the arabian racehorse issue 15

T H E A R A B I A N

R A C E H O R S E

Issue No.15 June 2016

French Arabian Derby - ChantillyWAHRC - Rome 2016

T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S E

T H E A R A B I A N

R A C E H O R S E3 News

No Risk Al Maury; DIAR Entries; DIAR Holland; HARC UK Report;Qatar International Entries; ERA Calendar;

14 World Arabian Horse Racing Conference - Rome 2016Conference overview

27 Emirates DayAll the Purebred Arabian races from Capanelle

32 Festival FocusInterviews with Dr Andrew Dalgish, Enrico Querci and Richie Mullen

45 Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang ArabesAlsaker in thrilling photo finish to French Group1 PA

50 Taunton TrebleReport and pictures from the West Country ARO fixture

57 Royal Cavalry of Oman Premier HandicapReport from Doncaster

58 HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival at HerefordReport and pictures from the second of four ARO meetings

63 Royal Cavalry of Oman HandicapReport from Bath

65 2016 HH Sheikha Fatima SeriesReports from Stockholm and Duindigt

69 Sheikh Zayed CupReports from Duindigt

73 Shadwell Super 7 2016

74 Awesome Achievement - Lynn Ashby Interview

83 Results

89 The Arabian Racehorse BTO Awards

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

[email protected] 44 7782 349 047www.equinecreativemedia.comExcluding News reports, unless otherwise stated, all features, reportsand photographs are by Debbie Burt (copyright) - photographs may be viewed andpurchased at www.equinecreativemedia.smugmug.com

2

I s s u e 1 5 - J u n e 2 0 1 6


N EW S

FIRST EUROPEAN WINNERFOR NO RISK AL MAURY

Shadwell Arabian Stallionss firstseason sire No Risk Al Maury sired hisfirst winner from his first runner inEurope on 31 st May at Toulouse,France.

Three year old filly Aicha De Monlauwon the Prix Fedora, 1600m race, onher debut. Aicha De Monlau runs in thecolours of her owner and breeder MrsBourdette. She is trained by MrsBernard and was ridden on the day byOlivier Peslier.

No Risk Al Maury had already twowinners in Morocco, Gascogne andRisk De Riolat, 3yo colts, for theirowner Mr Karimine.

Shadwell Studs director RichardLancaster commented: We aredelighted that No Risk Al Maury hasproduced such a convincing debutwinner and would like to congratulateAicha De Monlausowner/breeder Mme Bourdette. Wecould not have asked for a better startto No Risks stallion career.

No Risk Al Maury was the leadingArabian racehorse in Europe and theMiddle East with a rating of 128 in2011. Trained by Gill Duffield, he won17 races in Europe and UAE including6 Gr. 1 races, from 4 to 9, and was thefirst horse to win at MeydanRacecourse.

Born in France in 2002, by Kesberoyand out of Nectarine Al Maury, No RiskAl Maury is the full-brother of the

Group winners Nouba Al Maury (HattaInternational Stakes, Gr.1), NevadourAl Maury (Coupe dEurope desChevaux Arabes, Gr.1) and Nacree AlMaury (Prix Damas, Gr.3). His seconddam is Nevadour, a remarkablebroodmare whose descendants areamongst the elite of Arabianracehorses and sires such as Dahess,Bibi De Carrere, Kaolino, Kandar DuFalgas, Nivour De Cardonne, Rubis DeCarrere, Nez Dor, Noreen, Sivit AlMaury, Sylvine Al Maury.

No Risk Al Maury stands at Haras deSaint Faust (France) and is available fornatural cover and artificialinsemination with frozen semen. Formore information about the DubaiInternational Arabian Races pleasevisit: www.diaraces.com

3

Shadwell Arabians

No Risk Al Maury (FR)


4

EXCITING INTERNATIONALENTRIES FOR DIAR - ARABIANRACINGS FLAGSHIP EVENTThe Arabian Racing Organisationannounced an exciting list of possiblerunners for the five internationalcontests on the Dubai InternationalArabian Races (DIAR) card when thefirst entry stage passed at noonyesterday. DIAR promotes PurebredArabian racing worldwide from thegrass-roots to the highest level, withthe flagship event organised under thegenerous patronage of HH SheikhHamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.Thanks to His Highnesss passion andenthusiasm for the Arabian racehorse,the meeting has gone from strength tostrength since its inception over 30years ago and this year will be run on24 July at Newbury racecourse. Alwayslooking to the future and the

promotion of the sport, the DIAR

committee has boosted the prize fundfor the three Group 1 PA contests by20,000 for 2016. In addition, a travelallowance has been granted toencourage greater participation fromoverseas runners.

The DIAR committee have also addeda series of preparatory races to theDIAR calendar, which now includeraces in Italy, France, Holland andSweden, bringing the entire 2016DIAR programme to 24 races,including 10 at Group or Listed level.

t Racing Colours t Body Protectors tPaddock Sheets t Racing Equipment t 10% discount off Safety Wear (code SAFETY16)

t 5% discount off Racing Silks (code SILKS16)

Treehousesporting colours

www.treehouseonline.co.ukTel: 01299 851 625

Racing Colours Racing Equipment Paddock Sheets 10% Discount off Safety Wear, Body Protectors & Helmets (code ARO16)

10% discount off Racing Silks (code Newowner16)


This supports a bonus scheme,inaugurated last year, so that any horsewhich finishes in the first three of thedesignated warm-up races, that thengoes on to win one of the bonus raceson 24 July, will receive additional prizemoney.

One entry to catch the eye is The RoyalCavalry of Omans Al Mouhannad. Thepopular Christian Baillet trained mareis bidding for a record fourthconsecutive win in the Jebel AliRacecourse Zaabeel InternationalStakes (Gr1PA). The Royal Cavalrysother leading filly is Sylvine Al Maury,entered in the Dubai Duty Free HattaInternational Stakes (Gr1PA). Sherounded off an excellent 2015

campaign, which included four Group3 successes, with a win in the QatarTotal Arabian Trophy des Juments(Gr1PA) at Longchamp. She is the jointtop rated Arabian mare in the 2015International Classifications and istrained by Madame Bernard.

Other international highlights amongstthe eighty five entries yesterday isGazwan, for Julian Smart and HHSheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa AlThani, winner of the Shadwell DubaiInternational Stakes (Gr1PA) lastseason. He may face Al Mouwaffak,trained by Thomas Fourcy for AlShaqab, the worlds second top ratedPurebred Arabian of 2015.

5

Major General Al Shahwarzi leads in Thomas Henderson and Al Mouhannad(FR) after her record equalling third win in the 2015 Jebel Ali Za'abeel

International Stakes Gr1PA


6

Four of the 14 overseas entries for theEmirates Equestrian FederationInternational Stakes (Gr2PA) are fromAlban de Mieulle, who trains for HHSheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani.They include Yazeed, the first foal of AlDahma, who he trained to winnumerous Group 1s including theShadwell Dubai International in 2009.

ARO Racing Manager Amanda Smithcommented. Thanks to the continuedsupport of HH Sheikh Hamdan binRashid Al Maktoum and the DIARcommittee, we are once again lookingforward to a truly international racedayat Newbury. More than half of theearly closing entries are from overseas,including seven individual Group 1winners.

In particular we are delighted towelcome entries from Italy, who onlyrecently joined the InternationalFederation of Arabian Horse RacingAuthorities (IFAHR). Urge Di Gallurawon the first ever Listed PA contest tobe run in Italy (sponsored DIAR earlierthis year) and is now eligible for abonus, should he win on 24 July.

She continued Supplementary entriesfor the international races and thehandicaps confined to UK runners allclose on Wednesday 13 July.

For more information about the DubaiInternational Arabian Races pleasevisit: www.diaraces.com


7

www.facebook.com/DIARaces twitter.com/DIA_Races For more information:www.diaraces.com

Get set for a summer of Arabian racing8th May Rome Capannelle, Italy9th June Newbury, UK10th June Chepstow, UK11th June Toulouse, France12th June Duindigt, Holland

23rd June Newbury, UK4th July Stockholm, Sweden7th July Newbury, UK12th July La Teste, France24th July Dubai Day, Newbury, UK

NEW

5 Countries24 races, including10Group andListed racesFor more information on BONUS schemes, travel allowances and more visit www.diaraces.com

2016Dubai International Arabian Races

CC2997 DIAR Dates for 2016 (EBN pg) v3_CC0 SHAD Deauv ETA.qxd 28/04/2016 15:06 Page 1


8

Majeed (QA), winner of the Shadwell Arabian Stallion Staked (LRPA)

DIAR SUCCESSFUL RETURN TOHOLLANDThe Dubai International Arabian Races(DIAR) run under the patronage of HHSheikh Hamdan bin Rashid AlMaktoum, returned for a second yearto support 4 Arabian races at DuindigtRacecourse (Holland) on Sunday 12 thJune. The races were organised by andrun in association with the DutchArabian Racing Committee (DARC).

The races included 2 Listed contestsand a much needed sprint race whichattracted runners from across Europeincluding Belgium, France and the UK.The meeting also attracted top jockeysfor Arabian horses, headlined byRichie Mullen and Tadhg OShea whorode HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid AlMaktoums only runner Zaahy to 4 thplace in the DIAR 2016 Sprint Stakes.

The first race on the card the DIAR2016 Sprint Stakes over 1300m was

won by Sheimah Qardabiyah by animpressive margin. Trainer KimAugenbroe commented after the race:We were really pleased to have thisrace supported by DIAR as it is verydifficult to find suitable sprint races forArabian horses these days. The filly willhead to the Jebel Ali RacecourseZaabeel International Stakes (Gr.1 PA)at Newbury and we hope we might beable to bring another horse.

