Bayan Athbah made it three wins out of three starts since arriving in Europe this season, when winning the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA), at Haydock Park racecourse today. Partnered for the first time by Tom Marquand, the mare worked her way through the field to get ahead by a neck on the line from Mazyoonah, with Abiyah Athbah a further neck behind in third. The £14,000 race was held over a mile as part of the track’s most important fixture of their Flat racing calendar, Betfair Sprint Cup Day.

Marquand who was recording his first Group winner on an Arabian commented: “It was a different experience for her today, obviously the Group race at Newbury was on a nice straight track, so she was able to win smoothly, but here, whilst a low draw can seem great, it can provide some traffic issues. There were a few strides where she just got intimidated by the other horses around her, so it felt like a bit of a learning curve for her and I’m sure she’ll be better again next time.”

He continued: “The ground was very quick, there wouldn’t be many horses that would love it like this so I think a bit more ease wouldn’t go amiss for her. It’s been nearly four years since I last rode a winner for Athbah Stud, but great to have another winner for them and fingers crossed there may be a few more.”

Trainer Phil Collington was recording his third win in the race, which was previously known as the ARO Cup, said: “It was a bit of a relief as I saw Bayan Athbah in a bit of a pocket without a clear run, but once she saw daylight she got there. She stays this trip well and she’ll get further. It’s only been three weeks since she won at Newbury, so this might have been a bit soon, but she’s still relatively inexperienced.”

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, said: “We congratulate the winners Athbah Stud, Phil Collington and Tom Marequand who rode a great race on Bayan Athbah. We were excited to bring Arabian racing to Haydock Park on such an important day in their racing calendar and delighted to support the Arabian Racing Organisation through the sponsorship of this race.

“We thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for all their support and guidance throughout the Festival’s activities this year.”

The Festival has continued to play a significant role in the global promotion of Arabian racing and breeding since it began in 2009. It continues the efforts made by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to preserve heritage sports and equestrianism in particular, promoting Arabian horses and the UAE’s heritage around the world. Sponsoring hundreds of races over the last twelve years, from the grass roots to the highest level, these events culminate in the worlds’ richest Arabian horse race on Turf, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, a Group 1 PA run in Abu Dhabi in December.

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “ARO is delighted to see Bayan Athbah progress from her recent win at Newbury, to gain another Group success here. We also congratulate Phil and Athbah Stud who have also won this race when it was held at Royal Windsor with another homebred mare, Shomoos Athbah. It is also pleasing to see Tom Marquand gain his first Arabian pattern race victory, as he had his first win in the same colours when he was an apprentice.

“We are very grateful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival who chose to support this race for the first time this year. We thank Racing Welfare for their sponsorship of the  Best Turned Out Award, whose representative Gail Burton- Pye presented the prize to Zara Brooks for Mazyoonah. We also thank the British Horseracing Authority for their support and assistance and all the team at Haydock Park, for whom this was their first experience of Arabian racing at Group level.”

Recent Group 2PA sprint winner, Bayan Athbah seeks further Group success in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA) to be run at Haydock Park racecourse, on Saturday September 4. The five-year-old mare heads a field of nine for the £14,000 race, held over a mile as part of the track’s most important fixture of their Flat racing calendar, Betfair Sprint Cup Day. The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomes the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival as the new sponsor of the race, which was previously known as the ARO Cup International Stakes, previously run at both Newbury and Royal Windsor racecourses.

Those two races had been won by mares trained by Phil Collington, who will no doubt be hoping that Bayan Athbah, can continue his fine run of form in the contest. However, he is also responsible for two ex-French recruits in Alghanny, making his UK debut and Alajab, who scored on his first outing for his new trainer last month. All his runners are lightly raced and are open to further improvement.

Current leading ARO trainer James Owen, has four runners, Al Kaaser, Toofaan and Mazyoonah, all finished behind Bayan Athbah when they last met and like that one, all should appreciate stepping back up to a mile, as should his other runner Farhaa. The Peter Hammersley trained Abiyah Athbah is another who is likely to be better suited by conditions at Haydock, whilst Alameen is making his debut for John Morris, who makes a welcome return to Arabian racing after an absence of ten years.

