The Arabian Racehorse Issue 9

Issue No.9

October 2015

T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE

Saint-Cloud & Longchamp, Huntingdon & Newmarket

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T H E

A R A B I A N

RACEHORSE Issue 9 - October 2015

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News Arqana Sale; Nivour De Cardonne; Haras Du Thouars, Abu Dhabi

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Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Weekend Report from Saint-Clud and Longchamp

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ARO Season Finale Huntingdon review

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Wathba Stud Farm Cup Premier Handicap Report from Lingfield

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Shadwell Arabian Derby Report and pictures from the last race of the ARO season

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Gillian Duffield Retires Interview with the 12 time ARO Champion Trainer

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Shadwell Super 7 Competition Results

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Results

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

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

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NEWS ARQANA PUREBRED ARABIAN SALE SUCCESS The Purebred Arabian Sale, organised in partnership with AFAC, acts as the curtain raiser for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Weekend, which encapsulates the most prestigious races for this breed headed by the €1,000,000 Qatar Arabian World Cup. The 2015 edition recorded a turnover of €2,457,000, the second-highest ever figure for this event, up 27% from 2014. The average price reached €35,100, a 16% rise, while the clearance rate was in excess of 82%. 9 lots sold for €70,000 or more, against four a year ago.

Brilliant successes in the 2-year-old section The sale was topped by lot 26, MONT D’OR, a son of Mahabb and full brother to a pair of black type winners including the champion MANARK, winner of the Gr.1 P.A. Dubai Kahayla Classic. Offered by Haras de Mandore, he was knocked down to Jean-Pierre Deroubaix of FBA Agency for €210,000.

Bidding was spirited from the start, with lot 7 EHWAZ, also from Haras de Mandore, fetching €170,000. This colt is by Munjiz out of the dual French Arabian Breeders’ Cup Classic heroine CHERAZADE, already the dam of three black type performers including Gr.3 P.A. Prix Tidjani scorer CHEKER and Gr.1 PA-placed MUNZADE, a fullbrother to this youngster. Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Attiyah outbid Alban de Mieulle and indicated that the colt

would go into training with Thomas Fourcy.

Minutes later, Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International Agency brought the bidding up to €150,000 for lot 10 JULY DU FALGAS, a Munjiz half-sister to KANDAR DU FALGAS, the winner of three Gr.1 P.A. races. She was offered by Haras de Thouars.

Lot 17, MELK, a son of Munjiz out of Florihala, herself a full sister to the Gr.1 P.A. scorer DORFA, attracted a final bid of €150,000 from Gérard Larrieu’s Chantilly Bloodstock Agency. He was another member of the Haras de Mandore draft.

Consigned by Ecurie Yann Creff on behalf of Robert Litt, lot 33 SULEYMAN, a Munjiz colt out of the Gr.1 P.A. performer SALMA THABETH, was knocked down to trainer Sandrine-Valérie Tarrou for €125,000.

Njewman fillies dominate among the horses in training Close to the end of the sale, Gérard Larrieu of Chantilly Bloodstock Agency signed for a couple of three-year-old Njewman fillies from the yard of Philippe Sogorb. Lot 84 SPIRALLE, a full sister to the Group P.A. scorers SPLEEN and SKOOP and a winner this season at Mont-de-Marsan commanded €150,000.

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Lot 26 Mont D"Or; UK trainer Bill Smith; Marie-Ange Bourdette of Haras de Monlau THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Lot 10 July Du Falgas Al Shahania agent: Bertrand Le Metayer Lot 17 Melk

Lot 85 VERRACRUZ, second at La Teste on debut in July, realised €75,000. She is a full sister to the Gr.3 P.A. placed LIZA, from the close family of SIMMBAD, SNOOPI and SKOOP. The two fillies will now head for Qatar.

With four horses sold for a total of €590,000, Haras de Mandore topped the vendors’ standings, with Philippe Sogorb (5 horses sold for €513,000) in second position and Haras du Saubouas (11 horses sold for €275,000) in third. In the buyers’ ranks, Chantilly Bloodstock Agency took pole position with 9 purchases for a total of €509,000, followed by FBA (3 horses for €241,000) and Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Attiyah (2 purchases for €210,000).

Eric Hoyeau, President of ARQANA, commented on the day,“The Pure-bred

Arabian Sale is the only session dedicated to this category of horses and now firmly established in the horsemen’s agenda. It really takes the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe underway, which thanks to the support of QREC features the best competitions in the world for Purebred Arabians.

"We are delighted to contribute to this momentum and thrilled to have seen such a vibrant market, both for young stock and horses in training. As for the endurance section, which was only initiated last year, it has already found its audience.”

The full results can be found at : www.arqana.com/resultats/ purebred_arabian_sale_october_2015 _saint-cloud_01_october_2015/201

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SHADWELL ANNOUNCE THE LOSS OF NIVOUR DE CARDONNE The son of Manganate was bred in France from an outstanding family that has produced among the very best Arabian racehorses in the world.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, NIVOUR DE CARDONNE has won 6 of his 16 starts and was placed 7 times, in the UK and the UAE. He became the first Kahayla Classic winner for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2000.

Shadwell director Richard Lancaster said: “NIVOUR DE CARDONNE was an outstanding racehorse for Sheikh Hamdan. He had a special place in our memories as Sheikh Hamdan’s first Kahayla Classic winner. He proved a very good sire in the USA and we thank Cre Run Farm and Mandolynn Hill Farm for looking after him so well.”

Upon his retirement, NIVOUR DE CARDONNE was imported to the US and stood at stud at Cre Run Farm in

Virginia, where during his years there he sired multiple stakes winners and Champions including OUR MACHINE, DIXIES VALENTINE, A LADYS MAN and OUR PRINCESS, among many others.

In 2013, NIVOUR DE CARDONNE was welcomed to Mandolynn Hill Farm in Texas, where he spent the past years with his Shadwell stable mates, CHNDAKA and KAOLINO, breeding top mares whose foals will carry on his legacy.

NIVOUR DE CARDONNE will always be recognized as one of the greatest and most respected French imports to influence the Arabian racing in the United States. A kind and gentle stallion, he will be missed by all.

Below: Nivour De Cardonne (c) Pamela Burton

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Shadwell Arab Stallions Europe: AL JAKBAR 2003 Al Sakbe - Essaada AL SAOUDI 2000 Nuits St Georges - Fatzica MADJANI 2000 Tidjani - Salama NO RISK AL MAURY 2002 Kesberoy - Nectarine Al Maury

USA: CHNDAKA 1990 Dormane - Malika Fontenay KAOLINO 1998 Dormane - Cary de Carrère NIVOUR DE CARDONNE 1995 Manganate - Pistache du Cassou

Madjani.

Triple Kahayla Classic winner Now sire of Stakes winners HANDASSA (Gr.2 PA) and RB FRYNCH BROAD (Gr.2) and winners BON BAISER DE FAUST, RB MOOSE, NAAR, BADJANI DU CROATE…

Shadwell Estate Company Ltd. Contact: Marion Lachat Tel: +44 (0)1842 755913 Fax: +44 (0)1842 755189 arabians@shadwellstud.co.uk Haras de Saint-Faust Tel: +33 (0)5 59 83 05 16 contact@haras-saintfaust.com THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Facebook.com/ShadwellArabian www.shadwellarabian.co.uk

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HARAS DU THOUARS NEW STALLIONS FOR 2016 Haras Du Thouars has announced that multiple Group winner MISTER GINOUX (FR) will stand alongside DAHESS (GB) at their stud in Castella, in the South West of France for 2016 season.

