FAREEDHAT EL IZZ AND BILLY LOUGHNANE SCORE AGAIN

FAREEDHAT EL IZZ AND BILLY LOUGHNANE SCORE AGAIN

In The Listed Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy at Royal Windsor

Al Nujaifi Racing’s Fareedhat El Izz and Billy Loughane scored for a second year running in the Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy at Royal Windsor on Saturday 27 June. The Listed PA contest, held over a mile, was exclusively for fillies’ and mares’ and was established last year to promote the breeding of Arabian racehorses in Britain. Along with a prize fund of £15,000, Pharitz Racing the owner of the highest placed British runner, Pharitz Lahia received a free nomination to Al Agar, an exciting Burning Sand half-brother to Dr Mohammad Al Nujaifi’s world champion, Al Ghadeer. Pharitz Lahia and Jude Fernandes finished three lengths behind the winner, whilst Zizania Du Mazet and Jack Mitchell were just under two lengths away in third.

After the race Royal Ascot winning jockey Billy Loughnane said, “That was a nice performance. I know she won this last year, but this year the hood was left off, however I wouldn’t be afraid to put it back on, she’s definitely better following. Last year she had more pace to aim at, no one wanted to lead today, and she was the best horse in the race so just kept it simple for her.”

Trainer Wendy Hassall said, “I’m thrilled for Fareedhat El Izz and that Dr Al Nujaifi and Val Bunting trusted me with her and allowed me to train her. I go back over 30 years with Val, we’ve known each other for a long time, I never thought I was going to train her originally, I just thought she was going to winter with me. I’d just got back into training last year with Victoria, just for bit of fun. Today is what all the hard work is for, I’m based in Sussex and I pretty much do it all by myself. I believe my own horse Victoria got a bang coming out of the stalls, as that wasn’t her true running, so we’ll see how she is in the morning.”

Winning owner-breeder Dr Al Nujaifi commented, “I’m very pleased for Fareedhat El Izz to win today, as I was worried that she hadn’t had a prep race, not having raced since last year, and also the weather is very hot and she was sweating a bit. I’d actually considered retiring her, but Val was very insistent to keep her in training for one more year. She’s got a good pedigree, she did well and won easily today, she will make a beautiful broodmare. She has a unique bloodline with Iraqi blood on both sides, her sire Izz Al Khail who we sadly lost, has proved to be a super sire, he won six out of six in Iraq and France and was a half-brother to my Group 1PA winner and sire Hilal Al Zaman.”

Val Bunting, Stud and Racing Manager for Al Nujaifi Racing said, “I’m absolutely delighted, we’ll probably race her once more and then she’ll come home to me in France to be a broodmare. It has been really important for Dr Al Nujaifi to help promote breeding Arabian racehorses in the UK and we’re thrilled to be able to hold this race for a second year.”

ARO CEO Genny Haynes commented, “We thank Dr Mohammad Al Nujaifi and his Al Nujaifi Racing for their continued support of this Listed race for Arabian fillies and mares, as well as the generous free nomination to Al Agar, as it’s so important to encourage our breeders in the UK. We warmly congratulate them on their second win, as well as Pharitz Racing for securing the breeders’ prize.

“We also congratulate Ashley Bird for winning the Best Turned Out Award of £50 and a silver photo frame for Hibikinada Du Mazet, sponsored by The Arabian Racehorse Magazine. It’s also been wonderful to showcase our racing on a very busy Ladies Day at Royal Windsor in front of packed stands.”