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, said: “We are excited to be bringing Arabian racing to Haydock Park on such an important day in their racing calendar and delighted to support the Arabian Racing Organisation through the sponsorship of this race.

“We thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for all their support and guidance throughout the Festival’s activities this year.”

The Festival has continued to play a significant role in the global promotion of Arabian racing and breeding since its inception. It aims to continue the efforts made by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to preserve heritage sports and equestrianism in particular, promoting Arabian horses and the UAE’s heritage around the world. Sponsoring hundreds of races since 2009, the Festival supports a wide variety of contests from the grassroots to the highest level. These events culminate in the worlds’ richest Arabian horse race on Turf, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, a Group 1 PA run in Abu Dhabi in December.

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 are delighted to gain a new and prestigious sponsor for this race. We also thank the British Horseracing Authority for their support and assistance and all the team at Haydock Park who will be hosting Arabian racing for the first time.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) today published the entries for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA) to be run at Haydock Park racecourse on Saturday September 4. The race, which was previously known as the ARO Cup International Stakes had been run at both Newbury and Royal Windsor racecourses. The mile event with a prize fund of £14,000 will take place on Haydock’s most important fixture of their Flat racing calendar, Betfair Sprint Cup Day.

The eleven entries are headed by recent Group 2PA winner, Bayan Athbah, who looked a potentially smart mare when winning the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes over six furlongs at Newbury earlier this month. It was her first attempt in Group company and she readily won by two and a half lengths in a very fast time. Stepping back up in trip she may reoppose the majority of the horses who finished behind her, as Toofan, Al Kaaser, Abiyah Athbah, Mazyoonah and Jadaayil have all been entered. Also in the possible line-up is Alajab, a French import who won on his UK debut, Khateer and Alghanny who are seeking to do the same since arriving from France and Alameen, who will be making his first start for new connections.

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, said: “We are excited to be bringing Arabian racing to Haydock Park on such an important day in their racing calendar and delighted to support the Arabian Racing Organisation through the sponsorship of this race.

“We thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for all their support and guidance throughout the Festival’s activities this year.”

The HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup is held as part of the global HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival programme of races, of which this is the sixth and final event in the UK this year, ARO having already hosted five Wathba Stallions Cup series events which aim to promote the breeders of Arabian racehorses. The Festival has played a significant role in the promotion of Arabian racing and breeding around the world since it began in 2009, aiming to continue the efforts made by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to preserve heritage sports and equestrianism in particular, promoting Arabian horses and UAE heritage around the world. Sponsoring hundreds of races since its’ inception, the Festival supports a wide variety of contests from the grassroots to the highest level. These events culminate in the worlds’ richest Arabian horse race on Turf, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, a Group 1 PA run in Abu Dhabi in December.

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “ARO is extremely thankful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival. It is great to have a new and prestigious sponsor for this race and we are also grateful for the support and assistance of the British Horseracing Authority and the team at Haydock Park who will be hosting Arabian racing for the first time.”

Mumayyez fulfilled the promise of his debut run two weeks ago, this time coming out on top in a photo finish with his stablemate Aldaana in the Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons Maiden Stakes. Ridden by Shadwell Estates first jockey Jim Crowley, the three year-old-colt won from Aldaana partnered by Hollie Doyle, with Al Mahbooba, also trained by Owen in third, in the mile and a quarter race at Lingfield Park racecourse.

Owen commented: “There was plenty of pace in the race from our more experienced horses, but Mumayyez has come on for his first run and for the step up in trip. He travelled nicely through the race and though was a bit green when he hit the front, I think he’s a nice horse for next year. I was thrilled with Aldaana in second, we’ve been aiming her for the Derby at Doncaster on St Leger Day, and I think she’ll come on again for this run.”

Jamie Judd representing Rossdales said: “It was a fantastic race, with a thrilling close finish and we’re delighted to be back at Lingfield in our third year of Arabian racing sponsorship through the Arabian Racing Organisation. We have a dedicated team of racing and stud vets who work closely with many racehorse trainers and stud farms, including a number of longstanding clients who breed and train Arabian racehorses.”

