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s annual race day and it is sure to provide a memorable end to the UK Arabian racing season.

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Major General Al Shahwarzi receving the Insignia from HM The Queen Major General AbdulRazak Al Shahwarzi of the Royal Cavalry, was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen last week when he was presented with The Insignia of an Honorary Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. The Royal Cavalry of Oman had sent over 120 horses to perform in Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations and the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which was the largest equine contribution of any nation to perform. The male and female riders displayed incredible skill, standing on the backs of their horses at a gallop as they passed the Royal Box. The horses were accompanied by a very accomplished female mounted band as well as pipers and drummers.

ARO Racing Manager, Amanda Smith who was present at the celebrations

said: “It was a great honour to see The Royal Cavalry of Oman take part in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday celebrations. The skill and precision of the horsemen and women was very impressive and the vibrancy and colours of the display was like no other.

“The Arabian Racing Organisation is very proud to be associated with The Royal Cavalry of Oman and it was particularly good to see some of their former racehorses playing their part in the Windsor performance. The race sponsorship provided by the Royal Cavalry is vital to ARO and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support from the grass-roots to the highest level in the UK.” Photo Royal Cavalry of Oman

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DRUG (1985 -2016) Foaled at the Tersk Stud in Russia,

by Prizak, a successful racehorse , out of Karinka (Aswan), a successful performance mare.

A mulitple winner on the track, his career spanned five years, with his notable victories including the Russian Derby, France's Coupe d'Europe and the Al Nayan International at Kempton Park in the UK. Named European Racehorse of the Year in 1990 and 1991, he was also European Champion Stallion in

halter in 1990.

Retired to stud at Tersk, he then had a spell at the Kossack Stud in the Netherlands and ended his career at Al Awal in the UAE - where the picture below was taken last November.

Tributes to him flooded in to Al Asayl's facebook page on the announcement of his passing earlier this month.

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HERITAGE ARABIAN RACING CLUB LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE The long awaited Heritage Arabian Racing Club website was launched this month to a great reception from its' members.

The site at www.harchorses.com is a comprehensive resource covering membership, races, results, horses, marketing, sponsorship and much more and will be regularly updated throughout each members racing season.

The HARC facebook page has been updated too and a presentation video has been produced to support the Club's initiatives.

The 14 members [Australia, Belgium,

Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK} have just been joined

by IREIF, the official governing body for racing in Iran.

Each member country has a different way of distributing the HARC funded support. In the UK the bonus scheme has been continued for 2016, with every domestic ARO race receiving an allocation regardless of sponsor or prize fund.

HARC Administrator Leigh Young and UAE HARC representative Deirdre Hyde THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION TO SUPPORT TWO CLASSES AT THE AHS CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is delighted to forge new links with the Arab Horse Society (AHS) this year by supporting the two Race or Endurance Horse to Riding Horse classes to be held on Saturday 30 July at the AHS Championship Show at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

ARO Director Genny Haynes commented: “We are very keen for ARO to become more involved with the Arab Horse Society as of course both organisations share a patron in His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum."

She continued."It is a natural fit to supporting these two classes which demonstrate the versatility of the Arabian, which can be considered the original racehorse, and we look forward to strengthening the relationship further in the future.” www.arabhorsesociety.org

THE ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION LTD A WORLD LEADER IN PUREBRED ARABIAN RACING The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) runs a programme of full Arabian racedays supported by single Arabian races on Thoroughbred fixtures from April to September.

The 2016 UK International race season allows owners to experience the prestige of racing at some of the world's best racecourses including Goodwood, Newbury, Newmarket and Sandown.

CONTACT ARO LTD FOR MORE DETAILS 'THE SOLE AUTHORITY FOR ARABIAN RACING IN THE UK' +44 (0) 1635 524 445 info@aroracing.co.uk www.aroracing.co.uk

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ARO CUP Group 3 PA The first Pattern race of the UK Arabian Racing Organisation's season was run over Newbury's straight mile course on Al Shaqab Lockinge Day.

Aghsaan (GB) and Tadhg O'Shea (centre) win the ARO Cup from Kao Kat MHF (US) and David Probert (right)

The first Pattern race of the UK Arabian racing season, the ARO Cup Group 3 PA, went to Aghsaan, trained by rookie trainer Philip Collington for HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum in a thrilling finish, winning by one and quarter lengths from Kao Kat MHF, with his other runner for His Highness, Radames in third.

The ÂŁ15,000 race, the first of nine Arabian Pattern races scheduled for the UK under the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) banner, was run over the same straight mile as the prestigious Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, a Group 1 for thoroughbreds earlier in the card.

ARO had received 19 entries for

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the first international race, headed by recent Bordeaux winner RB Burn, for Elizabeth Bernard and Al Asayl, who was not amongst the final 10 declarations.

Jaldi Karo, a clear winner on his seasonal bow at Chelmsford ahead of the top rated Radames, was sent off favourite, but his chance of a place disappeared went hampered in the final furlong.

Jockey Tadhg O'Shea was always travelling well on Aghsaan and when he made his move at halfway it was clear he would be the one to beat, taking it up in the final furlong. Kao Kat MHF put up a brave performance in first time headgear, but he had been switched left and right to find a gap and when it did finally come, he was still no match for the mare

in front.

Aghsaan had been a course and distance winner in the Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes at Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) last July, when trained by Gill Duffield. Not seen again last season, she upheld course form and had clearly improved over the winter. Collington took over as retained trainer for Sheikh Hamdan, along with James Owen, on Duffield’s retirement last September.

Speaking after the race Collington said: “I’m very pleased with the filly. She’s been able to improve on what she showed last season, stepping up to Group 3 company today, so it’s onwards and upwards from here."

Aghsaan in the pre-parade ring THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Phil Collington receives the ARO Cup trainers trophy from ARO Director Bill Smith He continued “There are a couple of races abroad which may suit, or the Shadwell Arabian Stallions International Stakes here next month, so we will just have to see how she comes out of the race and let the Boss decide.”

Tadhg O'Shea was also full of praise for the mare saying"she gave me a lovely feel througout; she's very straightforward and has a great will to win. The best is yet to come; she could be a Hatta (International Group 1PA) filly, as she has loads of class."

