the arabian racehorse issue 2

T H E A R A B I A N

R A C E H O R S E

Issue No.2 1st May 2015

HHSheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley AwardsUK Season Preview Part II

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 E

3 News

8 HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Awards

Full report from Hollywood, including an interview with LifetimeAchievement Award winner - Denise Gault

18 Shadwell Super 7 Competition

Free to enter competition for the UK racing seasonsponsored by Shadwell Stud

19 UK Season Preview Part Two

HH Sheikh Zayed Bun Sultan Al Nayhan Cup at LingfieldBird's Eye View - Wolverhampton PreviewNew Trainer Profile - meet Stephane Leveque, ARO'snewest registered trainer

Produced by equine creative media

Stable Flat, Moreton Manor Stud, South Moreton, Oxon, OX11 9AH

[email protected]

00 44 7782 349 047

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I s s u e 2 - 1 s t M a y 2 0 1 5


N EW S

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARABIANRACES SPONSORSHIP BOOST FORUK ARABIAN RACING

For nearly three decades His HighnessSheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoumhas been a successful and dedicatedsupporter of Arabian Horseracing bothin the UK and internationally. This week,on behalf of their patron, DubaiInternational Arabian Races is delightedto announce that a sponsorship deal tosupport even more Arabian races in theUK has been reached with the ArabianRacing Organisation (ARO).

Dubai International Arabian Races havetaken up sponsorship of 15 races acrossthe UK including the Shadwell ArabianDerby (Group 1 PA) which will now berun as part of Shadwell Day atNewmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourseon Friday 25th September. In additionthey will be sponsoring the ARO SeasonFinale at Huntingdon Racecourse onSunday 20th September 2015.

Funds have also been put forward tosupport both the ARO UK BreedersScheme (for UK owners/ breeders) andthe ARO UK Owned Horse RegistrationSubsidy Scheme.

Sheikh Hamdan’s representative, MirzaAl Sayegh said:

“His Highness Sheikh Hamdan binRashid Al Maktoum is a wonderfulsupporter of Arabian racing and takeshis position as patron of the ArabianRacing Organisation seriously. As aresult, he has made this very generoussponsorship contribution to ensure thatthe UK owners and breeders of Arabian

Racehorses are properly supported andcan now continue to work towards thefurther development of the sport.

Sheikh Hamdan is always keen tobroaden Arabian Racing’s appeal and toensure it is a sport that people andhorses can compete in at every level. Itis for this reason that we set up theDubai International Arabian Races andwhy we have centred our support atgrass-roots level.”

Genny Haynes, ARO’s Directorresponded: “On behalf of the ArabianRacing Organisation, I am delightedthat His Highness Sheikh Hamdan binRashid Al Maktoum has extended hissponsorship of UK Arabian Racing. AROis incredibly grateful for this support asit will be invaluable in providingopportunities for both the grass rootscompetitors and Group 1 horses alike.The sponsorship scheme for UKbreeders recognises the need tosupport this side of the industry and thelasting benefits of this scheme will beseen on the racecourse for many years.”

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This sponsorship comes in addition tothe continued support by DIAR alreadyin place for 2015. This includes fourpreparation races in June and July togive trainers an opportunity to preparetheir horses and encourage them to runthem at the flagship event of theprogramme, the Dubai InternationalArabian Races on Sunday 26th July atNewbury Racecourse. As in previousyears, this event will include free entryfor race-goers and showcase threeGrroup 1 (PA) races.

The full DIAR UK fixtures:

Wolverhampton, Saturday 2nd May*Dubai International Arabian Racessupporting UK Arabian RacingMaiden Stakes*Shadwell Arabian Stallions HandicapStakes

*Shadwell Graduation Stakes

Taunton, Sunday 17th May*Shadwell Arabian Stallions MaidenStakes

*Dubai International Arabian RacesHandicap Stakes

*www.shadwellarabian.co.uk HandicapStakes

Newbury, Thursday 11th June*Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes

Chepstow, Friday 12th June*Shadwell Arabian Stallions PremierHandicap Stakes

Newbury, Thursday 25th June* DIAR at Newbury Racecourse 26th JulyInternational Stakes

Newbury, Thursday 9th July* DIAR at Newbury Racecourse 26th JulyInternational Stakes

Newbury, Thursday 23rd July* FREE Arabian racing at NewburySunday 26th July Handicap Stakes

Newbury, Sunday 26th July* DUBAI INTERANATIONAL ARABIANRACES: full day of Arabian racingincluding three Group 1 PAraces

Bath, Friday 31st July* DIAR Season Finale on Sunday 20thSeptember Handicap Stakes

Huntingdon, Sunday 20th September* HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid AlMaktoum Gold Final Handicap Stakes

* Dubai International Arabian RacesSilver Final Handicap Stakes

* Shadwell Arabian Stallions BronzeFinal Handicap Stakes

* Shadwell Maiden Stakes* www.diaraces.com Handicap Stakes* www.shadwellarabian.co.uk HighRated Handicap Stakes

Newmarket, Friday 25th September* Shadwell Arabian Derby (Gr.1 PA)

For full details of all the races sponsoredas part of this programme visit theDubai International Arabian Raceswebsite: www.diaraces.com orwww.aroracing.co.uk.