A winner of the Group 3 French Breeders Challenge Poulains at Toulouse last October, he went on to score in the Qatar Derby PA in Doha, before showing a fine turn of foot to take the Group 1 PA Qatar International Trophy.

Returning to France he won the Group 2 Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes at Chantilly, beating Group 1 winners

Sylvine Al Maury, Gazwan, Prada T, Al Mouwaffak and Mahess Du Soleil, however he was to loose his unbeaten record in the Qatar International at Goodwood in August. With five wins and a that third place in six starts, his career earnings topped 350,000 Euros.

A 160,000 Euro yearling when sold at the 2012 Arqana Purebred Arabian Sale, he was purchased by Mandore International Agency for Al Shaqab. By Amer, he is the first foal of Nacree Al Maury, a winner of the Group 3 Prix Damas at Toulouse, who is also a full sister to multiple group winnng sire, No Risk Al Maury.

Mister Ginoux (FR) winning the 2015 Qatar International Trophy THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Speaking to The French Purebred Arabian, his trainer Thomas Fourcy said,"Mister Ginoux has always been an easy horse to train, with a great attitude. His strength of mind is his best asset. As a son of Amer, his precocity will undoubtedly make him a most attractive choice to breeders."

Transferring after two season at stud in the United States is TM FRED TEXAS (US). A winner of 12 starts including the Group 1 PA Dubai Kahayla Classic and the President of thre UAE Cup, his fist crop wil be yealrings in 2016. www.harasdethouars.com

Also retiring for the 2016 season is AMERETTO (FR), who won four consecutive HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabain Flat Racing Festival European Triple Crowns, as well as several other European Group and Listed contests.

Another son o f Amer, he is a half brother to DJET TAOUY (FR) a winner and dual runner-up in the Group 1 PA Shadwell International Stakes and the UK Arabian Derby and the Coupe d'Europe des Chevaux Arabes.

Ameretto (FR) winning the 2015 HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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AL TAIR RETIRES TO HARAS DU GRAND COURGEON AL TAIR (GB), who at 124 was the joint Top Rated Arabian racehorse of 2014, has been retired to stand at the Haras Du Grand Courgeon at Lion d'Angers in France, alongside his half brother Tabarak (GB) and sire Amer (SA). His eight victories included the Group 1 PA Doha Cup and two runnings of the Group 2 PA Qatar Cup. He was also placed three times including on his final start in the 2014 Qatar Arabian World Cup to Djainka Des Forges, with whom he shared top rating that year.

"His second place in the Qatar Arabian World Cup after a long abscence shows how good he was."

His half brother Tabarak (by Nizam) won four Group 1 PA races, including the HH Emirs Sword and the first running of the Harwood International at Doncaster and was the highest rated Arabian Racehorse of 2013. www.legrandcourgeon.com

His trainer Alban De Mieulle told THe French Purebred Arabian, "Al Tair may not have showed all his potential on the racetracks, due to the health issues he went through in his career, but he had a big heart.

Joint Top Rated Arabian of 2014 - Al Tair (GB) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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ABU DHABI - PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED Nov 3 - Official Draw and Declarations of the 3 top races -" Shk Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown" - HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR - HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship IFAHR Nov 4 IFHRA ( Int'l Federation of Horse Racing Academies) General Assembly Press Conference HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Training and Education at the UAE National Archive Conference Hall Nov 5 Speech of TCA Abu Dhabi Speech of HE Aref Alawani Secretary General AD Sports Council Speech of HE Dr Abdulla Rayess DIrector General UAE National Archive Speech of HE Sami Al Boueinen Chairman of IFAHR Speech of HE Essam Abdulla Emirates Arabian Horse Society Speech of ERA Session 1: Jockey Training Worldwide and Prevention of Racing Accidents licensing.

Session 2: Jockeys - High Performance Athletes - At The Top Session 3 Controlled Jockey Diet, Weight Control, Healing and the Research of Liverpool

John Moores University 2nd part Nov 6 Session 4 PR and the Media for Racing Industry Recruitment, Training and Education and Arbitration USA Workshop Moderators Derek Thompson and Lara Sawaya Nov 7 Breeding session Jannah Burj Al Sarab Work shop for the Apprentice jockeys with the best coaches and teachers for the first time in the World Award Gala Dinner Nov 8 One World,6 Continents, Abu Dhabi The Capital Featuring the World's Richest Arabian Horse Race 1.2 million Euros " Shk Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown" - HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR - HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship IFAHR - Wathba Stud Farm Cup - UAE Martyrs' Cup - UAE Martyrs' Trophy

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QATAR PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE WEEKEND Saint-Cloud & Longchamp Four enticing days in Paris, begins with one of the few Arabian racehorse sales in the world. Two juvenile events follow, then a four year old fillies’ contest, which only serves to whet the appetite for the main course – the Arabian World Cup, a feast of Group 1 Purebred Arabian action, all run over 2000m (a mile and a quarter).

A two year old heads for the sale ring at Arqana

The Arqana Sale was bouyant, (see News page 3), with the top lot a healthy 210,000 Euros being paid for Mont D'Or, a full brother to Kahayla Classic winner Manark.

British trainer Beverley Deutrom was in action buying four lots for a total of 110,000 Euros. Commenting on her purchases she said "Obviously I went to buy Lahoob's half brother Assiaf (lot

61) as he has been a star for us, but the horse was just not good enough, so I was gutted.

"Amaar (lot 66) and Bakir De Flauzins (lot 78) will race in the UK, El Nahab (lot 64) is heading for Qatar for Rachid Al Naemi, to be trained by Hussein Aashour; whilst Demilune (lot 2) will stay in France for an Omani owner."

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The racing commenced in earnest the next day. Saint-Cloud, recently spared from the threat of development, was as beautiful as always, and the first of the Group 1’s, the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Poulains confirmed that HH Sheikh Hamdan had found a new star in MURAAQIB(FR).

A striking son of Munjiz (FR), out of the homebred Tashreefat (GB), he had impressed when winning at Deauville in August on his first attempt at this trip, showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals which included Mabrooka (FR), who had beaten him over a mile at Chantilly in June.

Settled in mid division, regular pilot Francois Xavier Bertras made his move at the 500m mark and Murraqib appeared to be travelling well within himself. However he was not handed an easy victory as when winning in Deauville. Coming wide down the centre of the track was RB Burn (US), and the two colts accelerated clear of

their rivals with 200m to go. Muraaqib had to show his mettle and RB Burn went down by a neck, with Alsaker (FR) six lengths back in third.

Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster commented, “Muraaqib confirmed the form that he showed in Deauville. The great thing today was he showed he had the class to come back when headed.

"It’s a great triumph for Shadwell breeding too, because the mare was bred by us, by Bengali D’Albret. To get a horse like this is great. I will talk with Sheikh Hamdan and find out what he wants to do, but I would think that would be it for the year now. With a three year old our experience is you can’t go to the well too often. But he’s showed a good attitude and he’s got that mental toughness from Bengali and I think Munjiz passes it on too. We have lots to look forward to for next season.”