The No Risk Al Maury Stakes (1800m)was won by Fajr Qardabiyah, trainedby Karin van den Bos who trainedSamima to win at this meeting in 2015.The 4 year old by Dormane was riddenby Richard Mullen to a convincing 4length victory over the field of 9 withPetruschka and Shivan OA taking upthe rest of the major placings.

The first of the 2 Listed events was theShadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes(Listed PA). Won by the smart globe-trotter Majeed for HH Sheikh Abdullah


9

Djelamer (nearest) gets the better of Lightning Bolt in a photo

bin Khalifa Al Thani and trained by M.De Mieulle; Karin van den Bos backedup her win earlier in the afternoon byalso saddling the second and thirdhorses home: Athlete Del Sol andAlibaba Del Sol.

The second and final Listed contest ofthe day was the Dubai InternationalArabian Races Stakes run over 1800m.This race carried the biggest prize potof the day of 26,500 and providedthe closes and most exciting finish ofthe day. After deliberation from thestewards Djelamer was awarded therace on the strength of a photo finish,giving trainer A De Mieulle and jockeyGaetan Faucon a double on the dayand justifying the journey from France!Unfortunately, it meant that Karin vanden Bos narrowly missed out on hersecond win of the day as Lightning Bolthad to settle for second and RAYA Cmade up the first trio home.

In total the DIAR supported racesattracted 32 declared runnerscompeting for a total of 68,500 inprize money. The day was also

supported by a delegation from theUAE Embassy in The Hague lead bySecond Secretary Ms MariamAlshamsi. Their guests includedAmbassadors to The Netherlands fromIndia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt amongothers.

Also in attendance wererepresentatives from the Al MaktoumFoundation in Rotterdam lead byManaging Director Jacob van derBlom the Al Maktoum Foundation isthe charitable trust of HH SheikhHamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum andworks on cultural and educationalprojects in the region.Full results for the DIAR races can befound at: www.ndr.nl/?p=uitslagen(click on 12-06- 16 Duindigt) withreplays of all races available on YouTube via the DIAR Twitter feed:@DIA_Races.

For more information about the DubaiInternational Arabian Races pleasevisit: www.diaraces.com

Photos: Zeelen & Damhof Photography


10

HERITAGE ARABIAN RACINGCLUB HORSES UK HALF TERMREPORT

With four full fixtures completed inthe UK Arabian racing season sofar, HARC approved horses havemade small but significant stridesto establish a foothold in theArabian Racing Organisation (ARO)Calendar. As the season hasprogressed, more horses havebeen registered, bringing thecurrent total up to 18, with 15having run in at least one race.Whilst they have yet to record awin, six individual horses havebeen placed second, of which twohave also been placed third.

Unsurprisingly one of those waslast years HARC Championracehorse and leading overall AROPurebred Arabian mare, Whisper

(GB). A daughter of The Wiking(US) out of Sucha(GB) by Charmer(GB), she has made the frame inboth her starts for long-time AROowner Linda Cross. On her lateststart she formed part of aremarkable training feat by hertrainer, Adam Newey, who saddledthe first four home in the RoyalCavalry of Oman (0-65) Handicapat Bath earlier this month. Thatwas to be her swan song however,and she will now be retired to thebreeding paddocks.

ARO Champion PA Mare and HARC Champion for 2015 Whisper (GB)


11

LB Farrah wearing her HARC sash after finishing second at Taunton in May

The other top HARC scorer who hasthe benefit of the rest of theseason ahead of him is TracyShawyers five year old gelding,Winscott Red Eagle (GB). Ahandsome son of Eaglescliff (GB)out of Fantasia Spring (GB) byImman (GB), he was only beaten alength into second on his lateststart at Hereford and seems to beprogressing well, in only his secondseason to race.

ARO operates a bonus scheme forHARC approved horses, with thepremiums increased from lastseason. HARC money is allocatedto every domestic race,irrespective of the race sponsor orprize money.ARO Director Genny Haynesconcluded: Since the scheme

began last year, we have seen thenumbers of HARC approved horsesregistered with ARO double. Weare incredibly grateful to HHSheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyanand the HARC committee for thisnew initiative, which we have beenable to integrate with our existinggrass roots programme. It hasboosted the opportunities for thesmall owner of traditionally bredArabians, which is encouragingthem back to the sport in the UK.

For further information on theHARC scheme in the UK, pleasecontact the ARO office on 01635524445, whilst more detailsregarding HARC worldwide may befound on their comprehensive newwebsite: www.harchorses.com


12

The World's Highest Rated Arabian Racehorse of 2015 - Al Mourtajez (FR)

HIGH CLASS ENTRIES FORQATAR INTERNATIONALSTAKES, THE FIRST LEG OFDOHA TRIPLE CROWNA high class list of entries was releasedby the Arabian Racing Organisation(ARO) this afternoon for the first leg ofthe Doha Triple Crown, the QatarInternational Stakes (Gr1PA), to be runas part of the Qatar GoodwoodFestival. They are headed by AlMourtajez, the highest rated Arabianracehorse in the world last year,winner of the Qatar Arabian WorldCup (Gr1PA) and Gazwan, who beathim in the HH Emirs Sword (Gr1PA).Also among the entries are last yearswinner Sir Bani Yas and runner-upPrada T.

The Doha Triple Crown was initiatedlast year. The remaining two races arethe Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA),

to be run at Chantilly in October andthe HH Emirs Sword (Gr1PA) to be runin Doha in February 2017. This serieslinks together three of the mostprestigious international events andalso carries a $1,000,000 bonus to anyhorse who can win all three stages.

The overall prize fund for the QatarInternational Stakes is 400,000, andwith 200,000 to the winner, the onemile contest has attracted 26 entries,of which more than two thirds arerated over 100. The race, which willbe run on Saturday 30 July, has asupplementary entry stage onWednesday 20 July and a finaldeclaration stage on Wednesday 27July.


13

The Arabian Racing Organisation(ARO) Racing Manager Amanda Smithsaid. The quality of entries hasexceeded expectations. With thewinners of each leg of the inauguralDoha Triple Crown entered, the QatarInternational at Goodwood promisesto be a mouth-watering contest ofPurebred Arabian champions.

She continued. It is an honour forARO to stage the first leg of such ahigh-profile initiative for internationalArabian racing. The addition of thisrace at such a prestigious event in theUK racing calendar is a huge boost tothe sport, both domestically andworldwide.

Jean-Bernard Eyquem celebrates winning the 2015 Qatar Intnernational Stakes(Gr1PA) on Sir Bani Yas (FR) from Prada T (NL) and Mister Ginoux (FR)


ERA 2016-17 FIXTURELIST APPROVED

The fixture list for the 2016-17UAEracing season has been approvedby His Highness Sheikh Mansoorbin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy PrimeMinister of the UAE, Minister ofPresidential Affairs and Chairmanof the Emirates Racing Authority(ERA).

A total of 62 race meetings, heldacross five race tracks in the UAE,will be staged in what promises tobe a highly competitive andexciting 2016-17 racing season.

Commenting on the new calendarHis Highness Sheikh Mansoor binZayed Al Nahyan said: We arepleased to release the fixtures forthe 2016-17 UAE racing season.The schedule offers trainers andracegoers a comprehensive seasonacross our five tracks.

We offer racing for domestic andinternational horses in both theThoroughbred and PurebredArabian ranks and look forward tothe start of another successfulseason of racing in the UAE onFriday, October 28. Spectators andracing aficionados will be treated toyet another renewal of a top qualityflat racing season where the besthorses, jockeys, owners andtrainers will be contesting forsuccess in the meetings held at thecountrys best racecourses.

The ERA season opens at Jebel AliRacecourse on Friday October 28,2016.

www.emiratesracing.com

14

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) runs a programmeof full Arabian racedays supported by single Arabian raceson Thoroughbred fixtures from April to September.

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

A WORLD LEADER IN PUREBREDARABIAN RACING

THE ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION LTD

CONTACT ARO LTD FOR MORE DETAILS' T H E S O L E A U T H O R I T Y F O R A R A B I A N R A C I N G I N T H E U K '+ 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 6 3 5 5 2 4 4 4 5 i n f o @ a r o r a c i n g . c o . u k w w w . a r o r a c i n g . c o . u k


16

ROME - 2016World Arabian Horse Racing Conference

26 May10.am World Arabian Horse RacingConference at The Rome CavalieriWaldorf Astoria Hotels & Resort-Welcoming Speech of HE Saqr AlraisiUAE Ambassador to Italy-Welcoming Speech of HE Sami AlBoueinen Chairman of IFAHR-Welcoming Speech of StefaniaMastromarino Ministry of Agriculture-Welcoming Speech of Ex Director ofCapanelle Danilo Di Caprio-Welcoming Speech of Anica PresidentFrancesco Samtoro-Welcoming Speech of National Feedand Flour Production and MarketingMiss Khulud Al Nuaimi

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed AlNahyan Global Arabian Horse FlatRacing Festivals 7th World Arabian

Horse Racing Conference (WAHRC)got off to great start in Rome, Italy withHE Saqr Ahmed Al Raisi, the UAEAmbassador to Italy welcoming over500 delegates from nearly a 100countries for the three-day annualevent.

We have to hail the support of theleadership of the UAE who have ledfrom the front in helping the heritagesport of the country grow and with thisArabian racing has gainedtremendously, HE Al Saqr said.

Arabian horse racing is nowcompeting with all major sport and wehope this conference adds to thegrowth and progress all over theglobe, he added.


17

IFAHR chief Sami Al Bouenien said theWAHRC is getting bigger and biggerwith more experts bring present toshare their views and expertise.IFAHR and its member countries havegained immensely in the process andthese events are all big steps forwardfor Arabian racing, he said.