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MADJANISuccess aroundthe worldBON BAISER DE FAUST2nd Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes - Gr.1 PA(Chantilly)

HANDASSA3rd Doha Cup - Gr.1 PA(Deauville)

Other winners:FranceMANDANYKANJANIZEMBRAAINHOA MADJANIS

Sweden and DenmarkMAHANY DE PIBOUL

UEAMADJANTHATSNS NUJOOD

USARB FRYNCH BROADRB MOOSEMADJANTHISTU FOR THE MONEYRB FRYNCH ME

MoroccoWIFI DE FAUSTMADJANI DE L’ATLAS

QatarWEST DE FAUST

Shadwell Arab Stallions Europe: AL SAOUDI 2000 Nuits St Georges - FatzicaAL JAKBAR 2003 Al Sakbe - EssaadaMADJANI 2000 Tidjani - SalamaMONSIEUR AL MAURY 1998 Djelfor - Melusine Al MauryNO RISK AL MAURY 2002 Kesberoy - Nectarine Al Maury

USA: CHNDAKA 1990 Dormane - Malika FontenayKAOLINO 1998 Dormane - Cary de CarrèreNIVOUR DE CARDONNE 1995 Manganate - Pistache du Cassou

Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.Contact: Marion LachatTel: +44 (0)1842 755913 Fax: +44 (0)1842 [email protected]

Facebook.com/ShadwellArabian

CC2817 Dubai Arab Roster for Jebel Ali RC:Layout 1 30/03/2015 15:02 Page 1


BHA CHANGES TO SKULL CAPS& BODY PROTECTORS

Jockeys participating in ARO races andthose who also ride under Amateur rulesin Thoroughbred races are reminded thatthe changes to the skull cap and safetyvest standards, originally brought in, inSeptember 2014 will be enforced from 1May.

In a statement issued by the BritishHorseracing Authority , they remindedjockeys that:

“Racesafe have fulfilled all of theiroutstanding orders made up to the firstweek of April (a week after the BHA Rulecame into place). There is no reason whyJockeys cannot comply with 1 May being thenew date for the introduction of the newStandards under Rule.

[It is] also worth remembering that riderscan wear a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Vest aslong as it meets the EN 13158: 2009Standard – Level 3 have been availableacross a number of equestrian sports for anumber of years now.”

Category A riders received six months’notice of the rule change.

A safety vest must not be modified in anyway or attached to the horse or anyequipment carried by the horse. Safetyvests must be in a serviceable condition. It

shall be an offence to bring a modifiedsafety vest onto racecourse property.On and after this date, any rider who doesnot have a SAFETY VEST carrying the EN13158: 2009WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TOWEIGH OUT.

In addition, for anyone who has not riddenunder Rules in the UK since last summer,the revised SKULL CAP specification mustbe adhered to:(BS) EN 1384: 2012*, PAS 015: 2011 or CSNEN 1384: 2012*; and- The skull cap must not have a chin cup,cradle or draw lace.- The chin strap must pass under the jawand be attached to the harness by a quickrelease buckle.- The skull cap must not have metal hooks.The skull cap must be of the correct sizefor the Rider and must be correctly fittedand fastened. The face harness must becorrectly adjusted and the chin strapfastened at all times when the Rider ismounted on a horse.

*BSEN 1384: 2012 and CSN EN 1384: 2012will be removed as acceptable standardson and after 1 January 2017.

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ZAYIN STUD CONTINUE TOSUPPORT BRIT ISHBREEDERS

Paul Simmons confirmed last week that hisZayin Arabian Stud will continue tosponsor the Zayin British Bred ArabianAwards, which will be expanded in 2015 toinclude the following categories:

Best British BredMare or Filly

Best British Bred Stallion or Colt

Best British Bred Gelding

Best British Bred Juvenile

Best Vetran ( open to British and non-British bred Arabians aged 13 or over)

The winners will be decided by a panel ofjudges, and horses will be assessed on the

number of wins and placed runs, variety oftrips, consitency and exceptionalperformances.

The winners in each category will recieve acash prize and a trophy.

Horses owned by Zayin Stud will not beeligible.

2 0 1 4 W I N N E R S

British Bred Stallion: TOP TRIP ( 7 hPhariz x Tikis Trip)

British BredMare:WHISPER ( 11 m TheWiking x Sucha)

British Bred Juvenile: JALDI KARO (3 gJehol De Cardonne xMerwah )

www.zayinarabianstud.co.uk

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H.H. SHEIKHA FATIMA BINT MUBARAKDARLEY AWARDS 2015

Once again, Arabian racing's top female achievers from around the globe andAmerica's own seasons champions were honoured in a fabulous ceremony at the

prestigous Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

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The 28th Annual Darley Awards were held for the second consecutive year in the DolbyTheatre, a Hollywood landmark synonymous with the Academy Awards or ‘Oscars’ceremony. They are the pinnacle of the Arabian Racing Cup’s season and honour the highachievers of the American Arabian racing community. Established in 1983 by Dr SamHarrison, the Arabian Racing Cup (ARC) is a not for profit corporation run by its Board ofStewards, committed to promoting the national and international breeding and racing ofArabian horses.

Above left: Stefania Gandola withCatherine de Robert Labarthe on the redcarpet

Above right: Denise Gault receives theLifetime Achievement Award from LaraSawaya

Left: The Dolby Theatre Stage


Since 2012 the ceremony has been able toreach an international audience when theHH SheikhMansoor bin Zayed Al NahyanGlobal Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festivalbegan sponsoring the event. This led to thecreation of the HH Sheikha Fatima bintMubarak Darley Awards, recognising theachievements of women in Arabian racing.

It was no great surprise to see Valiant BoySBFAR (FR) (Darweesh x Thumb Print)named 2014 Darley Horse of the Year andalso gaining the Older Horse or Geldingcrown as well. It is a title he had previouslywon in 2012, when he was also awarded theDarley Four-Year-Old Colt or Geldingprize.

Bred and originally raced in France by HHSheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan heis unbeaten in seven starts over his last twoseasons in America. Now trained by LizMerryman, his owner, Guy Neivens alsoscooped the Best Owner category. In a 21race career, Valiant Boy SBFAR’s winsinclude back to back victories in the Group1 President of the UAE Emirates CupStakes over 1m½f, as well as five otherGroup victories.

