The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted that half of the ten entries for this years’ £80,000 UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby (Group 1PA) were from overseas. The mile and a quarter contest has been run at Doncaster since 2016, moves to the earlier slot of August 19. The UAE President Cup is the world’s oldest Arabian race sponsorship series and this year encompasses 15 races around the world.

The ten entries are headed on ratings by RB Kingmaker, fourth in the French equivalent last month at Chantilly on the Prix de Diane card when making his European debut. A dual black type winner in the UAE over the winter, the American bred colt will try to better Jugurtha De Monlau, a close second in 2020 for their owner Helal Alalawi. Also highly rated from France are Mejlad and Zamer. Both are owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani though run in the respective colours of his daughters, HE Sheikha Yasmeen and HE Sheikha Iman. Mejlad has won two conditions races, whilst Zamer has won and been placed at Group 3PA level on his last two starts.

Both colts have beaten the Moroccan owned Nahim, who was most recently seen finishing sixth at Chantilly. However though still a maiden, he will be one of the most experienced entries, having already contested five PA Group races, finishing runner-up in both a Group 2PA and a Group 3PA.

Entered from Poland is the Central European Derby winner, Bahwan. That race is also run under the UAE President Cup banner and he won the race in a record time by over two lengths on Sunday.

Phil Collington, who has the best record of the current crop of domestic trainers with two third placings in 2021 and 2020, has three potential candidates who are all fillies. Thakeera Al Shahania was a course and distance winner on her UK debut last month, whilst Thaydah Athbah is unbeaten in two starts. He also has Lujain, a winner over a mile, who looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip should she run. Peter Hamersley, whose best effort in the race came with sixth placed Abiyah Athbah in 2018, has entered Coljani, who he bred in partnership, whilst another UK homebred, Pharitz Alanood, could be a first Derby runner for Mitchell Hunt, who is in his second season training Arabians alongside his thoroughbreds.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is delighted to receive so many entries from abroad, as well as some exciting young UK trained horses. Year on year this race crowns a progressive top-level horse, with the last winner, Abbes, going on to win the world’s most valuable race for Arabians, the $2.5 million HH The Amir Sword this February.

“We thank the UAE President Cup and Doncaster racecourse for supporting our racing this season and look forward to declarations on August 16th.”

Ekleel Athbah recorded back-to-back wins in the £25,000 Group 2PA International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Trophy this afternoon at Chester on the races’ inaugural run under new sponsorship and at a new track. Ridden on this occasion by Sam Hitchcott, the five-year-old mare won readily by two lengths, from Qatari raider AJS Saaeq, ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, with Zayin Angkor Centurion and Phil Dennis a further length and a half behind in third.

This was Athbah Racing’s third consecutive win in the race formerly known as the Za’abeel International when it was run at Newbury, and a fourth win for trainer Phil Collington. Afterwards a delighted Collington said: “We’re over the moon with her. Sam got off her and said he got a dream run through. Obviously she’ll come on a little bit for it, but I felt I had her in great shape today, I couldn’t have been happier with her in the run up to the race.

“She’s had a few hold-ups due to developmental problems and Fernando Perez her vet and the staff at Baker McVeigh and everyone at home have been instrumental in getting her to the track today. So onwards to Goodwood now.”

Hitchcott commented: “She’s come forward a lot since I last rode her at Newbury. She’s strengthened and is a much better than she was last year and she’s got the class to go further if they go a nice even gallop. She’s very quick filly, if they’d gone a bit slower, she’d have been very keen, but potentially it’s a nice steppingstone for her from coming back after Saudi, heading towards Goodwood.

“That was just a nice piece of work for her in the end, as the splits came for her at the right time. The best thing about her is her turn of foot, I’d imagine AJS Saaeq will come on for that run, if he could have come out a bit earlier, he might have given me more of a race.”

Asked what he felt about riding an Arabian at Chester he concluded, “I was glad she had a hood on going to post, as there’s a lot more happening here than most places, but she took it very well, a turning track like this just stops them thinking too much and keeps their mind on the job.”