Jamie Judd and Jackie McKittrick with James Owen ©equinecreativemedia.com

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “ARO congratulates Shadwell Estates and the James Owen team gaining first and second places with two nice young horses. We were delighted that Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons chose to continue their association with us this season, having previously sponsored our races at Lingfield Park in 2018 and 2019. We thank their representatives, Jamie Judd and Jackie McKittrick for presenting the trophies today.

“We are very grateful for Racing Welfare’s support of our stable staff, with their representative Katy Ferguson on course to select the Best Turned Out Award, which went to Tracey-Jayne Raymont for Aldaana. We also thank the British Horseracing Authority and all the team at Lingfield for assisting with our racing this season.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomes the return of Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons, who sponsor the mile and a quarter maiden stakes at Lingfield Park racecourse on Wednesday August 25th. There are some well-bred young horses among the eight runners declared for the race, including Mumayyez, the mount of Jim Crowley who was a close runner-up on his debut two weeks ago, and AJS Hajaj partnered by nine times UAE champion jockey, Tadhg O’Shea.

Also in the line-up is the twice raced Aldaana; placed over shorter, she should be suited by the step up in trip and is ridden by Hollie Doyle, whilst Mathaayel is a half-sister to three winners, who has Dane O’Neill in the saddle for her debut. At the head of the weights is the locally trained Kayack, he renews his partnership with leading amateur Serena Brotherton, who recently recorded her 151^st winner under rules. They are joined by Alanwaar making his second start, debutant Belle Angelique and Al Mahbooba, who is a first foray into UK Arabian racing for the UAE syndicate, Emirates Entertainment Racing Club,

Fred Barrelet, who is one of the clinical directors at Rossdales said: “The team at Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons is delighted to continue supporting Arabian horseracing through our association with ARO.  For more than 60 years, Rossdales has been closely connected with the racing and breeding industries in and around Newmarket and now, more recently, also through our branch practices in Hertfordshire and Lambourn.

“Our dedicated teams of racing and stud vets work closely with many racehorse trainers and stud farms, including a number of longstanding clients who breed and train Arabian racehorses. We’re very much looking forward to seeing who will win this year’s renewal of our sponsored Arabian race at Lingfield.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “ARO is thrilled that Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons have chosen to continue their association with us, having previously sponsored our races at Lingfield Park in 2018 and 2019 and we look forward to welcoming their representatives, Jack Day and Jamie Judd to present the trophies on Wednesday.

“We also thank the British Horseracing Authority and all the team at Lingfield for assisting with our racing this season.”

Shadwell Estates homebred filly Mazyoonah secured a second Wathba Stallions Cup of the season with win at Chepstow over a mile today. Trained by James Owen and ridden by Adam Farragher, the six-year-old mare finished half a length ahead of Awtaar, with Al-Tabari a further length and a quarter behind in third.

Farragher, who was recording his first win in the Shadwell colours and on his debut ride on an Arabian said: “I thought they went very hard in front, Mr Owen told me to take my time and get her to come through horses. Every time I asked her, she was finding plenty and I knew as soon as I got a bit of daylight I was going to catch the second. It’s my first win on an Arabian and certainly wouldn’t mind riding a few more like her.”

Owen was delighted with the winner saying: “She appreciated the drop in grade and I’m pleased for Adam, as he’s not ridden Arabians before.  He gave her a really good ride and followed my instructions to the letter, he’s definitely got a bright future. I’m also pleased with Awtaar’s first run for Blackrock Racing in finishing second, it’s their first Arabian and she’ll head to the Derby now.”

This was the last of the five Wathba Stallions Cup sponsored races held under Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) rules in the UK this year. The series was held as part of the global HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival programme of races, 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.

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “ARO congratulates Shadwell Estates and the James Owen team on their win today with Mazyoonah. ARO is extremely grateful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival and we now look forward to their HH Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA) to be run over a mile at Haydock Park on September 4^th.”