Dr. Abdulla Elreyes (below), Director-General of the UAE National Archives,Ministry of Presidential Affairs hailedthe far-sighted approach of HH SheikhMansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAEDeputy Prime Minister and Minister ofPresidential Affairs in implementingthe Festival. HH Sheikh Mansooralways has a plan in place and thenworks on the strategy to execute it.Today the WAHRC has reached a 7thstar, he remarked.

Mubarak Al Nuaimi of TCA Abu Dhabireminded the large audience that theFestival had promoted Abu Dhabi andthe heritage sport of the UAE and said,TCA Abu Dhabi is proud to bepartnership such a great event whichhas a global reach.

Stefania Mastromarino, representingthe Italian Ministry of Agriculture said,We are thankful for the trust reposedin us though we became an IFAHRmember only last year. This eventbeing held here is great for ItalysArabian racing and we hope to buildon it. This is a strategic partnershipwith the Festival aimed at the future.

Danilo Di Caprio representing theCapenelli racecourse promised a greatand exciting race day on Sunday whenthree of the Festivals races will be runfor Purebred Arabian horses.We have over 1200 breeders andbloodstock of 21,000 in Italy, saidFrancesco Samtoro, Head of ItalysArabian Racing for over 20 years.Since 1990 we have seen the sport ofArabian racing progressing well as westarted breeding for racing and wehope to soon catch up with the rest ofthe world, he said.

The National Feed and FlourProduction and Marketing companysrepresentative Miss Khulud Al Nuaimihighlighted the role of Her HighnessSheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak,Chairwoman of the General Women'sUnion, Supreme President of theFamily Development Foundation (FDF)and Head of the Supreme Council forMotherhood and Childhood for thesuccess of the Festival while KhalidHussein of the General Authority ofYouth & Sports Welfare incomplementing the effort of HHSheikh Mansoor and improving thecause of women in the region and allover the world.


18

10.30 am - 12 pm Breeding Session

Moderator : Derek Thompson( UK)- Stefano Daneri (Italy)- Catherine Dunnett (UK)- Dr Andrew Dagliesh(UAE)- Ilka Gansera-Leveque (UK)- Kathy Smoke (US)- Analisa Landuci (Italy)- Csaba Pribenszky (Hungary)- Ezzeldine Sedrati (Morocco)

Dr Andrew Dagliesh explained thedifficulties of managing frozen versusfresh semen, with the obvious benefitsof the life time of fresh (48 hours)versus frozen (6 hours). He welcomedany proven technique that couldimprove fertility in general.

Continuing he reminded the audiencethat not all stallions were equal in the

management of frozen semen, rangingfrom good quality results, to thosewhose semen was not viable oncefrozen. However Artificial Inseminationwas key to providing the widestchoice of Arabian stallions around theworld.

Kathy Smoke was keen to championthe stud careers of unraced mares, orthose with limited racing. She citedItaly's famous horse breeder of thetwenieth century, Frederico Tesio, whofelt that Group 1 winning mares hadleft all their nervous energy at thetrack, leaving nothing left to pass on totheir progeny.


19

2pm - 3.30 pm Racing and Training

Moderator: Faysal Alrahmani- Mussabeh Almuhairi (UAE)- Pat Buckley ( Ireland/ UAE)- Craig Allen (Australia)- Thomas Fourcy (FR)- Mohamed Al Hashimi (Oman)- Marco Oppo (Italy)- Mark Powell (US)- Yasser Mabrouk (Sudan/ UAE)

The panel considered various topicsincluding how to train a horse thattravels internationally. Some trainerswill take their own water, others arehappy to use what is provided locally.Though the majority will always shiptheir own feedstuffs.

Mark Powell maintained that he likedwhere possible to keep his horses tothe same schedule, though othercosniderations such as not being ableto use lasix in countries outside the USwas a challenge.

The best age at which to start trainingwas then discussed. Starting from thefirst moment a horse must be handledcorrectly in order to familiarise thehorse with people. As for when realtraining to race starts, around two anda half years was felt an optimum time,thiough racing three year olds is stillnot universally approved of and manyhorses are neither physically ormentally ready at that age anyway.

How to recognise a champion was apopular topic, Thomas Fourcy said thatwhilst good conformation and pedigreeis a great guide to potential, it is onlyas a horse gets stronger and respondsto training that talent becomesapparent.

However the most difficult aspect isthat a horse wins with his mind and notjust with his legs, so for the trianer thebalance between pushing the horsephysically without breaking his mind isso important.


3.45 pm - 5.15 pm Weight LossControl

Moderator: Gary Capewell- George Wilson (UK)- Daniel Martin (UK)- Dr Philip Pritchard (UK)- Linda Meech (Australia)- Xavier Ziani- Christopher Watson (Australia)- Kai Schirmann (Germany)- Dr Jamal Hout (Canada)

Dr George Wilson said that whilstadvisors such as his team from JohnMoores Liverpool University couldmake significant differences in how ajockey is able to make weight usingtheir techiniques and eating plan, theycoudl not hold their hands for ever. Itwas therefore up to the individul totake responsiblity for themselves as an

athlete and find a regime that they cansustain and enjoy, which will cater tothe demands of the sport. He chose todismiss the word diet and insteadencouraged jockeys to see the regimeas a lifestyle choice.

Moderator Gary Capewell agreed thatone of the big issues was changing thementality of the weighing room andgetting jockeys to understand that bymaking the right choices, combinedwith the right type of exercise, jockeyswould be able to not only eat more andstay hydrated, but that they could alsomaintain and even lose weight as well.

Dr Philip Pritchard agreed that jockeysmust consider themselves to beprofessional athletes, and that theyneed to understand that even smallchanges can produce big results.


May 2710.30 am - 12 pm Media, PR &Communication

Moderator: Philip Brenan(UK)- John Cobb (UK)- Jean Claude Allies (FR)- Debbie Burt (UK)- Stefanie Corum (US)- Yakoobi Al Saadi (UAE)- Derek Thompson (UK)- Mondher Zoueiten (Tunisia)- Satya Narayan (India)

The importance of acknowledging theinput of sponsors, in particular, withreference to the IFHRA Mentorshipprogramme was raised.

The jockey schools must ensure thatthe jockeys they have put forward,understand that their activites are alsodesigned to raise awareness, in thiscase that of the HH Sheikh MansoorFestival and its support of globalArabian racing. It is not just about

broadening the experience of theindividual.

Digital publishing was discussed, withthe main advantage being the speed atwhich information can be transmittedworldwide, which is impossible to dowith print media. The fact that it can bevery effectively measured in terms ofreach and engagement was also givenas a huge plus over traditional printformats.

All the panelists were keen to remindthe audience and each countriesregulatory bodies that they relied onthem for accurate information, whetherit be statistics or human intereststories.

YAS TV was praised for its coverage ofArabian racing and briging it to a wideraiudience, when still a very new tvchannel.

20


22

2 pm - 3.30 pm Women in Racing

Moderator : Pamela Burton- HE Lulwa Alawadhi (Bahrain)- Muneera Al Marzuki (UAE)- Elizabeth Zindel ( Switzerland)- Laura King (UK)- Michelle Morgan (US)- Renee Koch (FR)- Victoria Shaw (Australia)- Lara Sawaya (UAE)

Moderator Pamela Burton said that allthe panelist had in their variousspheres been great role models forwomen around the world, as well as inthe individuals' own countries.

Lara Sawaya credited HH SheikhaFatima bint Mubarak as her inspirationand an inspiration to everyone. Shesaid ."One of her strengths is that sheconsiders even the smallest details,right down to learning about all thelady and apprentice jockeys who ridein the races under her name."

Australian race caller, Victoria Shaw

gave great credit to Lara Sawaya andthe HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival forboosting her career. Since becominginvolved she has progressed fromcalling at small meetings in theAustralian bush, to being invited to callher first Group 1 contest later thisyear, which she could not conceivehappening had it not been for therecognition that the Festival had givenher.

Both she and Laura King agreed thatthere were many challenges facingwomen racing broadcasters.

Michelle Morgan talked about howladies days at racecourses can be away of encouraging more women intothe sport. She also encouraged theformation of small owership syndicateswhich may lead to full outrightownership in due course, as womencan get to experience the thrill,without such huge investment risk.


3.45 pm - 5.15 pm Rules, Conditions& Regulations

Moderator : Pat Buckley (IRL)- Graham Walcroft UK)- Ahmad Saeed Almarzouki (UAE)- Dr Salah Al Jneibi (UAE)- Hicham Debbagh (Morocco)- Pam Cordrey (Scandinavia)- Dr Paul Gadot (FR)- Neil Abraham (Canada)- Michelle Youngdale (US)

Always a lively session, the selection ofStewards and their trainingrequirements was discussed.

Graham Walcroft said that in England,now that the rules had become morecomplex, the time taken to trainofficials had considerably increased andtherefore it has also become moreprofessional.

He confirmed that in Arabian racing inthe UK, the Arabian RacingOrganisation Stewards are required toattend the seminars run by the BritishHorseracing Authoity before they are

able to steward any races.

He explained that whilst ARO is thesole authority for Arabian racing in theUK, they operate with the permissionof the BHA and abide by their rules.

Pam Cordrey agreed that it was moreor les the same situation inScandanavia, whereby the Arabiansfollowed the same rules as theThoroughbreds.

Neil Abrahams said that the closer wecan harmonise the way we steward, thebetter it is for the horseman when itcomes to global racing. So if we wantto promote international racing at thehigher level, we need to make it easierfor the horsemen to get on a plane, goto a new jurisdiction and not becompletely confused by a lot ofdifferent rules and definitions.

The disparity between hanidcapping indifferent countries continues to be acontentious issue.