Amanda Smith ARO Racing Manager said: “I am particularly pleased for Phil Collington, he was

Champion ARO Jockey five times, so to win his first Group race, and also to train the third, Radames, so early in his first season as a trainer bodes well for his future.

“The ten-runner line up provided a competitive field and a great showcase for Arabian racing in the UK in front of a crowd of over 13,500 people and we look forward to coming back here on the 9 June for the first of our DIAR prep races.”

Julian Thick, Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse, commented: “We have had a fantastic Al Shaqab Lockinge Day in glorious weather."

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“I think we saw Newbury at its best today - a large crowd having a good time and enjoying top-class racing, including the Group 3 ARO Cup for Purebred Arabians, which was an excellent addition to the day."

A Shadwell Arabian homebred, Aghsaan's former trainer Gill Duffield had always thought a lot of her as she is out of Sophie Du Loup, who Duffield trained to win many races including the Dubai International Stakes.

This provided her sire Al Jakbar with his first Group winner. He was bred in France and trained by Francois Rohaut, who had always held the son of Al Sakbe in high regard. Rohaut produced him to

win the French Arabian Breeders Cup Mile (Gr1PA) at Longchamp at four years and the Prix Nefta (Gr2PA) at Toulouse, also over a mile.

His dam Essaada, has produced multiple Group performers such as Bint Belady (Al Asayl Championship, Gr3PA), Essaana (Prix Razzia III Gr3PA), Tornador (La Coupe Goffs Gr1PA) and Speed Tornade (Emaar International Stakes, Gr2PA).

Al Jakbar currently stands under the Shadwell Arabian banner at Beech House Stud in Newmarket.

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QATAR COUPE D'EUROPE Group 1 PA Deauville

Al Mourtajez (FR) stretches clear under Julien Auge

Following his shock defeat in the HH Emir's Sword (Gr1PA) in Doha in February, the world's highest rated Arabian racehorse silenced his critics with an imperious display of class in the Qatar Coupe D'Europe de Chevaux Arabes, run this year at Deauville due to the ongoing building works at Longchamp.

Last years' winner Prada T was left trailing in his wake in third, with his nearest challenger, Sir Bani Yas, five lengths behind in second.

With only five runners declared for the 2000m contest, the other two were also Al Shaqab owned, including pacemaker, Laft Nethar.

This was the smallest field Al Mourtajez had faced since winning the 2014 Prix Dormane (Gr3 PA).

Trainer Thomas Fourcy was pleased with his horses' return to form and signalled an attempt at the Doha Triple Crown saying: "He is an exceptional horse. We gave him time after his race in Doha. The defeat made

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Above: Last years' winner Prada T (NL) Below: 2015 Qatar International winner Sir Bani Yas (FR) and Jean-Bernard Eyquem

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Al Mourtajez (FR) back in the winners enclosure

him stronger. Now he should go to Goodwood and then defend his title in the Qatar Arabian World Cup. After that he could take his revenge in Doha next year."

The race was witnessed by owner HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hammad Al Thani, who just 24 hours earlier had been at Newbury for the Al Shaqab Lockinge Day. Al Shaqab Racing's General Manager, Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah commented: "Congratulations to Qatar on the victories of Al Mourtajez and Mekthaal (winner of the thoroughbred Prix Hocquart Gr2) at Deauville and Mehmas at Newbury (thoroughbred conditions). His Excellency's presence on two days in a row reflects such support and commitment as well as the invaluable role he fulfils in this respect."

Auge checks for challengers

The Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) is the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown and will be run at Goodwood on 30 July.

Pictures: Alex Cairns

www.thewinningpost.wordpress.com

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Dubai International Arabian Races 2016

Get set for a summer of Arabian racing 8th May 9th June 10th June 11th June 12th June

Rome Capannelle, Italy Newbury, UK Chepstow, UK Toulouse, France Duindigt, Holland

23rd June 4th July 7th July 12th July 24th July

Newbury, UK Stockholm, Sweden NEW Newbury, UK La Teste, France Dubai Day, Newbury, UK

5 Countries 24 races, including10 Group and Listed races For more information on BONUS schemes, travel allowances and more visit www.diaraces.com www.facebook.com/DIARaces twitter.com/DIA_Races

For more information: www.diaraces.com

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ITALY'S FIRST PATTERN RACE SUPPORTED BY DIAR Capanelle, Rome

The Jockeys assembled with members of DIAR at Capanelle photo (C) Domencio Savi

The first ever IFAHR approved stakes race to be run in Italy, the Premio Dubai International Arabian Races 2016 (Listed PA) was run as part of the Shadwell Stud sponsored day at Rome's Capanelle racecourse.

The 1900m race for colts, fillies and geldings of 4 years and over attracted 15 runners including international competition from France and Holland headed by Vulcain Du Clos. The son of Monsieur Al Maury travelled easily throughout the race and finished strongly to win from the Karin van den Bos trained Athlete Du Sol. Speaking on behalf of the owners, the Royal Cavalry of Oman, Chloe Marchandet of the French Bloodstock Agency said: “We are very happy with

this win. It is his first race of the season since his second in Casablanca at the end of last year. His programme is aimed at international races and we hope he will return to DIAR Newbury on 24 July where he won the Emirates NBD International Stakes in 2015.”

The first three home, Vulcain Du Clos, Athlete Du Sol and Tornado Byzucchele are all now eligible to compete at Newbury on 24th July for the DIAR Bonus Fund of 2016.

The addition of an IFAHR Listed race to the programme of races on “Dubai Day” was the culmination of the hard work by the Ministry of Agriculture in Italy and the Italian Arabian organisations responsible for breeding and racing, ANICA and IREAHA.

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A representative for ANICA said: “We are very pleased to have our first Listed PA race in Italy and we would like to thank HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Dubai International Arabian Races for supporting Arabian racing in Italy for the last 5 years. This is a great start for our international development and we hope to build on today’s success.”

The Listed race was complemented with the Premio Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes, a conditions race aimed at Italian horses. This was an 11 runner race over 1500m. Which was won by Urge Di Gallura, who maintained his unbeaten record, finishing clear of the field. Trained by Endo Botti, he is one of six Arabians the handler has alongside the 100 thoroughbreds in his Tuscany yard.

