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 12^th. 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 ©copyright

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) ©copyright

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 ©copyright

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.”

RB KINGMAKER WINS THE £850,000 QATAR INTERNATIONAL STAKES

AT THE QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL

Connections considering the Doha Triple Crown

RB Kingmaker was crowned the king of the Sussex Downs with a two and a quarter length victory over Lippo De Carrere in the £850,000 Qatar International Stakes, Group 1PA. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon and trained by Elizabeth Bernard for Hilal Alalawi, the seven-year-old gave Soumillon his fourth consecutive win in the race. He was a first runner in the race for Alalawi, who had purchased the horse from his American breeder Diane Waldron.

The early pace was set by UK Arabian Derby fourth, Lino, who was tracked on the rail by Wathnan Racing’s Lippo De Carrere and James Doyle, who had been successful in the HH The Amir Sword for trainer Alban de Mieulle in February. They set sail for home at the cut away in the home straight, pursued by RB Kingmaker and Soumillon, with Al Shaqab Racing’s Hajmah and Oisin Murphy coming between horses, though his saddle appeared to slip, leaving RB Kingmaker and unchallenged run up the rail, with Lacaro Du Croate staying on to take third under Guillaume Guedji-Gay for trainer Xavier Thomas Demeulte in the colours of Mansoor Khalil Al Shawani.

Helal Alalawi commented: “RB Kingmaker has come straight from a break, so we did not expect this performance from him. We are happy to represent our country, I am happy for myself of course and the team. This is not my first time racing in the UK, but this is my first runner at Goodwood. He has won in the UAE, in Saudi Arabia, in France and now England, maybe Madame Bernard will go to the Prix Dragon with him before the World Cup. We will try for the Doha Triple Crown and of course the President Cup in December,”

An emotional Elizabeth Bernard, who had trained the inaugural winner of the race, Sir Bani Yas in 2015, said: “He is a fantastic horse, it is a fantastic team. We get up early every morning to have a chance of this result and though we didn’t get a chance with Alchahine [who was withdrawn on veterinary advice], we will see how he is when we get home, but this horse is a champion horse. He is a gift in the life of the trainer.”

The trophies were presented by Qatari Ambassador to the UK, Ireland and Iceland, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, and Engineer Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi CEO of Visit Qatar.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We warmly congratulate Hilal Alalawi, Elizabeth Bernard and all the team associated with RB Kingmaker, winners of our most valuable race for Arabians, and the most valuable for Arabians over a mile in Europe.

“Thanks to the support of our very generous sponsors Visit Qatar, this race received a significant prize money boost to £850,000, more than double its previous figure which attracted some of the best Arabians in the World to Goodwood and produced a thrilling race today.”

EXCITING ENTRIES FOR THE GROUP 3PA UAE PRESIDENT CUP SERIES

FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AT NEWBURY

The most valuable race for three-year-old Arabians in Europe

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted to receive 14 exciting entries for the Group 3PA UAE President Cup Series race to be held at Newbury on Friday 14 August. Held over the straight mile course, the £150,000 prize fund makes it the most valuable race for three-year-old Arabians in Europe.

Whilst a number of the entries are as yet unraced, four are already off the mark, three of which on their debuts. They are headed by Nehmo De Carrere, who is unbeaten in two starts at this trip and is already a winner of a Group 2PA on his latest outing at La Teste in June. Also a potential runner is Neuf De Faust, a clear winner over 1m2f of a conditions event at Toulouse at the end of May. They could be joined by two debut winning fillies, Lella De La Gloire who scored over seven and a half furlongs at Tarbes in April and Si Chic Al Maury, a winner over seven furlongs at La Teste on Wednesday.

As well as a nine-strong contingent trained in France, there is also one entry from Belgium and four domestic possibles, with the option for supplementary entries by Saturday 8 August and declarations due on Tuesday 11 August.

This race for juveniles was originally run at Newbury over seven furlongs as the Dubai International Stakes, a race that produced many future champions. The 2012 edition was of particular interest, with five future Group winners taking part, the race was won by subsequent Kahayla Classic winner, Manark, with Djainka Des Forges well down the field, however she later made amends to win the Arabian World Cup in 2014.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We are thrilled with the depth of entries for this race, held under the generous sponsorship of the UAE President Cup series, who also sponsor the £250,000 UK Arabian Derby held at Doncaster on St Leger Day on the 12 September. We thank them for their support this season and we are delighted to be bringing top class Arabian racing back to Newbury.”

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.

Fareedhat El Izz and Billy Loughnane

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.”

Dr Mohammad Al Nujaifi, Billy Loughnane, Wendy Hassall and Val Bunting

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.”

Winner of the breeders prize nomination Beverley Aashour and presented by Val Bunting

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.

BTO Hibikinada Du Mazet (Ashley Bird)

“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.”

FAREEDHAT EL IZZ AND BILLY LOUGHNANE AIM FOR REPEAT SUCCESS

In The Listed Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy at Royal Windsor

Thursday 25 June 2026

Last year’s winner, Fareedhat El Izz and Billy Loughane aim for a second success in the Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy at Royal Windsor on Saturday 27 June. The Listed PA contest, held over a mile, is 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, the owner of the highest placed British runner will receive a free nomination to Al Agar, an exciting Burning Sand half-brother to Dr Mohammad Al Nujaifi’s world champion, Al Ghadeer.

Fareedhat El Izz (Billy Loughnane) win the inaugural running of the Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy Listed PA

Last year the nomination was won by Wendy Hassall for Victoria, second to Fareedhat El Izz, this year she is double-handed, as along with her own Victoria, she is now the trainer of Al Nujaifi Racing’s Fareedhat El Izz, who joined her from Newmarket at the end of last season.  Thomas Greatrex takes the ride on Victoria, with Loughnane reunited with Fareedhat El Izz, fresh from partnering three winners at Royal Ascot last week. Al Nujaifi Racing’s policy is to retain the fillies for racing, whilst selling the majority of the colts, Al Agar is now in the UAE at six-time champion owner, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda’s Al Aweer Farm, whilst Al Ghadeer, after a glorious career for Al Shaqab, retired to their Haras de Bouquetot in February. To date, Fareedhat El Izz has raced in Italy, France and the UK, she has a unique blend of Russian, French and Iraqi bloodlines and will be a valuable future addition to Dr Al Nujaifi’s broodmare band.

She will face seven other runners and along with Victoria, re-opposes Pharitz Racing’s Pharitz Lahia (3^rd) now ridden by Jude Fernandes and Steve Blackwell’s Sassy (4^th) partnered again by Oliver Carmichael. Also with two runners is Charlie Wallis, with Okewood Bloodstock’s Hibikinada Du Mazet already successful over a mile and the Larkin Partnership’s Zizania Du Mazet, a winner over further, they will be ridden by Charlie Bishop and Jack Mitchell respectively. Making her first start for her new owner trainer David Griffiths is Hattie Sparks, ridden by Alexandre Egan, whilst that mare’s previous connections field debutant Ghayah. Phil Collington handles this well-bred daughter of Nieshan for KS Racing, with Joey Haynes in the saddle.

ARO CEO Genny Haynes commented, “We thank Al Nujaifi Racing for their generous and continued support of this Listed race for Arabian fillies and mares, and for the generous free nomination, also provided by Al Nujaifi Racing.

“Following the BHA’s announcement regarding the change to race times on Saturday, with the meeting moved to an evening fixture the Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy will now start at 4.40pm, as the first race on the card. Gates will be open two hours beforehand.”