Thaydah Athbah and Kieran O’Neill win the Athbah Maiden Winter Race at Mons Ghlin

Photo supplied by AHRCB

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) congratulates 2022 Leading Trainer Phil Collington, who started the new season in the best possible way with a winner with his first starter on Friday 28 January.  Thaydah Athbah was one of three runners Collington took to Belgium for 2022 ARO Leading Owner and his principal patron, Athbah Racing, with the four-year-old filly winning in good style for Kieran O’Neill.

Bred by Athbah Stud, Thaydah Athbah was one of two runners representing the sponsor in the Athbah Maiden Winter Race held over 1500m on the All Weather at Mons Ghlin. The daughter of leading sire AF Albahar, jumped off smartly and settled behind the early leaders, responding well when asked to take it up in the home straight to win by three quarters of a length from Saab Athbah, trained in France by Elizabeth Bernard.

A delighted Collington commented: “Thaydah Athbah did really well on her debut to win by three quarters of a length over 1500m. There will be a big improvement to come from her when she steps up in trip, she definitely got away with it over this distance”

In the following race, the Arabian Horse Organisation Winter Championship held over 2100m, there was another one-two for Athbah Racing.  This time however, it was Sultana trained by Bernard, who got the better of Ekleel Athbah, for Collington, with his other runner, Thakeera Al Shahania making a promising debut in this company to finish fifth. Collington still had plenty of involvement with the winner as he had broken her in and trained her for her breeders, Shadwell Stud, before she was sold to Athbah as part of the Shadwell dispersal. Ekleel Athbah who was ARO’s leading horse of 2022, already has her invitation to the Saudi Cup to run in the Al Mneefah Cup on the Friday of the Festival and this will have been an ideal preparation.

Continuing Collington said: “Ekleel was drawn widest of all and found it hard to get into a rhythm where she could settle in an on-off pace. She was too keen early on with no cover and having switched to the inside, turning in Kieran thought she would pick up, but she never really got into it this time. She needs a regular gallop and will also be better back on turf, which she will get in Saudi.

“Thakeerah Al Shahania was very green, more than I expected as she’s very good at home, but she ran really well to finish fifth. Stephane [Breux] agreed that we were right to run her in the longer race over 2100m rather than the maiden over shorter. She’ll be fine at 2000m and upwards as she matures, and will definitely come on for the run. We’re looking forward to seeing her and Thaydah Athbah out early on in the UK if it all goes well.”

ARO CEO Genny Haynes commented: “ARO warmly congratulates Phil, Athbah Racing and all the team for their success in Belgium last week and we’re delighted to learn that Ekleel Athbah has been invited to the Saudi Cup meeting.  We look forward to the opening race of our season, which starts on Tuesday 9 May at Lingfield Park.”

It is with great sadness I report the death of David Angold on 26^th November. David and his wife Angela became involved with Arabians in the 1960’s, breeding and showing Anglos as well as purebreds alongside their 100 strong herd of Jersey dairy cows on their farm, Pinnerwood in Hertfordshire.

From the beginning David was involved in Arabian racing and for several years he and Angela enjoyed consistent success with their homebred Kactus 1975  (Mikeno – Gayroxana) a Grade 1 racehorse. They also stood the imported Spanish stallion Procyon 1972 (Saludo – Casiopea) who was not only a very popular stallion in general but also a highly successful sire of racehorses throughout the 1980s.

David was not someone to stand on the side-lines but believed in giving back for the pleasure he had received. He became an AHS council member; he then took on the mantle of Chairman of the Racing Committee steering it wisely through the period of much of its growth and success. In 1996 he became President of the AHS and subsequently a Governor. David followed this by joining the Executive of WAHO in 2001 and becoming its treasurer from 2002 – 2017.

For many years he was one of the rocks of the Arabian horse community. In all his roles, David had his feet firmly on the ground, he had a sense of humour, he could be depended on to talk with wisdom. He also had an ear for everyone and would listen with patience and kindness. David and Angela travelled the world for the Arabian horse making many friends along the way, he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts go out to Angela for her loss.