Commenting after the race Cristina Brivio Sforza of Soc. Allevamento Razza Latina said: “The horse is unbeaten and improving with each run. We hope to run in a race on 29 May in Rome with the ultimate goal of travelling to Newbury in July to contest the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes ( Gr.2 PA ).”

To celebrate the first Listed PA race run in Italy and to support Itlaian breeders, Shadwell Arabian Stallions held a prize draw for a free nomination to Madjani. This was won on the day by Mr G Floris, the owner of Tabasco, a runner in the Listed contest. All other entrants were offered free nominations to Jiyush and Eau Royal.

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ARO SEASON OFF TO A FLYING START SUPPORTED BY DIAR Chelmsford, April 17

Alhadeer (FR) (nearest) just gets on top at the line from Munbaher (FR) centre and Emiraaty (FR)

The UK Arabian racing season, administered by the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO), got off to a flying start at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Sunday 17 April in front of well over a thousand racegoers, many of whom were families experiencing Arabian racing for the first time.

The six Purebred Arabian contests were sponsored by Dubai International Arabian Races, whose flagship event takes place at Newbury on July 24 this year.

It was a day that reflected last years’ success as 2015 ARO Champion

Jockey, Simon Walker put his stamp on the 2016 season riding a treble on Callymay, Jaldi Karo and Yeskan Du Cayrou. Last years’ Champion Novice Jockey, Will Pettis, also got off the mark, riding Alhaader to victory in the first race. This years’ Novice title could well go to ARO debutant Charlie Price, who caught the eye finishing third on his first ride, before following up two races later with a win on Noble Athlete.

The Best Small Trainer Award winner last season, Georgina Ward, recorded an impressive victory with Jaldi Karo in the conditions event, who will now go to the ARO Cup (Gr.3 PA) at Newbury .

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Above: Callymay (GB) and Simon Walker Below: More success for Walker this time on Jaldi Karo (GB)

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Above: Yeskan Du Cayrou (FR) completes the treble for Simon Walker. Described by his trainer James Owen as a'big green, raw baby'.

Below: Owen also record a treble, the third leg of which was Awzaan (FR) who just kept Maghazi (GB) and Simon Walker at bay.

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Both Noble Athlete and Callymay run in the colours of owner-trainer Delyth Thomas, whilst even greater training success befell James Owen, recipient of the 2015 Newcomer Award. He recorded a treble with the aforementioned Yeskan Du Cayrou, Alhadeer and also Awzaan, the last two running in the colours of ARO and DIAR patron HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster, who was present on the day said of His Higness's two winners "Alhaader was disappointing in France last year and has needed more time.'

Whilst of Awzaan he commented: "We're very pleased with him, he was a bit free in the early stages, it's only his second race and his first in a handicap against more expereinced horses.'

Speaking at the end of the day

Amanda Smith ARO Racing Manager, commented:“It was a fantastic way to start the season, particularly in front of such a large audience.”

She continued “The racecourse and its’ staff could not have been more helpful and we are extremely grateful to them for all their assistance in making this day so successful. The atmosphere on course throughout the day was really relaxed and friendly, and we are looking forward to returning to Chelmsford City on 1 July.”

This sentiment was echoed by Racecourse Manager, Fraser Garrity.

"We were delighted to welcome an ARO fixture to Chelmsford City Racecourse for the first time and really enjoyed a cracking day of Arabian racing. With two further fixtures here later in the year, we hope this is the start of great relationship with ARO."

Noble Athlete gives Charlie Price his frist winner THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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HH SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVAL UK SEASON STARTS WELL The UK Arabian season hosts four HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival sponsored full fixtures, all at Hereford racecourse, the first was on 7 May.

Kiraa (FR) (centre) heads Spirited Game (GB), with Syrah Gris (GB) a close third

The meeting turned out to be a great success for local trainer Delyth Thomas, winning three of the six purebred Arabian races.

She opened her account with Kiraa, who had won here last season, ridden by young jockey Charlie Price, winning the Wathba Stallions (0-75) Handicap Stakes in a desperately close three-way photo. Price then partnered the veteran Noble Athlete to his second victory in as many meetings, when winning the Wathba Stallions (0-65) Handicap Stakes, giving the young claimer a double in the process.

Thomas’s final victory came in Wathba Stud Farm Cup (0-45) Handicap Stakes with Kiraa’s daughter Kayclaire, ridden by multiple champion amateur, Simon Walker, who has also made a fantasic start to the season.

Commenting afterwards a thrilled Thomas said. “They’re going well at the moment. Kayclaire has been so babyish, she’s starting to grow up now and to have her mother win earlier was fantastic, they were first and second here last year in the same race too. As for Noble Athlete, he's just a legend, he just keeps getting better with age.”

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Above: Zaahy (GB) and Munbaher (FR) give James Owen a one-two in the Wathba Stud Farm Cup Maiden Stakes.

Below: Trainer Phil Collington records his first win when Hau Kola(GB) gallops away with the Wathba Stallions Rstricted Maiden Stakes under Steve Harrison

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Above: Alcea Rosea (GB) gives Jo Mason her first win under ARO rules in the Wathba Stallions (0-95) Handicap Stakes.

Below: Charlie Price scores again on Noble Athlete (FR); riding his first double, he now heads the Novice Riders Championship and is second in the overall Jockeys Championship

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Delyth Thomas, with Simon Walker and her team after Kayclaire's win in the Wathba Stallions (0-65) Handicap Stakes

Thomas’s five wins put her at the top of the current Trainers Championship, tied with James Owen who won the first race on the card with Zaahy.

It was also a day of firsts with Phil Collington getting off the mark as a trainer with Hau Kola and Jo Mason winning her first race under ARO rules on Alcea Rosea, in the Wathba Stallions (0-95) Handicap Stakes. Fittingly it was through riding in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship Series that Mason was introduced to Arabians. She came agonisingly close to winning on her first ride in the series in Houston, when she was beaten a neck into second place earlier this year.

