Category Archives: News

MULTIPLE CLASSIC WINNING TRAINER HUGO PALMER TO TRAIN ARABIANS FOR AL ASAYL BLOODSTOCK

 

 

Hugo Palmer heads to the saddling boxes at Royal Ascot ©Debbie Burt - Equine Creative Media

Hugo Palmer heads to the saddling boxes at Royal Ascot ©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

 

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is delighted to welcome the registrations of two horses from leading UAE owner breeder Al Asayl Bloodstock. Both three-year-olds have arrived at Hugo Palmer’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire and are being prepared to run in the UK this season. Marakeb, a colt by leading first and second crop sire Al Mourtajez, is out of a five-time winner for the Late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, founder of Al Asayl, whilst Rich Pulls Pitch is a filly by their two-time Group 1PA winner RB Burn.

Multiple Classic winning trainer Palmer, for whom this is his first experience of training Arabians, said, “We’ve just taken over two horses for Al Asayl which is the Abu Dhabi based racing team of Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan and her father Sheikh Sultan. I think I’m their only trainer to train Flat thoroughbreds, jumping thoroughbreds and Arabians!

“When Sheikha Alyazia asked me, I said I’d love to, but you must realise I’ve never had anything to do with Arabians and she said they’re just like thoroughbreds, treat them like thoroughbreds. So, on her instructions, that’s very much what we’re doing.”

The horses arrived as two-year-olds in early December having been broken and pre-trained in France and Palmer sought the advice of five-time leading Arabian trainer James Owen, who had trained for ARO’s late Patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

He continues, “I rang James, who’s now making a very good fist of being a National Hunt trainer and he very much said treat them as though they’re a year behind. They’re very much like small thoroughbreds really and though they were quite backward when they arrived, in the last couple of weeks Marakeb, the colt, is just beginning to switch on and improve.

“I think there’s got to be potential for the sport to grow [in the UK]. If the money is there and if the races are there, then I’m sure the horses will follow. We would like to have more than two here. My heart will be in my mouth the first time they run, because it’s very hard to know what’s going on until we get them on the track. That’s going to be really fun and I’m looking forward to it.”

Harry Peter-Hoblyn, Al Asayl European Racing Manager commented, “Everyone at Al Asayl is very much looking forward to having Arabians in England with Hugo. We’ve had success in the past on the track here with Arabians, most notably Sir Bani Yas and we hope that can continue. We already have thoroughbreds in England with Hugo and George Boughey and to add Arabians to our English string is an exciting prospect. Hugo seems to be getting to grips with them and his eagerness to take up the challenge is certainly encouraging. There are a number of top class races on the calendar here which is obvious from the number of French raiders we have seen in previous years coming across the channel and I certainly hope we can give them a run for their money.”

 

Watch Hugo Palmer talking about the addition of Al Asayl’s Arabians to his string ©JSC Comms

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “Since January 2021, licenced BHA trainers have been permitted to train Arabians as well as thoroughbreds. Though we have had our own trainers such as James Owen, or his former assistant, Mitchel Hunt, take out a full BHA licence to train thoroughbreds, Hugo is the first established thoroughbred trainer to take on Arabians, which is extremely positive for our sport.

“As is the backing of a globally successful stable such as Al Asayl, who won the first running of our most valuable race, the £400,000 Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood with Sir Bani Yas in 2015 and the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, at Sandown, also a Group 1PA, the following year. He was trained in France, and we hope that we may now see horses of his quality trained and raced here.

“When Arena Racecourses took us over in March last year, the future of Arabian racing in the UK was secured, and we’ve already been able to increase the number of races programmed for 2024. This opens up many more opportunities for owners and trainers to either compliment their existing interests or to try something completely new by adding Arabians to their string.”

Concluding she said, “ARO always welcomes enquiries from people new to the sport or those wishing to expand their Arabian racing activities in the UK. We’re looking forward to the start of our season which will be at Royal Windsor on Monday 15th April.”

 

 

JAMES OWEN SECURES SECOND ARABIAN RACING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE HWPA DERBY AWARDS

 

 

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted to announce trainer James Owen as the recipient of the 2023 Arabian Racing Achievement Award. The award was presented as part of the Horserace Writers’ and Photographers’ Association (HWPA) 57th Annual Derby Awards on Monday 4 December, at the Royal Lancaster, London. Now in its’ tenth year, the award, once again generously sponsored by Equine MediRecord, recognises an individual or organisation for their contribution to UK Arabian racing.