Andrew Tulloch, Head of Racing at Chester Racecourse, commented, “Chester Racecourse was delighted to see Arabian racing return to the Roodee for the first time in 19 years by hosting the IFAHR Trophy. We congratulate Ekleel Athbah and winning connections on another success in this black type race and thank the ARO and all the horses, owners, trainers and jockeys for coming to Chester to showcase Purebred Arabian sprinting.”

Brendan Waterworth of Racing Welfare, sponsors of the Best Turned Out Award presented to Deanna Middleton for Abiyah Athbah said, “It’s great to be able to support Arabian racing as part of Racing Staff Week. This was the seventh year of the event, kindly supported by Betfair and we’ve had some great activities around the country including a charity race at Chepstow which ended in a photo finish. Being here today was a fantastic way to round off 90% of the week as we’ve another event at Uttoxeter tomorrow.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO warmly congratulates Athbah Racing and all of the Collington team with their second consecutive win with Ekleel Athbah, who is our top-rated UK Arabian. We were thrilled to return to Chester with such a high-profile contest, as it’s always a pleasure to introduce our sport to a new audience. I understand the crowd was just over 20,000 strong and they all seemed to be enjoying our race that concluded the card today.

“We were also pleased to welcome Qatari owner trainer Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah to the UK with AJS Saaeq, his first Arabian runner as a trainer here. We hope that his involvement will encourage more international stables to see the UK as a suitable base for a summer campaign.”

Concluding she said, “We thank IFAHR for their sponsorship of this race and Racing Welfare and Chester for supporting our racing this season.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) looks forward to their first PA Group race of the season, the £25,000 International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Trophy at Chester to be run on Saturday July 1. The race will have an international aspect thanks to the UK debut of Qatari Group 1PA winner, AJS Saaeq who faces last year’s winner, Ekleel Athbah, making her UK reappearance following her sixth place in the Al Mneefah Cup (Gr2PA) at the Saudi Cup meeting.

AJS Saaeq shoulders a penalty for that Group 1PA win in the Qatar International Cup over a mile and will be ridden for a second time by ten times UAE Champion jockey, Tadhg O’Shea. He is one of three horses currently summering in Newmarket with their trainer Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah, who has already had his first UK runner, with Empty Metaphor running in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“We are using this race as prep for the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood.” Al-Attiyah commented, “The timing is good, there’s a good gap between the races. AJS Saaeq has not run since the Gold Sword in April, so hopefully there will be some improvement to come.

“We are enjoying the UK. I think it’s a good place to be with your horse in the summer. We’ve used a variety of different gallops here in Newmarket and we enjoyed going to Royal Ascot, though I think the horse ran to his handicap mark. Hopefully we can go back next year with better horses.

“Of course, we were all very happy for Wathnan Racing owned by HH The Amir to do so well at Royal Ascot, and hopefully it is the start of bigger and better things for him and for Qatari racing in general.”

Last year’s winner Ekleel Athbah is one of two runners from 2022 ARO leading trainer, Phil Collington, who said, “Obviously for Ekleel Athbah it will be her first run back after the Saudi Cup in February, where she didn’t get the extended mile and a quarter. This was always the plan as she needed a break, and we weren’t going to hurry her. Sam Hitchcott has won on her before, breaking Newbury’s track record for this distance for Arabians and this will be a steppingstone to Goodwood.

“As for my other runner, Lujain, she came out of her race last month well, so we thought we’d try her at six furlongs. The goal for her would still be the UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby at Doncaster in August.”

Peter Hammersley returns with last year’s third and fourth, Abiyah Athbah and Zayin Angkor Centurion. Whilst the domestic challenge is completed by Gavin Kelly’s Mulan.

Andrew Tulloch, Head of Racing at Chester Racecourse, said, “Chester Racecourse is delighted to be staging the ARO’s first black type race of the year, the IFAHR Trophy, on Saturday. Marking the welcome return of Arabian racing to the world’s oldest racecourse for the first time since 2004, we would like to thank the ARO for the opportunity to showcase this renowned, Purebred Arabian sprinting contest, in what promises to be a thrilling finale to our racecard.”

