The Arabian Racehorse Issue 30

Issue No.30

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

ARO Season Review Jewel Crown Drama

DEBORAH BURT HonSEA

Sculptures in Bronze - Commissions Welcome Award Winning Fine Art Sculptor "Supporting Arabian Racing Since 2012" www.deborahburt-sculpture.co.uk

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T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE Issue 30 - 2018 3

News New look Arabian Racehorse for 2018; New stallions at Shadwell; Arabian Acheivement Award for Cavalry;Top Fillies To Stud. Al Mourtajez; Pettis Wins Ride of the Season

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ARO Season Review Review of the 2017 UK Arabian racing season

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The Arabian Racing Year in Pictures The Editor's Cut

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Jewel Crown Gr1 Report and pictures from the world's richest Arabian horse race in Abu Dhabi

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Results

Produced by equine creative media Flat 1 Hamilton Stables, Hockham Road, Compton, Berkshire, RG20 6QJ

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 NEW LOOK FOR THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE MAGAZINE IN 2018 First published in April 2015, The Arabian Racehorse has gone from strength to strength - the first 29 issues have been viewed over 250,000 times, with an average readership of over 8,500 per edition.

Every edition (right back to Number 1) is available to view via the issuu website or app, and is primarily read on a mobile phone (49%), though desktop (32%) and tablet (19%) viewing is also popular.

The Arabian Racehorse was originally produced to support Arabian racing in the United Kingdom, so it is no surprise in the table below to see the highest readership figures there (over 11,000), though of course the big international races are covered too.

However it should give encouragment to everyone involved in the sport that the map is dominated by red (the 'sun never sets on the Arabian Racehorse'!!) with readers as widespread as the Philippines, Costa Rica and Iceland, as well as the established horse racing nations and those with a tradition of Arabian racing in particular.

The magazine has its' own Facebook page whose following is steadily increasing. It is about to reach 2,500 followers - more than any other deciated Arabian Racing Facebook page.

To grow the publication further in 2018, the decision has been taken to go quarterly, in order to bring you the very best of Arabian racing from

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around the world, whilst still maintaining the core support of the sport in the UK. A dedicated website is under development, plus further social media platforms including Twitter and Instagram, whilst 'taster' newsletters will be published monthly in order to keep you in touch with the latest news, with the full coverage kept back for the main magazine.

Hard copies of The Arabian Racehorse have always been available direct from the publisher (at cost plus postage) and will continue to do so, whilst backcopies will still be available to view on the issuu website.

The first of the new-look editions will launch in Spring 2018, in time to preview the new UK season and review all the Winter action from the Gulf States. The next edition will be in the Summer, including the ever-popular Dubai International Arabian Races Preview, followed by the UK Review and Arc Preview in the Autumn and the European Review and Gulf Preview in the Winter.

Useful links: View all the back copies at:

www. issuu.com/thearabianracehorse View the 2017 DIAR preview edition: www.issuu.com/thearabianracehorse/docs/the_arabian_racehorse_issue_26_

To order a printed copy please email: equinecreativemedia@gmail.com stating number of copies required, the edition number and your address.

If you are interested in advertising in the magazine, the newsletter updates or the website, please email: equinecreativemedia@gmail.com for a 2018 media pack.

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NEW STALLIONS FOR 2018 AT SHADWELL ARABIANS Shadwell Arabian Stallions are proud to announce two homebred stallions will retire to stud in 2018.

By exceptional sire Madjani, multiple Group winner Handassa will make his debut at stud in the UK at West Kington Stud. His full-brother Taajer will stand at Società Agricola di Besnate in Italy.

Trained by François Rohaut, Handassa had a long and successful racing career, with performances in stakes races in the UAE, Turkey, France, the Netherlands and the UK. After his first race victories at 4, Handassa scored his first stakes win at 5 in the Listed PA Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes in Duindigt. During that season, after a place in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA), he won

his first Group race in Istanbul: the Gr.2 PA International IFAHR Trophy.

Handassa (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Handassa (FR) working at Meydan in March 2017

In 2016, Handassa travelled to Dubai for the first time and won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (Gr.1 PA) in record time at Meydan, before finishing fourth in the prestigious Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr.1 PA). Back in Istanbul in September, he won the

International IFAHR Trophy (Gr.2 PA) for the second time.

In 2017, Handassa retained his titles in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (Gr.1 PA) and the International IFAHR Trophy (Gr.2 PA).

Taajer (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Taajer (FR)

Rohaut commented: “Handassa has an engaging personality and a lot of character. He has an impressive physique and an exceptional turn of foot. He raced to victory on turf as well as on the all-weather and dirt and finished his career without any soundness issue. A real racehorse…”

Also trained by François Rohaut, Taajer will strengthen Shadwell’s support to Arabian racing and breeding in Italy.

Winner of two races and placed four times from nine starts, he has shown abilities on both turf and All-Weather surfaces. Paolo Crespi, from Società Agricola di Besnate, said: “aajeris a most attractive Arabian stallion, gifted with a sensational pedigree that fits perfectly to racing as well as endurance”.

Out of a Group 1 winning mare,

Handassa and Taajer come from an exceptional dam line that has produced great sires such as Majd Al Arab, Djebbel, Djelmane and Stakes winners Djourifa, Radames, Djelmila, Raddad, Tayf, My Princesse, Cherazade, Sahabba, Mushrae, Nahee.

Their sister Jamaheer (Mahabb) has proven herself as one of the best 4yo fillies in Europe in 2017 after winning The Critérium des Pouliches (Gr.2 PA) and the Prix Nevadour (Gr.3 PA) and finishing close second in the Arabian Trophy des Juments (Pouliches de 4 ans) (Gr.1 PA).

Richard Lancaster, Shadwell Stud Director, said: “It is a great pride for our team to welcome two Shadwellbred stallions with Handassa and Taajer, both by our exceptional sire Madjani.

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"They have been successful on the racetrack and we now hope that they will follow their sire’s footsteps at stud.

Standing respectively in the UK and Italy, we are pleased to increase our support to breeders in those countries.

We are thankful to West Kington Stud and Società Agricola di Besnate to stand our stallions and we are looking forward to these new partnerships”.

Already announced as an addition for 2018 is AF Al Buraq (Haras de Saint Faust) and the complete roster, with the nomination fees and conditions, will be available shortly on Shadwell Arabian Stallions website and Facebook page. Breeders are invited to contact the Shadwell team to receive their 2018 stallions brochure.