30^th December 2022

(written by Deirdre Hyde)

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted to announce trainer Philip Collington as the recipient of the 2022 Arabian Racing Achievement Award. The award will be presented as part of the Horserace Writers’ and Photographers’ Association (HWPA) 56^th Annual Derby Awards on Monday 5 December, at the Royal Lancaster, London. Now in its’ ninth year, the award, once again generously sponsored by Equine MediRecord, recognises an individual or organisation for their contribution to UK Arabian racing.

Collington started riding under ARO rules in 2001 and having become retained amateur jockey for HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, won five ARO leading jockey titles, before taking out his training licence on the retirement of his mentor, Gill Duffield. Winning three PA Group races in his first season, his most notable victory to date has been the 2019 HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1PA) in Abu Dhabi with Athbah Racing’s Mashhur Al Khalediah, which at the time was the world’s most valuable Arabian race.

This season he trained Ekleel Athbah to win the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes (Gr2PA) at Newbury, which he first won with Radames in 2016 when it was run as the Za’abeel International (Gr1PA). Bayan Athbah also recorded back-to-back wins in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA) at Haydock Park, giving him his thirteenth PA Group winner and securing his second ARO leading trainer award.

Collington was delighted saying: “It is an honour to receive this award, sponsored by ARO and EquineMedirecord which has previously been won by HH Sheikh Hamdan on two occasions, as well as Gill Duffield, both of whom played such a big part in my early career. I am grateful to all the staff, owners, jockeys and horses who have been part of my achievements and to Athbah Racing who have supported me so well this season.”

Pierce Dargan, Equine MediRecord CEO said: “We are proud to sponsor the Arabian Achievement Award that raises Arabian racing’s profile at this prestigious annual event. We highly value our partnership with Arabian racing in the UK and look forward to the next ARO season in 2023. Congratulations to Philip Collington for winning the award after being named ARO Leading Trainer in 2022 and for all the amazing contributions he has made to the sport of Arabian Racing over many years.”

In recognition of Collington’s achievements, Charles Gregson, ARO Chairman commented: “ARO is delighted to acknowledge one of their own, with over 20 years’ experience in the sport. Philip developed his early career as an amateur riding Arabians and for ten years was former ARO patron HH Sheikh Hamdan’s retained jockey. That he has been able to further progress as a trainer since retiring from the saddle in 2016 and develop a relationship with a new leading patron in Athbah Stud is a testament to his work ethic and abilities as a horseman.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “We thank the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association for their continued support of UK Arabian racing, allowing us to acknowledge the achievements of our participants in this way.

“In what has been another challenging year for ARO, we also thank Equine MediRecord for their continued sponsorship, as well as the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Coral and Vertem Asset Management for supporting the 56^th HWPA Annual Derby Awards.”

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) 2022 season ended with new leaders across the board, marking a new era in UK Arabian racing. Athbah Racing secured Leading Owner, Philip Collington was Leading Trainer, Tadhg O’Shea was Leading Jockey and Ekleel Athbah was the Leading Horse. Outside of the main categories, Paul Simmons’ Zayin Arabian Stud was Leading UK Breeder, whilst Laith Al Khalediah became Leading Sire.

With the passing of HH Sheikh Hamdan and the dispersal of his Arabian racing stock, it was inevitable that his 19 year dominance of the sport in the UK would end. It was however fitting that one of the leading buyers of his young horses, Athbah Racing has assumed the top spot and will help to extend his legacy further into the future. However the majority of their runners this season were  Athbah homebreds, and all trained by Phil Collington from his base in Newmarket. Their principal winner, the Leading Horse, Ekleel Athbah, ended her UK season on a high when winning the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes (Group 2PA) at Newbury in August. Athbah and Collington also had further black type success with Bayan Athbah, who secured back-to-back wins in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr3PA) at Haydock Park.