23


24

May 2810.30 am to 12 pm Future of ArabianRacing

Moderator : Derek Thompson (UK)- Dr Abdulla Rayess (UAE)- Mubarak Al Nuaimi (UAE)- Edward Hamod (US)- Boutros Boutros (FR)- Keith Brackpole (US)- Hamad Alahbabi (UAE)- Ed Murphy (US)- Lara Sawaya (UAE)

Lara Sawaya said that the future ofArabian racing is within everyone of us- all of us together, loveing the Arabianhorse. She said that the Festival valuedits relationship with its sponsors whohave helped it grow form smallbeginnings. At the start there were forraces, today there are 106.

Keith Brackpole felt that Arabian racinghad a huge advantage over

Thoroughbred racing in that when itdoes find an equine star, it does notimmediatley become so valuable as tonecessitate its swift departure to stud.Arabians continue to compete atthehighest level for al ot longer, whichis of great benefit to growing itsfollowing.

He also felt that there was a mutuallybeneficial working relationshipbetween Santa Anita and the Festivalwhich has a great future.

Edward Hamod, representing NationalFeed and Flour, the main sponsors ofthe WAHRC addresed the conferencesayin. We are supporting theFestivals activities as we see a hugepotential and growth of the sportthrough it.


12.15 pm - 1.45 pm ConferenceWorkshopModerators Derek Thompson/ LaraSawaya

Following the discussion during theMedia session earlier in the conferencewhen the problems with the IFAHRwebsite had been raised and IFAHRVice Chairwoman Genny Haynes hadpledged it's revision, furtherdevelopements arose as part of thefinal workshop session. Lara Sawayaannounced that a unified globaldatabase of information for PurebredArabian racing was to be establishedunder the umbrella of the Festival bythe end of the year.

Under instructions from HH SheikhMansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, DeputyPrime Minister of the UAE and Ministerof Presidential Affairs, the Festival willset up a data base of all aspects ofPurebred Arabian horses racing thatwill help promote the sport,announced Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive

Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor BinZayed Al Nahyan Global ArabianHorse Flat Racing Festival, Chairpersonof Int'l Federation of Horse RacingAcademies (IFHRA) and Chairpersonof Ladies & Apprentice RacingCommittees in the InternationalFederation of Arabian Horse RacingAuthorities (IFAHR).

We will work with Equibase, RacingPost, Paris Turf, the Emirates RacingAssociation, the Emirates ArabianHorse Society and many other suchdata providers but the mainparticipants will have to be therespective National Federations andtheir Arabian Registers involved withthe sport of Arabian horse racing, shesaid.

Earlier, Sami Al Boueinen, Chairman ofIFAHR, responded to criticism over thelength of time it has taken to set up adatabase, highlighted the difficultiesIFAHR faced, the main one being the

25


26

inconsistent supply of information byrace bodies/organisations in variousmember countries.

Ms Sawaya warned that the Festivalwould even consider pulling out itssupport to those countries not suplyingquick and accurate informationregarding their domestic racingcalendar, data on horses, owners,trainers and jockeys as well as results.This is the first step which will go along way in the promotion of PurebredArabian horse racing, she said.

The disparity in handicap ratings ofArabian race horses in variouscountries was discussed at lengthresulting in Ms Sawaya announcingthat a meeting of all owners, trainers,jockeys, racing officials and the mediawill gather in the UAE to discuss andfind solutions to the issues of moreraces and a harmonised rating system.The Conference concluded with thesetwo main resolutions being thehighlight of the three days.

MOROCCO TO HOST 2017WAHRC

That night at a fabulous gala dinner atthe Pincio Park the setting for theeighth annual World Arabian HorseRacing Conference was announced asMorocco to the invited guests. TheUAEs Minister of State for Tolerance,HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi alongwith Omar Skalli, Director General ofSociety for Promotion of PurebredArabian horses in Morocco receivedthe WAHRC flag from the 2016WAHRC hosts though the UAEAmbassador to Italy, HE Saqr Nasser Al

Raisi in the presence of the Mayor ofRome Tronga Francesco Paolo, Dr.Hissa Abdulla Al Otaiba, Ambassadorof State to Spain and Non Residentenvoy to the Vatican, Ms Lara Sawaya,Executive Director of the HH SheikhMansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan GlobalArabian Horse Flat Racing Festival,Chairperson of Int'l Federation ofHorse Racing Academies (IFHRA) andChairperson of Ladies & ApprenticeRacing Committees in the InternationalFederation of Arabian Horse RacingAuthorities (IFAHR), UAE envoys to afew other countries with the 500-plusWAHRC delegates from 81 countriesin attendance.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian

Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi

Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi

Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and

Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic

Partner, The National Archives as the official partner and

Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with

Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse

Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth

and Sports Welfare with and sponsored by Ayadii LLC, Global

United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General

Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi

Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed

Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National

Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises,

Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland,

Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing

Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General

Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and

Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports

Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian

Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern

Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern

Mangroves Spa and Resort.


Ziyadd (FR) cruises to an easy victory in the HH Sheikh Zayed Cup (LRPA)

27

EMIRATES DAYCapanelle, Italy

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed AlNahyan Global Arabian Horse FlatRacing Festival events concluded withthe Emirates Day' meeting atCapanelle racecourse with threePurebred Arabian races under theFestival banner.

The feature event was the SheikhZayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup(Listed PA), won by Ziyadd, owned byHH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed AlNahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of theUAE and Minister of PresidentialAffairs. Trained by Antoine Watrigantand ridden by Pierantonio Convertino,the favourite won eased down.

This win and a fourth to Muraaqib in

the first leg of the European TripleCrown in Toulouse, now puts him intocontention for this years Sheikh ZayedBin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup EuropeanTriple Crown, the final leg will be heldin Duindigt, The Netherlands on June26. Al Janoob, who had set the pace,was second ahead of Italian bred andtrained runner Lares De Pine, ownedby the UAEs Taleb bin Dhaheri.

The reigning HH Sheikha Fatima BintMubarak Ladies World ChampionAstrid Wullschleger took her first steptowards defence of her title by winningthe Ladies race on Mirko. She justdenied a local win by Jessica Marcialisand Monnalisa, with Australian CecilyEaton on Tabasco in third.


28

Above: Ziyaad (FR) in the saddling boxes

Below: Current Champion, Astrid Wullschelger wins on Mirko


29

Above: Reinging Champion Astrid Wullschleger of Switzerland gets some lastminute video instructions in the paddock before the race

Below: Urge Di Gallura (IT) maintains his unbeaten record under KoreanApprentice Jeong Jeonghee


30

The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint MubarakApprentice World Championship racewent to Jeong Jeonghee, on theunbeaten Urge De Gallura. The 24-year-old Korean, who also has beenriding in Australia, finished way aheadof Italian Gabriele Cannarella onTriade, while Moroccan, Omar Lakjalon Urugano Di Chia was third.

The delighted Jeonhee said. I haveheard so much about Abu Dhabithrough our Korean lady jockey whoqualified for the final last year and I amso excited that I will share thatexperience. This was a very horse anda very good field today. This will meana lot to the Korean horse racingindustry which is growing all the time.

The UAE Ambassador to Italy, HE SaqrNasser Al Raisi along with many otherUAE envoys and top racing officialswho were present for the WAHRC,

attended the races and presented thetrophies to the winners, along with MsLara Sawaya, Executive Director of theHH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed AlNahyan Global Arabian Horse FlatRacing Festival, Chairperson ofInternational Federation of HorseRacing Academies (IFHRA) andChairperson of Ladies & ApprenticeRacing Committees in the InternationalFederation of Arabian Horse RacingAuthorities (IFAHR).

This was a great debut for the Festivalin Italy and we hope that it will triggermore interest in Purebred Arabianshere, Ms Sawaya said.She continued. We congratulate HHSheikh Mansoor on the victory ofZiyadd and now this horse has thechance to become the new SheikhZayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan CupEuropean Triple Crown Winner.

Jeong Jeonghee with the Apprentice trophy


Dr Andrew Dalglish has been a speaker oneither the veterinary or breeding panels sincethe World Arabian Horse Racing Conferencebegan, seven years ago.

Here he describes how he came to the UAE andthe establishment of the highly successfulWathba Stud operation, with the Al WathbaCentre in Abu Dhabi and the Wathba StudFarm in France, owned by HH SheikhMansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister of Presidential Affairs,who is also the Chairman of the EmiratesArabian Horse Association. Wathba Stud isspread over 180 acres and stands five stallions,including the top sires Mahabb and Munjiz, italso supplies frozen semen from their UAEbased stallions.

In 1984 I came to work in Abu Dhabi,originally at the Equestrian Club, but atthat time AlWathba stables had just beenestablished, so I worked partly in theEquestrian Club, looking after Arabianracehorses and also at Al Wathba, lookingafter the endurance horses.

After the President, Sheikh Zayed binSultan Al Nahyan died, I also becameinvolved in the development of enduranceracing. Then about fifteen years ago, theystarted a small stud in AlWathba, mainlyfor Al Reef stables, and Ive been involvedthere with the management and veterinarywork as well. We have stallions there andalso at the AlWathba Stud Farm inNormandy in France.

Breeding panel speaker, Dr Andrew Dalgish

32

FESTIVAL FOCUSThe WAHRC brings together a wide range of people with interests inArabian Racing. The Arabian Racehorse meets conference regular, DrAndrew Dalglish of Wathba Stud, Enrico Querci from the Host nation'smedia and jockey Richie Mullen, who is attending for the first time.


When I first arrived, it was when the lateSheikh Zayed had bought the foundationstock for his racehorse breeding operation,so we had horses racing like Tahar DeCandelon, sire of Mahabb. We also hadthree very good foundation mares inJoyzell, who is the dam of Mahabb,Sheena, the dam of Thakif and of coursethe great Alanudd (UnchaineddMelody),the dam of Munjiz.