By the end of last year, the seven year oldgelding had amassed over $300,000 inprize money. His latest outing yielded acreditable late finishing second to Manark(FR) (Mahabb xMendra) in the KahaylaClassic in Dubai at the end of March.Racing manager Sharon Clark accepted theaward on Neivens behalf, remarking whatan honour it was to be around the horse.

Mark Ashby’s Lazur Hess (USA) (Dahess xRzoe Lute) took the three-year-old coltsand geldings award, whilst Love To Dance(USA) (Our Machine x Shall We DanceBW) took the fillies’ equivalent for Mark K.Powell.

In the four-year-old category, RosebrookFarm’s RB Champagne Taste (USA) (MajdAl Arab x Djenzel) was top male, whilstCre Run Enterprises’ Our Princess (USA)(Nivour de Cardonne xMonarch’sPrincess) was top filly, having beenunbeaten in her five starts last term.

Quarter Moon Ranch’s Ms Dixie (USA)(Burning Sand x Dixie Darlene), who hadmade the headlines when winning twoGroup 3’s in less than 24 hours in August,was awarded the Older Mare trophy for thesecond year running.

Kirsten Swann who had topped thedomestic jockeys table, was delighted towin Best Jockey. “Arabians are so honest. Ilove them.” She said. She is a regular pilotfor Lynn Ashby, the Best Trainer awardwinner, for whom this was a recordseventh title win, but her first since 2002.Another repeat scorer was DianneWaldron, winner of her third Best BreederAward, saying Arabian breeding andracing was her passion.

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Valiant Boy SBFAR in the pre-parade ring atMeydan before the Group 1 PA Kahayla Classic

in March this year


The ceremony moved on to celebrate theglobal achievements of women via thefourth HH Sheikha Fatima bint MubarakAwards.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went toDenise Gault, honouring her contributionto the development and promotion of theArabian racing industry. She spoke to THEARABIAN RACEHORSE afterwards:

Congratulations on receiving your LifetimeAchievement Award - how did you first getstarted in Arabian racing?

I was first introduced to the Arabian breedand to racing them in 1979, as the horsemanager for a very large cattle ranch inColorado. The owners had seen the movie,The Black Stallion, and decided theywanted all the cowboys to ride Arabians.

That was a challenge in itself to get themto switch from their trusty Quarter Horses,but eventually all fell in love with theArabian breed, including myself. Then theowners heard about Arabians racing in

parts of the Western US and decided totake one of the Arab fillies used for cattlework and put her in race training. Sheraced for 2 seasons, held her own and evenhad to run against one of the all timegreats, Samtyr. I was hooked from then on,and went on to start my own race breedingprogram.

You have bred Darley Champions andnominees, [aside from Race Street] what isyour current involvement with Arabianbloodstock?

Currently, I own a piece of DarleyChampion Older Horse, Sudden Mischief,who I bred and who has just recentlylanded in Chile to stand at stud for twoyears.

I also own a broodmare in partnership. Sheis a Virgule A Maury daughter, and thelongest running mare in US history. Sheraced 92 times in over 8 years and retiredsound at 11 years of age. We are breedingher to (of course) Shadwell studs, Madjani,Chndaka, and now back to Madjani.

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What triggered your decision to set up RaceStreet Management with your husbandRandy?

Back in the mid 1980's there was a lot ofcuriosity, which sparked excitement, aboutArabian racing in California, yet there veryfew people who were experienced inArabian racing. So it seemed like a goodidea at the time to start "educating" (forlack of a better word) future fans aboutthe ‘who, what, when, where, and how's’of Arabian racing.

Randy, being my financial guru, set up thecompany structure and named it RaceStreet, a take-off on his work in thefinancial world onWall Street. Dr SamHarrison, founder of the Arabian RacingCup, and Monty Roberts, notablehorseman and trainer, and well knownhorse whisperer, were my mentors, and it'sbeen ongoing since 1987 with our tag line"your guide to the world of Arabianracing".

One of your clients is HH Sheikh Hamdan'sShadwell Arabian Stallions, they do not haveArabian horses racing in America, so whatwas the attraction for them?

During a conversation with RichardLancaster back around 2000, hementioned it would be great if the USbreeders could use some new blood.Shadwell had a couple of sterling racestallions getting ready to retire, andbreeding the French to American speedmares could be just the ticket to thefuture.

That, along with the sizeable broodmarepool in the US, sparked me to grab on tothat idea immediately. Soon thereafter weput together a plan and Chndaka andFalina Des Fabries were the first two to be

imported. Two years later, Nivour DeCardonne was imported, followed byKaolino. In 2009 we addedMadjani, NoRisk Al Maury and Al Saoudi via theirfrozen semen, to round out a fantasticstallion roster.

You have also served on many of the boardsand committees involved with Arabianracing, what are the biggest challengesfacing Arabian racing in the US today andwhat do you think can be done to meetthose challenges?

Too few horses, too few breeders, too fewowners, and too few young people...Ibelieve every country has the samechallenges. There is opportunity to race attracks around the country, just not thehorses to fill the venues.

We need the next generation to step inand move the industry forward, but thereis lots of competition for young people'stime, attention, and money. Somehow wemust take fresh look at how we marketour sport. In today's world it's got to beexciting, fun, sexy, and even heart-warming (think mares with foals at side).Another thing, the thoroughbred breedhas been extremely successful withsyndications and partnerships, and the

No Risk Al Maury(FR)

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Arabian breed needs more of thesearrangements and opportunities forpeople to get involved on a manageablescale.

You visit Dubai International ArabianRaces when you can, what do you enjoyabout Arabian racing outside of the US?And what, if anything, could AmericanArabian racing learn from other countries,or vice a versa?

I have to say Dubai Day in Newbury is myfavourite of all international racingevents. With its’ history steeped in racing,the spectacular English countryside, andLondon's urban grandeur, what's not tolove?! Certainly, travelling to allbeautiful, exciting parts of the world forthe sport I love is absolutely fantastic.