Accepting the ARO Leading Owner Award that this year has been generously sponsored by long term UK supporter the Royal Cavalry of Oman, Athbah’s racing manager Abdul Moniem Ahmed Ali commented: “We thank HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Ahmed for his leadership, daily management, financial and emotional support. We dedicate this honour to him as a token of our appreciation from the entire team at Athbah Racing.

“We thank our great trainer Philip and his team for their dedication and hard work this season, and also Genny Haynes, William McFarland and Debbie Burt at ARO for their time and efforts despite all the challenges this year. Athbah Racing is delighted that its’ story began in the United Kingdom with their racing and breeding operations, we feel like we are in our home.”

Collington who won his first leading trainer title in 2018, had a long association with Shadwell Arabians as a jockey and trainer. Along with half of Sheikh Hamdan’s string, he also inherited a handful of Athbah horses on the retirement of his mentor and doyenne of the sport, Gill Duffield in 2015. However this year’s success was not entirely down to Athbah’s support as one of his winners was Lujain, bred by Shadwell Arabians and now owned by John Elliott, who had provided Collington with his first winner as a trainer, as well as supporting him in his riding days.

Of his success this year Collington said: “It’s been a fantastic season and obviously it’s nice to be leading trainer again, along with the Group success we’ve had as well. Of course with the quality of horses we have now, we should be producing Group winners and winners across all levels. We’ve got some lovely young horses going into next year and they look very progressive.”

They also received the ARO Leading Horse Award, sponsored by The Arabian Racehorse magazine, for Ekleel Athbah. Collington continued: “We felt from the beginning of the year that she could be as good, if not better than Bayan Athbah. It was only her race inexperience that held her up. She’s very professional at home and she was unlucky not to get off the mark sooner, but she’s ended the season as a Group winner. She’s had a bit of a break as we’ve moved yards, but she’ll have a prep race either in France or Belgium in January with the goal of going to the Al Mneefah Cup at the Saudi Cup meeting.”

Integral to their success was ten times UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea, who partnered Ekleel Athbah and Bayan Athbah to their 2022 UK PA Group successes. He will be presented with the ARO leading jockey trophy later this year at the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Jewel Crown meeting, a race which Athbah and Collington also won in 2019 with Mashhur Al Khalediah.

Speaking from his winter base in Dubai, O’Shea said: “It’s an honour to be crowned leading rider in the UK. Arabians are how it all started for me, winning on Danidor for the Maktoum Royal Family in 2001 at Jebel Ali. Thankfully I’ve ridden some of the best Arabians throughout my career and it’s been great to ride for Phil and Athbah Racing again in the UK this year. I congratulate them on their success and that of Ekleel Athbah, she’s a lovely filly who is improving with every run, hopefully she’ll go to the Al Mneefah Cup.”

This year ARO was delighted to be able to reinstate their UK Breeders Scheme, giving financial rewards to British bred horses finishing in the first three of any non-Group race. The top three British breeders were then rewarded with their choice of stallion nomination, generously sponsored by Shadwell Arabian Stallions, with Simmons selecting AF Mathmoon, Mrs Skepper selecting the No Risk Al Maury and Steve Blackwell selecting Madjani.

Accepting his award, which also included a trophy and photographs sponsored by The Arabian Racehorse magazine, Simmons said: “It’s lovely to be recognised having been involved for 20 years. The horses have done well this season with Zayin Zyperion winning and Zayin Angkor Centurion being placed at Group level for a second time. I was delighted with Zikada Zayin’s third on her final start and look forward to her progressing further next year.

“It’s fantastic to get a free covering from Shadwell. I will probably use AF Mathmoon on Zephyrella Zayin, as I’ve already got one of my mares in foal to him this year and I’m looking forward to using him again.”

Stable Staff were not forgotten, in the addition to the individual Best Turned Out Awards throughout the year provided by Baker McVeigh and Racing Welfare, Racing Welfare also continued with their overall awards for the season. Brian Watson and Brendan Waterworth of Racing Welfare presented cheques for £125 to the leading yard of Pete Hammersley and individual awards to Sue Wileman (large yard), and to Izzy Brown (small yard).