Speaking of her experience Mason commented. “Texas was close, so it’s nice to get a winner today. The filly

tried her heart out, she wasn’t really firing last month at Chelmsford, so I suggested we try her in cheekpieces and she did it nicely. Hopefully I will get more rides with ARO this season, I love riding and I love winning!”

Amanda Smith, Racing Manager for the Arabian Racing Organisation, was delighted with the way the day had gone saying. “We had a good turnout for our opening HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival meeting at Hereford and the lovely weather has really helped too.

Charlie Price riding a double just shows how important it is to support the grass roots of the sport, as this will help him gain the necessary experience to help him progress towards his aim of becoming a professional jockey."

The next HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival meeting at Hereford is on 5 June.

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NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER ARO multiple Champion Jockey Philip Collington joins the training ranks

The all important first winner, Collington with Hau Kola (GB)

At the end of the 2015 season, Gill Duffield, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s principal UK Arabian trainer retired. Her then Assistant, Philip Colllington, moved a few miles down the road with some of the His Highness's horses to Marsh Stables in Exning to start his career as a trainer. The facilities encompass 25 boxes, a covered horse walker, small indoor ride and three paddocks, plus access to all of Newmarket’s famous training grounds. He has 18 Arabians in training, principally for Sheikh Hamdan, however owners also include

Athbah Stud and John Elliot and Paul Beard, plus a few thoroughbred pretrainers as well.

Your yard is essentially full already, how are you finding it in your first year training?

I’m really happy with the numbers, as obviously with it being my first season it gives me the chance to feel my way. It’s a comfortable amount of horses. Some of Gill’s staff have come with me too, which is quite nice because they really love the Arabians and they know them so well.

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Was it always your ambition to train?

race.

I always thought about training. It was obviously a little bit uncertain what would happen with His Highness’s horses when Gill decided to retire, so I didn’t pin all my hopes on it. It was something that had always interested me, with the love of the Arabian horse that I got from riding them for so long. So for the last few seasons I was Assistant to Gill and I had been taking on more responsibility within the role, regarding entries and race planning and so on.

She needs to step up to a mile and a quarter now, so she can contest the better races. Obviously the Hatta International (Gr1 PA) on Dubai Day would be a possible target for her.

You have made a great start by winning the Group 3 ARO Cup on Saturday, what plans are there for Aghsaan now?

The No Risk Al Maury three-year-old, Almareekh, is a lovely scopey horse, whether he’ll be ready to run this year, we’re not quite sure yet, but he’s really exciting. I’m really looking forward to running Alrazeen, he’s by Madjani out of Qosheeyya, so is a half brother to Salaama and Rasaasy, who both won the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes, the Group 2 for three-year-olds on Dubai Day. I expect him to go to the DIAR

Aghsaan is just amazing, that she could come out first time and be able to win a race like that. All credit to Gill with what she did with her last year, I’ve just been lucky that she came to me and I’ve been able to bring her along. She’s shown she was capable of improvement to win that

And of the other horses?

Azizi was another one of Gill’s good horses, he’ll stick to staying races. There won’t be many races for him , but it would be great to see him do well again this season.

Hau Kola (GB) leads second lot home from exercise THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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juvenile prep race at Newbury.

Do you think you will have any international runners this year?

Hopefully we will have some overseas runners this season, we’ll have to have a look for some of the horses who’ve already got ratings. If we could find some races abroad for some of the better ones it would be great. With Duindigt for example, you have to be lucky with the weather conditions as the ground can be lightning quick. I’ve ridden round there, it’s a sharp track and pays to be quite close to the pace as it is difficult to come from behind.

Do you think your experience having ridden Arabians, and on most of the courses, will give you an advantage starting out as a trainer?

After I left school I went to agricultural college thinking I would go into an eventing yard, but on my gap year, I went to Paul Felgate’s, a small dual purpose trainer, just outside Melton Mowbray. I got the bug for racing, having taken horses to the races and leading a winner up, so that was it.

Did you want to be a professional jockey?

No, always amateur, I was too heavy to be an apprentice. My first winner was on the flat was a horse called Acquittal at Catterick in 2001 and in the same race you had Tom Scudamore, Andrew Tinkler and a few others that are still riding now, but obviously they’ve gone jumping. I rode over hurdles and I had three hurdle winners, but I never rode over fences or in points.

I’d like to think so, there’s definitely certain tracks which you know won’t suit a certain horse, where it would be less likely to handle that track or conditions.

Did you come from a racing background?

My father used to work for Dr Tom Connors outside Melton Mowbray, he had hunters and used to bring horses over from Ireland to break in for the Quorn. He also had a few pointers and then my father trained pointers, but never actually rode himself. I didn’t start riding until I was 14 or 15. The family had gone down to Dartmoor on holiday and they all wanted to go out pony trekking. I was the only one who hadn’t ridden before - they threw me on a pony and that was it. When we got home, Dad bought me horse and it went from there. I was lucky I missed out on all those bad ponies and went straight on to a horse!

So where did racing come in?

Debut third, Hesamiah Athbah (GB) and Collington at Hereford

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Second lot on the gallops

When did you start riding Arabians?

It was around the same time, my first winner was for Georgina Ward. I then met the Bruntons and moved down to Wiltshire, so I started to get much more involved. Whilst I was still there, around the middle of 2003, Gill Duffield rang up to offer me two rides at Lingfield for HH Sheikh Hamdan. They both won, Abusamra a maiden and Dambak Du Monteil a conditions.

So then I went out to Dubai with her for the winter, which was brilliant, an amazing experience and I was able to learn a different way of training. So the first season out there I rode Kaolino all through the winter and he just progressed so well, ending up winning the Kahyala Classic.

Nad Al Sheeba as it was then, with all the other carnival meetings had an amazing atmosphere, with it all leading up to World Cup night. When I came back to England Richard Lancaster asked me to be first jockey to His Highness, so from 2004 I rode for Gill.

You’ve been ARO Champion Jockey five times and initially said you would be giving up race riding now you’re training, but obviously that hasn’t quite happened...

It was hard to consider not riding at all, so I can still I ride a little bit. The problem in my mind was the logistics of riding and having runners, even if we had enough staff, it seemed like it would be a little bit of a conflict of interest to ride as well.