Adam Ferguson, Head of Community Engagement at Racing Welfare, sponsors of the Best Turned Out Award commented, “We are delighted to be involved in the sponsorship of the award at this prestigious meeting at Chester Racecourse during Racing Staff Week. As the charity supporting the people working within the industry, engaging with and raising awareness of our support is a fundamental element of our work. We hope that by supporting the Best Turned Out series with ARO, those working within this community become more aware of the support available to them and recognise themselves as part of racing’s community.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is delighted to be returning to Chester with such a high-profile contest after a near 20-year absence, as it’s always a pleasure to introduce our sport to a new audience.

Under its previous title of the Za’abeel International and latterly the Royal Cavalry of Oman International, the six-furlong contest has a long history of confirming top class sprinters in the sport.

“We also welcome Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah to the UK and are pleased to hear that his experience of training and racing here has been so positive. The encouragement of international competition is exactly what we wanted to achieve with this race, and we hope that more international stables may see the UK as a suitable base for a summer campaign.

“We thank IFAHR, Racing Welfare and Chester for supporting our racing this season and look forward to a competitive race on Saturday.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is delighted to be returning to Chester on Saturday 1 July after a near 20-year break with the inaugural running of the Group 2PA International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR) Trophy. Under its previous title of the Za’abeel International and latterly the Royal Cavalry of Oman International, the six-furlong contest has a long history of confirming top class sprinters and boasts a prize fund of £25,000.

Heading the list of nine entries is AJS Saaeq from Qatar. The five-year-old won the Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) over a mile in February in Doha and is one of three horses currently summering in Newmarket with their trainer Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah. Last year’s winner Ekleel Athbah is one of three entries from 2022 ARO leading trainer, Phil Collington, the others being Lujain and Jameelaty.

Double handed could be Peter Hammersley with last year’s third and fourth, Abiyah Athbah and Zayin Angkor Centurion. Whilst current ARO Leading trainer James Owen enters his homebred filly Victoria, with the domestic challenge completed by Gavin Kelly’s Mulan.

There could be further international flavour with El Zarka DA entered from Belgium. Now nine, Johan Verstrapen’s gelding was third in this contest back in 2019.

Andrew Tulloch, Head of Racing at Chester Racecourse, said, “Chester Racecourse is delighted to be staging the ARO’s first black type race of the year, the IFAHR Trophy, on Saturday. Marking the welcome return of Arabian racing to the world’s oldest racecourse for the first time since 2004, we would like to thank the ARO for the opportunity to showcase this renowned, Purebred Arabian sprinting contest, in what promises to be a thrilling finale to our racecard.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is thrilled to be returning to Chester with such a high profile contest. With this race under new sponsorship and at a new venue, it’s great to have attracted several international entries, as well last year’s winner and several of our other top rated domestic Arabians. We thank IFAHR and Chester for supporting our racing this season and look forward to bringing Arabian racing to a new audience on Saturday.”

Thaydah Athbah and Tadhg O’Shea put in an impressive performance to win the Wathba Stallion Cup Novice Stakes by nine and a half lengths at Royal Windsor this evening. The four-year-old filly was recording her second career win for Phil Collington and Athbah Racing, coasting home ahead of Victoria and Callum Hutchinson, with Coljani partnered by Mohammed Tabti in third.

O’Shea commented, “She’s a very nice filly, I said to Phil it would have taken a very good filly to beat her tonight, she was ultra-impressive. She’s big, with loads of scope, and very straightforward, they’ll be plenty of improvement to come, she’ll be even better going over further.”

Collington said, “It was lovely to see her have a perfect sit and what we talked about before the race was just to see her lengthen up the straight, which is exactly what she did. Tadhg said she really stretched for him, the further she goes the better she goes, it’s another stepping-stone towards Doncaster and the UK Derby which is still very much the objective.”

This was the second of eight races sponsored under the banner of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, which also includes the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA), which this year has a prize fund increase to £20,000.