For more information about Shadwell Arabian Stallions: arabians@shadwellstud.co.uk www.facebook.com/ShadwellArabian www.shadwellarabian.co.uk

AF Al Buraq (AE) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Al Jakbar AL SAKBE x ESSAADA, by HOSNI

Won Qatar Total French Arabian Breeders’ Cup Mile (Gr.1 PA).

87.5% individual winners/runners strike rate Sire of Group winners JAMAAYIL (French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Sprint, Gr.2 PA) and AGHSAAN (ARO Cup, Gr.3 PA; 2nd in Hatta Int’l Stakes, Gr.1 PA and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, Gr.1 PA) and winners AL MURJAAN, FIRDOS, AL KABEER, ELYASSAAT and ZAAHY

Al Saoudi

NUITS ST GEORGES x FATZICA, by FATZOUR

Multiple Group 1 winner.

A leading sire in the UK Out of the same dam line as Group 1 winners AL MOURTAJEZ, AL MOUTAWAKILA and AL MOUHANNAD Sire of Stakes performers VETLANA DE FAUST, NAJLAA, AWZAAN, AL CHAHIRA, VULKAIN D’ALBRET and winners DJOULDIA DE FAUST, VOYOU DE FAUST, EMIRAATY, ALWALEED, EQLEEM, ADI DE SAINT LON, ARIS DE CARRERE, BARNAAMAJ, KAREEM KB, MADANY, MARIF, VENT DE FAUST, WINNER DE FAUST

Handassa

New at stud in 2018

MADJANI x ZIVA, by DORMANE

Son of the exceptional sire MADJANI. Winner of two Group 1 PA and three Group 2 PA races.

Total prize money of more than £320,000 Out of ZIVA, Group 1 winning mare, of the same dam line as DJELMANE, MAJD AL ARAB, RADDAD, TAYF, MY PRINCESSE, CHERAZADE, MUSHRAE…

Standing in the USA:

New at stud in 2018

Both sires of Stakes winners and performers

Chndaka

Dormane x Malika Fontenay, by Medicq Allah

Standing at Società Agricola di Besnate, Italy

Kaolino

Dormane x Cary de Carrere, by Passem

Taajer

Madjani x Ziva, by Dormane

Full brother to HANDASSA and out of ZIVA, a Group1 winning mare from an outstanding family

Our International Partners Haras de Saint Faust Laroin, France contact@haras-saintfaust.com www.haras-saintfaust.com

Sharjah Equine Hospital Sharjah, UAE mai@seh.ae www.seh.ae THE

Società Agricola di Besnate Mornago, Varese, Italy besnate@sab.it www.sab.it

Race Street Management,Inc. Carmel, California, USA racestreetinc@aol.com www.racestreet.com ARABIAN RACEHORSE

West Kington Stud Wiltshire, UK westkingtonstud@aol.com www.westkingtonstud.co.uk

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THE ROYAL CAVALRY OF OMAN HONOURED BY OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ARABIAN RACING AWARD This afternoon at the Horserace Writers and Photographer’s Association Annual Derby Awards Luncheon, the Royal Calvary of Oman were honoured for their support and long-term commitment to Arabian racing with the Outstanding Achievement in Arabian Racing Award.

The event which took place at the Lancaster London, is sponsored by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and it is thanks to their involvement, that this prestigious award has been established.

The Royal Cavalry of Oman have been

a supporter and sponsor of Arabian racing, both in the UK and internationally for over ten years. The 2017 season was their best to date in the UK, finishing second in the ARO Owners Championship; with seven wins from four individual winners, their victories included two Group 1’s and a Group 2, and £118,676 in prize money. What has also significant, has been the growth of their breeding programme - producing their first ever homebred Group 1 winner, Nafees (who won the UK Arabian Derby on Doncaster St Leger day) and the Group 2 juvenile winner, Riyam.

Nasser Sherida Al Kaabi presents Salim Al Hakmani with the Arabian Acheivement Award (C) Zuzanna Lupa THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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A first homebred Group 1 PA winner for the Royal Cavalry in Nafees (FR)

Royal Cavalry UK Trainer, Said Al Badi, who was based in Berkshire for the summer, won the ARO Best Newcomer award and their team’s steady stream of winners and placed horses played its’ part in securing the ARO Jockeys Championship for David Turner and the ARO Novice Jockey title for Ellie Mackenzie.

Also recognised for their achievements this season were James Owen, Champion Arabian Trainer, for the last two seasons; Ellie Mackenzie, Champion Novice Jockey and leading UK small owner-breeder, Heather Phillpott.

Nasser Sherida Al Kaabi said; “Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is really proud to support for the fifth consecutive year The Horserace Writers and Photographers

Association award ceremony.

Congratulations to The Royal Cavalry of Oman for their achievement in Arabian Racing not only for their support in the UK but worldwide.”

ARO Chairman Charles Gregson commented. “We are delighted to see the Royal Cavalry of Oman honoured in this way as they have done so much to support Arabian racing here in the UK and we warmly congratulate them on this award. We are also extremely grateful to both the QREC and HWPA for recognising Arabian racing at this annual event.”

View the Derby Awards highlights: www.youtu.be/CTB00gOOZ1k www.qrec.gov.qa www.hwpa.org

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THE ROYAL CAVALRY OF OMAN Is pleased to share with you the success of :

ALSAKER

Af Albahar x Jakkarta

SYLVINE AL MAURY

Munjiz x Savavit Al Maury

Winner of Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 ans (Gr1 PA)

Winner of the Doha Cup Prix Manganate (Gr1 PA)

June 19th 2016, Chantilly racecourse

August 13th 2016, Deauville racecourse

NAFEES

KARIMAH

Azadi x Vivamaria

Munjiz x Kahina de Monlau

Winner of the French Arabian Breeders Challenge Poulains (Gr2 PA)

Winner of the French Arabian Breeders Challenge Pouliches (Gr2 PA)

October 27th 2016, Toulouse racecourse

October 27th 2016, Toulouse racecourse

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Jean-Pierre DEROUBAIX : +33 (0)6 07 52 38 84 - bloodstock@orange.fr Anne-Sophie YOH BENET: +33 (0)6 85 16 14 99 - as.yoh@fba.fr

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Above: One-two for the Royal Cavalry in the Hatta International at DIAR Newbury, with Sylvine Al Maury (FR) and Karimah (FR); Below: Worood, a winner at Windsor in 2015

THREE TOP FILLIES TO STUD FOR THE CAVALRY The Royal Cavalry of Oman is happy to announce that three of their very best fillies are now going to stud at Haras du Berlais in France. Sylvine Al Maury, trained by Jean Francois and Elizabeth Bernard, Karimah (Francois Rohaut) and Worood (Charles Gourdain) will be a fine addition to the Cavalry's broodmare band which has already started to produce Group winners such as last years' French and UK Derby winner Nafees.