Muraaqib (FR) in the paddock at Saint-Cloud THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Muraaqib (FR) and Francois Xavier Bertras win from RB Burn (US) and Jean Bernard Eyquem

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Mabrooka (FR) strides clear under Theirry Jarnet

This form was later franked in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Pouliches, when Mabrooka, also coming from off the pace, scored by a length and three quarters. HH Sheikh Mansoor’s Mahabb (FR) filly showed a considerable turn of foot to make up many lengths in the home straight and won going away from Worood (FR).

Naziq (FR) in the same ownership as the winner and by the same sire, filled the third spot, also six lengths behind the second.

Mabrooka's only defeat this season was by Muraaqib at Deauville and she looks an exciting prospect for 2016.

Her winning time of 2.17 was two seconds faster than Muraaqib in the earlier race.

Trainer Didier Guillemin commented, "She accelerated very well, even though we knew that 2000m is a very long distance for her. She will go to Toulouse for the French Arabian Breeder's Challenge des Pouliches."

Martial Boisseiul, racing manager for Wathba Stud, said "She is a very good filly, which she confirmed today, having showed speed and precocity. She comes from a good family. To have three homebred fillies in the first four places is very satisfying as we only use our own stallions."

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Above: Ms Lara Sawaya greets Mabrooka (FR) ; Below: Winnng connections Didier Guillemin, Lara Sawaya, on behalf of HH Sheikh Mansoor, and Theirry Jarnet celebrate with their trophies

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The next day at Longchamp, having been third (with Alsaker) and second (with Worood) at Saint-Cloud, the Royal Cavalry of Oman finally clinched Group 1 success that weekend with SYLVINE AL MAURY(FR). She also provided a further triumph for her sire Munjiz in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments. A runner up in the fillies’ contest at Saint-Cloud last year for her owner-breeder Renee Koch, she has progressed in the Cavalry’s distinctive colours with a half length second to Mister Ginoux (FR) in the French Derby Group 1 PA and two subsequent Group 3 PA wins at La Teste over the summer.

Jean-Bernard Eyquem had her tracking her pace setting stablemate Bellone Du Croate (FR). They took it up with 400m to run for a smooth two and a half length victory over Gidwa (GB). A daughter of Amer, Gidwa filled the same spot as her half sister Djainka Des Forges (FR) did in 2013. A length back

in third was Bint Jakkarta (QA), in company with another Munjiz filly Yathrib and they were a good ten lengths clear of the remainder.

Brigadier Abdulrazak Al Shahwarzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry was delighted with his filly’s performance.

“It’s nice to win a Group 1 race and to beat such good quality horses too. The jockey did well and the tactics worked well and Sylvine did the job. I will talk with her trainer, but it is better we rest her now, for next season."

Royal Cavalry racing manager JeanPierre Deroubaix commented, "It is a great success for everybody. This year we have won several Group 1 races and Sylvine Al Maury adds another one after Al Mouhannad and Samima. it is even more important since they are mares. Sylvine Al Maury is from a very good family and she will be a solid base for breeding."

Sylvine Al Maury (FR) and Jean-Bernard Eyquem head on to the track at Longchamp THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Above: Sylvine Al Maury (FR) wins by two and a half lengths; Below: Brigadier Abdulrazak Al Shawarzi comforts an emotional Elizabeth Bernard after Sylvine Al Maury's victory

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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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As befits a prize fund of €1 million Euros, not only was there a full field of 20 runners for Sundays’ Qatar Arabian World Cup, but they were of the highest order. Last year’s winner Djainka Des Forges was bidding to emulate the fabulous French Thoroughbred Arc winner Treve – with back to back wins - however with drying ground at Longchamp all week, the underfoot conditions were not in her favour.

For the same stable was Gazwan (GB), an impressive four year old winner of the Shadwell Dubai International, his trainer Julian Smart felt that though he was entitled to line up, this would probably not be his year.

Sir Bani Yas (FR) also had plenty at stake, he had won the first leg of the newly established Doha Triple Crown at Goodwood and if successful here and then in the HH Emir’s Sword in Qatar next February, he would be in line for the $1 million dollar bonus.

AL MOURTAJEZ (FR) had put in a disappointing effort when a never nearer fifth in the Prix Dragon (World Cup Trial) over course and distance the previous month. However as a winner of four Group 1’s and three Group 3 contests, he was still a force to be reckoned with. Also for Thomas Fourcy and Al Shaqab was Al Mouwaffak (FR).

He had struggled since winning the Group 2 Sheikh Zayed Cup (Prix Carthage) in April, but came back to something like his best when runner up to Al Mourtajez at Deauville in August.

Of the other fillies, Prada T (NL) had impressed when winning the Group 1 Coupe de Europe over course and distance in May and had been runnerup to Sir Bani Yas at Goodwood.

Samima (FR) had won the Prix Dragon trial ahead of a number of these including Loraa (FR), who had won the four year old fillies Trophy here last October, a Group 2 in June and had also been runner-up to Djainka Des Forges at Newbury.

Sir Bani Yas (FR) winner of the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Clockwise from top: Gazwan (GB) and Richard Mullen; Catherine and Stephane Dubois de Robert of the Haras des Forges, breeders of Djainka Des Forges (FR); Loraa (FR) and Christophe Soumillon in the paddock: Prada T (NL) and Adrie de Vries head out to the course For more pictures from the four days in Paris please go to: www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.c om/Paris-October-2015 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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However in a matter of strides Julien Auge and Al Mourtajez had stamped their authority on the eighth running of this contest, sent to the front from the off, they were never headed. The son of Dahess showed all his customary verve that had been lacking in the Prix Dragon and was not found wanting when Auge asked him to quicken turning into the home straight. It was all over with 400m remaining.

At 300m it looked like a repeat of the HH Emir’s Sword victory as Djainka Des Forges stayed on, however she would have to concede the number two spot to her stablemate Gazwan, who was closing on the outside. She then lost third to Sir Bani Yas, but it was a game effort on unsuitable ground for the filly.

Al Mourtajez’s electrifying performance secured a five length win in the fastest time in the race’s history. His jockey Julien Auge confirmed "He has an unusual acceleration for a Purebred Arabian. Last time, he was a shadow of

himself...He did not go forward.

Sometimes, it happens..."

Trainer Thomas Fourcy was relieved.

“The last time I did not understand.

Maybe I did not give the right orders, I do not know, I did not have a valid explanation. Today, he really proved himself. I knew my horse was good, I trembled all week. I am a young and I still have things to learn ... He is exceptional and I won my Arc!" Al Mourtajez's win marks an exceptional year for his breeders, Nada Mousali, Hassan Mousali and Faiz Al Elweet. His dam, Arwa (Nuits St Georges), also produced the top filly of 2012, Al Moutawakila (Al Sakbe). His grandam, Fatzica (Fatzour) produced Azadi (by Darike and sire of Al Mouwaffak) and HH Sheikh Hamdan's four time Group1 winner Al Saoudi (Nuits St Georges), who now stands at Haras de Saint Faust in France. This is also the family of three time Zabeel Stakes winner Al Mouhannad.

Julien Auge celebrates crossing the line on Al Mourtajez (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Above: Al Mourtajez FR) eases down beneath the record breaking time of 2.10.48; Below: All the connections receving their trophies in the presentation ceremony

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"supporting Arabian racing since 2012"

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ARO SEASON FINALS Huntingdon The Arabian Racing Organisation’s final full fixture sponsored by Dubai International Arabian Races was held this year at Huntingdon, with a range of added family attractions including meeting Notid the racehorse and the opportunity for budding jockeys to try their skills on an Equisizer provided by the British Horseracing Education Standards Trust. Though becoming overcast later, it stayed dry and the ground was given as good, good to firm.