However I still really enjoy it, I ride out every day and when the opportunity is there I will still ride in races. I still have my category B licence and rode in an amateur race under rules earlier this year, that doesn’t pose any problems and obviously it keeps me in tune with race riding.

The main part of the job doesn’t feel any different for me, being on my own, as when I was still with Gill, but the biggest and hardest bit is once the horses have left the paddock and gone to post. It’s beyond my control then and it’s so hard to watch them running. When I’m riding, even when I

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rode the little filly at Hereford, Hesamiah Athbah, I feel none of that because I’m out there on the track. I’m in control and completely relaxed, watching the horses running is a harder transition, it’s much more difficult.

How did it feel when Hau Kola won at Hereford?

It was great to get that first winner, you just want it done and out of the way. I was over the moon for John and Paul because John was one of the first people to give me a ride on an Arab. Having my first winner for him meant a lot for that reason and then to have my first group winner with Aghsaan for Shadwell was equally important.

It’s an honour to be training horses for Sheikh Hamdan and to be training winners of better class races too, it repays the faith that’s been shown in me. We’re

Collington with Tadhg O'Shea and Dane O'Neill in the paddock at Newbury

comfortable in the yard we’re in, we’ve got enough facilities, access to the Heath and nice horses to look forward to. It’s a great start.

Collington with Aghsaan (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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TEAM WORK 2015 ARO Newcomer Award winner James Owen has a great young team behind him and feels the opportunity to give his young staff rides is key. He has also had a winner first time out in his first two seasons training under ARO rules and was joint leader in the Trainers Championship after two meetings.

Owen won with his first ARO runner, Bon Baiser De Faust (FR) at Wolves last May, ridden by Philip Collington, now a fellow HH Sheikh Hamdan trainer

How did you become involved with Arabian racing?

there’s not much pressure and some of them take a bit of riding too.

My parents have always been involved with horses. Originally when I was young, they trained point-to-pointers, Mum rode and was very successful at that. Then they started to get involved in Arab racing, I suppose as she got a bit older, and she rode and trained Arabians until the Frenchbred horses came on the scene and then they struggled to afford those lines.

I progressed to pointing as I loved jumping and rode under rules as well. I think I rode just under 250 winners in total and was nine times East Anglian Point-to-Point Champion. I rode mainly for Joe Turner who owned and trained nearly 1500 winners, he’s passed away now, but that was what brought me to East Anglia. The sponsorship with Baileys horse feeds started when I was pointing, they were with me for three years and I'm lucky they're still backing me now.

I rode in Arabian races when I was 16 and really enjoyed it actually, it’s a good grounding for kids. It’s a bit slower and

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How did the connection with HH Sheikh Hamdan come about?

I had started riding John Ferguson’s pointers and then when he got his licence I worked for him for three years until two years ago when I started my own pretraining yard in Exning with three horses in a 15 box barn. That soon filled up.

Originally I had two Arabians to pre-train for HH Sheikh Hamdan and I was allowed to give them a couple of runs before they progressed to Gill Duffield. I think it’s good that he has two trainers in the UK now, it makes it more competitive and is good for the sport here.

How long have you been at Green Ridge Stables?

We moved here in September, there were forty boxes, but we’ve added a few more since we moved as they’re queuing to come in the door. We have twelve Arabians for His Highness, three for Rob Sedgely and

also two for my parents who have decided to come back into it. One of theirs’ is a Heritage Arabian Racing Club approved horse by Concorde, he’s quite nice.

The rest are in pre-training for Newmarket trainers. We have some for Hugo Palmer, he’s a good guy, I’ve learnt a lot from him.

We have some for Godolphin, through John Ferguson, also James Fanshawe who is an absolute gentleman and some for William Haggas as well. They’re all really nice clients, plus we have a few separate ones for individual owners like Cheveley Park.

We’ve got a horse walker, indoor ride and turnout paddocks, we built a lunge pit and we have a Zamar machine and some scales on the way. We live on site and we’d make more room for Arabians – if they were good ones!

Owen watches his Arabians head back into town from the top of Warren Hill THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Last minute riding instructions for Antonia Peck at Hereford

Finding good staff can be difficult in racing these days, how has it been for you?

I think the Arabian racing has helped, as I can let them ride in races. Ash (Ashton Elliot) has worked in racing for five or six years and been promised rides wherever he’s gone and then not got them. He did well the other day, finishing second on Munbaher at Hereford. Antonia (Peck) who won on Supa Seeker in the Open Thoroughbred race, she’ll ride the Arabians. In the Open Thoroughbred races they can make their mistakes as it’s only me whose is going to get upset, no one else!

We’ve twelve full-time and quite a few part-timers who come in a few times a week, plus those that come into ride out like Max Kendrick and Mike Palmer who come in every Thursday. Max and Mike, they’re part of the team too, they know the

horses, they help Ash and the other lads and the kids aren’t jealous when they come in, they all get on and they’re learning together.

I taught Antonia to ride when she was younger, so it was like my own child’s success when she won at Hereford. I’ve been friends with her father Graham since I’ve been in Newmarket. He works with me now and gets as stressed about it as I do, he’s that older pair of eyes that I need in the yard when I’m away. I trust him and the kids look up to him. We’d struggle to have this team without the pre-trainers however, as they keep the work level constant. I’ve a lad starting with me shortly, he’s leaving a good job to come to me and he’ll have rides. I think that’s why they come to me because they know I’ll let them race ride if they’re good enough.

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Ashton Elliot shares a joke with the rest of the Owen team as they leave Warren Hill Gallops to cross town, back to their base on the Hamilton Road

The Jockey Club Training Grounds in Newmarket are excellent, but it can still get busy with the volume of horses, how do you cope?

The facilities here in Newmarket are great.

This side of town is very quiet, especially if you pick the right times. First lot is busier out here, but then after that it’s ok. We’re lucky as we back on to the gallops, the access makes it so easy and we can be out so quickly. When we were at Exning it used to take us all day to do four lots, because of walking there and walking back, which of course is great for them, but as a business model for me this is better. It’s different with the Arabians as they go off for a canter and go out and about, but with the pre-trainers I can nearly have two lots done in an hour and they’re doing enough.