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival said, “The Festival sponsors 153 races globally in 2023 as well as the World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December. The Festival is delighted to be back at Royal Windsor supporting the Arabian Racing Organisation and we congratulate the winners today.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO congratulates Athbah Racing and all of the Collington team on their win with Thaydah Athbah. We are also delighted to see ten times UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea back riding Arabians in the UK.

“We are also pleased to see the that all the horses that lined up this evening were homebreds as the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup races are so important to support our breeders and we are very grateful to the Festival for their continued patronage of our racing in the UK.

“We also thank Baker McVeigh International for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award won by Sue Wileman for Coljani,”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomed a field of eight to their first visit to Royal Windsor this season for the Wathba Stallions Cup Novice Stakes to be run over a mile. The majority of runners are young unexposed types with two of the four horses in their classic season looking to be live UK Arabian Derby possibles later on in the year. This the second of eight races sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, which also includes the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA), which this year has a prize fund increase to £20,000.

Those four-year-old Derby hopefuls both come from the stable of 2022 leading ARO trainer, Phil Collington and both run in the colours of last years’ top owner, Athbah Racing. Recent Doncaster winner, Thakeera Al Shahania will be ridden by Tom Marquand, successful here for the same connections with Ekleel Athbah last year, a filly who went on to win a Group 2PA and run at the Saudi Cup meeting. Athbah Racing’s homebred filly Thaydah Athbah was Collington’s first winner of the year when scoring over shorter in Belgium in January, she will be ridden by Athbah Racing regular, ten time UAE champion jockey, Tadgh O’Shea.

The most experienced horse in the race, is the one with the least distance to travel, Kayack. Trained by owner-breeder, Jen Harris from her base in Epsom and ridden by apprentice Kia Fraser, he showed up well on his reappearance and could exploit any greenness in his young rivals. Another small stable fielding a homebred is that of Bridgend based Steve Blackwell. His Sassy, partnered by Jordan Williams, makes her belated appearance at the same track that provided her dam with her first win. Trainer Pete Hammerlsey is also the co-breeder of Coljani, a once raced colt, who will have Phil Dennis on board for his seasonal reappearance.

Current ARO leading trainer, who is also in great form with his thoroughbreds over fences, is Newmarket handler James Owen, who runs three fillies. Storm Hannah bred by his parents, makes her debut under stable amateur Teagan Padgett who has scored twice already in her first season on Arabians. Owen is also breeder or co-breeder of both Delicatesse, ridden by Georgia Dobie, and Victoria ridden by Callum Hutchinson, who all run in the colours of his popular Racing Club.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is most grateful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival through their Wathba Stallions Cup races which are specifically aimed at the grassroots our sport, both here, and around the world. We look forward to returning to Royal Windsor on Monday, with an exciting field of young horses, some of which could end up with black-type by the end of the season.

“We also thank Baker McVeigh International for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award for this race.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomed 14 entries for the Qatar International Stakes, a Group 1PA run over a mile as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Wednesday 2 August. The £400,000 race is the most valuable Arabian race in the UK and the most valuable race over a mile for Arabians in Europe. The race has seen many of the highest rated Arabians in the world compete and win such as Al Mourtajez, Muraaqib, Tayf, dual winner Ebraz and the returning Lady Princess, who is seeking a hattrick in the race.

Trained by Thomas Fourcy for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the diminutive mare has now won nine top level races, however she is on the comeback trail having been beaten by another entry, First Classs when they met in the Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi in December. Leased by Noora Racing from his breeders Cre Run Farm, First Classs is the winner of three $1million dollar races. Along with the Jewel Crown, his victories include Saudi’s Al Mneefah Cup and Dubai’s Kahayla Classic, appearing equally effective on both Turf and Dirt, in addition to being proven over this trip in his native USA.

Qatari trainer Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah has entered Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Saaeq, winner of the Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) over this distance in February at the HH The Amir Sword Festival. Also from Qatar is Jabalah, trained by Alban de Mieulle for Wathnan Racing, who won the Qatar Derby for Three Year Olds in Doha in 2019.