Sylvine Al Maury (Munjiz x Savait Al Maury by Dormane) won 8 times from 14 starts, including back to back wins in the Hatta International at Newbury and a further two Group 1 races.

Karimah (Munjiz x Kahina De Monlau

by Tidjani) gave the Cavalry their first homebred Group 2 win in the French Arbaian Breeders Challenge for fillies in 2016, and was runner-up to Sylvine Al Maury at Newbury last season.

Whilst Worood (Akbar x Stamania by Kerbella) was their first homebred Group 3 winner in the 2016 Prix Nevadour at La Teste.

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AL MOURTAJEZ TO STUD The world's highest rated Arabian racehorse Al Mourtajez has been retired to the Haras de Thouars. As his top rating of 130 illustrates, Al Moutajez was an outstanding racehorse, winning eight Group 1 races, across three countries, including the HH Emir's Sword (Qatar), the Qatar International Stakes (UK), two Qatar Arabian World Cups, and two Qatar Cup's (Prix Dragon) (France).

Following that final World Cup victory at Chantilly in 2016 his trainer Thomas Fourcy was once again impressed by the performance of Al Mourtajez: "It's amazing! The more he runs, the more he impresses me. He is a champion, an exceptional horse."

Bred by Hassan Mousli, Mme Mousalli and Faisal Al Elweet, he raced for Al

Shaqab Racing and is their most successful purebed Arabian to date.

He joins his sire Dahess (Amer x Danie De Cassou) and another Dahess son in Dahor De Brugere (x Dormadora) for the 2018 breeding season.

His dam Arwa (Nuits St Georges x Fatzica) is a full sister to Al Saoudi (four-time Group 1 winner and sire).

She is also a half sister to Al Ryme (by Kesberoy) who is the dam of threetime Za'abeel International Stakes winner Al Mouhannad, and Azadi (by Darike) sire of dual 2017 Derby winner, Nafees.

Full details of his 2018 fees which start at â‚Ź6000 Euro (ex VAT) can be found by visiting the stud website:

www.harasdethouars.com/fiche/al-mourtajez You can review his racing career here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x01ZDdHEqk

Julian Auge celibrates Al Mourtajez (FR) winning the 2016 Qatar Arabian World Cup at Chantilly THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Above: Pettis celebrates Saleemah (GB) winning at Doncaster (c) Doncaster Races; Below: Ciaran Jones, Taer Al Hurr (IQ) and Yucel Mehmet

PETTIS WINS ARO RIDE OF THE SEASON Will Pettis who ended the 2017 season as runner-up in the ARO Jockeys Championship on 10 wins and 20 places has won the ARO Ride of the Season Award for his win on Saleemah in the Royal Cavalry of Oman Premier Handicap run over 2 miles at Doncaster in June.

Riding in the colours of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his employer, trainer Philip Collington, Pettis held up the four-year-old filly, challenging the long-time leader Aurora Forta approaching the final furlong and stayed on well to win by a length.

Runner-up was Ciaran Jones for his ride on Taer Al Hurr at Wolverhampton, also in June. It was Jones's first ever winner, and the horse previously considered a

sprinter, made all under a well-time ride to win over 1m6f.

The winner and all the nominees can be viewed here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTAqXpEuB-c

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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 (ARO) runs a programme of full Arabian racedays supported by single Arabian races on Thoroughbred fixtures from spring to autumn.

Racing with ARO allows owners and breeders to particpate at all levels, proving their bloodlines through competition.

CONTACT ARO LTD FOR MORE DETAILS

'THE SOLE AUTHORITY FOR ARABIAN RACING IN THE UK' www.facebook.com/ARORacing twitter.com/ARO_Racing

+ 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 6 3 5 5 2 4 4 4 5 T H Ei nAfRoA@BaI rAoNr aRcAi Cn gE .Hc Oo R. uSkE

www.aroracing.co.uk

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ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION SEASON REVIEW

Eventual winners Eqleem (GB) and Mike Palmer [rail] lead a field of 13 in the Botanica International Open Maiden Stakes

The 2017 UK Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) season ran from May to September hosting the usual mix of full fixtures and single races.

The nine full fixtures were entirely for Arabians as the ARO Open Thoroughbred series had ceased in 2016. With the addition of the 13 single races on thoroughbred cards, the total number of races held was 80, an increase of 10 on the previous year.

Horse registrations were up too, both for the domestic population (146 from 126) and for the international runners (75 from 61).

At the opening fixture at

Wolverhampton in May, the numbers for Arabians declared to run were more than double those of the previous year. At 68, they also exceed the numbers declared for all the domestic full fixtures run in the UK last season, excluding the ARO Season Finale (73).

What was also significant was the number of three and four year olds declared (14), showing that the efforts to increase the domestic Arabian racehorse population via the breeders' scheme and other incentives has taken effect.

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Best Turned Out winners clockwise from above: Al Faaris, Mont D'Or, Muhaajer, Dolfina D'Ibos, Unity Belle, Crack and Mark Buchan, representing BTO sponsor Baileys Horse Feeds who said:" Arabian racing maybe small here, but I'm the Export Manager for Baileys and I know it's a lot bigger in the rest of the world, so we're just putting our little bit back."

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Above: Zayin Indian Fuego (GB) and David Turner give sire, DA Adios (US) his first UK winner Below: Later in the card, Majid Bin Krayaan (GB) secures a double for trainer Peter Hammersley and a first Arabian win for top novice Ellie Mackenzie

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David Turner and Katonahotinroof MHF (GB). The useful son of Kaolino had a frustrating season, being placed three times before returning to Oman

The meeting set the tone for the seasons’ conclusion as both the future Champion Trainer, James Owen and Champion Jockey, David Turner had doubles. There was also a notable first Arabian win for the newly appointed Racing Welfare Arabian Jockey Ambassador, Ellie Mackenzie.