We've always been recognized as THEinternational breed, and now in the past5 years we've become a close knit, like-minded community, thanks to HH SheikhMasoor's Global Festival and specificallythe World Conferences. When we gettogether we share our frustrations aswell as our successes, and in doing sohave become comfortable with eachother, both on a personal level as well ason the professional and organizationstage.

You have also sat on the Darley Awardscommittee, can you tell me about theAwards history and what a difference theinvolvement of Lara Sawaya and HHSheikha Fatima bint Mubarak has made?

The Darley Awards are the most iconicbenchmark for US Arabian racing, andnext year will be our 29th anniversary. No

matter at what level you race or howlong you've been breeding or racing, thereis no one in the US who has not dreamtof winning the "Golden Horse". Now,with the addition of HH Sheikha FatimaBint Mubarak Ladies Darley Award, theattention has beenmagnified.

When Lara approached us 4 years ago toteam up with HH Sheikh Mansoor'sGlobal Festival, it was a dream cometrue for the Arabian Racing Cup. Like allorganizations, the ARC, the oldest USnational Arabian racing organization, hadsurvived a few tough years during theeconomic debacle of 2008, and weStewards were looking at ways to re-energize the Cup program. With Lara andHH Sheikh Mansoor's vision and HHSheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak's pledge ofsupport for international women inArabian racing, the world has now joinedin this celebration. It has been a great andrewarding partnership.

And finally, what does winning this awardmean to you?

I've been blessed with winning both the"Golden Horse" (the US Darley trophy)and now, HH Sheikha Fatima BintMubarak Darley Award. The honour ofreceiving HH Sheikha Fatima's DarleyAward for Lifetime Achievement istwofold: Firstly, to have my peers chooseme as the US nominee for this award wasan honour in of itself, and quite frankly, Iwas overwhelmed.

Secondly, at the Awards ceremony tohear my name called as THE Darleywinner truly took my breath away.Hearing the applause and a few familiarhoots and hollers from the crowd wasdeeply moving. I surprised myself at howmuch emotion I felt, and it felt great!

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Above: Loraa (FR) [far left] winning the Group 1 PA Qatar Total Arabian Trophy at Longchamp inOctober

Below: Djainka Des Forges (FR) and Harry Bentley win the Group 1 PA Shadwell Arabian StallionsHatta International Stakes on Dubai Day at Newbury


Best Breeder was awarded to Catherine deRobert Labarthe, breeder of the top-ratedolder horse on international classifications,Djainka Des Forges (FR) (Kerbella xDjamour Des Forges). Djainka Des Forgeswas also awarded the Best Older Mare title,she scored two impressive Group 1victories last season in the HattaInternational Stakes at Newbury and theArabianWorld Cup at Longchamp.

Best Four-Year-Old went to SheikhMansoor bin Zayed’s Loraa (FR) (Mawoodx Aleefa) trained by Jean-Francois Bernard.A winner of the fillies’ Group 1QatarArabian Trophy at Saint-Cloud at three,she won three of her four starts last year,when exclusively campaigned at Grouplevel. The last of these was the Group 1Qatar Arabian Trophy at Longchamp wonin a tight finish ahead of Taraf (QA)(Burning Sand x Gethaabah) and Aden(GB) (Burning Sand xMayada).

The Best Three-Year-Old category wasawarded to Sedrati Mohammed’s Youjiza(MOR) (Munjiz x Yousra), who had beenkept busy with seven wins from 13 starts inher juvenile year.

Turkey’s Deniz Kurtel was named BestOwner, with an impressive 63 winner and51 seconds from the 2014 season; whilstBest Trainer was again won by theNetherlands’ Karin van den Bos, who had a30 per cent strike rate.

Following Rachel King’s victory in 2014, forthe second successive year, the UKproduced the winner of the Best Jockeycategory with Stefania Gandola. Stefaniahad had a remarkable domestic season,finishing second in the overall JockeysChampionship, and winning both theLadies and Novice Championships.

Describing it she said, “2014 was nothing

like I had ever expected. I went from oneweek riding my first double, to the nextriding my first treble.

She continued. “Overall it was a massiveachievement. This year I hope to ridebetter, have a chance in some of the biggerraces and to give it my all. We have a greatteam at home [with trainer PeterHammersley] and lots of support frommyfamily and friends, so I am in a greatposition to give it my best shot for 2015.”

“When I first found out I had made the topfive nominees, I felt a great sense ofachievement, though actually travellingout to Hollywood was quite nervewracking. I didn’t know anyone andleaving my daughter Evie, to go out of thecountry for the first time, was quite a bigstep for me personally.

“It was a great experience though. I gottalking to a few of the other girls and someof the trainers and breeders, with whomI’m still in touch now.

“The whole night was very surreal, turningup to the Dolby Theatre and thinking ‘thisis actually where the Oscars are held, and Icould be sitting in the very seat of an Oscarwinner!’ It’s a lot to take in, in a short spaceof time. There were people everywhere,taking photos, interviewing and filming.You get a real taste of the ‘celebrity’lifestyle.

“When the time came for the ‘Best Jockey’award, in my mind, I really did not expectto win, so to hear my name called out was amassive shock, but I was so proud to berepresenting the UK. Going back stagethrough the Hall of Fame and looking at allthe photos of celebrities who have wonOscars was awe inspiring, thinking tomyself “these sort of things don’t happen topeople like me.”

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Gandola has learned that she will be theUK representative in the HH SheikhaFatima Ladies World Championship(IFAHR) race on 9May. Speaking abouther selection she said, “I think theSheikha Fatima Ladies race series is agreat opportunity for women toexperience racing around the world andis a massive boost for women in racing.I’m really looking forward to representingthe UK at Lingfield, it will be a big day forme.”