Since scoring with his first Arabian runner in 2015 and ending that season as Leading Newcomer, Newmarket based Owen has consistently been in the top ranks of UK Arabian racing, winning five trainers titles and finishing runner-up three times.

Running a small string of point-to-pointers alongside, he has also maintained successful pre-training business, most notably starting off 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown. Following the BHA announcement that thoroughbred trainers could also train Arabians as they do overseas, at the end of the 2022 ARO season he was the first ARO trainer to take out his BHA licence. Hitting the ground running with thoroughbreds almost as quickly as with Arabians, Owen was in the top ten National Hunt trainers this summer. He also has a live Cheltenham JCB Triumph Hurdle contender in Burdett Road, a horse he also pre-trained for long standing supporters of the yard, the Gredley family.

As a former nine times East Anglian Point-to-Point champion jockey, who also partnered over 50 Arabian winners, he understands the importance of supporting young riders. By giving his stable amateurs rides in Arabian races over the summer he has been able to retain a strong core of good riders, with the best of them now able to further their careers under rules.

With Arabians to date, he has been integral in the success of many of ARO’s leading amateur jockeys – including Joanna Mason (three times lady champion), Antonia Peck (lady champion and best known in thoroughbred circles as Cachet’s groom), and Alex Chadwick (twice ARO champion) who has remained at the yard as an amateur to ride over fences, as well as Hollie Doyle (the first female professional ARO champion and overall ARO champion). This season another Owen stable amateur claimed the title in Teagan Padgett. She rattled up a sequence of four wins on Upstart Crow, before steering that one to a black type placing in her first ever ride in an Arabian Group race on the Sprint Cup card at Haydock in September.

Owen had stated right from the start of the 2023 ARO season that his stable amateurs would ride when they could do the weight, and was delighted for their success saying, “This season has been great for Teagan, Rhea and Jamie to get going, particularly Teagan who’s won four on Upstart Crow, who’s been a big asset to the yard. I think Arabian racing is a great grounding for the kids, they work hard for me, you need full time staff, as there’s a lot of work to be done on a daily basis and to be able to reward them by giving them rides really helps.

“They’re not easy to ride, some of these Arabians. Riding a horse that’s not always going forward is hard and it’s a good education for them. Teagan was very lucky with Upstart Crow, as he’s a different sort of horse, but I want them all to be competitive and do the best they can, and they’ve really improved. Alex is a good amateur for us, Jamie’s turned conditional and is doing well, Teagan will probably end up going down the apprentice route, she’s a tidy rider. Rhea tries the hardest out of all them and has done really well, whether she’ll ride again next year I don’t know, but she does most of my travelling now.”

Finlay Dargan, Equine MediRecord Chief Operations Officer, who presented the award said, “We are proud to sponsor the Arabian Achievement Award that raises Arabian racing’s profile at this prestigious annual event. We highly value our associate sponsorship with ARO in the UK and are already looking forward to next season.

 “We congratulate James Owen on winning the award for supporting his staff in their riding careers and for bridging the gap between Arabian and Thoroughbred racing in the UK. We wish him every success in the future.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “This season has been a turning point for our sport in the UK following its acquisition by the Arena Racing Company. It is fitting that James, who has supported all his young riders using Arabian racing as a training ground, has these achievements recognised. We hope that he can now put that Arabian experience to good use as he develops his own career with Thoroughbreds.”

Concluding she said, “We thank the Horserace Writer’s and Photographers’ Association for their continued support of UK Arabian racing, allowing us to acknowledge the achievements of our participants in this way. We also thank Equine MediRecord for their continued sponsorship, as well as the Hong Kong Jockey Club, BioWave, World Pool and Coral for supporting the 57th HWPA Annual Derby Awards.”