The conference often discusses the availabilityof Arabian racehorses, does the Wathba Studsell any of its produce?

Whilst the horses that we breed areusually kept for racing, all our stallions areavailable to breeders worldwide throughWathba Stud, which of course LaraSawaya is a director of. We are anapproved semen freezing centre in AlWathba and in France as well, so we can

send our stallions semen anywhere in theworld.The breeding panel covered issues withArtificial Insemination, including apresentation on a new technique to improve thequality of frozen semen that has beenestablished in humans, which has now beentried with horses. What are your thoughts onthis?

The problem with frozen semen thatmany people dont understand, is that oncethe mare is inseminated, its viability is thatmuch shorter than fresh, which can lasttwo to three days. When you are checkingthe mare to breed, you are looking for afollicle to develop, to see that it is the rightsize. This can then be assisted byadministering Luteinising Hormone, whichwill, within 48 hours, induce ovulation. Sowith fresh semen, fertilisation is usuallystraightforward.

Mulitple Group 1 PA winner Thakif (FR) leads the field in this years' KahaylaClassic. He is a fine example of Al Wathba's breeding programme being by

Mahabb (AE) out of Sheena (FR)

33


With frozen, it only has a longevity ofabout six hours. This means you have tocheck the mare more often to see when sheis about to ovulate, which is harder todetect precisely, and is more labourintensive. Basically you have to check themall through the night.

Another problem is that you are usuallydealing with small volumes of semen,which can also be of varying quality, soafter all the time you have spent preparingthe mare, perhaps the product isnt as goodquality. Though this new techniquedoesnt make the frozen semen last anylonger, it does have the benefit ofimproving the quality, which is a positive.

However, despite these problems, we areso lucky with Arabians that we can use AIwhich offers us choice of stallions fromaround the world. Another benefit of usingAI, instead of natural covering, is diseasecontrol too, but AI is a bit like embryotransfer, on paper it sounds ever so easy,however in practice its a lot harder.

Whilst these issues are commonplace for thelarger stud, many owners may only have oneor two mares, or perhaps are new to breedingonce their first racehorse has retired. Whatadvice can you give to them, using AI for thefirst time?

Try to find a vet who is experienced at AI,so if yours isnt, ask them to help you find

one that is, and also that they have theright facilities. If you find one in your areaand you can take your mare there, itshouldnt mean the mare has to stay longerthan a couple of days to complete theprocess. Then after 14 days you can scan tosee if she is in foal. Really its only at thestart that is complicated, the timings and soon.

To conclude, having attending all the WorldArabian Horse Racing Conferences so far, whatprogress have you seen and what would youlike to see happen in the future?

Every year we develop more and more.There is more interest on breeding, thoughno matter how good a job you do atproducing the foal, of course there is theraising and training and handicapping toconsider. I always say the good thing aboutArabian racing is it is something thatpeople can get into relatively easily. It isfun and Arabians are so versatile, onceyouve finished racing you can doendurance, or dressage, or show jumping ifyou dont want to breed.

Obviously I would like to see more peopleget involved and to get more equality withthe Thoroughbreds, like we have in theUAE. There the racing and training of bothbreeds is fully integrated, I know in othercountries there are problems which holdsback the development of the sport.

34


Enrico Querci is a reporter and photographerfor the San Rossore Hippodrome in Pisa, RadioSNAI broadcaster and journalist.

Please give us a brief overview of Arabianracing in Italy.

Arabian races have been run in Italy for along time, mostly in Sardinia where themost of the owners, breeders and trainersare. Sardinia is a big island and the racesare not contested by horses from outsidethe island, not only because of the rules,but you have to go by boat, with eight ornine hours of travelling for them to getthere to run.

In recent times the prize money for allracing in Italy has been reduced, but in thelast year, thanks to promotion by sponsorssuch as the SheikhMansoor Festival andShadwell Stud, or Al Khalediah, somethingis changing. I think that we are closing thegap.

That is obviously of great benefit, what elsehas happened to drive this change?

Last year Italy finally joined the IFAHRand 80% of Italian racing scheduled in 2016must be open toWAHO horses registeredin the ANICA stud book. So this is a bigopportunity for Italian owners, trainersand breeders. Particularly breedersbecause in the last few years I know that alot of mares were not covered becausethere was no market.

Italian Arabian horses are appreciated notonly for flat racing but endurance as well,and many are sold to that sport. In myopinion this is a new era and I think that ina few years we will have more horses forracing and subsequently more races too.This year, for the first time, we have fourListed races, two in Rome, one in Milanand one in Pisa.

Enrico Querci in the paddock at Capanelle

35


The track at Pisa is where I am based. It hasgreat history, having been there for 160years. It is set in a beautiful park near thecoast near a training centre, and it is alsoclose to the Leaning Tower and the airport.So we have great links to the rest of theworld and the rest of Italy, as we are in themiddle of the country.

The other important development is thattwo of the most important trainers in Italyare now training Arabians. In the pasttrainers of Arabians were just for thatbreed and the numbers were limited, butnow we will have Arabians trained byStefano Botti, one of the leading trainers ofThoroughbreds in this country and alsoEndo Botti, who now has six Arabians tocomplement his 100 strong Thoroughbredstring.

How will the addition of the Listed races helpboost interest in the sport in Italy?

I think that joining IFAHR, hosting the

WAHRC and having our first Listed raceswill help our programme a lot and also therelationships that we have with theinternational media, through theconnections with these sponsors.

Arabian racing is still very popular inSardinia. However we dont have the sameproblems as you have in the UK, theArabians are always in the Italian racingpapers and also it is easy to bet on them, soif the most important racetracks scheduleArabian races, they will become morepopular than in the past.

Having a first Italian bred runner in this yearsKahayla Classic must help too?

Yes, thanks to Lares De Pines, he has raisedItalys profile in the racing world. He wasthe only Italian runner on such animportant raceday. He was bred in Italy byNicola Cecchetti, initially trained in Franceand then he came to Milan to race in theraced sponsored by Al Khalediah Stud and

Lares Des Pines becomes Italy's first Kahayla Classic runner

36


he won. After this race the owner, Talebbin Dhaher Al Muhairi, decided to havehim trained in Italy. He won again in Pisaand then he decided to run in the KahaylaClassic. When he flew back to Italy, hewent straight to a new stable and now he istrained by Endo Botti in Pisa along withanother horse in that ownership. Hell runagain tomorrow in the Premio Sheikh binSultan Zayed Al Nahyan Cup (LR PA).

And now it looks like you will have a firstItalian runner at DIAR at Newbury in July...

After Urge Di Gallura won the PremioDubai International Arabian Races 2016(LRPA) in Rome, I introduced the ownerand the breeder to the sponsor and Ibelieve that they are planning to go toNewbury to contest the three year old race[Emirate Equestrian FederationInternational Stakes (Gr2PA)]. Hopefully Iwill be able to come and film. I was luckyenough to go to Newbury two years ago,when the conference was held in London.

These first Listed races can give us an ideaat what level our horses are, which isimportant as before this, we couldnt knowand the only chance was when our horsesran abroad. But if you dont really knowwhat your level is, you dont risk a lot. Butin my opinion, I hope in tomorrowsapprentice race, Urge Di Gallura will giveus an idea if he can be an internationalhorse or not. Hes unbeaten, three out ofthree attempts. He won very easily firsttimeout in Pisa, by seven lengths, so fingerscrossed.

Obviously because of AI, you have access tostallions worldwide, however what is thedomestic breeding situation like?

We have some good Arabian stallions herein Italy, but these new opportunities canhelp us to growmore and more. At themoment we dont have any sales, in thepast we did in Sardinia, but with thereduction in breeding recently, that hasstopped.

Urge Di Gallura (IT) on his way to a fourth consecutive victory

37


ANICA is the specific organisation forArabian horses in Italy, whilst all theracing industry is under the umbrella ofthe Ministry of Agriculture. Which in myopinion, isnt good to be run by a such ahigh level public body. In the past it wasthe same, but it was a departmentspecifically for racing and they dealt onlywith racing. Now we are in with fishing,cows, sheep and so its not the same. Nodisrespect to agriculture, which of course isimportant, and breeding can be consideredagricultural, but racing is another business.

There have been widely publicised difficultiesregarding payment of prize money in recentyears, is that behind you and what do you seefor the future of racing in Italy?

Whilst the situation has improved, it is stillcrazy that owners, trainers and jockeyshave to apply to a Ministry for payment. Ihope soon we will have a big change withthe management of the industry as awhole, the main problem is that theorganisations dont work together. Theyare working to produce an independentgoverning body for racing like your BHA,but the Italian government must approveit.

Racing was big business in Italy in the past,but betting turnover has reduced, becauseof sports betting taking over the market,when it used to be just racing. We have atote system and bookmakers on theracetrack, but some courses dont havebookmakers. Also the tax on the bets is toohigh, so the pay back for the punters is verysmall.

If the racing industry could manage itself,it would be so much better. In the past itwas managed by the Jockey Club, bettingincluded, so all the money from the bettingcame back to the prize money. Now theracing is under the Ministry of Agricultureand the betting is under the Ministry ofEconomy, so racing bets are in the samebox as lottery and bingo, which is lessexpensive than breeding, training andowning racehorses!

The Racing Industry in Italy is alone, withno political sponsors. The businessdeclines when there is not so much moneyinvolved, people drift away. Its a shamebecause of the history and the culture ofracing in Italy. I was so proud that on thevery first day, on the first panel, twopeople, who were not Italian, mentionedFrederico Tesio. He was a genius.

And finally, despite these challenges, obviouslyyou are still very optimistic about the newopportunities for the Arabian racing in Italy,how can the rest of the world follow the sporthere at the moment?