Australian Nadine Frampton won theBest Photographer Award, with America’sDenise Hearst, publisher of ArabianHorseWorld magazine collecting BestJournalist. Fanny Hubard-Salmon, withover 20 years of experience reportingworldwide, won the Best TV Presentercategory.

The field of Endurance riding was alsohonoured, 22 year-old Marijke Visserfrom the Nertherlands gained the BestRider Award, whilst there was a Best

Spirit Award for the UAE Enduranceteam and two more special awards for HELulwa Awadhi and Dr. Wadoda Badranfor their support of women in sport.

Closing the evenings proceedings LaraSawaya, Executive Director of the HHSheikhMansoor Bin Zayed Al NayhanGlobal Arabian Horse Racing FlatFestival, Chairman of the InternationalFederation of Horse Racing Academies(IFHRA) and Chairman of Ladies &Apprentice Racing Committee in theInternational Federation of ArabianHorse Racing Authorities (IFHAR), againthanked HH SheikhMansoor bin ZayedAl Nahayn, UAE Deputy PrimeMinisterandMinister of Presidential Affairs andHH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak,Mother of the UAE, Chairperson of theGeneral Women’s Union, SupremeChairperson of the Family DevelopmentFoundation and Chairwoman of theSupreme Council for Motherhood andChildhood, for their far sighted vision anddirectives.

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Stefania Gandola and LB Armani at Hereford


She also marked the sad demise ofSusanna Santesson, who had tragicallypassed away en route to the Awards bymaking the following announcement.“Under the directives of the HH SheikhMansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, two raceswill be staged in the name of Susanna as amark of respect to her great contribution toequine sport. The first will be held inWarsaw during the upcomingWorldArabian Horse Racing Conference in Mayand the other will be staged in Abu Dhabion 8 November.”

The following evening the 2015 HHSheikha Fatima bint Mubarak AnnualDarley Awards Gala Dinner took place atthe BeverleyWilshire Four Seasons Hotel.In her opening address, Lara Sawayathanked the previous nights’ awardwinners and guests for their love of theArabian horse and credited HH SheikhaFatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE,for her initiative and support of theinternational awards, encouraging womenwho work in the field of Arabian horseracing. Also attending was the UAEConsular General to the USA, Abdullah AlSubosi, he spoke of the excellentpartnership between the UAE and US intrade and commerce for both countries.

The highlight of the evening was theArabian Racing Cup Stallion Auction,offering nominations to the followingstallions: Dahess, General, Grilla, Majd AlArab, Mahabb, Madjani, Munjiz, NivourDe Cardonne, TH Richie and TM FedTexas. The auction raised a total of USD$71,800 in support of the ARC’s racing andbreeding incentive projects, the sale topperwas a bid of $40,000 to secure the Munjiznomination by Lara Sawaya.

AJC Chief Steward, Denise Gault,commented that all of the stewards were

“excited to continue the Arabian RacingCup tradition and we are once againhonoured by our main sponsor, the HHSheikhMansoor bin Zayed Al NahyanGlobal Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festivalfor their participation in this mostprestigious event.”

The full list of UK nominees were asfollows:

Best Female OwnerLINDA CROSS

Best Female TrainerBEVERLEY DEUTROM

Best Female JockeySTEFANIA GANDOLA

Best Female BreederJENNY PEYTON

Best MareSPIRITED GAMEBest 4 year old FillyJUMERIA PALMBest 3 year old Filly

SALAAMABest TV Presenter

LAURA KING (Dubai Racing Channel)Best Journalist

PENNY SILVESTER (ITV)Best PhotographerDEBORAH BURT

Life Time AcheviementCAROL LEGG

Best Endurance RiderNICKI THORNE

Darley Award photographs by PamelaBurton and Morhaf AlassafValiant Boy SBFAR by Sally Duckett

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Who we are…Who we are…Who we are…

The UK is a world leader in Purebred Arabian racing.

The Arabian Racing OrganisaƟon (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 presƟge 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 incenƟve 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«� SÊ½� Açã«ÊÙ®ãù ¥ÊÙ AÙ��®�Ä

R��®Ä¦ ®Ä ã«� UK’

ARO Ltd, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire, RG14 7NZ

0044 (0) 1635 524 445

[email protected]

THE ARABIAN RACING THE ARABIAN RACING THE ARABIAN RACING ORGANISATION LTDORGANISATION LTDORGANISATION LTD


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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSEis delighted to announce the free to enter‘Super 7’ competition, generouslysponsored by Shadwell Arab Stallions.

Entrants are invited to select a team ofseven horses to race in UK ARO races from2 May to 25 September with the followingcriteria:

* no unraced horses* at least one four year old* up to two overseas trained horsesmaybe selected

Points will be scored as follows:

10 points for a win5 points for second3 points for thirdBonus + 2 points for a Listed or Group win

In the case of a deadheat points will beawarded as follows: win - 8 points, second– 4 points, third – 2 points.

Up to two entries per person are to beemailed to:[email protected]

No entries will be accepted after midnight1 May 2015.

Shadwell Arab Stallions will present thewinner with either a Gentleman’s watchand cufflinks or a Ladies watch and abracelet at the ARO Dinner Dance in 2016.

SHADWELL

SUPER7


UK SEASON PREVIEWPART TWO

The HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al NayhanCup is a global series of races which beganin January in Australia and will end inNovember in Abu Dhabi. Run as part of theHH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al NahyanGlobal Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival,this year the UK race takes over thesponsorship of the Hawthorn HillInternational Stakes - with an increase inprize money to £70,000, as befits itsGroup 1 status. This also marks a welcomereturn to Lingfield for the Arabian RacingOrganisation (ARO) who last raced therein 2010.