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “ARO warmly congratulates all our worthy winners this year and thanks the Royal Cavalry of Oman, Shadwell Arabians, Racing Welfare and The Arabian Racehorse magazine for their generous sponsorship of our awards this season, along with our associate sponsor, Equine MediRecord.

“We thank our regular participants, as well as those new to Arabian racing this year, the British Horseracing Authority, all the racecourses, and of course our race sponsors, The Royal Cavalry of Oman, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, the Emirates Breeders and Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons whose continued support of our racing we are most grateful for. In particular, we also thank the Sheikh Mansoor Festival and their Wathba Stallions Cup series for a five-race increase in their sponsorship, a brilliant boost for our grassroots owners.

Concluding she said: “Though we sadly lost one of racing’s greatest supporters in Her Majesty The Queen, we were delighted to join with the Royal Cavalry of Oman in planting a Silver Birch tree to honour her Platinum Jubilee at Newbury. It was a fitting choice as the Silver Birch symbolises rebirth, new beginnings and growth. Whilst ARO has faced many challenges over the last three years, we see 2022 as the start of a new era and aim to use this season as a platform to build a secure future for Arabian racing in the UK.”

Five days since breaking her maiden, James Owen Racing Club’s Al Mahbooba recorded back-to-back wins in the Emirates Breeders Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton, bringing the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) 2022 season to a close. Partnered by stable amateur Connor Baker, Owen also trained the second, Balqees, whose jockey, Miss Alice Stevens had been Al Mahbooba’s winning partner last week, with Zayin Arabians, Zikada Zayin and Eoin Walsh in third.

Baker who was recording his first win on an Arabian said: “That was really good fun, I knew she’d run well here before and she’s got plenty of stamina. James said to jump out and make the running and she just kept going.”

Owen commented: “That was lovey for Connor. He’s a family friend, I actually met him on the hunting field, we had a point-to-pointer for the family last year which Connor won on, so it’s a nice to give him a chance and this was the perfect race for him. We’ve got three young amateurs in the yard and it’s nice to get them all going, he did well, did exactly what I said, a few more rides and he’ll be away.”

Owen’s Racing Club has gone from strength to strength since he started it in 2018 and now includes owners overseas with Dubai based Gary Allsopp having an interest in Al Mahbooba, as well as Balqees. Emailing from Dubai, Allsopp said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been involved with three winners this season, and with Balqees and Wanaasa in my own colours too, which has far exceeded my expectations.

“I’d like to thank the ARO for putting on such wonderfully well organised days for us owners which have been great to be involved with, and a big thank you to James Owen for being such an honest and hard-working trainer, putting the horses welfare first at all times. Watching from Dubai is always difficult as I love being in the mix watching these beautiful animals run.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO congratulates the James Owen Racing team for another win with Al Mahbooba to round off their season on a high. 

“ARO thanks the Emirates Breeders series for their generous support this year and Brendan Waterworth and Brian Watson of Racing Welfare, who presented the Best Turned Out Award to Tracey Raymont for Al Mahbooba.  We also the British Horseracing Authority and the team at Wolverhampton for their assistance with our racing this season.”

Five-time ARO leading trainer James Owen seeks to end the season on a high in the Emirates Breeders Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton on Tuesday September 27. Though Owen fields two with the strongest chances of winning the £3,000, nine furlong race, it won’t be enough to secure a sixth title, which will return to fellow Newmarket trainer Phil Collington, who is currently three wins ahead.