 

 

ARO THRILLED TO HAVE UK TRAINED THAKEERA AL SHAHANIA INVITED TO THE JEWEL CROWN IN ABU DHABI

 

230819_ARO_Donc_Thakeera Al Shahania_Joanna Mason

 

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was thrilled when the 16 horses invited to contest the AED 5 million Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, included Thakeera Al Shahania, trained in Newmarket by Phil Collington. Collington has recently been crowned ARO leading trainer for a third time, whilst Thakeera Al Shahania is owned by Athbah Racing, who have also retained the ARO leading owner title this season.

Collington and Athbah Racing will be hoping to repeat their success of 2019, when they won the Abu Dhabi contest with Mashhur Al Khalediah, who then went on to be third in the Obaiya Arabian Classic at the inaugural Saudi Cup meeting.

Speaking of her chances Collington said, “We’re delighted to receive an invitation for Thakeera Al Shahania. I think the distance and the track will suit her, and I still think she’s very good on the top of the ground, which she’ll definitely get there. She’s flown a lot already, she’s quite a cool customer travelling, so that’s an added plus, and I think looking at her runs and the nature of the race, she’ll stay the 2200m well. I’d be quite optimistic for her, she’s in great form though she’s been in training for quite a while, as she still feels very, very well.”

Abdul Moniem Ahmed Ali, Athbah Racing manager commented, “On behalf of Athbah Racing, and as a lover of Arabian horses, I thank Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his highness’s support of Arabian racing worldwide, and also his team in expertly managing this global event, which is one of the most valuable for Arabian horses on Turf.

“We are delighted to have received two invitations, one for Thakeera Al Shahania, trained in the UK, and one for Mutbahy Athbah, trained in France. With regards our lovely mare Thakeera, I am so excited that she will have the chance to show her best and that she will also be representing the UK, the country in which she won her first race, as well as Saudi Arabia’s Athbah Racing. Since that win she has stepped up to Group1PA level and was a strong third in the UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby and then a close fourth in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Gr1PA) at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend.”

Concluding he said, “These results show that she is capable of performing well at this level and as she is only a four-year-old, I’m sure there will be more to come from her. We have yet to decide a jockey, however I wish all the best to our English trainer and friend Philip Collington.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “The Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Racing Festival has been a great supporter of our sport for many years in the UK and we’re delighted to have the UK trained Thakeera Al Shahania invited to the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown.

“We also have two British bred invitees – the Jewel Crown prep race first and second, Barakka and Ajrad Athbah, whose dams coincidentally Phil Collington now owns. Our domestic form is also boosted by the inclusion of our 2021 Derby winner, Abbes, and last year’s Jewel Crown winner First Classs, who finished second in our most valuable race the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood this year. This year’s UK Derby form continues to yield results internationally with Bahwan, who was fifth, winning in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

“The Jewel Crown always attracts a good field, and this is the strongest renewal for several seasons. We look forward to being present in Abu Dhabi for the 13th World Arabian Horse Racing Forum which starts on the 27th November and concludes with racing at Abu Dhabi with the Jewel Crown it’s highlight on December 3rd.”

ONE-TWO FOR ATHBAH RACING SECURES COLLINGTON THE TRAINERS TITLE IN THE AHO CHALLENGE CUP AT ROYAL WINDSOR

 

 

The 2023 Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) season concluded at Royal Windsor this evening with the £4,000 Arabian Horse Organization (AHO) Challenge Cup over a mile. A three quarters of a length win by Mutwahhej Athbah, ridden by George Wood gave trainer Phil Collington his second consecutive ARO Trainers title. This was Collington’s third overall and added to the seasonal tally of wins by his principal patron, Athbah Racing, whose retention of the ARO leading owners title had already been confirmed. Collington also trained the second, Garmoosha, ridden by Kieran O’Neill who finished well clear of Coljani and Darragh Keenan.

After the race Newmarket based Collington commented: “I’m pleased overall, it was obviously going to be a bit of an indifferent race on this ground. I thought Coljani, who’s comparatively experienced would take it up, my two were a little bit lost on the ground initially, but once they warmed to it and got into the race, they finished off really well. It will be nice to see them both on better ground, they will definitely come on for this.

“It’s a nice way to end the season with another trainers title, obviously I’m pleased for the staff and my all owners, particularly Athbah Racing, who’ve got two nice three-year-olds here.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO congratulates Phil and Athbah Racing for their win with Muttwahej Athbah and for another successful season racing with ARO in the UK.  This has included two domestic PA Group wins, as well as a very close fourth in the Group 1PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments on Arc weekend, France’s equivalent of the Arabian Oaks, which upholds our form overseas.”