It will be the eagerly awaited first Group 1of the UK season and has attracted astrong field of 17 at the first entry stage.This includes five previous Dubai Daywinners and six horses rated over 100,headed by Al Hibaab (FR) (Al Sakbe xIetlato De Carrere), the 2014 Group 1 DubaiInternational Stakes winner. Gill Duffield’scharge has not been the easiest to train,but is capable of a good performance firsttime out, having won the Listed Presidentof the UAE Cup over this trip at theCurragh in 2013. He showed he can handlethe Polytrack, following up his Dubai Day

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AL Hibaab (FR) and Paul Hannagan at Longchamp


win with a victory in the Group 2International IFHAR Trophy in Istanbul inSeptember.

Closest to him on ratings are the overseas-trained mares Samima (FR) (Dahess xOleya Du Loop) and Ghazwa (FR) (Zawamx Gharhooga). Trained by Karen van denBos in the Netherlands, Samima’s best UKefforts have been on Dubai Day. Firstly,when a neck second to the subsequent2015 Kahayla Classic winner Manark, in theGroup 2 juvenile and then when finishingsecond in the Group 1 Hatta last year. Thatwas her first start in the Royal Cavalry ofOman’s colours, when she was six lengthsadrift of Djainka Des Forges. This formwas upheld at Longchamp when she was asimilar distance behind Djainka Des Forgeswhen fifth in the Arabian World Cup,though she had previously beaten her inthe Group 1 Qatar Total Arabian Trophy asa four-year-old. Must be a leadingcontender, however surprisingly, hertrainer has only scored twice in her last 25UK forays.

Though foaled and trained in France,Ghazwa (FR) (Zawam x Gharhooga) is aproduct of Dr Al Nujaifi’s Iraqi bloodlines.Both her wins have come over 7f, including

the Group 3 French Arabian BreedersChallenge at Toulouse beating UK Derbywinner Nahee (FR) (Bibi De Carrere xDjezika) and dual Zabeel Sprint winner AlMouhannad (FR) (Nizam x Al Ryme).Trainer Damien de Watrigant also has animpressive 32% strike rate from his last 25runners in the UK.

Jean-Francois Bernard’s three maidens, AlNashmi (FR) (Majd Al Arab x Noreen),Kardoos (FR) (Saklawi Jadrane x Mahaba)and Silex Al Maury (FR) (Akbar x SensitiveAl Maury), are all for different owners. Hehas a similar percentage to de Watrigantwith his UK runners, so his choice must berespected.

Kardoos’s best performance was whenfour lengths third in the Group 3 BreedersChallenge at Toulouse to the unbeatenMister Ginoux (FR) (Amer x Nacree AlMaury), with Al Nashmi, less than a lengthbehind in fourth at this trip in October.Silex Al Maury was bought from hisbreeder Rene Koch in the autumn byValetin Bukhtoyarov, following a fourth totop French juvenile Al Mouwaffak (FR)(Azadi x Morgane De Piboul). Campaignedover slightly further, this will be his firststart at a mile, though unlike hisstablemates, he has the benefit of tworuns this spring to set him straight.

Recent Russian import Vlastelin Kolec (RU)(Newmarket x Velvichia) is a leggyindividual whose tally of 7 wins from 17starts have all been on dirt or polytrack.Two of those were at a mile, including aGroup 1. Last raced at the end of August, itwill be interesting to see how that formtranslates over here for new connections.

Georgina Ward’s Toutatix (FR) (Ambiorix xBelle Abbesse) and the Adam Newey pair,Shadiya (Khoutoubia x Sing Me A Song)

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Ghazwa (FR) at Longchamp


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and Syra Gris (Khoutoubia x Akara DeSyrah) are all previous Dubai Day PremierHandicap winners. Shadiya hasn’t wonsince that victory in 2012, whilst Syras Grislooks vulnerable giving weight away.Toutatix is lightly raced for his age, sopossible there is still more improvement,however both trainers capable of gettingtheir horses fit for a bold show, if some ofthe higher rated runners don’t turn up.

Second in the trainers championship lastyear was Peter Hammersley and he fieldsZayin Zachilles (Kaolino x CS Comete) andDelishess (USA) (Dahess x Polish Rye). Astiff task on ratings for Zayin Zachilles, butit will be interesting to see what Delishesshas to offer this year, Forta Stud havingswapped their UK runners betweentrainers this season. Delishess had won afillies’ Grade 2 in her native US over 1m½ fon dirt, but failed to translate that successin four starts for Gill Duffield last year.Arguably her best performance was herlast on the Tapeta at Wolves, so notwithout a chance if fit enough.

Likely to make the most of her ageallowance is last year’s impressive Group 2juvenile winner Salaama (Mahabb xQosheeyya). Still very green when winningthat event, she steps up to a mile here andproviding she has trained on, could bedifficult to peg back. Shares her sire withKahayla Classic winner Manark, so chanceshe will appreciate the all weather surfacetoo. Gill Duffield’s third entry Radameswas well down the field in this series lastyear when it was a Listed event atNewbury over further. The concern wouldbe that he seems at his best in small fields,so a watching brief advised if he turns uphere.

Beverly Deutrom’s Karar (AE) (Dahess xLaila)won the HH Sheikha FatimaApprentice race at Newbury on thedisqualification of the winner, but looksout of his depth in this. StablemateLahoob clearly has his own ideas about thegame, but took the President of the UAECup at the Curragh on his first start lastterm and finished behind Delishess at levelweights on his last at Wolves. Likely tofind one of the opposite sex too good,

Syrah Gris (GB) at Doncaster


though should be fit enough and warrantsrespect.

Steve Blackwell’s consistent Spirited Game(Vert Olive x Keen Game) was the Al AwalStud leading UK owned mare last season.Hard to tell if it was the Windsor victory orthe Tapeta that saw her finish down thefield in the Gold Final at Wolves, but bigstep up from handicaps to Group 1company on her seasonal bow and otherspreferred.

