The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomes the first of five Wathba Stallions Cup races which start the new season on Wednesday April 28th at Wolverhampton. The seven-furlong maiden race has attracted ten runners and is part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, a supporter of UK Arabian racing for over ten years.
Shadwell Estates look to have a strong hand with horses trained by both James Owen and Phil Collington. The leading contender carrying the first colours is Aldaana, a filly trained by Owen, who was placed on her debut last October. Owen who has been in fine form with recent winners in the spheres of point-to-pointing and hunter chasing, also fields debutants for Mrs Skepper and the Goodwin Partnership. Leicestershire based handler Peter Hammersley has a new recruit from long-term supporter, Zayin Arabians in Aymee, whilst Epsom’s Evermore Racing send two mares by their resident stallion Kayeed.
The Wathba Stallions Cup series aims to promote the breeders of Arabian racehorses, and is supported by Wathba Stallions, the breeding arm in the UAE and France, of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, who is also Chairman of the Emirates Arabian Horse Association.
© Debbie Burt – equinecreativemedia.com
Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “ARO is extremely grateful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival and we look forward to a competitive season, culminating in HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup at Haydock Park (Gr3PA).
“We are also grateful for the assistance of the British Horseracing Authority and all the racecourses who are supporting our racing this season. With regards to the ongoing challenges of Covd19, ARO remains committed to keeping all its’ registered participants informed of updates to UK Arabian racing as soon as they are available.”
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Horse Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Etisalat as the official sponsor, with National Feed as strategic partner, The National Archives as the official partner , Emirates Airline as the official carrier, sponsored by Al Massood Automobiles Nissan, Areej Alameerat, Omeir Travels Agency, YAS Sports TV., Viola Communications, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, the UAE’s General Women’s Union , Emirates Arabian Horse Society & Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