Demonstrating a fine judge of pace, MacKenzie on the Peter Hammersley trained Majid Bin Krayaan took the lead from over a furlong out to win by three and a half lengths, with MacKenzie riding out her ARO claim in the process. She would later be awarded the Champion Novice Jockey title and finish second in the Ladies

Championship too.

The meeting also saw the winning UK reappearance of the Omani bred Tameh (Dahess x Rhoda Du Paon), he quickly rattled up a hat-trick, scoring at Taunton and again at Wolverhampton all ridden by David Turner for Said Al Badi. Tameh was one of four horses on three wins apiece who were all in contention for the Champion Arabian Racehorse honours, the others being Athbah Stud’s classy colt Mith’haf Athbah (Amer x Karouj), and the mares Unity Belle (Kerbella x Escada) and Dolfina D’Ibos (Mahabb x Starbella D’Ibos).

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Above: Tameh (OM) and David Turner with trainer Said Al Badi, Salim Al Hakmani and further representatives from the Royal Cavalry of Oman at Taunton Below: Mith'haf Athbah (GB) and Adam Bechizza go to post at Newbury

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A first Group 1 win for Mith'haf Athbah (GB) ahead of Kalino (FR) at Chelmsford City

Mith’haf Athbah made giant strides for trainer Phil Collington, winning his maiden at the second Wolverhampton fixture in June and finished his UK campaign with a win at the highest level when scoring by a head in the Sheikh Zayed Cup Group 1 PA at Chelmsford City in August. After a break he rounded off his season with a Group 2 win in the French Arabian Breeders' Challenge Sprint in Toulouse in October.

Collington was full of praise for the Athbah Stud homebred colt saying: "Mith'haf Athbah has been outstanding this year, from winning a DIAR prep race over a mile and a quarter to dropping down in distance

for back to back Group wins!'

Whilst his sire, the recently deceased Amer, needs no introduction, his dam, the British bred Karouj, is an unraced daughter of Karmah, a Group 2 winner over a mile at Newmarket, and the undefeated champion racehorse of Argentina (95-96). Karmah is still available to UK breeders through West Kington Stud. Karouj is out of Khaddouj, making her a half sister to the Group 1 winner and sire, Khoutoubia (Djouras Tu) and to Kolver (dam of Koline) and Keen Game (dam of Sprited Game and Kamel Athbah).

Read more about Athbah Stud in issue 25 of the Arabian racehorse: www.issuu.com/thearabianracehorse/docs/the_arabian_racehorse_issue_25

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KARMAH

(1991, chestnut stallion, 15.3hh)

Ansata Shah Zaman (USA) ZT Shahkar (USA) Ies Karamel (USA) Karmah (ARG) Tasrudi (ARG) Al Tamah (ARG) Al Seyma (ARG)

Morafic (EG) Ansata Bint Mabrouka (USA) Sugaa (USA) Dalia (USA) Tasmar (ARG) Farah - Diba (ARG) Seyal (ARG) Al-Kabir II (ARG)

Karmah (ZT Shahkar x Al Tamah (Tasrudi) – Egyptian and Argentinian bloodlines.

Winner of 12 races and placed 8 times from 28 starts from 1995-2002. (7/28=12-4-4-2).

Undefeated Champion Racehorse of Argentina 1995-96. International winner in Argentina, UK and Germany.

Dual winner of Qatar Cup (Group 2) Newmarket in 2001 & 2002. Full brother to EA Nura (Argentina Classic Winner) and Shahtamah (International Winner and now Advanced Endurance). Karmah is also the sire of winners in Argentina and UK winners Cal Karsab and Cal Karamah (Premier Handicap - Chester 2003).

A tall, athletic, rangy stallion, Karmah is Argentinian bred and owned by Gerado Serra. Karmah won over 11 races including back-to-back Qatar Cup’s at Newmarket (the latter at the grand old age of 11), he was undefeated Champion of Racehorse of Argentina 1995-96, an International Winner in Argentina, the UK and Germany.

AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST - PHOTOGRAPHER - SCULPTOR

Karmah is sire of numerous winners on the race track, both in the UK and Argentina. He has also sired several successful endurance horses, so would be a suitable sire for both disciplines.

“A fantastic and elegant Arabian racehorse who beat2012 some top class SUPPORTING ARABIAN RACING SINCE French breds when winning the Qatar Cup aged 11 in his final race.

A superb sire whose stock inherit his fantastic temperament, willing

proud of ability, I would have no hesitation in naturesponsor and superb athletic recommending him to racing or endurance breeders.”

Paul Simmons, Zayin Arabian Stud, UK

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE MAGAZINE MAIDEN STAKES Won by MITH'HAF ATHBAH

High quality frozen semen is available for UK/EU/worldwide from West Kington Stud

STUD FEE : £300.00 (up to 3 insemination doses)

WOLVERHAMPTON 17 JUNE 2017

Available by Frozen Semen AI only

Apply to: Tessa Clarke, Stud Manager West Kington Stud West Kington Chippenham Wiltshire SN14 7JE

WWW.EQUINECREATIVEMEDIA.COM Tel: 01249 782050 Fax: 01249 782940 Email: westkingtonstud@aol.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

JAMES OWEN RACING CLUB Newfor for2018 2018–-Shares Sharesnow Selling Fast!

New available!

The James Owen Racing Club will be launching in March 2018, with three horses in training for the Arabian Racing season, which runs from 1st May to 30th September 2018.

The first of its kind in Arabian racing, the Club gives everyone the chance of getting involved with three exciting horses at a fraction of the cost. For just £350 (or seven monthly payments of £50) you will receive the following benefits: A welcome pack, to include photos of the Club horses, membership certificate, a calendar of fixtures and an introduction to Arabian racing Free entry whenever we have a runner, which includes access to the paddock and winners’ enclosure.

Monthly Club mornings, so you can see your horses in action on the famous Newmarket gallops. Refreshments and bacon rolls included!

A share of all prize-money won. The Club is limited to 50 shares, so you will receive 1/50th of all prize-money.

A Club party in midsummer with guest speakers from the world of racing, giving us a chance to celebrate winners so far and look forward to the rest of the season!

THE HORSES Crahck Dolfina D’Ibos My Boy Sam

4th in last year’s Gold Final and a lovely staying handicapper Champion Arab and Arab Mare of 2017, with three wins 3yo unraced colt by Champion Sire ‘Sambist’, out of ‘CV Tulee’ (winner of 6 races and group placed). HARC Qualified.