Zawah (GB) and Matt Johnson go to post

Shadwell Maiden Stakes 3+ PA 1m2f The day kicked off with an interesting maiden featuring a number of well related sorts including Sunbulla, a Monsieur Al Maury half sister to Al Hibaab and the hot favourite ZAHWAH, an Amer half sister to the

top rated Djainka Des Forges. Emiraaty and Selketh set the pace, though not fast enough for Harmonie Du Soleil who was very free in the early stages and had soon pulled herself to the front.

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Zarwah (GB) and Matt Johnson win the Shadwell Maiden Stakes

On the turn for home, Zarwah had eased to the fore and was clearly travelling well in the hands of Matt Johnson. Next best was Mith’Haf Athbah, with Emiraaty holding on in third. These positions remain unaltered at the finish as Zarwah was pushed out for a 6 length victory.

This was an impressive debut performance for this well related filly, who is also a full sister to Gidwa (fifth in the Group 1 Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood) and a first win under ARO rules for Champion Qatari trainer Jassim Ghazali.

Kelly Harrison, speaking for Al Shahania Stud commented after the race “We wanted to have a run here because we are keen to take her to

Saint-Cloud next month [for the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Pouliches Gr1PA] and this meeting was perfect for her. We are really excited, with her being Djainka des Forges’s half sister, though she is more like her in body type than Gidwa, as she’s quite lean and racey. Hopefully she can follow in her footsteps!

“Jassim is keen to bring horses back to the UK next year. We brought 11 Al Shahania horses from France to Newmarket this summer. Ten have gone back, but we kept her here, and hopefully we will do something similar next year.”

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Dubai International Arabian Races Bronze Final 4yo+ PA (0-80) 1m1f The first of the three 1m1f Final races for horses rated 0-80 followed. It provided consolation for ULTIMATE FORCE who had looked unlucky when touched off at Bath and who had literally thrown all chance away when unseating at Windsor and was withdrawn before coming under orders.

Top Trip assumed his customary position at the head of the field setting a good gallop, however Steve Harrison

had Ultimate Force in his slip stream the whole way and it was only a matter of time before they went clear. The pair continued to assert for a 15 length win over Callymay and Crown Of Salona who just edged the placings in a blanket finish.

An emphatic success on only his fifth start, there should be more to come from Heather Philpot’s homebred gelding next season providing he can keep his exuberant nature in check.

Ultimate Force (FR) and Steve Harrison finish well clear THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Tawaazun (FR) and Phil Collington

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stakes 3yo+ 1m2f A conditions event over a mile and a quarter was next, notable for the sponsors as all four runners were sired

by Shadwell stallions. It included the lightly raced TAWAAZUN who had impressed on her seasonal bow at Newbury before disappointing in the Hatta Stakes. Also in the line up was Vetlana De Faust, twice a winner at just short of this trip in France and Qatar and Azizi who had won the stayers premier handicap on Dubai Day last season.

Max Kendrick put Azizi’s stamina to good use, going straight to the front, though there was little between the four runners until they entered the home straight. Kendrick set to work on Azizi to maintain his lead over Vetlana De Faust, however Phil Collington was poised to challenge on Tawaazun. No sooner had Vetlana De Faust taken it up, than Tawaazun swept past and won going away by just over two lengths, with Azizi a further five back in third.

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Syrah Gris (GB) gives Will Pettis his second winner of the season

Dubai International Arabian Races Silver Final 4yo+ PA (0-80) 1m1f The Silver Final looked competitive on paper and from the off, the evergreen Noble Athelete headed the field under Simon Walker. They remained tightly bunched until halfway, though Kallista struggled to maintain her position at the rear and she should do better over further in time.

Noble Athlete, who saves his best for Hereford these days, conceded his lead to the stablemates Kermit The Frog and Unity Belle going into the bend and was soon passed by Vindetta for third.

Entering the straight Stef Gandola and Kermit The Frog still had the edge over Unity Belle, but SYRAH GRIS and Will Pettis had closed the gap, and with a well timed ride he delivered their challenge to perfection for a two and a quarter length triumph and, as it later transpired, securing the Novice Jockeys Championship in the process.

The Almost All Partnerhsip’s likeable grey was duly rewarded for his consistent efforts this season, and Pettis’s 5lb claim was an asset, racing from the top of the handicap here.

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Dubai International Arabian Races Gold Final 4yo+ PA (0-80) 1m1f This led on to the Gold Final which looked similarly competitive. Front runner Attila De Rouaisse was taking no prisoners with Zayin Zachilles settled in behind, ahead of useful Russian import Tokhil, dropped in grade. That pace was too hot for him to sustain however, and he soon slipped down the field, leaving Tokhil and Zayin Zachilles clear, with Maghazi, Sharaf and Man Of Dreams all in close attendance.

These five were still clear at halfway, but MAAZIN and Phil Collington were closing the gap in sixth position and were able to steal valuable lengths

when the field ahead ran wide on the home bend. Sharaf fell away leaving Maazin, Maghazi, Tokhil and Man Of Dreams to race four abreast up the home straight.

Maazin always had the edge however and even though he drifted away from the whip across Maghazi’s line, he was still two lengths clear at the finish to go one better in this than he had done last season at Wolverhampton. Maghazi held second ahead of Tokhil who looks one to note for next season, having improved on his UK debut at Hereford .

Maazin (GB), goes to post with Phil Collington THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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L to R: Roches Du Cayrou (FR), Samauring Zayin (GB) and Just The Ticket (GB)

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Handicap Stakes 4yo+ PA (0-40) 7f The last Arabian race of the day produced an exhilarating finish between the veteran performer ROCHES DU CAYROU and Samauring Zayin, who had recently returned to the track following broodmare duties.

George Blackwell always had Roches Du Cayrou handy and as the tempo increased rounding the turn they held their advantage on the rail with Wahiba, Amirah Bint Goudah and Samauring Zayin in a line on their outside.

It was inevitable the others would swing wide and that probably made all the difference at the finish with Blackwell keeping his mount the straightest, as he stuck his neck out gamely to hold off the challenge of Samauring Zayin by a a short head. The eyecatcher though was the fast finishing Just The Ticket who produced

a strong burst in the closing stages and was only half a length back in third. A Jiyush half brother to useful handicapper Kamikaze, this was only his fourth career start.

Another race where the 5lb claim had had an impact, nonetheless a fine piece of riding by Blackwell, who at 17 was the same age as his mount. Blackwell had won the ARO Ride of the Season Award in 2014 and may well have earned another nomination for 2015 here.

With the Wathba Stud Farm Cup Premier Handicap at Lingfield and the UK Arabian Derby still to run it was too early confirm the remaining jockey titles at the Season Finale, though HH Sheikh Hamdan and Gill Duffield had clinched the owners and trainers titles for the twelfth time.