“We also thank the Arabian Horse Organization for their generous sponsorship of this, our final race of the season. We are also very grateful to Racing Welfare for the support of our stable staff and to their representative Katy Ferguson who presented Peter Hammersley with the leading yard award for the most Best Turned Out winners, and his groom Sue Wileman, for the highest number of individual winners.”

A full report of all of the 2023 ARO season titleholders will follow in due course.

COLLINGTON SEEKS TO RETAIN TRAINERS TITLE IN THE ARABIAN HORSE ORGANIZATION CHALLENGE CUP AT ROYAL WINDSOR

 

 

The 2023 Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) season concludes at Royal Windsor on Monday 23 October with the Arabian Horse Organization Challenge Cup in which Phil Collington seeks to regain the top spot from his near neighbour James Owen to retain the leading trainers title. To be run over a mile, the £4,000 race is for maidens and has attracted a field of seven.

Collington fields two for his main patron Athbah Racing, who are already confirmed as leading owners for a second year in succession. He has strong connections with both his unraced three-year-olds, having trained Mutwahhej Athbah’s half-sister to win on her debut, and the dam of Garmoosha to win a Group 3PA race over the same trip as her daughter will face on Monday.

“Both horses have come together nicely recently” said Collington from his yard in Newmarket. “They both have lovely pedigrees and I’d expect them to be even better next year. I rode and trained Garmoosha’s dam, and I also rode her sire, but neither ran as three-year-olds. She’s had a few issues with immaturity throughout the year, but she’s good and ready to run now.

“We didn’t think Mutwahhej Athbah would be ready this year, but he’s had no developmental issues to hold him up and mentally it’s all come together for him now. He’ll definitely strengthen up and improve a lot more from this run. The ground will be an unknown for both of them though!”

Of the horses with more experience, owner, breeder, trainer Steve Blackwell will be hoping for a good show from his mare Sassy, saying, “I’m expecting a better run from her on Monday, I’ve been able to do a lot more with her at home recently and I’d be disappointed if she’s not improved from her last run. If we get placed I’ll be delighted and it will give us something to look forward to for next season.”

Peter Hammerlsey also runs two, commenting, “Coljani was very sore after the latest Lingfield run, but he’s had a little break and some physio and is going well at home. He shouldn’t be troubled by soft ground and will appreciate being back on a flat track. Belle Angelique is in the best form she’s been in all year, so we hope she’ll pick up the bridle with the blinkers back on.”

Another maiden who could utilise his experience is Jen Harris’s homebred Kayack and also making her debut is the four-year-old Pharitz Alanood trained by Mitchell Hunt. Hunt came close to recording his first Arabian winner as a trainer when the veteran Storm Troupour was second for the same connections last month.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We thank the Arabian Horse Organization for their generous sponsorship of this, our final race of the season. We will also welcome Katy Ferguson from Racing Welfare to present Peter Hammersley with the leading yard award for Best Turned Out winners, and his groom Sue Wileman, who receives the individual winners award.”

AL-HATAB GETS THE HAT-TRICK WINNING THE EMIRATES BREEDERS HANDICAP AT LINGFIELD PARK

 

 

 

Al-Hatab secured a hat-trick of wins this afternoon at Lingfield Park when winning the Emirates Breeders (0-75) Handicap over a mile and a quarter, ridden by Mohammed Tabti. Just like ten days ago at the same track, the pair forged ahead in the home straight to win by two and a quarter lengths, from Storm Troupour and Rhys Clutterbuck in second.

Tabti, who has partnered the five-year-old son of Tabarak to all his victories commented, “He’s so relaxed in his races now, he just switches off. All I have to do is touch the reins and he’s back on the bridle again. There was only a small gap, but he went straight through it.”

Trainer Peter Hammerlsey, who also co-owns the horse in partnership with his breeder Julie Kelway commented, “We couldn’t be more pleased with Al-Hatab, he’s really grown up and Mohammed gave him another lovely ride today. That’ll be it for the season now for him and my other runner Coljani, and we look forward to next year.”