If you are interested in further information or to reserve your share, please contact James (07880 700559) or Jenny (07739 791545) or email james@jamesowenracing.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Peter Hammersley, Heather Phillpott, David Turner, Unity Belle (FR), Fiona Wakefield and Laura Pearson

Unity Belle (Kerbella x Escada) has been transformed this season and came close to scoring the Mares’ title too. The nine-year old gave ownerbreeder Heather Phillpott a career highlight when winning the UAE Embassy Handicap, the closing race of Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), a race trainer Peter Hammersley had previously won with Zayin Zachilles in 2016. Her success, and that of her other homebred runner, Ultimate Force, contributed to Phillpott's 2017 AHS Small Owner Award and a nomination for the QREC HWPA Arabian Acheivement Award at the end of the season (see page XX).

However, it was the French import Dolfina D’Ibos (Mahabb x Starbella

D'Ibos), who took both the Arabian Racehorse and Mares’ Championship spoils for owner-trainer James Owen.

The four-year-old mare proved remarkably tough, lining up 10 times to record her three victories at 1m1f, 1m4f and 1m6f. The last of those wins came in the ARO Bronze Final at the closing fixture at Huntingdon.

A €16,000 Euros purchase at the 2016 Arqana Arabian sale, she was unraced from the stable of Philip Sogorb, but was from a group winning family, which includes the sire Abu Alabyad.

She will race for 2018 as part of a new syndicate run by Owen, which includes 2017 winner Crahck, and an unraced three-year-old colt by Sambist.

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Above: Dolfina D'Ibos (FR) and Simon Walker go to post at Huntingdon Below: Dolfina D'Ibos (FR) and Simon Walker keep on well to win at Chelmsford City from Elyassaat (FR) and Johara Bint Shuwaiman (GB)

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DEBBIE BURT EQUINE CREATIVE MEDIA ARO Official Photographer HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak International Photographer - 2017 Darley Awards To view and purchase photos from the 2017 ARO season please visit www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com/2017-RACING/Arabian-Racing-2017 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Riyam (FR) and Ellie Mackenzie get the better of Shomoos Athbah (GB)

ARO was delighted with the success of DIAR their flagship meeting, held at Newbury racecourse in July, with winners from all nations joining together for a memorable occasion.

The meeting lived up to expectations following another increase on declared runners from the 2016 fixture. Despite heavy rain leading up to the event and the ground changing to Soft, Heavy in places, there were only two nonrunners, bringing the total number of runners to 84.

The feature race, the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr 1 PA), produced a close finish with UK Arabian Derby winner, Lightning Bolt (Munjiz x Oleya Du Loup), just getting the better of the 2015 winner Gazwan on the line. Trainer and breeder Karin Van Den Bos was overcome with emotion following his victory saying: “It’s wonderful to be here and to have Olivier Peslier in the saddle, as he is

one of the top jockeys in the world. I know the track at Newbury and it suited my horse very well.”

There was double joy for the Royal Cavalry of Oman as they won both the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes with Sylvine Al Maury (Munjiz x Savavit Al Maury) and also the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Group 2 PA) with Riyam (General x Djenna). In a repeat of her 2016 victory, the Royal Cavalry’s superstar mare was making her seasonal reappearance, her jockey Jean-Bernard Eyquem commented: “She’s a very good filly, I am very lucky to be her jockey. The pace was slow, and she was a little fresh, so though I know I arrive too early with her, I wasn’t worried. However, in the last furlong, just as I thought I was going to win easily, I see Olivier [Peslier on Karimah] coming, but she did just enough.”

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Karen Van Den Bos, Lightning Bolt (FR) and Olivier Peslier - winners of the Dubai International Stakes Gr1PA

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Riyam was more of a surprise, in another close finish he got up to win by half a length from Shomoos Athbah. A recent winner on his UK debut for Ellie Mackenzie, she kept the ride and started her first DIAR on a high with a win, and her first at Group level. Commenting on both wins Brigadier General AbdulRazak Al Shahwarzi said: “Sylvine is back from injury and has proven today that she is the best Arabian racemare in the world. Riyam was a fighter and the young lady rode him very well.”

The Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International (Gr 1PA) produced the most impressive win of the day when Lwsail (Amer x Kerra) romped home by 10 lengths from Barnamaj. This was a first Group 1 win for the Al Shaqab owned, Thomas Fourcy trained colt, who was proven on easy ground in France over a furlong further.

Riyam is another flying the flag for the Royal Cavalry's breeding program which has been so successful in 2017.

He is also from the second crop of dual Arabian World Cup winner General, and his first Group winner.

The Emirates NBD International Stakes was won by the Dutch raider Pronto T (Murhib x Porta T), by half a length from last years’ winner Foaad. Gerard Zoetelief owns and bred the four-yearold colt, who he trains on the beach in Holland.

His dam Kerra was a 1997 European Cup winner and later won the Prix Dragon in the same year. She is from the family of Nizam and Dahess.

Lwsail (FR) and Julien Auge distance themselves from Barnamaj (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Above: Pronto T (NL) and Pat Dobbs go to post at Newbury Below: Premier Handicap winners Cheik Roque (FR) and Tadhg O'Shea

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Kayote(GB) and Serena Brotherton go to post

The domestic handicaps also had an international flavour as the winner of the Emirates Premier Handicap Cheik Roque (Dahess x Fanny De Faust) was bred in France, has raced in the UK, France and UAE and is owned by Athbah Stud of Saudi Arabia.

Whilst the Roda Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap went to the bottom weight Kayote (Kayeed x Khute). Keira Clarke’s mare relished the rain soften ground and gave leading lady amateur rider Serena Brotherton her first win on an Arabian racehorse. The closing event, the UAE Embassy Handicap was a win for the aforementioned Unity Belle.

Gemma Cobb, ARO Racing

Operations Executive said: “ARO is thrilled with how the day has gone.

Our declarations were up again on last year and despite the showers, the crowd was over 8,000 strong. It was very pleasing to see the bonus get claimed in the feature race as Lightning Bolt had been placed in one of the DIAR Prep races in Holland.

"This has been a great initiative and Dubai International Arabian Races continue to go from strength to strength. The winners of todays’ races, either through owning, breeding, training or riding encompass France, Saudi Arabia, Holland, Qatar, Oman and Great Britain which supports DIAR’s aim of top level international competition.”