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One World, 6 Continents

Belgium Ghlin 11 May 10 June 22 September

Switzerland Avenches 19 September

Denmark 15 August, Copenhagen France 13 February, Pau 03 June, La Teste 02 July, Dax 22 Sept. Bordeaux

The Netherlands Duindight 19 April 24 May 26 July 13 September 25 October

Norway 01 August Poland Służewiec 26 July 20 September

Sustained By

Sweden Jägersro 12 May 08 October

UK Hereford 07 June (6 races) 04 July (6 races) 05 September (6 races) 22 September Ling�ield Park USA Colorado-Arapahoe Park 24 May 05 July 09 August California 15 Aug. Humbolt Fair 26 Sep. Stockton 03 Oct. Fresno Texas 17 Oct. Lone Star Park , Dallas 07 Nov. Retama Park San Antonio

Nov 08, Finals, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club

Coordinated By

in Cooperation with

Sponsored By

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Of�icial Partner

Of�icial Carrier

33

WATHBA STUD FARM CUP PREMIER HANDICAP STAKES

Phil Collington and Jabal Aly (GB) snatch victory from Kao Kat MHF (c) www.hoycubed.com

4yo+ PA (0-90) 1m Lingfield AW (Standard) 22-09-2015 The last of the Wathba Stud Farm Cup sponsored races was a premier handicap run just two days after the Season Finale at Huntingdon and a number of these were making a quick reappearance.

Despite losing ground at the start, JABAL ALY provided what was to be a final victory for trainer Gill Duffield and jockey Philip Collington, as they both announced their retirements at the

seasons close just three days later at Newmarket. That this win was in the colours of HH Sheikh Hamdan on a Shadwell homebred must have made the victory sweeter for the pair who both owe their career success to His Highness’s support. Especially for Collington, who had won on his first ride for these connections at this very track.

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Man Of Dreams who had started his season with a course and distance win in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) series took them along in the early stages. By halfway he had been joined

by Altello, making his UK debut for trainer James Owen, and that one, travelling sweetly for Adam Kirby, soon edged ahead, tracked by his stablemate Tokhil and the fancied Kao Kat MHF. Kao Kat MHF was the first to lay down a challenge to Altello and with a furlong to go Jabal Aly was still some four lengths adrift of the leaders, however galvanised by Collington, he showed an admirable attitude to knuckle down when it mattered, winning by a neck. Two and a quarter lengths behind was Altello in third.

ARO Racing Manager Amanda Smith thanked HH Sheikh Mansoor and Lara Sawaya for their sponsorship and support of Arabian Racing in the UK throughout the 2015 season, which we hope to build upon in the future.”

Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival commented, “The Wathba Stud Farm Cup race series is aimed to give young horses and those at grass roots level the ability to race and to succeed.

“On behalf of HH Sheikh Mansoor and the Festival I would like to thank Gill for her dedication and commitment to the sport and wish her the best of luck with her future endeavours.”

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels and Racing Post.

ARO Racing Manage Amanda Smith presentting the trophy to Gill Duffield (c) Sian Smith

The race also carried an additional premium for Breeders which was won by owner-breeder Eric Legg for Man Of Dreams, trained by his daughter Carol.

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One World, 6 Continents

HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFAHR)

17 May, Lexington, Kentucky 31 May, Sluzewiec, Poland 18 July, Sacramento, CA 21 August, Sandown UK 30 August, Kazan, Tatarstan 27 September, Duindight, Netherlands 11 October, Tarbes, France 25 October, San Paolo, Brazil Nov 08, Finals, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club

Sustained By

Coordinated By

in Cooperation with

Sponsored By

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

Of�icial Partner

Of�icial Carrier

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SHADWELL ARABIAN DERBY Newmarket The Arabian Racing Organisation’s final race of the season produced a noteable victory for British breeding as Mahess Du Soleil galloped away with the spoils becoming the first British bred winner in over 10 years

Mahess Du Soleil (GB) wins from Bachir Qardabiyah (FR) and Bon Baiser De Faust (FR)

Shadwell Arabian Derby 4yo Group1 PA 1m2f Good (Good to Soft in places) 25 September

Newmarket’s Rowley Mile is one of Britain’s most historic tracks and a proving ground of many of its finest racehorses across the centuries. As the final race of their season, the Arabian Racing Organisation could not have wished for more – perfect weather,

good ground and an exciting ten runner line up of internationally owned and bred horses. In addition the last few furlongs of the race were broadcast on Channel Four racing on terrestrial television, another first for Arabian racing in the UK.

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Mahess Du Soleil (GB) leads the field home up the historic Rowley Mile

All the horses were a credit to connections and looked magnificent in the paddock. The market leader was MAHESS DU SOLEIL, locally bred by Mr and Mrs Kippen, though racing in the colours of their daughter Lisa Deymonaz and trained in France by Thomas Fourcy. Also fancied were Bon Baiser De Faust, Salaama (for HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum) and Samir (for Athbah Stud), which represented three of Gill Duffield’s final runners of her illustrious 28 year career.

First to show was the free sweating Storm Troupour, in company with Zayin Zodiac and also Jaldi Karo. Salaama, in first time blinkers was the slowest away, however she too was in a lather and Dane O’Neill had his work cut out to get her settled. By halfway the field had tightened up and there were plenty with chances. Jaldi Karo was still travelling well for Luke Morris in third, Ashraaf (another Duffield

representative) to his right, Bon Baiser De Faust to his left, with Mahess Du Soleil tucked in behind.

With three furlongs to go, Paul Hanagan on Bon Baiser De Faust took it up on the rail and it looked briefly as if Duffield would sign off her career with a first win in this contest. However Richard Mullen was poised to challenge on Mahess Du Soleil and though in the last quarter mile all the jockeys were hard at work, the son of Dahess was just too strong for them. Despite wandering around slightly in front, he drew clear for an impressive four and a half length victory and clearly there should be more to come. This season’s UK Champion Arabian Bon Baiser De Faust just failed to keep second, going down by the shortest of heads to the improving Bachir Qardabiyah. Also improving on previous form was Jaldi Karo in fourth who kept Ashraaf at bay by half a length.

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Jim and Jo Kippen, Lisa Deymonaz, Richard Mullen, Pierre Deymonaz, Mahess Du Soleil (GB) and trainer Thomas Fourcy [extreme right]

Connections were delighted with their colts’ performance, Lisa Deymonaz commented, ‘What a big heart he has, just like his dam.

‘As for his next run, he is entered in the French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic at Toulouse at the end of October, so we will see nearer the time. He does seem to enjoy Toulouse as he has won two races there this year. His win today was very emotional and exciting, as we lost his dam last year. We are lucky enough to still own two of her full sisters, so we hope they will carry on her tremendous bloodline!

winning time was very quick on the ground, with no challenges. He was given a rest through the summer with the aim to run him here. His trainer Thomas Fourcy had him spot on for this race.’ www.facebook.com/dusoleilstud View the race: www.youtube.com/watch?v+EFo) BXNqeDQ

‘To have him win a Group 1 in such dominant style is a tribute to her and all she has done for Du Soleil Stud. His THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

THE ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION LTD Who we are…

The UK is a world leader in Purebred Arabian racing.

The Arabian Racing Organisa on (ARO) runs a programme of full Arabian racedays, supported by a number of single Arabian races on Thoroughbred fixtures.

The UK is a summer base for top horses from the Middle East whose owners want to experience the pres ge of running at some of the world’s best racecourses. The ARO season is also a proven training ground for young horses.

Prize money includes incen ve schemes and bonus awards for UK Owners and Breeders.

The 2015 season starts at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Saturday 2nd May, Free Admission!

