UAE PRESIDENT CUP – UK ARABIAN DERBY ENTRIES ANNOUNCED
First three home in French equivalent could reoppose at Doncaster on St Leger Day
The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted with the 11 entries for the mile and a quarter UAE President Cup sponsored UK Arabian Derby (Gr1PA), to be held on Saturday 12 September at Doncaster, which includes five out of the first six home from the French equivalent. Part of the world’s oldest Arabian classic series, it is the second of two UAE President Cup sponsored races to be held in the UK, the first being a Group 3PA for three-year-olds at Newbury on August 12th. Held on BetFred St Leger Day with a prize fund of £250,000 it is the most valuable race exclusively for four-year-old Arabians in Europe.
Romeo AT and Laffan (blue cap) are set to renew rivalry in the UAE President Cup at Doncaster
Of the 11 entries, eight are from France and include Sab’aan Al Shahania, winner of the Qatar Arabian Derby des Pur Sang Arabes de 4 Ans, who is a full brother to Group 1PA winners, Assy and Monia. He could face Dual Group 1PA winner Laffan, as well as Romeo AT who was runner-up on both occasions to Laffan as well as in the French Arabian Derby – he is also a Group 3PA winner against older horses. Fakhira lost her unbeaten record when third in the French Derby, but has since won a Group 1PA, whilst Derby fifth, Hilal, had scored in a Group 3PA earlier in the season with Sab’aan Al Shahania behind him.
Sab’aan Al Shahania, wins the Qatar Arabian Derby des Pur Sang Arabes from Romeo AT (farside)
Three entries are from the UK and include recent winner Ashj’aa and three-time winner, Al Sharid who finished sixth in the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood this week.
Al Sharid seen winning at Doncaster in July heads back there for the UAE President Cup in September
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We are thrilled with the quality entries for this year’s race. The French Derby form has always been a significant pointer to success at Doncaster and with many of the French horses very closely matched it should be a competitive renewal, however we also have two domestic entries very much on an upward curve and we look forward to seeing how they match up, should they all declare.
“We thank the UAE President Cup for their generous and continued support of our racing and following the supplementary stage on 6 September, we look forward to receiving declarations on Wednesday 9 September.”