Potentially a cracking race in which thefairer sex could easily come out on top,Salaama makes obvious appeal, but comesfrom a stable who doesn’t rush theirhorses and this may be too soon to take onthe older generation. Samima clearly hasstrong credentials on paper, though withthe exception of that juvenile run behindManark, all her Group efforts have beenover further and she could get found out,dropped in trip. Ghazwa has been allowedto progress at her own pace, but with fewmiles on the clock, she looks the pick ofthe French raiders.

Of the rest, naturally the top rated AlHibaab must be feared and both he andLahoob have scored in decent company ontheir seasonal bows at this distance.Whilst the wild card has to be VlastelinKolec, suited by the conditions, but it’sdifficult to evaluate his Russian form.Declarations will close at 11am onWednesday 6 May, seewww.aroracing.co.uk for the full list ofrunners.

This will be the only UK pattern race to berun on the All Weather this season and ittakes place alongside the HH SheikhaFatima bint Mubarak Ladies Series race runas part of the Lingfield Derby Trials Day

card for Thoroughbreds. Due to a generousincrease in sponsorship to £25,000, thisrace continues to be the highest valuehandicap run under British HorseracingAuthority regulations for Arabian racing.

It is also the only race confined to Ladiesduring the ARO calendar and is open toboth professionals and amateurs fromaround the world, allowing them thevaluable opportunity to learn from eachother. The UK will be represented byStefania Gandola, last years’ ChampionLady and Novice rider - fresh from herDarley award winning experience inHollywood.

There is a chance she may get to ride ahorse she knows well as the 15 entriesinclude the 2013 winner Altesse Kossack(NL) (Marwan x Azedine A), Zayin Zachilles(GB) and Kermit The Frog (FR) (Kerbella xGoWith The Flo) – all from the PeterHammersley stable.

The ten riders will be allocated their horsesat a draw to take place in the WeighingRoom at Newbury Racecourse onWednesday 6th May. Trainers will benotified via the ARO website following thedraw.

2013 Altesse Kossack (NL) and Marta Pisarekled in by Stefania Gandola

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1.00 Dubai International ArabianRaces supporting UKArabianRacing Maiden Stakes3+ (PA) 1m

A field of unraced horses, and with noform clues on offer it's perhaps bestconcentrating on the Gill Duffieldquintet. The Champion trainer has wonthe opening maiden of the season 5times in the last 7 years and hassaddled the one-two on two occasions.In truth, a victory for any of the 5wouldn't come as a surprise.

It should also be noted that stablejockey Phil Collington will obviouslyhave had the pick of the quintet. Eventhough he doesn't always get it right,the selection is Aghsaan (GB) withElyassat (FR) a close second pick basedsolely on breeding, though the fact hewears a hood on his racecourse debuttempers enthusiasm slightly.

1.30 Shadwell Arabian StallionsHandicap Stakes4+ PA (0-50) 1m1f

It's highly likely that there is better tocome from the maiden Callymay (GB)this season. She shaped on more thanone occasion last year as though shewas capable of winning races and withanother winter on her back, it will be

interesting to see how she progresses.

Top Trip (GB) is a three time winner butall from mark's in the 40's and it willtake a career best effort to win this -particularly on his seasonal return. Hehas no great record fresh and has onlybeat one horse home in two runs herein the past.

So the two to concentrate on may wellbe LB Farrah (GB) and Shuwaiman AlKebir (GB) who are both maidens. Theyfinished second and third hererespectively (separated by half alength) over 6 furlongs on the final dayof last season.

Shuwaiman Al Kebir has a fair recordon his seasonal debut but does seemsuited best by a slightly shorter tripthan todays so LB Farrah gets a narrowvote to get her head in front for thefirst time.

LB Farrah (GB) and Teresa Gavin going to postat Windsor

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BIRD'S EYE VIEW - WOLVERHAMPTON PREVIEWGARY CAPEWELL


2.30 Forta Stud Restricted MaidenStakes3+ PA 7f

Of the two that have raced Attila DeRouaisse (FR) sets the standard. Heraced in the corresponding event lastseason and finished fifth. There maywell be more to come from him thisterm and he could put his previousracecourse experience to good use.However with a rating of 65, it wouldbe somewhat of a surprise if one of thenewcomers didn't go close on theirdebut.The paddock will provide further cluesbut having won three of theserestricted maidens in the past twoseasons (one with a newcomer) PeterHammersley's runners are bothinteresting. The one that appeals moston paper is Zayin Zodiac (GB) and heis a token selection.

3.00 AHS Trainer Award Winner2014 'Jenny Peyton' HandicapStakes4+ PA 1m1f

Kiraa (FR) hasn't won for a while but isnow 9 pounds below her last winningmark. She likes it here and has won onher seasonal debut in the past so is notdiscounted. Al Mamoon (AE) hasn'tbeen seen out since August, but hasdropped to his joint lowest career markand has a good record here.Senor Dublcheck (GB) is a genuinehandicapper but might need a slightdrop in grade before he can win again,he usually needs a run or two to gethim spot on anyway. Vindetta (GB) wasbrought along very gradually last termand ended the season with a decent5th against much more experienced

handicappers over this course anddistance, she should prove more thancapable of winning races of this mark.The selection though is Kermit TheFrog (FR) who has been gelded overthe winter. He defied a two yearabsence to win at Hereford last seasonover two miles before showing hisversatility winning here over 6 furlongsthree weeks later. The latter effortcame quite quickly after that longabsence and he didn't seem to performas well. There should be better tocome from him this campaign and canreward connections for thereperseverance.

3.30 Shadwell Arabian GraduationStakes3+ PA 1m

El Salaam (GB) is an interesting andwell bred debutant he should becapable of winning races. However hewill be have to be well above averageto beat Bon Baiser De Faust (FR) whois making his debut in the Uk havingpreviously been trained in Francewhere he showed some very usefulform in Group company.