Lady Princess and Jim Crowley win the 2022 Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) at the Qatar Goodwood Festival © Debbie Burt

Representing the younger generation is Al Ghadeer from Al Shaqab Racing who first won this race in 2016 with Al Ghadeer’s sire, Al Mourtajez. He is one of three multiple Group 1PA winners entered by Francois Rohaut and comes here on the back of his success in the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 Ans at Chantilly. Rohaut also has last years’ French Arabian Derby winner, HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Samlla, who finished third to Lady Princess in 2022 and Moshrif, who is a half-brother to Rohaut’s 2017 winner, Muraaqib, who runs in the same colours as Lady Princess.

Also entered from France is Ghazi Al Zaman, trained by Damien de Watrigant, for owner-breeder Dr Mohammed Al Nujaifi. Al Nujaifi is also the breeder of Al Ghadeer to whom Ghazi Al Zaman finished runner-up to in May in the Prix Damas – Al Nujaifi Racing. Holland’s Gerard Zoetelief has entered the four-year-old filly Papillion T, a daughter of Al Mourtajez from the family of his superstar mare Prada T who was placed three times in this race.

The domestic challenge is headed by the UK’s highest rated mare Ekleel Athbah, who is seeking to add to her Group 2PA win of 2022. Trained by Phil Collington for her breeders Athbah Stud, she was sixth in the Al Mneefah Cup in February, Collington has also entered the promising four-year-old Lujain for John Elliott. Elliott is the breeder of Upstart Crow, trained by five-time leading ARO trainer James Owen for Linda Reeves, entered alongside Jaahez who may run for Owen’s Racing Club. Whilst Leicestershire based handler Peter Hammersley fields Dilmun Racing’s Abiyah Athbah, fifth in 2020, this could be her fourth appearance in the race.

Al Ghadeer and Christophe Soumillon win the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 Ans at Chantilly on Sunday © Debbie Burt

HE Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Chairman commented: “We are proud of our sponsorship of the Qatar International Stakes as one of our most valuable races and part of our commitment to promote Arabian racing, which has a tremendous heritage in Qatar. We are very pleased to see this race, once again, attracting some of the world’s best Arabians such as Lady Princess and Al Ghadeer. Thanks to the excellent cooperation with ARO and Goodwood, this 2023 edition promises to be very competitive and fans of all forms of racing will be fascinated by the spectacle of the Arabian horses at the Goodwood Festival.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “Ever since the first running at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in 2015, the Qatar International Stakes has always attracted the worlds’ leading Arabians, as you would expect with the very generous prize money on offer. Year on year is it an absolute privilege to see such quality Arabians compete in this race and showcase our sport to a wider audience.”

Concluding she said: “ARO is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of UK Arabian racing by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, and as a Group 1 race it is an early closer, so we will be accepting supplementary entries until 27 July.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is pleased to announce that Farm & Stable Supplies will be the sponsors of the Leading Trainer and Leading Horse Awards for 2023. The family run business was established in 1975 with its mission to enhance equine wellbeing and has their head office in Horndean, near Portsmouth.

Representing Farm & Stable Kevin Tennent commented, “Farm & Stable are delighted to support UK Arabian racing with the sponsorship of these two awards. As our business continues to expand throughout the sports horse market, we welcome any enquiries from the Arabian racing sector as we can deliver our goods and services across the country.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “ARO welcomes Farm & Stable to our existing supporters of our sport in the UK and looks forward to introducing their representatives to our races in due course.”

It was a second win in as many weeks for Upstart Crow and Miss Teagan Padgett, who led home a one-two-three for the James Owen team at Bath this evening in the Wathbastallions.com (0-60) Handicap over a mile. Filling in the places were Mayfair and Miss Rhea Betts, with Heritage Vadel and Sean Levey just behind. This was the first of eight races sponsored under the banner of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, which also includes the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA), which this year has a prize fund increase to £20,000.

Padgett, for whom this was only her second ever ride under ARO rules said, “He fell out of the stalls today. I squeezed him on into the race and he locked on. I was worried I might have a battle on my hands, but they kept going in front, thankfully. I knew Heritage Valentino, who I ride at home, and Mayfair, would be the ones to beat. I just rode for the cutaway and he did the rest!”