There are lots of opportunities to followracing in Italy. The easiest is to watch freethrough the betting sites, via live streamingfrom each racetrack. You can go to eitherwww.snai.it and select ippica orwww.betflash.it and select cavalli.

38


Richie Mullen has been riding some of theworlds best Arabians since 1998. Based inDubai he finally claimed the UAE ChampionJockey title in 2015 having been runner up in2004.

What are your thoughts on your first visit tothe World Arabian Horse Racing Conference?

Its been very interesting. Its been nice tocome because Arabian racing has been ahuge part of my riding career. I think mostof my biggest wins have come fromArabians, Ive won every big race inArabian racing, apart from theWorld Cup,which I was second in last year, and theKahayla Classic, in which Ive been third. Igot the HH Emirs Sword off my back thisyear too. As I am a huge supporter ofArabian racing, its actually nice to comeand get an insight into the breed.

For me I feel, looking in from the outside,there is a very close unit in Arabian racing.Its very like jump racing in the UK, its adifferent type of clientele to Flat racing,which is so commercial, so you feeleveryone is part of one thing, the ownersand breeders are not breeding for the sales,theyre keeping them and waiting for themto come to fruition at the racecourse.

So listening to the seminars and getting anoverview on the different aspects involvedis very interesting. The Breeding seminarparticularly, as Ive been looking to buy abroodmare this year. I was talking about itwith Tadhg OShea, I dont want to buy athoroughbred mare because its so hard toget in at a high level, with Arabians it'smuch easier. I would prefer to buy into abloodline that Ive known through ridingthough.

Richie Mullen in the paddock at Newbury

39


In Thoroughbred racing in the UK, theresand unwritten rule that if a jockey rides aGroup 1 winning colt, when it is retired tostud, they get a free nomination. I dontknow if that is the same with Arabians, butit would be another good way to get newbreeders into the sport. It makes a goodstory too if a winner is bred by a formerjockey, look at the thoroughbred winners,Minster Son or Jack Hobbs who were bredbyWillie Carson for example. Id keep themare in France probably, rather thanDubai, but I would definitely like to getinvolved in that way.

When did you first start riding in Arabianraces?

I first went to Dubai in 1998 and I startedthere as an apprentice for Godolphin,though my first ride was on an Arabianand my first actual winner out there wasfor Julian Smart, when he was training forthe late Sheikh Zayed. Arabians are noteverybodys ride and Ive always been anadvocate of using Arabians in anApprentice series, long before the SheikhMansoor Festival began, because I thinktheyre the best type of horse forApprentices to learn to race ride on.

You have to be able to adapt, some youhave to be a bit strong, others a little bitquieter. I was talking to Jordan Childsabout them the other day, he was asking ifthere was any difference to Thoroughbredsand I said actually you cant really give ajockey orders. Its very different toThoroughbreds where the trainer can giveinstructions on how to ride. Its verydifficult to pinpoint how you want to ridean Arabian, you have to play it by how theyjump off and how they travel, because ifthey travel well, it makes it that mucheasier, or if youre struggling early on,dont bully them, because theyll comeback to you.

So thats how it started, and obviously myconnection with Julian goes way back.Then when I worked for Satish Seemarand I was riding for Sheikh Rashid binMohammed Al Maktoum, we had some ofthe best Arabians around like Velte andBig Easy, and that was the start of ridingthe top level Arabians. There was also NezDOr for Julian in his four year old career,before he went on to win the KahaylaClassic. As with the Thoroughbreds, thereis a difference between riding the reallygood ones and the ones on a lesser level.

Richie Mullen celebrates Gazwan (QA) winning in the HH Emir's Sword

40


One of the interesting points raised in theRacing and Training session, was whenThomas Fourcy was asked how he can tell ifan Arabian is going to be a champion, what doyou think?

Personally with a Thoroughbred, I thinkyou can tell very early on. But with anArabian, I dont think its so easy. Iveridden many Arabians first time out forJulian Smart and theyve been only beatenone home and theyve then gone on to beGroup 1 winners. I am also very stronglyagainst running them at three years old, Idont think theyre ready, especially at thistime of year. We dont have three year oldraces in Dubai. Towards November, whentheyre about to turn four then youll get afew, but for me theyre not ready. Its acatch twenty two situation, as obviouslyowners want their horses to run as soon aspossible.

You ride Arabians all over the world, how does

your experience vary from country to country?

Its different in France, where it is alltogether under France Galop. I dont agreewith the way it is in the UK when Arabiansare on the same card as the Thoroughbredsand they cant go in the same stable yardsor in the saddling boxes, or they cant betrained by professional trainers. ForArabian racing to progress in the UK thelaws have to be changed. So I think whatHH SheikhMansoor is doing is fantastic,because it is spreading the word aroundand getting the sport to flourish, soeveryone including jockeys like myselfhave to support it.

I am based in the Emirates now. I go backto the UK in July and August and Ill ride atDIAR, Ill ride at Goodwood, Ill go toFrance if Julian asks me, or if anyone elsewants me Ill go. I was talking to BeverleyDeutrom the other day and shes asked meto ride in a race in Holland, so Ill go there.

Mullen with breeders Mr & Mrs Kippen, owner Lisa Demoynaz and trainerThomas Fourcy after Mahess Du Soleil (GB) won the 2015 Shadwell UK Derby

41


During the conference you were invited tobecome the Festivals Jockey Ambassador...

To be asked to be an ambassador was rightout of the blue, its a great honour and Ireally appreciate it. I would like tocontinue to coming to these conferences, asIve been very lucky with racing in the GulfStates.

I dont see it as any different to theThoroughbred racing, so thats why Id liketo play a part in getting other top jockeysinvolved. Until we get more of the big UKnames riding it will always be viewed as asecond class sport, which it isnt. We nowhave the Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi, whichat 1.2 million Euros is the richest Arabianrace in the world. The Qatar ArabianWorld Cup on ArcWeekend is the second

most valuable race of the whole weekend.In the Emirates, in Al Ain, in Abu Dhabiand Sharjah, the majority of the racecard isfor Arabian racing.

If I can help spread the word, then I will.Thats why coming to an event like this isso good, as jockeys we dont get to spendtime with the people involved at theraces, its get on the horse, get off the horseand on to the next one. As I said, thecommunity is more tight knit, like thejump racing crowd, and like jump racing,the horses careers are longer too. With thegood Thoroughbreds being so valuable, onthe whole they never get to realise theirfull potential as they finish their careers atthree. Thats like retiring an Arabian atfour. I think an Arabian reaches its peak ataround six to seven years of age.

Julian Smart and Richie Mullen after winning the 2016 HH The Emir'sSword with Gazwan (GB)

42


And finally what are your thoughts on thefuture of the sport?

In the final session on the Future ofArabian Racing, EdMurphy said that weneed to make good stories, to attract thewider public. I think we should name moreraces after the good horses weve had, likethe Al Mourtajez Stakes, so that peopleoutside the sport will ask Whos AlMourtajez? Were here in Italy at themoment and one of its most famous horseswas the Thoroughbred champion in the1950s, bred by Tesio, Ribot. As well asraces, there are even restaurants namedafter him. Its a way of getting people moreinvolved and the thing about goodArabians is, they usually win more thanone Group 1 race. Theyre not just one hitwonders, which happens in Thoroughbredracing, Arabians keep coming back, so theracing public can get attached to thesehorses.

Out in Dubai Ive been trying to get peopleinvolved in syndicates. Most of thesyndicates in Dubai apart from the EERCare just for Thoroughbreds, but the prizemoney for Arabians is good. The privateowners series of races in Abu Dhabi isfantastic, so youve got a good chance,because youre not competing against thebloodlines you cant afford to buy into. Theprize money equates to about 12,000 arace and youd struggle to get that for aThoroughbred Listed race in the UK, sothat is the message Im trying to get across.

In France, all the top jockeys ride them,Olivier Peslier, Christophe Soumillion,they dont turn their noses up at them.When the prize money is a big as it is nowworldwide, peoples mentality needs tochange. Its been a huge part of my life, Ivewon over 20 Group 1 races and I welcomethe chance to give something back to asport that has been very good to me.

Riding for Beverley Deutrom atChepstow

Speaking at the 2016 WAHRC

43


s

expert racing nutritiontrusted around the worldWe pay attention to the details that count

Baileys RaCiNG RaNGe

BAILEYS HORSE FEEDSEXPERTS IN RACING NUTRITION Racing & Export ManagerMark Buchan Tel: +44 (0) 7711 701565Head Office Tel: +44 (0) 1371 850 247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk [email protected]

Fuelling racehorses win after win Racehorse Mix Trotting Cubes Racehorse Cubes Oat Balancer Mix Racing Light Outshine high oil supplement


The Prix de Diane meeting at Chantilly isone of the highlight's of the French racingcalendar. Parisian's flock in their hoardesto picnic, not quite Royal Ascot style, inthe centre of the course, whilst they areentertained by live music and a funfairbefore the more serious proceedingsbegin.

Run after the Prix de Diane, the QatarDerby des Pur-Sang Arabes was no poorrelation as the crowds were treated to anexceptionally close three-way photo finishin which the official distances were givenas a nose and a nose.

Petit Monsieur set the pace and wasn't

challenged until the 400 metre mark asthey entered the straight. Aba'ath andTayf struck for home at that point, but itwas clear that Tayf in the hands of OlivierPeslier had his measure and was alreadyinching ahead without resort to the whip.

However with 200 metres remaining, bothKhataab and Alsaker were also disputingthe lead, Alsaker brought wide up thecenter of the course, where the groundwas reportedly riding quicker than on thefar side. In the final 100 metres Tayf,Khataab and Alsaker had pulled clear ofthe remainder, with Tayf still with a slightadvantage, less than half a length aheadon the far rail.

