Racegoer's Guide

2009 Championships

     Owner: HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum
     Trainer: Gill Duffield
      Jockey: Simon Walker

     Lady Rider: Rachael Kneller

     Novice Rider: Jack Sherwood
      Pure Bred Arab: Adraaj
      Anglo Arab: Dancing Grace
     Thoroughbred: Chapter

Eclipse Wood Shavings -Sponsors of the 2009 Trainers Championship

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 Dubai International Raceday


If you haven’t been racing before, and are not sure what to expect on the day, or would just like to know more about Arabian Racing, this Racegoers Guide will help ensure you get the most out of your visit, so you’ll have a day you’ll want to experience again and again.

Click here to download your free guide.

· Racing Explained
· Go Racing
· Admission Prices
· What to Wear
· Seeing the Action

Racing Explained
ARO Racing in the UK provides competitive, exciting, predominantly amateur flat racing, which is, above all, great fun for participants and spectators alike. The season runs from May to October, and consists of 15 Raceday Fixtures and between 5 and 10 Single Races (explained in more detail below), all run under the British Horseracing Authority Regulations for Arabian Horseracing. These are held at various racecourses throughout the country, including some top class venues such as Newbury, Newmarket, Salisbury and Huntingdon. (For details of all the ARO racecourses, go to Find A Racecourse).

Raceday Fixtures – usually 8 races, all restricted to amateur riders with a variety of race types, including handicaps, maidens and conditions races.

Single Races – held at Thoroughbred Fixtures; these are our Showcase Handicaps and Group Races where amateurs have the opportunity to ride against professional riders and compete for increased prize money.

Race Length
Races are measured in furlongs, which are approximately 220 yards, or 200 meters, and range from 5 furlongs to 2 miles.  As a guide, races fall into 3 categories:-
Sprints - which are between 5 furlongs and 7 furlongs for sprinters
Middle Distance - which are between 1 and 1 mile 3 furlongs
Long Distance - which are between 12 furlongs and 2 miles, for Stayers.

Race Types
ARO has races for:-
Pure Bred Arabs
Anglo and Part Bred Horses
Anglo and Part Bred Horses and Thoroughbreds. 

Go Racing
Make sure you plan your day so that you, your family and/or friends arrive in plenty of time. On approach to the course, follow directions to the Main Entrance and FREE Car Park; generally there will be Stewards available to ask the way if you are not sure. Once at the admission gate, you will be offered the opportunity to purchase a Racecard, find your way around and visit one of the bars, where hot and cold refreshments will be available from Gates Opening times, which is 2 hours before the first race. Bars will also remain open ½ an hour after the last race so that there’s no need to rush off and get caught in the traffic.

You can expect between 8 races at most fixtures, usually with 30 minutes between races, allowing plenty of time for you to see the horses in the paddock for the next race, choose the one you want to place a bet on, take everything in and even enjoy a bite to eat and a drink in the bar.

Racecard
 This will make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action. It will give you all the information you need to know about times of races, the form and runners for each horse, their jockeys and jockey’s colours.  It also includes form comments for each horse, race previews and a betting forecast, which should help you make up your mind when choosing a horse to place a bet on.
Admission Prices
 Racing with ARO provides a great day out for all the family at exceptional value, with our One Price One Enclosure admission policy, and what’s more, Kids Go Free!

Most ARO Fixtures in 2009 will be £8 per person, unless otherwise stated, although advanced bookings are available at £6 per person. 

Children under 16 will be admitted for FREE (when accompanied by an adult). Prior to a meeting, always look out for offers and/or competitions in your local paper, as you may be able to win free entry!

Dubai Day is FREE entry for all.

What to Wear
 The preferred dress code for racing with ARO is smart casual. At most racecourses you will need to expect to spend much of the time outside, viewing the horses in the paddock, placing your bets, cheering your winner home from the stands, etc, so make sure you dress for the weather. Also, wear your comfy shoes as you will be on your feet for most of the day!

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In the Parade Ring
 The horses will be in the Parade Ring for about 25 to 15 minutes before the each race, so this is your chance to take a close look at each horse and perhaps even choose your choice for a bet.

If you are unsure what to look for, follow these brief guidelines:-

·         Does the form guide in the racecard suggest that this horse has a good chance?

·         Does the horse look well muscled like an athlete and does his coat shine with good condition?

·         Does the horse look relaxed yet eager to get on with the race?

Once their jockeys have mounted the horses leave the parade ring and make their way out on to the track and down to the post (i.e. to the start of the race).

Putting a Bet On
Once you have had a look at the runners in the parade ring and have picked out which horse you would like to place a bet on, make your way to the racecourse viewing stands to watch the race, where the bookies are generally situated.   

You may want to look out for the best odds available, but as a general guide the shorter the price the better the chance, for example, around 2-1 would indicate that the horse is expected to run well, whereas 25-1 or 50-1 indicates that the horse has only an outside chance.  If your price is 2-1, you can expect to win £2 for every £1 you bet, in addition to your stake.  The bookies will only be too happy to explain if you need any assistance.  You will generally be required to make a minimum £2 stake.

Watching the Race
 This is your opportunity to go and place your bets with the bookies in front of the stands, then you’ll need to find a good position in or in front of the Grandstand. Opposite the winning line is best, but it can also be fun to watch the action from much closer to the course by standing against the rails.

 

Winner's Enclosure
 After the race, you can head to the Winner’s Enclosure (normally at one end of the Parade Ring) to cheer the winner in and see the winning connections receive their trophy.

Not only does Racing with ARO provide a great day’s racing action, but there is usually family entertainment and lots of facilities with hot and cold refreshments available, including a Bar and often in the summer, an Ice-Cream van. 

Images on this page are courtesy of Gavin James. No attempt may be made to download, copy or distribute these images. www.gjmultimedia.com

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