CONTACT ARO LTD ‘T

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A R

A UK’

ARO Ltd, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire, RG14 7NZ 0044 (0) 1635 524 445 info@aroracing.co.uk

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CHAMPION TRAINER GILLIAN DUFFIELD RETIRES Gill Duffield’s 28 years of training racehorses ended when she collected her 12th ARO Trainer’s Championship this September, though she has won 18 in total. She has been a great advocate of amateur sport, starting with Point-to-Pointers before establishing herself as the leading lady of Arabian racing. She has handled many of her patron HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s best horses, including his first Dubai International Stakes winner, Bengali D’Albret, and his last Al Hibaab.

Shadwell Director Richard Lancaster presents the ARO Champion Trainer Trophy to Gill Duffield

How did it all begin?

I started off taking resting horses at home and then Patrick Haslam, who trained in Newmarket at the time said, “I’ve got a job for you Gill, will you have my hunters?” So I said “Ok” and he sent his hunters in and those of one of his owners, so all of a sudden we ended up with 28. They were

busy days, I think Mondays we hunted with the Puckeridge and Thurlow, Tuesday was the Cottesmore, Thursday was the Thurlow again and Friday was the Quorn and Saturday was the Puckeridge. Really, really busy, but we had fabulous times.

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Then after about three or four years the secretary of our hunt said to me, “Why don’t you enter one of your horses for our cross country race, it’s four and a half miles across plough and hedges”. We had a really nice hunter, and the Secretary suggested we get Don Cantillon to ride him. Don duly rode the horse and he won by about 20 lengths. So that was the first winner.

Then David Minton said to me “Hey how do you fancy training pointers?” So we got a syndicate together which was Mrs Thompson Jones, Jeremy Hindley, David Dobby and David himself, and it was the most amazing time. James Fanshawe was our jockey, so you can imagine our days in the winter with this gang, and not only the owners, but all the assistant trainers and jockeys in Newmarket used to come and watch James ride and it was fabulous. The first season I think we knocked Joe Turner off his pedestal as he had been champion point-to-point jockey for 15 years and we made James champion jockey with 9 winners. We had a horse called Rusted who won 14 open points. Then sadly it all ended in tragedy because James broke his neck on Rusted at Cottenham, he got half lengthed at the last fence, so then he retired and obviously went into training Thoroughbreds.

How did the involvement in Arabian racing start?

At that time, one of the owners was doing all the fencing at Shadwell, and he asked me if I would be interested in training Arabians, I said no, out hunting they throw themselves all over the place and they won’t jump anything, but then I thought yes, but they’re Sheikh Hamdan’s Arabians, they might be quite good ones!

So I started with four.

My dream when I had pointers was to win the Foxhunters at Aintree, and I had my first Arabian winner there, so I went into the winners enclosure at Aintree with a horse called Kerim Bay. They were all British bred winners that Sheikh Hamdan had selected. We had a few winners a year and then these four finished and I thought there’s no more coming, I’ll write to Shadwell and say thank you very much, but I’m now going to spend more time with the children and just do pointers in the winter.

Then I got a phone call, “Gill go out and buy yourself some more Arabians”. So off I went, still buying in the UK, as we had some very good breeders here there then.

We bought a mare called Sylvina who won 14 races and out of that little group I think they won about 28 races. Then Sheikh Hamdan said I want to win the Dubai [International] Stakes, so we went to France and bought Benagli D’Abret and of course he went and won it. So it really went on from there, with the Boss buying more horses from France.

How did you come to go to Dubai?

I won the Dubai Stakes with a horse called Jiyush and when I was in the winner’s enclosure Richard Hills said to Sheikh Hamdan, “This horse should go out to Dubai and Gill should train him” and that was how it started, the Boss sent me out with nine horse that first season. That was the old Nad Al Sheba back in 2002.

We trained on the track like in America, I did used to take them off into the desert for little rides, but the early years over there were really an amazing experience.

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That first season we won two legs of the Triple Crown and the Arabian Derby; we won the Group 1 Emirates Championship with Jiyush, and we won the Presidents Cup and that hadn’t been won out of Abu Dhabi ever. So it was an amazing first season; the second season a few of the other owners asked if I could train for them and Sheikh Hamdam allowed it. So we then went over with about 52 horses, then coming back and training 30+ here so I was training about 80-90 horses in all a year.

We trained on the track like in America, I did used to take them off into the desert for little rides, but the early years over there were really an amazing experience.

Then Meydan was built, that altered things

quite a lot, I think the training fees went up and a lot of the smaller owners couldn’t afford it, so we had less horses then. That first season I took Kaolino over and Richard said you’ve got to really look after this horse; the following season he won the Kahayla Classic and then the next year Madjani came along and he won the next three, so that was four Kahayla Classics on the bounce.

We also won the first race to be run at Meydan with No Risk Al Maury, he made history that day. The problem with No Risk was he was in the shadow of Madjani, so we didn’t really appreciate him whilst Madjani was around. No Risk was racing over here winning the Dubai Stakes twice, whilst Madjani was racing in the UAE.

No Risk Al Maury, Bengali D'Albret, Madjani, Al Hibaab and Kaolino

by Lisa Miller ASEA

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Madjani (FR)

Tell me more about Madjani...

In my first two years I shared my stables with John Saddler, an Australian trainer, who was an amazing guy. I used to sit in my office every night and look out of the window and John’s horses would be led past and I used to think my God they look fabulous, so I never stopped picking his brains. Then one day I saw him with this horse box and I said, “John, where are you going?” He said “I’m going to the beach to swim” so I said “Can I follow you?”, so everywhere John went, my little box was following. And so these original horses I used to take to the beach and into the sea; can you imagine Arabs in the sea? They used to whip round and not want to go in, but eventually they would. It was fun!

Then John gave up, the third year I went over he was going back to Australia and Madjani turned up as a 3 year old. Richard Lancaster had bought him in France, he’d won one race and said that’s it he’s off to Dubai. I had said how well John looked after the horses, he had looked after some

of ours that stayed behind, and so they gave him a horse to train which was Madjani. John left and the other trainer had him that had moved in.

I used to look across to this horse every day and think oh my goodness you’re so nice!

Then got a letter to say you’re to train Madjani and he came to my yard. He was a three and big boned and at that point he’d had a few soundness issues so I said that I wasn’t going to run him for a year. He missed a year and then from then on, he just went from strength to strength. We knew he was good by the way he worked, so he won the Presidents Cup prep, the Presidents Cup and then went on and won the Kahayla Classic.

He got beaten in the last round of the Maktoum Challenge, so because of that Richard picked the horse he’d won on previously, which I think that was Al Saoudi. Willie Supple won on Madjani that time and then every year, it was more or less the same program for him. I believe when you go over there, every race is a tough race. It’s hard to win in the Gulf,

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The main bulk of Arabian racing in the Gulf is after Christmas and horses can only take so many hard races, so if you can sit on them, which isn’t always so popular with owners, then you can do better later on in the season. All the jockeys say it’s the soundest horse that wins over there, because it tough, racing in the Gulf.

Many of your best runners are now sires...

Most of Kaolino’s stock are in America and I’d always thought he’d be a dirt sire.

Madjani won as much on the turf as he did on dirt so I hoped he would produce winners on both surfaces. No Risk certainly wasn’t a dirt horse. I never thought Madjani would have three years olds, because he’s not that type of horse and I think to go to Madjani you need a very athletic mare, because otherwise you run the risk of getting very heavy horses, so you need something lighter boned. I do think people should use him more, as how many horses have won three Kahayla Classics!

The fashion is currently for sons of Amer though.

Apart from Madjani, which horses have given you the greatest pleasure to train?