James Owen Racing’s Jaahez, partnered by Lily Pinchin who was favourite as they went to post, was withdrawn at the start for failing to load, for the second time in his career.

Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is delighted for Julie and Pete on their third consecutive success with Al-Hatab today, as well as another win for Mohammed. We also congratulate Jessica Tooth for winning the Best Turned Out Award sponsored by Baker McVeigh International with Al-Hatab.”

AL-HATAB NOW AIMS FOR THE HAT-TRICK IN THE EMIRATES BREEDERS HANDICAP AT LINGFIELD PARK

 

 

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomed a competitive field for the concluding race of the UK’s Emirates Breeders Series, a 0-75 Handicap to be run over a mile and two furlongs at Lingfield Park on Tuesday 26th September. The £4,000 race has attracted a field of nine in which Al-Hatab now aims to end his season on a high with a hat-trick of wins.

Trained by Peter Hammersley, who co-owns the five-year-old gelding with his breeder Julie Kelway, the son of Tabarak will reoppose many of his rivals from his two earlier wins, the most recent of which came at this track over further, with the previous success at the same distance. Also in the line-up and from the same stable is the four-year-old Coljani, who may well follow his stablemate’s steady trajectory to success next season, as he’s still a work in progress at this stage.

Newmarket based James Owen, who opened his yard to the public as part of the Henry Cecil Open Weekend today, will be going all out to secure a sixth ARO trainers’ title with three runners. Heritage Valentino, who has been second and third to Al-Hatab runs, along with Jaahez who beat Al-Hatab into third at Brighton (behind another high scoring horse this season, Upstart Crow), and he will have conditions very much in his favour. Owen’s homebred Mayfair put up a career best on her most recent outing to be placed in a Group 3PA at Haydock and though penalised accordingly, has also been a consistent performer this season.

Owen and last year’s top trainer Phil Collington are tied with five wins apiece, however Owen is ahead on placed horses and Collington has just one representative at Lingfield, Lujain. If the application of a visor and the return of Dylan Hogan to the saddle brings about a similar performance as on her reappearance, when the pair were a solid fourth to three Group performers, he may be in line to secure the top spot for a second year running.

Now into the veteran stage are Delyth Thomas’s Paramer Angel, who has winning form at this trip, though was disappointing at Haydock finishing well behind Mayfair, and Mitch Hunt’s Storm Troupour. Storm Troupour was beaten into third by Mayfair when she scored at Brighton in August. In fourth that day was Jen Harris’s Kayack, who is returning to the scene of his narrowest defeat, a short head over the same distance, back in 2021.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We thank the Emirates Breeders for their generous support of our racing throughout 2023 and are delighted to see this, their final race of the season, so well supported. It is also likely that some of the end of season leaders’ titles may be clarified on Tuesday, which just adds to the excitement.

“We also look forward to welcoming a representative of Baker McVeigh International to select the winner of the Best Turned Out award.”

 

BACK TO BACK WINS FOR AL-HATAB WHEN WINNING THE WWW.WATHBASTALLIONS.COM HANDICAP AT LINGFIELD PARK

 

 

Al-Hatab made it back-to-back wins this afternoon at Lingfield Park when winning the £4,000 www.wathbastallions.com (0-55) handicap over a mile and five furlongs, ridden by Mohammed Tabti. The pair pulled clear to win by a decisive four lengths, from Aloof ridden by amateur Lewis Saunders, who finished six lengths ahead of Heritage Valentino and fellow amateur, Jamie Gambin.

This was also the second win on the five-year-old for Tabti  who commented, “He jumped well from the stalls, we had a good lead. He was nice and settled, going really well and when I asked him to go, he picked up the bridle well, he had a really good turn of foot. I don’t think the step up in trip bothered him, he’s a really nice horse, with a very good mind.”

Trainer Peter Hammerlsey who also co-owns the horse in partnership with his breeder Julie Kelway commented, “We’re really pleased with Al-Hatab, we thought the step up in trip would suit him, he settles so well now. He’s like his brother, Al-Tabari, he’s got a lovely turn of foot. They’re very similar, the moment he learned to settle, it was the making of him. Mohammed gave him a lovely ride.”