How do you find training the two different breeds?

I think the Arabians slot in quite well with the pre-trainers. A lot of my clients don’t want me to do a massive amount with them, so they do routine exercise together, they’ll canter, though obviously they don’t work together.

We broke most of the Arabians here, including some of Sheikh Hamdan’s which went to Phil (Collington). We haven’t been actively looking at the sales, I go through the overseas form with Rob sometimes and have been a bit more involved with that side of things this year. We learnt a lot with those Russian horses last season, the form is not so strong. I think they have quite a hard life over there and it’s a long trip for them to get to the UK too.

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You had overseas runners last season and Yeskan Du Cayrou was entered in Belgium today, though ran instead in the ARO Cup, are more trips abroad likely?

We would definitely run abroad again, we went to Belgium last year and they ran really well, the two that went out there, we were just a bit unlucky with the jockeys. I think the HH Sheikha Fatima series is a great idea though, the prize money is good and it’s a great experience for the jockeys too.

Helping Peck unsaddle after winning at Hereford

go pointing. We took our horses for a canter round at the track about two weeks before we raced and everyone there was really helpful, asking about the Arabian racing. I like Hereford as well, I know it’s a long way away, but it’s a great course and I think it was in great nick too, it might have been a bit holey on the outside from where the pointers had been, but you’re not riding there. I ran two horses there that had had problems and they came back fine, I wouldn’t have run them if I thought there was a risk.

With Max Kendrick after Zaahy's win at Hereford

You're currently joint leader in the ARO Trainers Championship, how are you finding your second season?

The atmosphere definitely seems better at the races this year. We’ve had two good meetings and although obviously we’ve had more winners, it does feel much friendlier this season. I’m competitive and like to win, but we’re having fun too and it’s great to give the kids an opportunity to ride, we have a really good young team here and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season. www.jamesowenracing.com

I loved Chelmsford, it was great, they’re lovely people there too. There was a great crowd, it’s a good catchment area, there was always a good crowd when we used to THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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"supporting Arabian racing since 2012 "

-.

.

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JAMES GILLICK Sladmore Contemporary Gallery, Mayfair, London, 7-28 June

James Gillick is a painter of remarkable virtuosity, with a devotion to craftsmanship. Since he was young he has been aiming to achieve ‘permanence and luminosity.’ To quote his admirer, Director of the National Gallery, London, Gabriele Finaldi, such infinite care belongs to a ‘venerable tradition.’

James is ’obsessed with the making of his pieces’, writes Gerry Farrell of Sladmore, ‘handcrafting all the materials in his studio, from oil paints, waxes and glues, to the varnishes, canvases and stretchers. He deliberately uses a limited palette, having prepared the oils from the purest pigments.’

James Gillick’s own words express his passionate commitment to The Horse: ‘Their movement is hypnotising because it is so beautiful, their lack of guile, their willingness, their courageousness at times.’

This exhibition of his new horse paintings at Sladmore Contemporary (with Jonathan Cooper Gallery, Chelsea) will express the ‘aristocratic aloofness of the thoroughbred, the power of the polo pony, the sheer effervescence of the Arabian.’ www.sladmorecontemporary.com

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HH SHEIKHA FATIMA BINT MUBARAK LADIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (IFAHR) 2016 SERIES Toulouse & Casablanca

Yasmin Nilsson on Laft Nethar forges ahead in Toulouse

SWEDEN SCORES AGAIN The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR sixth leg was run in Toulouse and was won by Sweden’s Yasmin Nilsson on Laft Nethar, trained by Thomas Fourcy for Al Shaqab.

It was the supporting race to the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Prix De Carthage – Hannibal) Gr2 PA, which was also the first leg of the three-race European Triple Crown in the Festival’s Sheikh Zayed Cup Series and was won by HH Sheikh Hamdan's four year old homebred Muraaqib.

In the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR race, the winner also deprived Muraaqib’s trainer Francois Rohaut a memorable Festival double.

The 22-year-old Nilsson, who works as a checkout girl in a Swedish supermarket, was jubilant after posting her 12th career win in just over a 100 starts. “This is simply great to win and now I will be participating in the Ladies Championship finale in November in Abu Dhabi,” she said.

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The Ladies race Award Ceremony - Toulouse

Valentin, winner of the Sheikh Zayed Cup in Berlin in 2015 and ridden by the experienced Italian Elisabetta Marcialis finished third ahead of last year’s winner Shen under Solange Gourdain.

This was the second win for Sweden as Jhannah Stolt won the first leg in Oman in January. Great Britain was represented by Becky Smith who finished The race was attended by the UAE ambassador to France HE Maadhad Hareb Meghair Al Khyeli, who presented the prizes and trophies to the winners along with Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse

Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Adnan Sultan Al Nuaime, Director general of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and other French racing officials.

“France has a long and outstanding history of Purebred Arabian horses and the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival has a strong presence in this country. These races further strengthen the strong ties between the UAE and France,” the UAE envoy Al Khyeli said.

Ms Sawaya said: “It has been a great start to this year’s Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan European Triple Crown race here in Toulouse. We

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congratulate HH Sheikh Hamdan on the success of Muraaqib and we hope the horse will take part in the remaining two legs.

“Today’s winner in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR race is a shopping assistant in Sweden and her success reflects the opportunities this race series provides to lady jockeys around the world. All this is thanks to HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and HH Sheikh Fatima Bint Mubarak, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Mother of the Nation,”

she said.

GRARD GREAT SUCCESS It was another French triumph in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) race held at the Casablanca-Anfa Racecourse in Morocco on 6 May. In a powerful finish, Ingrid Grard on Charmsper won the 1900-metre contest with local favourite Moroccan Bouchra Marmoul on Maysan Maamora battling for second place.

Further behind in third and fourth were Australia’s professional Linda Meech on Djourman BS and Omani Azher Al Wardi on Cherguy respectively.

Ingrid Grard celebrates crossing the line on Charmsper in Casablanca THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Casablanca Award Ceremony It was a second successive win by a French lady jockey after French professional Justin Mercier steered Yakout Al Boraq home in the 2015 running of the Ladies Championship race.