I’m so emotional about Bengali D’Abret, because I absolutely loved that horse, he was in the stable right next to my house and he was fabulous. Even now when you watch the DVD’s, the way he picked up and won his races was so exciting. Sadly he didn’t really deliver as a stallion.

Sophie Du Loup I had from the start, I can remember going to Dubai Day grumpy, looking at the card thinking I haven’t got a chance of winning anything today and blow me down Sophie went and won the Dubai Stakes beating Magie De Piboul who previously won the Kahayla Classic, so you should never be frightened of one horse! She was a lovely mare, very, very good. I love her daughter Aghsaan, she will be good next year.

[Maazin’s win at Huntingdon in the Dubai International Arabian Races Gold Final proved a fitting swan song for Duffield and her jockey Phil Collington (who also announced his retirement at Newmarket few days later), as Maazin is the product of Begali D’Albret and Sophie Du Loup.]

Also winning the Mazarat with Kaolino gave me a lot of pleasure because it was the first UAE Group 1. He’d won at four in England and he was moving up the handicap ratings and then went and won the Mazarat. Actually Paul Hanagan rode him as an apprentice then, that was amazing. Madjani winning the Kahayla three times was obviously special, you dream about winning that race, you have all these big races nowadays, the World Cup in France, the Emirs Sword and now Goodwood, but in my era it was the

Kaolino (FR) THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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Kahayla. All Arabian trainers are still very passionate about winning that race as it was the first big race of its kind.

Though classed as an amateur in the UK, you have experienced the sport abroad as a professional and use both professional and amateur jockeys, what does that opportunity offer for you?

I love amateur racing because obviously I began in an era when being married to a professional jockey meant I couldn’t train Thoroughbreds, so it was amateur racing that I went into. I loved it because Thoroughbred racing can be very cutthroat at times, there’s a lot of pressure, so this was fun. You won little tiny cups if you were lucky. I loved those early days and then it escalated really quickly.

I love bringing amateur jockeys on to do well; take Max Kendrick for example, I was so impressed with that young lad this season, he’s very nice and a very good rider, so I love to help that side. Equally my competitive side wants to be able to use the professionals. It’s not always the top jockeys I use, but the ones that like Arabians. Most of them are really, really good and they don’t differentiate between the breeds. Because I’m putting so much work in, I’m more comfortable using a jockey that really wants to ride, than someone who can take them or leave them and Arabians are horses that can sense that. So I’ve worked with them and they’ve worked with me, I like Ted Durcan, he’ll tell me exactly what he thinks when he gets off them.

What your thoughts on Arabian racing in the UK at present?

I’m disappointed when we have meetings with a poor crowd, I’d like to be on a track where you could get more of a following. I don’t know if Chelmsford might be the one for that and you could maybe get a Listed race once a month? There you could encourage runners from Belgium, Holland and so on, as it’s very accessible. You’ve also got to be more aware with your race planning. Like last Sunday at Huntingdon, we had the Newmarket Open Weekend, or any fixture when there’s a Thoroughbred meeting on up the road, people aren’t going to go if they can go to that instead.

Some of the ones in the past where we combined it with a vintage car rally or caravanning, might increase the crowd.

I don’t know how you’re going to get the younger people back to the sport. In my early days you had big stud farms in England breeding 40-50 Arabians a year and selling them. Though of course they were selling mainly to the Arabs, so then after a while they didn’t need to buy them anymore and so the studs stopped breeding and selling. I am concerned about it because I just don’t know what the answer is, basically you have to have young horses to continue the sport. If you look at how many are being bred in this country for racing, where are your horses for the future? So that’s my worry.

I know it’s easy to criticise ARO, but I do think they have an awfully difficult job, you don’t necessarily see it until you actually sit down and listen to some of the things they say. When you have people that are doing this as a passion it’s different to when you have people that do this as a job. They’ve only got limited funds, so these people that are running it are giving up their weekends and how many people want to do that?

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Margreet and Weiger do an amazing job in Holland, and they face the same problems, they’ve increased the numbers but they’ve only got about 60-80 horses. They have good races there but they combine their cards with other things like trotting. It’s a shame it couldn’t have been incorporated with the Pony Racing here, but they don’t need us now, they’re big enough on their own.

Do you think we should be more like the rest of the world with single races as part of a Thoroughbred card?

I think we’ve had some good races on Thoroughbred cards. I know some people want to open it up to professional trainers and I do think you would get a handful of trainers taking it up. Also if you just have races on the Thoroughbred cards you would get good entries for them, as we’ve seen this year. I could have trained Thoroughbreds in the UAE but I didn’t have room! I’d rather train the best Arabians than the worst Thoroughbreds.

now at every meeting, so instead of taking half a dozen and enjoying the day – it’s fun, its amateur racing - you’re now just flat out from the second you get there.

I’m finding it harder with the staffing as I’m competing with the rest of the Newmarket trainers for staff. If the likes of Gosden, Stoute and Varian are advertising for staff, what chance have I got with Arab horses? So there are a lot of issues here.

Equally I think Shadwell are sending their best ones to run in France and rightly so, because they want to know if they’re any good or not and the whole structure of Arabian racing there is different.

Consequently the horses we’re getting here are possibly not quite of the highest quality and like all trainers, I want to train the Group 1 horses! So for many reasons I think it’s time for the younger ones to take it on now.

I’m very positive I know it’s the right time.

I will miss it though as I love horses and I love racing and the thrill of it all.

What are your thoughts on retiring?

I think for me, leaving the sport now, obviously my age comes into it. I think if I had family that were involved in the yard I probably would be doing it, but my kids do other things.

I’m not happy with just seven meetings a year because I run it as a business basically.

I know it’s an amateur sport, but it is a business and I don’t enjoy taking five horses in a race, then four horses in the next race, you’re competing against yourself for a start and also the staff you need to do that! You need nine staff and then people in the yard at home as well.

Whereas that never used to happen, it’s

With Paul Hanangan and Richard Lancaster on Dubai Day

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SHADWELL

SUPER The race for the title went right to the wire and ended with a draw between long time leader Alex Cairns and late closer Matt Johnson.

Whilst Matt is no stranger to Arabian racing having won the ARO Novice Jockeys Championship and ridden a number of points scorers this year, Alex is a newcomer. An Irishman based in France, Alex is an avid follower of Thoroughbred racing and has his own blog site The Winning Post. Having been coerced into entering the competition, using only a list of registered horses and the www.arabianraceform website, Alex has shown that Arabian racing is not impenetrable to a novice and he has enjoyed following the season via the race video uploads on the ARO You Tube page and the reviews in this magazine. He also contributed photographs of the AFAC Coupe De Europe at Longchamp and the Qatar Derby at Chantilly.

The full list of teams and their results will be published in the next edition.