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “We congratulate Al-Hatab and all the winning connections of the race at Lingfield today. We are delighted that the race has been won by a small breeder, as this is one of the main aims of the Wathba Stallions series, to encourage the breeding of Arabian racehorses around the globe.”

Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is delighted for Julie and Pete on their success with Al-Hatab today, as well as another win for Mohammed. We are also pleased that the first three home are British breds who will earn their breeders cash reward as part of our breeders scheme this season.”

AL-HATAB SEEKS A DOUBLE IN THE WWW.WATHBASTALLIONS.COM HANDICAP AT LINGFIELD PARK

 

 

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomed a competitive field for the www.wathbastallions.com 0-55 Handicap to be run over a mile and five furlongs at Lingfield Park on Saturday 16 September. The £4,000 race has attracted a field of eight in which Al-Hatab bids for a double following his recent win at Bath over a mile and a quarter.

He will reoppose many of his rivals from that race including his stablemate Belle Angelique, as well the second Heritage Valentino, and two others from the stable of current ARO leading trainer James Owen, in Heritage Vadel and Delicatesse. Bridgend based Steve Blackwell sends Aloof and Aljawaaher, who were third and fourth behind Al-Hatab, whilst sixth placed Kayack represents his owner-breeder-trainer Jen Harris.

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “The Festival sponsors 153 races globally this year, as well as the World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December. It is also good to see so many young apprentices and riders from the amateur ranks booked to ride on Saturday.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival for their continued and generous sponsorship of our racing and we are pleased to see that this Wathba Stallions series race has been well supported.”

THAYDAH ATHBAH MAINTAINS HER UNBEATEN RECORD WINNING THE HH SHEIKHA FATIMA BINT MUBARAK CUP AT HAYDOCK PARK

 

 

Thaydah Athbah ridden by ten times UAE champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea maintained her unbeaten record when winning the £20,000 Group 3PA HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup at Haydock Park this afternoon over a mile. The Athbah Racing homebred came home four and a quarter lengths ahead of Upstart Crow and Miss Teagan Padgett, with Mayfair and Marco Ghiani a further four lengths back in third.

Thaydah Athbah, was the pick of three entries from current leading ARO owner, Athbah Racing and is trained by two-time ARO leading trainer and former five-time ARO leading jockey, Phil Collington. Collington has won all four of the previous running’s of this race, three of which were for Athbah Racing, and three were ridden by Tadhg O’Shea.

O’Shea commented, “She’ a very nice filly, Phil has always held her in high regard. This was her first time in Group company, but it was lovely, just a hands and heels ride. She’s going to have stiffer assignments to come, I think the plan is to go to Longchamp, and I think she’s well up to that. She’s a huge filly and I think she’ll only get better with age.

“At Windsor I was left in front way too far out as there was nothing there to really lead her, she was still a big baby, and more so today, I was there probably two, two and a half furlongs to early, I wanted to get her to stretch out today, but she shut down her engines at the furlong pole and pricked her ears, so she’s probably value for more than what she won by. I looked at the screen and she was that far in front. It was like a gallop for her so she’s going to be going to Longchamp bursting with confidence.”

Collington commented, “I’m very pleased with that performance. Watching her there I’d say she could probably do with a bit easier ground, though she won on quick at Windsor. The further she goes the better I think, she’ll have an entry in the Fillies’ Group 1 on Arc weekend and beyond that, she could be an Al Mneefah type of filly.”

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “We have really enjoyed the welcome that everyone at Haydock Park has given us for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup and we congratulate Tadhg O’Shea, Athbah Racing and Phil Collington for winning today with Thaydah Athbah.”

“The Festival sponsors 153 races globally this year, as well as the World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “For over ten years the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival has generously supported our racing for which ARO is extremely grateful. We are delighted for Athbah, Tadhg, Phil and his team for producing Thaydah Athbah in such good form to maintain their great record in this race, and we hope that she will continue to progress in Group company and uphold the form of UK Arabian racing globally.

“We are also grateful for the support from Haydock Park racecourse and Brendan Waterworth from Racing Welfare who presented the Best Turned Out Award to Oliver Harcourt for Mayfair.”

ARO Racing Horse Logo

Registered office: 4th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP
Telephone: 01635 524 445. Click here to email us