Lissie Reeves, who looks after Upstart Crow at Green Ridge Stables, was representing her mother Linda, who owns the horse, saying, “He can be difficult at times, but I know him a lot better now and I love him. I’m over the moon with his performance, we were just hoping to have a bit of fun with him over the summer.”

Jenny Owen, representing her husband James commented, “That was great for the team, great for Teagan and for Rhea who work so hard at home. The horses ran really today, well they’re in good form.”

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival said, “The Festival sponsors 153 races globally in 2023 as well as the World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December. The Festival is delighted to support the Arabian Racing Organisation through the sponsorship of these races in the UK and we congratulate the winners today.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO congratulates Teagan on her second win, and all the Owen team at Green Ridge Stables. We’re also delighted to see the breeders of the winner, Upstart Crow, John Elliott and Teresa Kinsey here tonight, as well as the Skeppers who bred the third and of course, Jenny Owen, representing James Owen Racing who bred the second.

“The HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival through their Wathba Stallions Cup races are specifically aimed at the grassroots our sport, both here, and around the world. These races are so important for our domestic breeders and we are very grateful to the Festival for their continued support of our racing in the UK.

“We also thank Baker McVeigh International for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award won by John Bishop for Zikada Zayin, which was presented to the owner Paul Simmons, by Jenny Owen.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) welcomed a field of nine for their second visit to Bath this season for the Wathbastallions.com (0-60) Handicap to be run over a mile. Many of the runners from two weeks ago will reoppose, headed by the winner, Upstart Crow, who will again be ridden by amateur, Teagan Padgett for James Owen and Mrs Linda Reeves. This will be the first of eight races sponsored under the banner of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival banner, which also includes the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA), which this year has a prize fund increase to £20,000.

Joining Upstart Crow from the Owen stable will be the brothers, Heritage Valentino and Heritage Vadel who were both successful for the yard last season. Heritage Valentino put up a good show to be second on his reappearance and will be partnered by Sean Levey. Heritage Vadel won first-time out last year, in first-time blinkers, and this time is tried in cheekpieces for his seasonal return, where he will be ridden by Cieran Fallon, who is making his debut on the breed. Joining them will also be the Owen homebred, Mayfair, who will be ridden again by another stable amateur in Rhea Betts.

After their last trip to Bath, Owen said, “We’re going to support the amateurs in the yard, Teagan and Rhea, as well as Jamie [Gambin] and Connor [Baker], they’ll ride all the Arabians when they can do the weight this year. That’s why I’ve got them and that’s why they work hard for me, and I’ll reward them for that.”

Third behind Upstart Crow and Heritage Valentino was Zikada Zayin, for 2022 leading ARO breeder, Paul Simmons of Zayin Arabians. Her third place and that of Zayin Angkor Centurion last Saturday at Doncaster, sees Simmons lying in second place in the breeders table behind John Elliott, who could be in line for another ARO breeders scheme payday as the producer of Upstart Crow.

Double-handed in the race will be trainers Steve Blackwell and Peter Hammersley. Blackwell returns with the veteran Aljawaaher, who’s main purpose has been a schoolmaster for young amateur jockeys, though was profitable last season making the frame on every start. His partner, Lewis Saunders, now takes a step up to Blackwell’s homebred mare Aloof, whilst Aljawaaher gains Matthew Lloyd Slater, who is making his debut under ARO rules.

Hammersley’s pair are Belle Angelique, partnered by Gina Mangan for Dilmun Racing and Al-Hatab, ridden by Finley Marsh, who Hammersley co-owns with the gelding’s breeder Julie Kelway. He will be hoping that leaving off the cheekpieces will allow Al-Hatab to settle better in the early stages than he did on his seasonal debut.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is most grateful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival through their Wathba Stallions Cup races which are specifically aimed at the grassroots our sport, both here, and around the world.

“We also thank Baker McVeigh International for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award for this race and we’re look forward to returning to Bath on Friday as part of their evening racing programme, with live music after racing.”