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Tayf (FR) [rail] and Ebraz (GB) match strides throughout the final furlong, described by Racing UK as the 'finish of the day'

In August, the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1 PA) run over a mile at Goodwood produced one of the most grueling and thrilling races of the season. Tayf (Amer x Djelmila) and Ebraz (Amer x Massamarie) owned by the brothers HH Sheikh Abdullah and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani respectively, battled neck and neck throughout the final furlong in driving rain on testing ground, with Tayf the eventual victor by a nose.

Both colts are by Amer and are full brothers to Group 1 winners and sires, Tayf to Majd Al Arab and Ebraz to Mu’azzaz.

To underline the quality of this race, Ebraz subsequently won the Prix Dragon and was third in the World Cup, whilst the fourth Nafees, had won

the French Derby and was subsequently successful at Doncaster in what was a fine culmination to the Royal Cavalry of Oman's UK season.

In winning the final UK Group 1, the President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) held at Doncaster as part of their prestigious St Leger Festival, Nafees (Azadi x Vivamaria), was a first homebred Group 1 winner for the Royal Cavalry. By Azadi, he is his sires' most successful son after Al Mouwaffak. Nafees is a first foal, the dam Vivamaria is a full sister to Jelvita, French-bred but a multiple winner in the UK, whose first foal J Force (by Jaafer ASF) made a good impression at the Huntingdon finals when finishing second on his debut.

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Above: Ebraz (GB) loses to Tayf (FR) by a nose at Goodwood Below: Nafees (FR) in the paddock at Doncaster

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CHAMPION ARO TRAINER Congratulations

JAmES OwEn RACIng

23 WINNERS fed on Baileys Horse Feeds

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

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James Owen, Jo Mason, Tatbeeq (GB) and Emily Norman

The final fixture of the UK Arabian racing season was dominated by trainer James Owen, who rounded off his most successful year yet by winning the first four races on the card with Insignia, Mahaasen, Dolfina D’Ibos and Tatbeeq. Owen had already been confirmed as ARO Champion Trainer for a second season going into the fixture, as had Champion Lady Jockey Joanna Mason, who also rode Mahaasen and Tatbeeq. Insignia and Bronze Final winner Dolfina D’Ibos, provided multiple champion jockey Simon Walker with a double, though he had to settle for fourth in this years’ championship.

ARO and AHS Patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum won his sixteenth ARO Owners

Championship, and thanks to Mahaasen, Tatbeeq and Almareekh, who won the Gold Final for Phil Collington, he recorded a treble on the day. Commenting on His Highness’s success, Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster said: “It is wonderful that HH Sheikh Hamdan has once again become leading owner. He is passionate about the Arabian horse and he puts so much into promoting Arabian racing around the world.”

He continued: “On behalf of HH Sheikh Hamdan I would like to thank everyone involved in making this achievement possible once more. HH Sheikh Hamdan would also like to thank ARO and everyone involved in arranging the race programme for all their hard work.”

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James Owen with his Champion Trainer, Mare and Arabian trophies presented by ARO Director Paul Simmons

Owen was delighted with how his team had performed saying: “I’m so pleased for my parents who bred Insignia, he’ll probably be retired, but they have really enjoyed racing this season and have some nice youngsters coming through for next year. I think Mahaasen was lucky as the second, Taqdeeraat, got left at the start, but she had the benefit of experience to help her. Tatbeeq has been slowly coming to hand, he really tried today and he should improve over the winter."

He thanked his principal owner, HH Sheikh Hamdan for his loyalty saying: “It’s been wonderful with his young horses coming through, and exciting with three-year-olds like Al Kaaser and Rafeef for next season. Shadwell are such a great team to work with, it’s a privilege to train His Highness’s horses and I just hope I can train some nice winners for him in the future. I’m also really pleased for all my staff at home, they work really hard, they enjoy coming racing and their parents come along too. We’re a happy team.”

Of Dolfina D’Ibos he said:"She has run for me almost every meeting, but she has strengthened throughout the season and Simon gets on really well with her. She’s sound and she’s tough – she’s won on the All Weather and on the grass, she’s given some of our novice jockeys a great experience and ended up as Champion Arabian and Champion mare.”

ARO Champion Lady Jockey, Joanna Mason was also recording her second consecutive championship. She thanked Owen for his support saying: “It’s thanks to him that I’ve been able to ride nice horses. It’s amazing to get 10 winners, I would never have dreamt that was possible at the start of the season.”

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Gemma Cobb and Paul Simmons with Champion Jockey David Turner

be such a great season and to win a Group 2 race at Dubai International Arabian Races on my first ride there was incredible.”

Though he had to settle for a third and a second on the day, David Turner secured his first ARO Jockeys’ title and is not far short of recording a landmark of 100 career winners. He commented: “It’s been a very good season thanks to all of Peter Hammersley’s owners and of course the Royal Cavalry of Oman.

I’ve always been thereabouts in the Championship over the years, and mostly this season, I’ve ridden the lower rated horses, which proves you can win a title from the lower end.

However, some have been really nice horses who I’m sure will progress next year.”

The Silver Final went to Parma T, ridden by Morgan Winstone for the Bull family. She had won the Gold Final last year, but having slipped in the ratings, was back to her best when it mattered. The Heritage Arabian Racing Club Handicap Conditions race was won by LB Farrah for Teresa Gavin, which assured her place as the 2017 UK HARC Champion, which she had also won last year.

Racing Welfare Ambassador Ellie Mackenzie was crowned Champion Novice Jockey, she commented: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to be given the opportunities that I have and Racing Welfare have been good to me too. I’m so lucky, I never expected it to

Trainer Phil Collington scored with Cheik Roque in the ARO Open Handicap for Athbah Stud and Almareekh in the Gold Final for HH Sheikh Hamdan. Though finishing runner-up again in the trainers’ title, he had recorded his best season to date.

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Above: James O'Donnell receives the Champion Owner trophy from ARO Director Rachael Gowland on behalf of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Below: Paul Simmons and Teresa Gavin, winner of the UK HARC Championship, AHS Leading Trainer and AHS Premium Scheme winner (for LB Farrah)

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ARO Director Genny Haynes said: “We thank HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his support of Arabian racing and congratulate him for securing his sixteenth ARO Owners Championship.”

Racing Welfare had sponsored the Best Turned Out Championships rewarding the stables who scored the most points throughout the season.

Peter Hammersley Racing won the large yard team award, and Ria Tillet of Collington Racing won the individual award (large yard), whilst Sarah Davenport and Jayme Plumb shared the small yard individual award.