Marion Lachat of Shadwell presents Alex Cairns with his prizes on Arabian World Cup day at Longchamp

Alex Cairns:

152

Bon Baiser De Faust Salaama Al Hibaab Kamikaze Shuwaiman Al Kebir Whisper Zayin Zachilles

38 5 15 23 13 30 28

Matt Johnson:

152

Bon Baiser De Faust Ashraaf Djainka Des Forges Kermit The Frog Suhaim Callymay Zayin Zachilles

38 25 12 21 * 28 28

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HUNTINGDON 20-9-2015

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stakes 3yo+ PA 1m2f Good, Good to Firm 1.TAWAAZUN (FR) 6 ch m Monsieur Al Maury (FR) - Magie De Faust (FR) T: Mrs G Duffield

Shadwell Maiden Stakes 3+ PA 1m2f Good, Good to Firm

O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum B: Shadwell France J: Mr P Collington

1. ZAWAH(GB) 3 gr f Amer (SA) Djainka Des Forges (FR)

2. VETLANA DE FAUST (FR) 6 ch m Al Saoudi (FR) - Svetlana (FR)

T: Jassim Ghazali

3. AZIZI (FR) 7 b h Monsieur Al Maury (FR) - Ziva (FR)

O: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani B: Al Shahania Stud

Dist: 2.25, 5

J: Mr M Johnson

2. MITH'HAF ATHBAH (FR) 3 gr c Amer (SA) - Karouj (GB)

Another winner for

3. EMIRAATY (FR) 4 gr g Al Saoudi (FR) - Horkidee(FR) Dist: 6, 1.25

DIAR Silver Final 4+ PA (0-80) 1m2f Good, Good to Firm

DIAR Bronze Final 4+ PA (0-80) 1m2f Good, Good to Firm 1. ULTMIATE FORCE (FR) 7 ch g Tornado De Syrah (FR) - SA Floris (FR)

1. SYRAH GRIS (GB) 9 gr g Khoutoubia (FR) (FR) - Akara De Syrah (FR) T: Adam Newey

T: P.J.Hammersley

O: The ALmost All Pertnership

O: Miss H Phillpott

B: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

B: Miss H Phillpott

J: Mr P Collington

J: Mr S Harrison

2. KERMIT THE FROG (FR) 7 b g Kerbella (FR) - Go With The Flo (GB)

2. CALLYMAY (GB) 5 b m Dahess (GB) RAADA (FR) 3. CROWN OF SALONA (GB) 7 ch g Khoutoubia (FR) - Salona (US) Dist: 15, hd

3. UNITY BELLE (FR) 7 ch m Kerbella (FR) - Escada (SA) Dist: 2.25, 2.25

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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DIAR Gold Final 4+ PA (0-80) 1m2f Good, Good to Firm

LINGFIELD

1. MAAZIN (GB) 5 ch g Begali D'Albret (FR) - Sophie Du Loup (FR)

Wathba Stud Farm Cup Premier Handicap Stakes 4yo+ PA (0-90) 1m AW

21-9-2015

T: Mrs G Duffield O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum B: Shadwell Estate Co Ltd. J: Mr P Collington

2. MAGHAZI (GB) 9 gr g Chndaka (FR) - Nirva De Cardonne (FR) 3. TOKHIL (RU) 4 ch c Princ (RU) Dubrovka (RU) Dist: 2,1

1. JABAL ALY GB) 5 ch g Fadjik (FR) Qosheeya (GB) T: Mrs G Duffield O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum B: Shadwell Estate Co Ltd. J: Mr P Collington

2. KAO KAT MHF (US) 6 ch h Kaolino (FR) - Here Kitty Kitty (US)

Another winner for

3. ALTELLO (FR) 4 b c Kerbella (FR) Altamar Nedji (FR) Dist: nk, 2.25

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Handicap Stakes 4+ PA (0-40) 7f Good, Good to Firm

Another winner for

1. ROCHE DU CAYROU (FR) 17 ch g Newday (FR) - Kahinaoura (FR) T: Mrs D Thomas O: Mrs D Thomas The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat

B: M. J-M Baldy & M. C. Vallee

Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture

J: Mr G Blackwell (5)

2. SAMAURING ZAYIN (GB) 10 b m The Wiking (US) - Jumah (GB)

Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports

3. JUST THE TICKET (GB) 5 b c Jiyush (FR) - On The Wing (GB)

Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates

Dist: sthd, 0.5

Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National

airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism

Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves SuitesAbu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels and Racing Post.

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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NEWMARKET 25-9-2015 Shadwell Arabain Derby Group 1 PA 4yo 1m2f Good, Good to Soft

Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Pouliches Group 1 PA 3yo 2000m Good 1. MABROOKA (FR) 3 ch f Mahaab (FR) - Shamayl (FR)

1. MAHESS DU SOLEIL (GB) 4 gr h Dahess (GB) - Dormah Du Brugere (FR)

T: D. Guillemin

T: Thomas Fourcy (FR)

B: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed

O: Mrs L Deymonaz

J: Theirry Jarnet

B: J & J Kippen J: Richard Mullen

2. WOROOD (FR) 3 ch f Akbar (FR) Starmania (FR)

2. BACHAIR QARDABIYAH (FR) 4 ch f Dormane (FR) - Turkia (TN)

3. NAZIQ (FR) 3 gr f Mahaab (FR) Aleefa (FR)

3. BON BAISER DE FAUST (FR) 4 b h Madjani (FR) - Orphe Du Clos (FR)

Dist: 1.75, 6

Dist: 4.5, sthd

O: HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed

LONGCHAMP, FRANCE 03-10-2015 Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments Group 1 PA 4yo 2000m Good

SAINT-CLOUD, FRANCE 02-10-2015 Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Poulains Group 1 PA 3yo 2000m Good

1. SYLVINE AL MAURY (FR) 4 b f Munjiz (FR) - Savavit Al Maury (FR) T: Suc. JF Bernard O: Royal Cavalry of Oman

1. MURAAQIB (FR) 3 ch c Munjiz (FR) Tashreefat (FR)

B: Mlle. Renee Koch

T: F. Rohaut

2. GIDWA(GB) 4 gr f Amer (AE) Djamour Des Forges (FR)

O: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum B: Shadwell France

J: Jean-Bernard Eyquem

3. BINT JAKARTA (QA) 4 gr fAF Albahar (AE) - Bonnet (US)

J: Francois-Xavier Bertras

2. RB BURN (US) 3 gr c Majd Al Arab (GB) - Burnie Gee PW (US)

Dist: 2.5, 1

3. ALSAKER (FR) 3 gr c AF Albahar (AE) - Jakarta (FR) Dist: nk, 6 THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

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LONGCHAMP, FRANCE 04-10-2015 Qatar Total Arabian World Cup Group 1 PA 4yo+ 2000m Good 1. AL MOURTAJEZ (FR) 5 gr h Dahess (GB) - Arwa (FR) T: Thomas Fourcy O: Royal Cavalry of Oman B: H. Mousli, Mlle N. Mousli, F. Al Elweet J: Julien Auge

2. GAZWAN (GB) 4 gr c Amer (AE) - Arc De Ciel (FR) 3. SIR BANI YAS (FR) 5 gr h Amer (AE) Nassem El Baher (AE) Dist: 5, 0.5

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE Issue 10- online - November

ABU DHABI SPECIAL Results and pictures from the World's Richest Arabian Horse Race, the Jewel Crown Plus the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies and Apprentice World Championship Series Finals Conference Review

THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE

One World, 6 Continents

Nov. 8, 2015

Sustained By

Coordinated By

in Cooperation with

Of�icial Partner

Of�icial Carrier

Sponsored By

Please Note…

-No nomination, entry fee or declaration fees to pay.

-International transport charges will be met by HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Festival Committee.

Owners ,Trainers and Jockeys expenses will also be met by HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Festival Committee.

Further details : Lara Sawaya : larawathba@hotmail.com Pat Buckley : adrc@eim.ae Nominations forms : hilary.youdale@emiratesracing.com