Alsaker (FR) and Julien Auge win from Tayf (FR) (rail) and Khattab (FR) (centre)

QATAR DERBY des PUR-SANG ARABES Gr1PAChantilly, France

45


46

Above: Tayf (FR) (Amer x Djemila) who finished second, is a full brother to MajdAl Arab and Raddad.

Below: Khataab (FR) who finished third, is also an Amer son. Out of Djelana, whowon the Prx Nefta Gr2PA, he was bred by Alban de Mieulle.


47

Above: Elizabeth Bernard, trainer of Alsaker (FR)

Below: Alsaker (FR) is by AF Albahar, a son of Amer, out of Jakkarta, he is a fullbrother to Bint Jakkarta, who won the Al Rayyan Cup Gr1PA in 2014


As they reached the line it was too closeto call, with the official photo showing thatAlsaker had recorded an important win forthe Royal Cavalry of Oman by the shortestof margins, from Tayf and Khataab.

Jockey Julien Auge has ridden the son ofAF Albahar in all four of his previousraces, inlcuding in his latest win at Dax inthe Prix Damas, which was his first start forElizabeth Bernard since leaving the careof Thomas Fourcy.

Alsaker is an exciting addition to the RoyalCavalry of Oman's string which alsoinclude top fillies Sylvine Al Maury and theremarkable Al Mouhannad, who is hopingfor a record breaking fourth win in theZa'abeel International Group 1PA atNewbury as part of Dubai InternationalArabian Races next month.

48

Above & Below: Julien Auge points to the big screen showing how Alsaker (FR)won by the narrowest of margins


36

The red, green and gold silks of the Royal Cavalry of Oman The red, green and gold silks of 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 are a familiar sight in Arabian Races around the world and are a familiar sight in Arabian Races around the world and their presence has grown considerably over the past years. their presence has grown considerably over the past years. their presence has grown considerably over the past years. As well as their strong racing operaon, the Cavalry now As well as their strong racing operaon, the Cavalry now As well as their strong racing operaon, the Cavalry now boasts an impressive UK breeding establishment. boasts an impressive UK breeding establishment. boasts an impressive UK breeding establishment. The Royal Cavalry is dedicated to Equestrianism; through The Royal Cavalry is dedicated to Equestrianism; through The Royal Cavalry is dedicated to Equestrianism; through breeding, racing, ceremonial acvies, sport and jockey breeding, racing, ceremonial acvies, sport and jockey breeding, racing, ceremonial acvies, sport and jockey development. ARO is incredibly grateful to the ongoing development. ARO is incredibly grateful to the ongoing development. ARO is incredibly grateful to the ongoing support of The Royal Cavalry. Their commitment to Arabian support of The Royal Cavalry. Their commitment to Arabian support of The Royal Cavalry. Their commitment to Arabian Racing in the United Kingdom benets Owners and Trainers Racing in the United Kingdom benets Owners and Trainers Racing in the United Kingdom benets Owners and Trainers across the spectrum, from those involved with the very best across the spectrum, from those involved with the very best across the spectrum, from those involved with the very best horses in training to the grass roots level of the sport. horses in training to the grass roots level of the sport. horses in training to the grass roots level of the sport.

The Royal Cavalry Of OmanThe Royal Cavalry Of OmanThe Royal Cavalry Of Oman


Having escaped the worst of thestorms, the third Arabian RacingOrganisation (ARO) full fixture of 2016was dominated by trainer AdamNewey and the 2015 ARO NoviceJockey Will Pettis.

They got the ball rolling from the startwith a pillar to post victory in the firstrace, the Forta Stud Restricted Maiden,with Nicsar Diamond Jubilee. The coltis owned in partnership by NicolaBuchan and Sarah Innes, who hadtravelled eight hours by car from

Scotland to witness his first win.

They then followed up in the fourthrace with the diminutive Southpaw,who was also bred by Newey, by astallion he had raced and still retains.The brave little gelding shoulderedtop weight in the Royal Cavalry ofOman sponsored handicap and wasagain ridden by Pettis. Vindetta thencompleted the hat-trick in The ArabianRacehorse on Issuu.com HandicapStakes.

50

Vindetta (GB) and Will Pettis score in The Arabian Racehorse OnIssuu.com (0-60) Handicap Stakes

TAUNTON TREBLEAdam Newey and Will Pettis dominate at the third ARO

full fixture, held at the popular West Country track


After Vindettas win Neweycommented: Im very pleased withthe results today. I was amazed wewon with Southpaw over a mile andtwo furlongs because its little bit farfor him. Its nice to have bred him too.Im delighted for the owners of Nicsar

Diamond Jubilee as its a long way forthem to come and they havesupported me for two or three seasonsnow. Hes just an out and out galloperso it will be hard to find races for himthis year, but I think he will progressagain next season.

51

Nicsar Diamond Jubilee (GB) by Madjani (FR) out of Jumah (GB)

Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.Contact: Marion LachatTel: +44 (0)1842 755913 Fax: +44 (0)1842 [email protected] de Saint Faust64110 Laroin, France+33 (0) 5 59 83 05 [email protected]

www.shadwellarabian.co.ukFacebook.com/ShadwellArabian

Shadwell ArabianStallions

MADJANIWinner of 3 Kahayla Classics (Gr.1 PA)

Sire of Stakes winners HANDASSA(Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 3, Gr.1 PA)and RB FRYNCH BROAD (Gr.2)and winners BON BAISER DE FAUST, RB MADJYK MAN, NIRAAN, THE SECRET, MARADJA DES FORGES, MADJANTHAT, NAAR

Europe: AL JAKBAR 2003 Al Sakbe - EssaadaAL SAOUDI 2000 Nuits St Georges - FatzicaMADJANI 2000 Tidjani - SalamaNO RISK AL MAURY 2002 Kesberoy - Nectarine Al MauryUSA: CHNDAKA 1990 Dormane - Malika FontenayKAOLINO 1998 Dormane - Cary de Carrre Standing at Haras de Saint Faust

1,500 natural cover2,000 frozen semen (available worldwide)

CC2979 MADJANI landscape ad-FPA_Layout 1 11/03/2016 10:32 Page 1


He continued. I was surprised withVindetta, because I had aimedWhisper at this race. However Imreally pleased with Vindetta as shes abit of a bridle horse, so hopefully shellgain a bit of confidence from this andcan go on from here.

When asked about Pettiss ridingperformance he said. Wills a goodlittle jockey, Im really pleased for him,hes coming up with the goods everytime.

Pettis himself was also delighted

52

Small but mighty, Southpaw (GB) and Will Pettis go to post

Goes well fresh, Man Of Dreams (GB) wins again on his seasonal bow


saying: I had expected a few winners,but not the ones that won, howeverthey all had good chances. With NicsarDiamond Jubilee, my orders were toset a good pace and keep kicking thewhole way and luckily it worked. Itsvery hard to ride a horse as small asSouthpaw because you have to ride abit longer and its difficult to get inbehind him, but hes as game as canbe."

He continued. "As for Vindetta, she gotthe ability there, as shes run well in thebetter races, but its just finding theright tactics with her. She hung up thestraight, which is normal for her andshe just lasted home.

There were also wins for DelythThomas's Callymay who triumphed

over LB Farrah by a neck in the Muscat0-50 Handicap stakes, and Man ofDreams in The Royal Cavalry, Sultanateof Oman 0-80 Handicpa Stakes. CarolLegg's handsome son of Nizam waswinning on his seasonal debut for thethird year in succession.

The most visually impressive win wentto Jamaayil in the Royal Cavalry ofOman Maiden Stakes. She won as sheliked by nine lengths from Munbaher,who had finished ahead of her on theirseasonal debuts at Chelmsford inApril. Clearly the filly had come on forthat experience and she continues thegood run of form by progeny of hersire Al Jakbar in UK. She holds entiresin both the International Conditionsrace and the Hatta on DIAR.

53

Callymay (GB) just holds on from LB Farrah (GB)


Amanda Smith, ARO Racing Managerwas pleased with the way the day hadgone saying: We had a great crowdhere today, offering free entry to themajority of our fixtures this season hasdefinitely been well received by the

racing public. The racing today wascompetitive and Im delighted to seehow well last seasons ChampionNovice Will Pettis has progressed thisyear.

54

Jamaayil (GB) and Stephen Harrison draw well clear of Munbaher (FR)


This is the second year that Forta Studhave supported UK Arabian racingthrough race sponsorship, this timewith the Forta Stud Restricted MaidenStakes won by Nicsar DiamondJubilee.

Forta Stud is based in Abu Dhabi in theUnited Arab Emirates and is a small-scale breeding program producingPurebred Arabians for racing andendurance. The Stud treasures theArabian horse for its strength,soundness, stamina, grace andpersonality. Their broodmare band hasdiverse origins, including Crabbet,Egyptian, French, Polish and Russianbloodlines.

www.fortastud.com

Two of Forta Stud's UK runners: Aurora Forta (AE) (Abu Alemarat (FR) x Bay Brulee(US)) and below: Saayif Al Arab (FR) (Majd Al Arab (GB) x Serafina (FR))

55


56

-

"supporting Arabian racing since 2012 "

- . .


Royal Cavalry of OmanPremier Handicap (0-85 PA)

Doncaster

Trainer Beverley Deutrom saddled thefirst two home in the Royal Cavalry ofOman Premier Handicap (0-85 PA) runat Doncaster. The horses ran in thecolours of HE Sheikh Nassar Al Hasharand his son Mohammed, also of Oman.