After winning by over three lengths, Grard said she was delighted with her success.

“It was a tough race and we had to be tactically correct. Fortunately my horse showed a lot of pace when it mattered most and finished very well,” said Grard.

“This is such a great race series and I am excited that I will be in the starting line-up for the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) finale in Abu Dhabi in November,” said the winner who has been a regular participant in the series.

HE Suhail Mattar Al Ketbi, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco,

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, ADEC Director General, Musallam Al Amri, Chief of Al Jazeera Stables and Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) among others distributed the trophies to the winners of the race which carried a prize fund of Euros 30,000.

“This is such a great event and I thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, Chairperson of the General Women's Union, Supreme

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55 Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for bring this event to Morocco,” said HE Suhail Mattar Al Ketbi.

Ms Lara Sawaya said: “Once again the great contest on the tracks by the lady jockeys shows the improvement in their racing skills and we are happy that the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) race series is providing them with a platform to showcase their skills.

“After this race we will all be working towards the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference which will be staged in the historic Italian capital city of Rome,” she said.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as Associate Partner, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with and sponsored by Ayadii LLC,

Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland , Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Viola Communications, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Pictures & original report provided by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

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SHADWELL

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SUPER For 2016, there will be a seven day transfer window after Taunton on 22 May until Midnight on Sunday 29, where two horses in each team can be substituted. The new horses must have raced at least once (in any season), but they can be of any age.

Entries must be received by email to equinecreativemedia@gmail.com No late transfers will be accepted.

The team of seven horses, must still include a minimum of two four year olds, no unraced horses (as of 29 May) and two overseas trained horses are permitted. The horses must be selected from the ARO list of registered runners which can be found via the ARO website.

comprising of large and cabin size

Leading equine points scorer so far is Delyth Thomas's Noble Athlete, on 20 points, the next closest, Aghasaan, on 12, scored bonus points for her Group 3 win in the ARO Cup. The leading teams will be published in next months edition of The Arabain Racehorse.

Points willl be scored in all ARO domestic races from April 17 to September 25, as follows: 10 points win 5 points second 3 points third Bonus points: 2 for a Group win and 1 for a Premier Handicap will also be awarded.

In the event of a dead heat in any contest the points will be split.

This season the winner will receive an exclusive set of Shadwell luggage.

Noble Athlete and Charlie Price

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CHELMSFORD 17-04-2016

Dubai International Arabian Races 2016 Stakes 4+ 1m Polytrack 1. JALDI KARO (GB) 5 b g Jehol De Cardonne (FR) - Merwah (GB) T: Georgina Ward

DIAR supporting UK Arabian Racing Stakes 3+ 7f Polytrack

O: The Harvey Wallbagers Club

1. ALHAADER (FR) 4 b c Madjani (FR) Ester Du Paon (FR)

2. RADAMES (FR) 8 b g Kerbella (FR) Mlaika (FR)

T: James Owen B: SNC Shadwell France

3. BAUME DE BREUIL (FR) 5 ch c Monsieur Al Maury (FR) - Jamaa De Breuil (FR)

J: Will Pettis

Dist: 2.5, 6

O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

2. EMIRAATY (FR) 5 gr g Al Saoudi (FR) - Horkidee (FR) 3. MUNBAHER (FR 5 ch g Madjani (FR) Maiziane (FR) Dist: 0.5, hd

Another winner for

B: John Elliot J: Simon Walker

Another winner for GWRacing DIAR supporting UK Arabian Racing Stakes 3+ 7f Polytrack 1. YEKSAN DU CAYROU (FR) 4 b c Njewman (FR) - Yesmina Du Cayrou (FR)

Another winner fed on

T: James Owen O: RS Equine B: Caumon & Baldy

Al Jakbar (0-55) Handicap Stakes 4+ 1m2f Polytrack 1. CALLYMAY (GB) 6 b m Dahess (GB) - Raada (GB)

J: Simon Walker

2. AURORA FORTA (AE) 5 b m Abu Alemarat (FR) - Bay Brulee (US)

T: Delyth Thomas

3. KORK MHF (US) 5 ch g Kaolino (FR) Sonoma Dew (US)

O: Delyth Thomas

Dist: 9, 1.5

B: Paul Beard

3. MUNBAHER (FR 5 ch g Madjani (FR) Maiziane (FR)

J: Simon Walker

2. VINDETTA (GB) 7 gr m Nivadour Cardonne (FR) - Viny De Passerat (FR) 3. SENOR DUBLCHECK (GB) 10 gr g Bengali D'Abret (FR) - Mais (FR)

Dist: 0.5, hd

Another winner fed on

Dist: 2.5, 6 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Madjani (0-85) Handicap Stakes 3+ 1m2f Polytrack 1. AWZAAN (FR) 45b c Al Saoudi (FR) Ester Du Paon (FR) T: James Owen O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum B: SNC Shadwell France J: Max Kendrick

2. MAGHAZI (GB) 10 gr g Chndaka (FR) - Nirva de Cardonne (FR)

TOULOUSE, France 22-04-2016 HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Lady Jockey World Championship (RACE 6) 4+ PA 7f Turf 1. LAFT NETHAR (QA) 4 gr g Majd Al Arab (GB) - Nevada De Cardonne (FR) T: Thomas Fourcy

3. ZAYIN ZODIAC (GB) 5 b h Dahess (GB) - CS Comete (GB)

O: Al Shaqab

Dist: 1,1.5

2. VALENTIN

J: Yasmin Nilsson (SWE)

3. SHEN

Another winner for Another winner fed on

No Risk Al Maury (0-70) Handicap Stakes 4+ 1m Polytrack 1. NOBLE ATHLETE (GB) 14 b g Dorwan Du Cayrou (FR) - Noble Dame (FR)

HEREFORD 07-05-2016 Good to Firm Wathba Stud Farm Cup Maiden Stakes 3+ 6f 1. ZAAHY(GB) 4 b c Madjani (FR) Ranya Du Croate (FR)