“We also thank Racing Welfare for sponsoring the Best Turned Out award which went to Sue Wileman and Al-Tabari, as well as the British Horseracing Authority and Chepstow racecourse for their support of our racing this season.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomed a new sprint champion at their home track this afternoon when Bayan Athbah won impressively in the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes. The five-year-old mare had too much class for the field and readily won by two and a quarter lengths from Toofan, with Al Kaaser a neck adrift in third place. The £20,000 Group 2PA contest over six furlongs was formerly run as the Za’abeel International Stakes and had been won four times previously by the Royal Cavalry.

Bayan Athbah was ridden by nine times UAE Champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea, whose last UK win in the Athbah Racing colours had come on the mare’s half-brother, Mehdaaf Athbah at the same track two years ago. He commented: “She’s a lovely straightforward filly, I didn’t know much about her beforehand, other than she was dropping back in trip. Phil just told me to ride her as I found her, it’s her minimum distance. She gave me a lovely ride throughout; I was never worried at any stage and they went a nice even gallop. She’s a filly with a turn of foot and that’s what wins races.”

Trainer Phil Collington who was recording his tenth Group winner commented: “Bayan Athbah’s a lovely filly. We knew she was pretty special when she came back to us from Saudi Arabia, winning that maiden race in Ostend for us which was over further. No doubt she’ll be better again back up in trip, but we thought she was worth a try over this distance today because she has so much class.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “We congratulate Phil and Athbah Racing on their success today with Bayan Athbah crowned as our new sprint champion. She certainly showed the field a clean pair of heels and she looks a quality filly who can go on to win more races and uphold the value of our UK form.

“We thank the Royal Cavalry of Oman for their loyal and generous support of UK Arabian racing for many years and we were delighted that they chose to support this race with which they have had such a history. Naturally it was disappointing that due to the current challenges we had no international runners this year, but restrictions are easing, and we hope that future races will once again contain the diverse spread of overseas runners to which we have become accustomed.

“We also thank the British Horseracing Authority and all the team at Newbury racecourse for their assistance with this race.”

There was triple success at Chelmsford City in the Follow @AROACING on Instagram Maiden Stakes, run in association with Equine MediRecord, when recent French import Alajab got off the mark on his UK debut. Ridden by ‘Iron Man’ Neil Callan, it was his first UK winner since returning to these shores after a ten-year stint in Hong Kong. It was also a first UK win of the season for trainer Phil Collington, who had previously recorded two European wins this year. A son of leading UK Arabian sire No Risk Al Maury, Alajab led home a one-two-three for owner-breeders Shadwell Estates, beating promising young debutants Mummayez and Sultana, by a neck and two and a half-lengths.

Callan was clearly delighted to be back in the UK winners circle saying: “I was contacted by Richard Hills to ride the horse and whether it’s an Arabian or a thoroughbred, when you get the chance to ride in the Shadwell colours you don’t turn it down.”

Collington, a former ARO Champion trainer, who also trained the third, Sultana, said: “Alajab arrived a couple of months ago. His two runs in France had been nothing special having watched his videos. I didn’t want to put the headgear back on as he seems genuine enough and his work’s been good at home, but of course horses can be different on raceday can’t they.  I said to Neil, to see how he jumps off and take it from there, but to win from the front was fantastic, he’s really kept on gamely hasn’t he.”

Equine MediRecord’s Chief Operating Officer Finlay Dargan commented: “We’re delighted to support Arabian racing in the UK and overseas. That was an impressive run from Alajab, I understand he has an entry in the UAE President’s Cup-UK Arabian Derby, so of course it would be exciting if he gets declared for that next month at Doncaster.”

Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation Commercial and Finance Director said: “That was a wonderful result for Phil and for Shadwell Estates who we warmly congratulate on their success.

“We also thank Equine MediRecord for joining with us in sponsoring this race today. Their digital system was instrumental in allowing us to race last season and has been a huge help to all our participants moving forward as part of the integration process with thoroughbred racing.”