Kermit The Frog (FR) winning at Hereford lastyear under Stefania Gandola

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He was rated in the top 20 three- yearolds in the end of year ratings last yearand it will be something of a surprise ifhe can't make a winning Uk debut.

4.30 AHS Premium Scheme AwardWinner 'LB Armani' HandicapStakes4+ PA (0-80) 1m4f

Noble Athlete (FR) is as tough andgenuine as they come, he's now backdown to his last winning mark and hehas a fantastic record at this track -winning on four occasions and hasn'tfinished out of the frame here in 9 runs.

Parma T (NL) is making her UK debuthaving run with great credit in Europe

- an opening mark of 80 maybe a littleharsh however.

Zayin Zachilles (GB) is still open toprogress this season and won on hisseasonal bow. That said he remains afew pounds above his last winningmark and a career best will be needed.Sharaf (FR) was a little disappointinglast season but a step up in trip heremay help him.

The same can also be said of OrientalMyth (FR). She doesn't exactly lookthrown in off a mark of 80, but is opento any amount of improvement and thestep up in trip looks sure to benefither. She can shed the maiden tag atthe fourth attempt.

Oriental Myth (FR) and Phil Collington

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-

"supporting Arabian racing since 2012"

- . .

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NEW TRAINER PROFILE:

StephaneLévêque

Newmarket’s Arabian racehorsepopulation is set to grow with the arrival ofStephane Lévêque who has recently takenout his ARO license. He will shortly bemoving to larger premises on Newmarket’s Hamilton Road with his wife,Thoroughbred trainer and practising vet,Ilka Gansera Lévêque.

The new yard has thirty stables, includinga smaller yard where Lévêque can housethe Arabians. He explained. “If we were inFrance, we could have the horses[Thoroughbreds and Arabians] in a mixedyard, but because we are in England, wecan’t. Having set up here with theThoroughbreds, it would be too much totake on, moving back to France. So we areshortly going to move to a larger yard,where we can keep them separate.

It was on a recent visit to Abu Dhabi thathe identified the need for more Arabianracing trainers in the UK. “This is a reallyexciting move for me," he said. "I amlooking forward to combining my years ofexperience with both Arabians andThoroughbreds for the best results.”

Lévêque’s parents had a few Arabians andwhen he graduated from agriculturalcollege he completed his jockeyapprenticeship in France before coming toNewmarket to spend a year working withGillian Hay. He soon progressed to Dubaito work for Erwan Charpy and later, hejoined Godolphin’s Thoroughbredoperation as a work rider and returned toNewmarket. He successfully completed theBritish Horseracing Authority TrainersCourse in 2009.

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“Whilst I was at Goldophin we started ourown business and began to expand. Thenew yard will be a significant investmentand we will have to work hard to attractmore owners.

“The facilities in Newmarket are obviouslyvery good, I think that it will be anadvantage to have the Arabians on this sideof town because there is more space, morevariety in the tracks available and of coursethey are used to seeing Arabians becauseMrs Duffield trains on this side too.”

Racecourse Side where Lévêque is based,has three different Polytrack gallops, theCambridge Road (1m3f), Rubbing House(9f), Hamilton Hill (5f) plus the SouthfieldsRound (a 6f eco track oval), in addition tothe wide variety of turf gallops. The FlatGallop, which is the first gallop to open inMarch, is complemented by the SummerGallop (2m) when the Flat becomes toofirm in the summer. There is also theWatered Gallop (1m) and the Peat MossGallop (2m).

Lévêque continued. “Arabians have to befit, but you need to train them in a differentway than you do a Thoroughbred - whichare often over trained! We have a nicepaddock which we will separate for turnout at the new yard, it is a big advantage toget them out for an hour or two every day.Arabians always like to think that they arein charge, we have to work on thehappiness side more than anything else.”

Due into quarantine this week, Leveque’sfirst charge will be the four-year-old coltStorm Troupour (USA) (Nivour DeCardonne x ES Ornetta) in training for hisbreeder Kathryn Smoke. Smoke isPresident of the Arabian Jockey Club (AJC)in the United States. This is not her firstforay into UK ownership, having

previously been involved with the GGGBPartnership who raced Pacific Athbah(USA) in 2014.

The format of US Arabian racing todaydoes not accommodate turf or a test ofstamina which Smoke feels StormTroupour is ideally suited by on breeding.His dam is a three parts sister to HFOlympia (USA) the dam of Orgia Fata(USA) (by Chndaka) who won the PolishTriple Crown a few years ago.

Smoke is understandably excited by thisnew adventure. “With all the great peopleI’ve met from England it just seemed theright thing to do - at the right time - withthe right horse. We’re so pleased thatStephane and Ilka have made it possible tosend an Arabian to them.”

Lévêque concluded. “We would aim for adozen in training, hopefully if we can dowell with Storm Troupour, it will attractmore horses, unfortunately it is a little bitlate this year, as by the time he gets to thetrack, half of the season will have gone.However we hope by the end of the seasonthe horse will do the talking for us.”

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Storm Troupour (USA)

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

HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan Cup

Lingfield hosts the first Group 1 of the season,plus the UK leg of the HH Sheikha Fatima bintMubarak Ladies World Championship (IFHAR)

Wolverhampton

Full report and pictures from ARO's first fullfixture

GoWest! Taunton Preview

Dubai International Arabian Races

Shadwell Stud's Marketing Manager, RachaelGowland, discusses the plans for this yearsmeeting, plus the new series of preparatoryraces and bonus scheme.

T H E A R A B I A N R A C E H O R S EIssue 3 - online - 16 May

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www.lgbloodstock.com

May 31 Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan CupHH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR

HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship IFAHRat Sluzewiec Racetrack

May 28 - 30 World Arabian Horse Racing Conference at

May 27 Press Conference at Marriott Hotel

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