T: Delyth Thomas

T: James Owen

O: Delyth Thomas

O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

B: Dormanie De Pompadour

B: Shadwell

J: Charlie Price

J: Max Kendrick

2. SYNERGY (GB) 5 b m Jiyush (FR) Sing Me A Song (FR)

2. MUNBAHER (FR) 5 ch g Madjani (FR) - Maiziane (FR)

3. GELLIWEN (GB) 9 b m Phariz (GB) Gelma Du Volnay (GB) Dist: 3,5

3. HESAMIAH ATHBAH (FR) 3 b f Munjiz (FR) - Karouj (FR) Dist: 0.5, 7

Another winner for Another winner fed on THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Wathba Stallions (0-75) Handicap Stakes 4+ 7f 1. KIRAA (FR) 12 ch m Akbar(FR) Kheira(FR) T: Delyth Thomas O: Delyth Thomas B: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum J: Charlie Price

2. SPIRITED GAME (GB) 7 gr m Vert Olive (FR) - Keen Game (GB)

B: Jenny Owen J: Joanna Mason

2. MAGHAZI (GB) 10 gr g Chndaka (FR) - Nirva de Cardonne (FR) 3. EMIRAATY (FR) 5 gr g Al Saoudi (FR) - Horkidee (FR) Dist: 1,2 Wathba Stallions (0-65) Handicap Stakes 4+ 1m1f

3. SYRAH GRIS (GB) 10 gr g Khoutoubia(FR) - Akara De Syrah (FR)

1. NOBLE ATHLETE (GB) 14 b g Dorwan Du Cayrou (FR) - Noble Dame (FR)

Dist: shd, hd

T: Delyth Thomas O: Delyth Thomas

Wathba Stallions Restricted Maiden Stakes 3+ 1m1f 1. HAU KOLA (GB) 4 b c Madjani (FR) Merwah (GB) T: Philip Collington O: John Elliot & Paul Beard B: John Elliot J: Stephen Harrison

2. NICSAR DIAMOND JUBILEE(GB) 4 ch g Madjani (FR) - Jumah (GB) 3. LA SAMMADAR (GB) 9 b m Sambist (RU) - Phyllidia (GB)

B: Dormanie De Pompadour J: Charlie Price

2. PARMA T (NL) 8 ch m Nougatin(FR) Porta T (NL) 3. SHAAMA (OM) 5 gr m Nizam (GB) Laila (AE) Dist: 1.25,4 Wathba Stallions (0-45) Handicap Stakes 4+ 7f 1. KAYCLAIRE (GB) 5 b m Dahess (GB) - Kiraa (FR) T: Delyth Thomas O: Delyth Thomas

Dist: 7,11

B: Paul Beard J: Simon Walker

Another winner for Wathba Stallions (0-95) Handicap Stakes 3+ 7f 1. ALCEA ROSEA (FR) 7 gr m Khoutoubia(FR) - CV Tulee (US)

2. JUST THE TICKET(GB) 5 b m Jiyush (FR) - On The Wing (GB) 2. SAMAURING ZAYIN (GB) 11 b m The Wiking (US) - Jumah (GB) Dist: 2, dh

T: John Wilson O: John WIlson

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CASABLANCA MOROCCO 06-05-2016

(FR) - Nirva de Cardonne (FR) 3. RADAMES (FR) 8 b g Kerbella (FR) Mlaika (FR) Dist: 1.25, 2.5

HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Lady Jockey World Championship (RACE 7) 4+ PA 1900m Dirt 1. CHARMSPER J: Ingrid Grard (FR)

2. MAYSAN MAAMORA 3. DJOURMAN BS

Another winner for DEAUVILLE, FRANCE 15-05-2016 Qatar Coupe D'Europe des Chevaux Arabes Group 1 PA 4yo+ 2000m Good

Dist: - 3,

1. AL MOURTAJEZ (FR) 6 gr h Dahess (GB) - Arwa (FR) T: Thomas Fourcy O: Al Shaqab B: H. Mousli, Mlle N. Mousli, F. Al Elweet

NEWBURY, UK 14-05-2016

J: Julien Auge

2. SIR BANI YAS (FR) 6 gr h Amer (AE) Nassem El Baher (AE) 3. PRADA T (NL) 5 b m Djendel (FR) Pascha Z (NL) Dist: 5,12

ARO Cup Group 3 PA £15,000 4+ 1m Good, Good to Soft 1. AGHSAAN (GB) 5 ch m Al Jakbar (FR) - Ester Du Paon (FR) T: Philip Colington O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum B: SNC Shadwell France J: Tadgh O'Shea

2. KAO KAT MHF (US) 7 ch g Kaolino THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE BEST TURNED OUT AWARDS ARO CUP GROUP 3 PA - NEWBURY 14 MAY 2016

Zayin Zodiac (GB) and Stefania Gandola

The Arabian Racehorse sponsored the Best Turned Out Award at the ARO Cup at Newbury on Al Shaqab Lockinge Day this month.

The winner was Paul Simmons' Zayin Stud's Zayin Zodiac, a five year old son of Dahess out of CS Comete. He is a half brother to stablemate Zayin Zachillles (by Kaolino).

Last season he won on his debut over 7f on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton, and then won a 0-75 handicap over a mile at Windsor on easy ground in August.

Trained by Peter Hammersley, he is looked after and led up by Stefania Gandola, Champion ARO lady rider in 2014 and the winner of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Darley Award for Lady Jockeys in the same season.

In the ARO Cup he put up an improved performance to finish fourth, much to the delight of his connections.

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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE Issue 15 - online - June 2016

WORLD ARABIAN HORSE RACING CONFERENCE 2016 Full report and pictures from the 7th Annual Conference in Rome, Italy

EMIRATES RACE DAY Full report and pictures from the three races at Capanelle in Italy held

as part of the World Conference.

TAUNTON, DONCASTER & HEREFORD Report and pictures from the third and fourth ARO meetings, plus the first premier handicap from Doncaster LYNN ASHBY Interview with multiple Award winning US trainer (held over from last month).

Debbie Burt - Equine Creative Media Photographs from ARO 2015 Season, plus Doha, Poland, Deauville, Saint-Cloud, Longchamp and Abu Dhabi can be viewed and purchased at: www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com

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One World, 6 Continents