Award sponsored by Anna and Brian Wallace. Both awards recognise an individuals’ contribution to the sport throughout the season. The ARO Best Newcomer Award went to Said Al Badi of the Royal Cavalry of Oman, whilst the AHS Leading Trainer was Teresa Gavin and AHS Premium Scheme winner was Gavin’s LB Farrah.

2017 has been the most successful in terms of the number of Purebred Arabian entries and declarations for some time and ARO looks forward to building on this success next year.

View the seasons races on You Tube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCt02OYR5e-ZJmshXYweEeeQ

Paul Simmons, who was appointed to the board of Directors at ARO earlier in the year, received the Shomran Trophy and Ellie Mackenzie the Grass Roots

View more photos: www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com/2017-RACING/Arabian-Racing-2017

Ellie Mackenzie with the Champion Novice Trophy THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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THE ARABIAN RACING YEAR IN PICTURES The Editors Cut my favourites images from around the world in 2017.

Jim Crowley returns to the winners enclosure at Meydan having just won Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on AF Mathmoon (AE). This was his first Group1 win on an Arabian since taking the position of first retained jockey to HH Sheikh HAmdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Another fantastic year of Arabian racing has drawn to a close and there follows a selection of images, some previously unpublished, from 2017. As we move into 2018 it is clear that the new season will not be without its' challenges, however there is still plenty to celebrate, with champions old and new to carry us forward.

All the photos maybe viewed and purchased here:

www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Above: Hamza (AE) and Tadhg O'Shea go to post, before winning at Al Ain Below: Post-exercise roll in the sand for one of the horses at Al Asayl

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Above: Happy 30th Birthday Monarch AH (US). From orphan to champion racehorse, to champion sire and grandsire, US Living Legend and Hall Of Fame inductee, now happily living out his retirement at W'rsan; Below: One of W'rsan's racehorses heads out to mornng exercise

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Above: RB Burn (US) and Gerald Avranche win the Group 1 Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi Below: 2016 Kahayla Classic winner AF Mathmoon (AE) at exercise at Meydan prior to the 2017 World Cup meeting

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Torrential rain put the 2017 Dubai World Cup meeting briefly into question. Kahayla Classic winners Reda (GB) and Harry Bentley return, muddy, but triumphant

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Above: Trainer Julian Smart celebrates Reda's win Below: Debbie Burt of The Arabian Racehorse receives the International Photographer of the Year award from Santa Anita Chaiman Keith Brackpool at the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Darley Awards in LA - photo (c) Steve Heath

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Above: Paddy's Day (US) and Victor Espinoza, Grade 1 Darley Award Stakes winners at Santa Anita; Below: Aurora Forta (AE) and David Turner win from Majid Bin Krayaan (GB) and Ellie Mackenzie at Taunton. A great year in the UK for Forta Stud with three individual winners Aurora Forta (AE), Shammat Al Hosn (FR) and Asraa Min Al-Talqa (GB) all ridden by Turner and trained by Peter Hammersley

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Above: Phil Collington and Aghsaan (GB) lead Jamaayil (GB) and Laura Pearson with Anfaas (GB) just seen behind. Sadly neither Aghsaan or Jamaayil were winners in 2017, but Anfaas made a pleasing debut, winning the DIAR juvenile prep at Newbury under Timmy Murphy. Hating the underfoot conditions at DIAR, the attractive daughter of No Risk Al Maury (FR) looks one to keep an eye on for 2018

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Above: Alazeez (GB) and Dane O'Neill win the Debbie Burt - Equine Creative Media Progressive Conditions Stakes at Newbury; Below: Conquer and Jo Mason (hood, noseband) are narrow margin winners of the Hope Farm Handicap at Chepstow

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Above: Cavalry Charge - Riyam (FR) gives Ellie Mackenzie a first Group win at her first attempt and DIAR debut. Also a first Group winner for sire General (GB); Below: ARO commentator Gary Capewell shares a joke with Jean-Bernard Eyquem after Sylvine Al Maury (FR) wins a second Hatta International Stakes at DIAR

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Not so Glorious Goodwood - Above: Prada T (NL) in the saddling boxes; Below: Tayf (FR) and assistant trainer Eric Ventrou after winning the Qatar International Stakes Gr1PA

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Above: Istafamouze (GB) and Jordan Williams go to post as the sun sets at Chelsmford in August; Below: James Harding has plenty to shout about after winning on Billy's Girl (GB), breaking his ARO maiden and providing a first winner for sire Tidarbret (GB) and trainer Luke Gedge-Gibson

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Above: Al Faaris (FR) gave Simon Walker a corss-card, cross-breed double, after winning at Windsor, Walker drove to Epsom to win the Gentlemans Amateur Derby for thoroughbreds; Below: B Wing (GB) a first winner for sire Benamer (GB), for jockey Jay Kendrick and a 50th winner for trainer Adam Newey who also bred and part-owns him.

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Above: Azhar (FR) and Francois Xavier Bertras are keen to post at Doncaster Below: Tadhg O'Shea, Jean-Pierre Deroubaix and Charles Gourdain celebrates Nafees (FR) win in the President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) Gr1PA at Doncaster

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Above: The aggregate may have been down, but the clearance rate was up at the Arqana Purebred Arabian sale at Saint-Cloud in September Below: Adrie de Vries waits for the signal to mount in the parade ring at Saint-Cloud

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Above: Ladies Man- Easter De Faust (FR) and Christophe Soumillon (centre, red cap) win the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Pouliches Gr1PA; Below: The following day Soumillon is successful on Muneera (FR) for Al Nujaifi Racing and Damien de Watrigant Watrigant in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments Gr1PA at Chantilly

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Above: Yazeed (FR), Gazwan (GB) and Ebraz (GB) duel up the home straight at Chantilly in the Qatar Arabian World Cup. Gazwan ridden by Maxime Guyon, previously second and fourth in 2015 and 2016 returns the victor giving trainer Julian Smart and Al Shahania Stud a fourth victory in the race and the first with a colt.