“ARO also thanks the British Horseracing Authority and Chelmsford City Racecourse for their continued assistance this season.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted to receive fifteen entries for the UAE President Cup (UK Arabian Derby) to be run at Doncaster on St Leger Day on Saturday September 11^th as part of the Cazoo St Leger Festival. The UAE President Cup resumed its’ association with the UK Arabian Derby in 2016, with this Group 1PA race exclusively for four-year-old Purebred Arabians, held over a mile and a quarter for a prize fund of £80,000.

The five overseas entries are headed by Abbes, who could be seeking compensation for finishing runner-up in the French equivalent for which he started favourite. He may be joined by stablemate HM Al Sakeb, a winner over a similar trip and a brother to Group1PA winner and sire Al Mouwaffak. Also entered from France is the recent Gr3PA winner Arion, as well as Ameland and Sarhan, both winners over further.

As to be expected the UK’s highest rated four-year-olds have been entered including recent French imports Alghanny and Khateer, as well as Nadelshiba, a winner in Belgium at three years, and Farasah and Aldanna who were separated by a head on their debuts in April.

Matar Al Yabhouni, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President Cup, said: “We are pleased on the success of the prestigious cup on the European race tracks and it’s benefits to owners and trainers”.

Faisal Al Rahmani, Event Manager for the UAE President Cup commented: “The UAE President Cup continues to build on almost 30 years of success.  In many of the countries the UAE President Cup is the highlight of their season.  Arabian racing continues to grow during these golden years.  More fixtures, more horses racing and more breeding shows the resilience of Arabian racing industry.  With the wonderful vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President Cup leads Arabian racing into the spotlight on many international fronts.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director was thrilled commenting. “We were excited to welcome back the President of the UAE Cup in 2016 and we are proud that the race consistently produces a top-quality winner. We are extremely grateful to the UAE President Cup Series for their continued support of our feature race for four-year-olds and to Doncaster racecourse for their support of international Arabian racing. This race is now firmly established as part of St Leger Day, at Doncaster’s most prestigious meeting of the year which enhances the contest’s prestige and Arabian racing’s status in the UK.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is looking forward to opening a quality card at their home track of Newbury racecourse on Saturday 14 August. The Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes, a Group 2 PA over six furlongs, precedes seven thoroughbred races, three of which are black type events, with the headline contest being the seven furlong BetVictor Hungerford Stakes, also a Group 2. Eight runners have been declared for the £20,000 sprint which when run under its previous title of the Za’abeel International, has been won four times by new sponsors, the Royal Cavalry of Oman.

Unfortunately the challenges of overseas travel proved too great this year and despite many enquiries from European trainers, including previous winners, the field is without its customary international flavour. However the race should still be competitive, featuring the UK’s top-rated horse Al Kaaser, fit from placing sixth in a quality renewal of the one mile Group 1PA Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood. Renewing rivalry from that race will be Abiyah Athbah, ARO leading mare of 2019, who should be seen to greater effect on the forecast quicker ground than the easy surface she encountered at Goodwood. Also seeking to improve on his Goodwood run is Toofan, one of four runners from Shadwell Estates. He, like stablemate Jadaayil will be trying this trip for the first time, whilst Mazyoonah has won at this distance on quick ground in Belgium two years ago.

The fourth of the Shadwell runners is Jamaraat. A lightly raced filly she may improve on what she has shown so far, as she is a daughter of Dahess, who won the race three times. Also lightly raced is her stablemate, Bayan Athbah, who recently got off the mark in Belgium. Completing the field is Storm Troupour,  though behind many of these at Goodwood he is a Group 3PA winner over this trip on Dirt in Belgium and has been placed in this race before.

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “We are delighted that the Royal Cavalry of Oman who have been a loyal and generous sponsor of UK Arabian racing for many years, have chosen to support this race with which they have such a history. Naturally it is disappointing that due to the current challenges we have no international runners this year, but restrictions are easing and we hope that future races will once again contain the diverse spread of overseas runners to which we have become accustomed.

“We wish all our domestic challengers the best of luck and look forward to seeing a new sprint champion crowned on Saturday. We thank the Royal Cavalry for their support, as well as the British Horseracing Authority and the team at Newbury racecourse.”