The early pace was set by the AdamNewey trained pair of Syrah Gris andKamikaze, however it was DeutromsMaghazi who took it up three furlongsfrom home. The ten year old greydrawing readily clear in the hands ofSimon Walker from Zayin Zachilles, heidled in front and it was her otherrunner Karar, who took advantage.

Freddie Tylicki burst through on therail and then switched to challenge hisstablemate on the outside, headingWalkers mount in the final half furlongto win going away. Zayin Zachillesstayed on in third, just keeping AuroraForta at bay in fourth.

The Royal Cavalry of Oman, who have

been involved with Arabian racing inthe UK for over ten years, hasincreased their sponsorship of UKPurebred Arabian racing this season.Which also includes the next fullfixture, to be run at Chelmsford CityRacecourse on 1 July.

ARO Racing Manager, Amanda Smithsaid: That was a fantastic race, thelongest in our calendar, whichdemonstrates the soundness andstamina of the Arabian breed for whichit was specifically bred, and why it wasused in the development of themodern Thoroughbred racehorse.

The Arabian Racing Organisation isvery proud to be associated with TheRoyal Cavalry of Oman and theincrease in their sponsorship thisseason underlines their commitmentand support of Purebred Arabianracing at all levels in the UK.

Photo: Tony Knapton

Karar (AE) leads Maghazi (GB) home

57


58

Callymay (GB) and Simon Walker make it three out of three for the season

Delyth Thomass Callymay made itthree on the bounce this season, whenwinning at the second HH SheikhMansoor Global Arabian Horse FlatRacing Festival sponsored meeting runat Hereford racecourse.

The win by the six year old mare,owned and trained locally by Thomas,maintains her trainers grip on theArabian Racing Organisation (ARO)2016 Championship, and also kept

Simon Walker at the top of theJockeys Championship too. Its a titlehe has won no less than nine times,including last season.

Thomas commented. She ran ablinder today. She loves racing andshes entered at Bath on Saturday, soshell probably go there next. Icertainly never expected to be leadingthe Trainers Championship at thisstage of the season. Its very exciting.

HH SHEIKH MANSOOR FESTIVALThe second of four full fixtures for the Festival at Herefordrd saw locally

bred and trained Callymay complete a hat-trick of wins, taking her trainerDelyth Thomas to the top of the 2016 ARO Trainers' Championship


The feature race of the day - theWathba Stallions (0-95) Handicapstakes over a mile and a furlong -saw adecisive win by Sunbulla, drawingclear of her nearest rival by eightlengths. A homebred by HH SheikhHamdans recently deceased stallionMonsieur Al Maury, she is a half sister

to his Dubai International Stakes(Gr1PA) winner Al Hibaab.

Trained by Phil Collington, she formedthe second leg of a double for the firstseason handler, who won the openingmaiden with an Athbah Studhomebred, Dossar Athbah.

Sunbulla (GB) and Stephen Harrison win by eight lengths

59


60

Collington was delighted saying:Dossar Athbah is a lovely horse. Wethought going into his first run todayhe could be a bit green, as he hastaken his time to come to hand, but it

was a nice performance to win like hedid and having the second and third aswell was great too. Well see whatrating he gets on Tuesday and make adecision from there.

Vindetta (GB) and Will Pettis win from Parma T (NL)

Dossar Athbah (GB) and Max Kendrick


Just The Ticket (GB) is led back to the winner's enclosure by owner-trainer TinaPfeiffer, the slipped saddle high on the gelding's neck

61

He continued, Sunbulla could haverun at the opening meeting atChelmsford, but I just wasnt happywith her and this was the next mostsuitable opportunity. She has clearlyloved the ground, but I didnt think shewould win as well as she did. DIAR isobviously a possible target, but wellsee how she comes out of the race andlet His HIgness decide.

Also continuing a good run of formwas Linda Cross's Vindetta, whofollowed up on her Taunton success inthe Wathba Stud Farm Cup 0-70Handicap, with another smooth winunder Will Pettis for trainer Adam

Newey.

After an incredible display ofhorsemanship, Robin Pfieffer puthimself bang in contention for 'Ride ofthe Year' when securing the lead in thefinal strides on Just The Ticket in theWathba Stallions 0-45 HandicapStakes. The saddle slipped early inproceedings and Pfeiffer displayedremarkable courage and tenacity thatwould shame many of his muchyounger rivals in keeping thepartnership in tact.

No less dramatic was the upset in theWathba Stallions Restricted Maiden


Popsstar (GB) and Jo Mason take advantage of the inexperienced hot favouriteDrake De Palmas (FR), just getting on top at the line

62

when odds on favourite Drake DePalmas threw his race away throughgreeness and handed it to the fastfinishing Popsstar. Given anenterprising ride by Joanna Mason,the five year old by Dahess snatchedvictory on the line.

Amanda Smith, ARO Racing Managercommented. The weather was kind tous again and we had some verycompetitive racing today, which thecrowd undoubtedly enjoyed. We lookforward to returning here for the nextHH Sheikh Mansoor Festival meetingon 7 August.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global ArabianHorse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu DhabiTourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu DhabiSports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production andMarketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as StrategicPartner, The National Archives as the official partner andEmirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with

Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian HorseSociety, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youthand Sports Welfare and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, AyadiiLLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal,Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, AbuDhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed BinZayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu DhabiNational Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani GeneralEnterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland,Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post,Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women'sUnion, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood,the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy,Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa andResort.


Vindetta (GB) leads them home

63

Trainer Adam Newey dominated theRoyal Cavalry of Oman Handicap (0-60PA) run at Bath on Saturday 11 June,saddling the first four home in aremarkable training performance.They were led by the hat-trick seekingVindetta, who won eased down bythree and a half lengths, followed byWhisper, Synergy and Southpaw. Thefeat was made even more notable bythe fact that Newey was also eitherbreeder or co-breeder of winner, thirdand fourth. In addition, the first twowere running in the colours of long-time owner Linda Cross, who is also inpartnership in the third with Newey,who owns the fourth.

Newey was delighted saying: Im veryhappy with that. The rain helpedVindetta, she proved that last year atDIAR over 7 furlongs with a bit of cutand the penny has really dropped withher. She struggled with splints in herfirst season and it put her off lettingherself down on the quicker ground.Will (Pettis) has found the key to her, toget her to go from the front which wecould never do before.

He continued. It was Whispers lastrace and it was unfortunate that shesgone up against Vindetta, as shewould have gone out on a winotherwise, but shell be covered by AlJakbar shortly. Synergy is so fractious,shes only five and her sister startedwinning at that age. When she doesfinally get going there will be a lot ofimprovement to come and shes a lotbigger and stronger than her sister.

ARO Racing Manager, Amanda Smithsaid: That was a brilliant trainingperformance by Adam Newey andVindetta has forged such a greatpartnership with Will Pettis, who wasour Champion Novice Rider lastseason. It was also a grand farewell forWhisper, as she has been such asplendid campaigner in UK Arabianracing, running 60 times since staringher career in 2008. She was ourleading Purebred Arabian Mare andour leading Heritage Arabian RacingClub horse last season too.

The Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap StakesBath


65

HH SHEIKHA FATIMA BINT MUBARAKLADIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

(IFAHR) 2016 SERIESStockholm & Duindigt

Stockholm, SwedenThe Swedish National Day ended on aperfect note for Maria Hagman-Eriksson as the owner-trainercompleted a double at Gardet inStockholm, with Toutaix and AlJanoob.

Hagman-Erikssons Toutatix, ridden byDayverson De Barros, won well in theSheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al NahyanCup Listed race after Irelands NoraLooby had steered Al Janoob (who

was second to Ziyadd in the SheikhZayed Cup at Capenelle) to victory inthe HH Sheikha Fatima Bint MubarakLadies World Championship race.

Thousands filled the Gardet park areain downtown Stockholm to witness thetwo Arabian races run under theumbrella of the HH Sheikh MansoorBin Zayed Al Nahyan Global ArabianHorse Flat Racing Festival which werepart of the fixture celebrating theNational Day of Sweden.

The Ladies winners - Al Janoob (GB) and Nora Looby (IRE)


Above: Al Janoob (GB) previously a three time winner for HH Sheikh Hamdanwhen in the UK, he is a half brother Jiyush (GB), and current ARO runners forHis HIghness, Awzaan (FR) and Alhaader (FR) Below: Prior to this, Toutatix(FR) had had his biggest win for Georgina Ward in the Emirate Airline

Handicap Stakes at DIAR 2014

66


67

In the Ladies Championship, Irishjockey Looby rode a waiting race withAl Janoob and was able to win with abit in hand at the finish. Al Janoob,formerly trained in England by GillDuffield for HH Sheikh Handan, isclearly a good traveller, having racedthe week before in Rome.

Swedens Rebecca Colldin, a last-minute replacement for Italian KristenBezdekova did well to finish second onSuhaim, trained by the UK's BeverleyDeutrom, while W Catchcash underDanielle Hodsdon of the US, finishedthird.

Maria Hagman-Eriksson seems to havetaken over from where Dutch trainerKarin van den Bos left off, as the latterhad scored doubles in the Festivalsraces in two previous editions. Idedicate this twin success to my twins,said the Swede who has been aregular visitor to Abu Dhabi for theendurance and for the Festivalsevents. These wins are all the moresweet as I have a strong relationshipwith Abu Dhabi which is the capital ofArabian racing; it is a greatachievement for me to bag this bigdouble."

HE Sultan Bin Rashid Alkaitoob, UAEAmbassador to Sweden along withAdnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, ADECDirector General and Ms Lara Sawaya,Executive Director of the HH SheikhMansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan GlobalArabian Horse Flat Racing Festival,Chairperson of Int'l Federation ofHorse Racing Academies (IFHRA) andChairperson of Ladies & Apprentice

Racing Committ

the arabian racehorse issue 15

Documents