Below: Post race congratulations between Guyon and Bertrand Le Metayer of Al Shahania Stud

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Above: Great Britain's Rosie Jessop watches the replay at Abu Dhabi Equestrain Club after finishing fourth in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship; Below: Jim Crowley returns on Muraaqib after being beaten a neck

by RB Burn in the Jewel Crown Gr1PA. However after a successful appeal by Crowley for interference from the winner, the placings were reversed

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Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown Gr1 PA Abu Dhabi

Eventual winners following an appeal Muraaqib (FR) and Jim Crowley [nearside] finish second to RB Burn (US) and Gerald Avranche

Now in its’ third year, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) promised to be exciting and in the event, it was filled with drama. Still the world’s most valuable Arabian horserace with a prize fund of 1.2 million Euros, it featured the defending title holder RB Burn, who faced leading European-trained

challenger and multiple Group 1 winner Muraaqib. Also of interest was Ahzar, runner-up in the French and UK Derbies at Chantilly and Doncaster, Faucon Du Loup, winner of Round Two of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr1PA) over further in January and multiple US Graded stakes winner, Paddy’s Day.

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Athbah Stud's Cheik Roque (FR) and Will Pettis in the parade ring, a first runner for UK trainer Phil Collington, he finished just out of the money in 7th place; Below: 2016 winer RB Burn (US) looking relaxed in the paddock

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Above: Chaddad (GB) and Issa Al Balushi who finished third. A former Group 1 winning three-year-old when in France for breeders Al Shahania Stud, he is a half brother to World Cup winner Mkeefa (GB); Below: An anxious moment for Pierre Charles Boudot as Azhar (FR) goes on to the track, the pair finished fourth

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RB Burn (US) is all heart as he sticks his neck out ahead of Muraaqib (FR) with Chaddad (GB) in third

RB Burn, who had reportedly strengthened up over the summer, raced keenly in the early stages, though was settled in mid-division under restraint by Gerald Avranche, whilst Shateh and Richie Mullen led the field, just ahead of US raider Paddy’s Day and Keiber Coa. Entering the home straight Shateh was still just in front, though Paddy’s Day had slipped through the pack to the rear. RB Burn had closed three-wide, with Muraaqib to his outside. As the tempo increased RB Burn laid down his challenge under strong riding from Avranche and they duelled with Muraaqib out in front, throughout the final furlong. RB Burn appeared to have the stronger hand, with Muraaqib never able to pass and as they swept

across the line, it looked like a repeat win for RB Burn, with Chaddad in just over a length away in third and a similar distance to Azhar in fourth.

However, the celebrations were shortlived as Muraaqib’s jockey, Jim Crowley lodged an objection to the winner saying that interference had taken place. Following 40 minutes of deliberations in the Stewards Room, the placings were reversed and Muraaqib was awarded the race, though RB Burn’s trainer Eric Lemartinel subsequently lodged an appeal.

The original objection, that RB Burn had drifted across from 200m out, forcing Muraaqib wide and then

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bumped Muraaqib, causing the horse to become unbalanced and lose ground, was upheld, considering the winning margin of a neck, as the stewards felt had Muraaqib been afforded a clear run, he would have won. Avranche was subsequently suspended for two race meetings having pleaded guilty to interference.

Rohaut, Lancaster and Crowley hold up their trophies

experience, but now he is a real miler and he can even go over seven furlongs too. After Newbury my idea was to run here and Sheikh Hamdan agreed, so his trip to Istanbul was his first flight, there he settled really well and again his preparation was perfect here, his flight over was good and he stayed in Dubai beforehand.

"He's a real racehorse, we have seen two champions today. I don't like to win races like that, but we have seen two top horses. They fought together at three years in Saint-Cloud and again here at five years and I hope they will again next year. I think Muraaqib may have a break now and come back in the spring to prepare for another challenge here."

Though they took no pleasure in the manner of the win that evening, it was clearly a great victory for Muraaqib’s team as his trainer Francois Rohaut had taken the brave decision not to race at Chantilly in the Qatar Arabian World Cup in October and instead drop back to a mile with this race as the target.

Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster commented: “That was very dramatic, they are two very good horses and if you look back at their three-year-old form in France, they were closely matched then too. We’re very excited for Sheikh Hamdan, for Francois and his team and for everyone at Shadwell as of course he is a homebred.”

Rohaut said:"I knew he would be better over a mile. His dam was a seven furlong filly, he needed more THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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The supporting card also included the finals of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice and Ladies World Championships. Danish Apprentice Ina Toverud [above] coasted to an easy nine-length victory on AF Yatroq for

Ernst Ortel, whilst Belgian teacher Alice Bertiaux provided some comfort for Eric Lemartinel and the Al Asayl team, winning on RB Inferno [below], a son of recent Hall of Fame inductee TH Richie.

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Above: Danish Apprentice Ina Toverud returns to a packed winners enclosure on AF Yatroq (AE); Below: Alice Bertiaux with her trophy

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Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi Friday 10 November

O: Khalifa bin Sheail KHJ Al Kuwari J: Harry Bentley B:

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan Jewel Crown Gr1PA 1m

2. Al Kabeer (FR) 3. Al Dawoodea (FR)

1. MURAAQIB (FR) 5 ch h (Munjiz x Tashreefat) T: Francois Rohaut O: HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum J: Jim Crowley B: HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum

Dist: 3.25, .75 Time: 1.42.22 7 Ran Qatar Derby Gr2 PA 4yo 2000m

Dist: nk, 1.25 Time: 1.41.85 15 Ran

1. YAZEED (FR) 4 gr c (Munjiz x Al Dahma) T: Alban de Mieulle O: Umm Qarn J: Olivier Peslier B: Umm Qarn

Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar Saturday 30 December

2. Ebraz (GB) 3. Shabih Alreeh(GB)

Qatar Derby Gr3 PA 3yo 1600m

Dist: sh hd, 6 Time: 2.12.39 13 Ran

2. RB Burn (US) 3. Chaddad (GB)

1. EASTER DE FAUST (FR) 3 ch f (Mahabb x Ayisha De Faust) T: Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi

Below: Yazeed gets ahead of Ebraz by the narrowest of margins in the Qatar Derby in Doha photo (C) Juhaim/QREC

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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE Issue 31

ARO SEASON PREVIEW

GULF GROUP 1's

Preview of the 2018 UK Arabian racing season

All the action from the winter season in the Gulf DOUG WATSON Interview with multiple the Champion UAE Trainer

Debbie Burt - Equine Creative Media Photographs from ARO 2015, 2016 & 2017 Seasons, plus Chantilly, Doha, Deauville, Longchamp, Saint-Cloud, Abu Dhabi and Dubai VIEW and PURCHASE at: www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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