Owen’s pair are the highest rated, with recent winner for his Racing Club, Al Mahbooba, now partnered by stable amateur, Connor Baker. Baker’s seven-pound claim helps to offset the mare’s penalty, however, his other runner, Balqees is also in receipt of a five-pound allowance, that of Alice Stevens, who was on board for Al Mahbooba’s win. Balqees has already confirmed her liking for the track at Dunstall Park, winning there in May, and races in the colours of Gary Allsopp who has had a fine introduction to Arabian racing, also winning with Wanaasa earlier in the season. The Dubai based businessman has also been able to enjoy some great days out with Balqees finishing at the lesser end of the prize money in her last two black type races, and was the best of the UK challengers in the £400,000 Qatar International Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

None of the remaining runners have won, with Zayin Arabians’ Zikada Zayin, being the only other with racecourse experience. She is a sister, or half-sister to three course winners, however she was somewhat disappointing at her first attempt at this trip and surface on her most recent start, and no doubt her trainer Mitchell Hunt will be hoping that the assistance of Eoin Walsh will see her in a more competitive light.

Jakcora, who will be ridden by Georia Dobie, is one of two debutants in the field and runs in the colours of her owner-trainer Darren Plumb. She is a homebred daughter of Group 1PA winning miler Al Jakbar, also sire of Elyassaat, who gave Plumb’s late wife, Jayme, her first winner in 2017.

The only three-year-old in the race is the locally bred and trained Coljani. By Madjani, who is also the sire of the Owen pair, his dam was placed for trainer Peter Hammersley at Wolverhampton on her debut and comes from a family who have done well at this distance. He runs in the Raffles Partnership silks of his late part-breeder Colin Banks and Hammersley reports that he was pleased with the gelding’s recent galop at the track. He will be ridden by Joey Haynes who has plenty of success on Hammersley’s runners in the last three seasons.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO is delighted that the field includes three homebreds, as supporting our domestic breeders is a key aim of our sponsors, the Emirates Breeders series, who we thank for their continued support.

“We look forward to welcoming Brendan Waterworth and Brian Watson of Racing Welfare, who we thank for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award and also the British Horseracing Authority and the team at Wolverhampton for their assistance with our racing this year.”

Five-time ARO leading trainer James Owen secured a one two in the Emirates Breeders (0-75) Handicap Stakes at Southwell over a mile and six furlongs today, with Al Mahbooba and Jaahez pulling clear of the field. Al Mahbooba, partnered for the second time by Miss Alice Stevens, was kept off the pace in the early stages, however she and Jaahez showed their class, staying on well in the home straight, battling on well, with Al Mahbooba gaining a two length advantage on the line, with Zayin Zyperion keeping on for third.

Stevens, who was riding her first winner on an Arabian said: “She was really game when I rode her at Wolverhampton and was just unlucky to be beaten by a good horse, when we were giving it a stone, so she deserved to win today. They went pretty hard early on, and I was able to sit in and travel throughout. She went through them well and once I got to the front she was going away nicely.”

Al Mahbooba was also recording a first win for Owen’s Racing Club this season, with member Paul Holtom present to enjoy the win. He commented: “I’ve been to every meeting, it’s great to have a win with Al Mahbooba and I live locally as well.”

Explaining his involvement, he said: “I joined through Justin Byrne, the Club manager, as I’d been in other clubs with him before and I’d been in Hambleton Racing and had a couple of Thoroughbred horses with Kevin Ryan, but this was an opportunity that I fancied getting involved with. I’d knew nothing about it beforehand and this has got me back into racing again.”

Owen who also trained the fourth, Heritage Valentino said: “I’m pleased for the Racing Club, they’re huge supporters of mine and it’s good to get one on the board for them. Both horses are better performers on the All Weather, and it was a step down in grade for both of them on a more suitable trip. Jaahez has been running well over the wrong distance, but has just been a bit naughty in the stalls, not loading, Jamie [Gambin] did a good job on him today. Rhea Betts who was going to ride him unfortunately hurt her neck, but Jamie had ridden him last year, he’s improved a lot.

“We’re pleased for Alice” he continued. “We’ll probably use her again next week at Wolverhampton on Balqees, Al Mahbooba will get a penalty so we’ll want to claim the full seven off of her, so one of the stable amateurs will ride. We may run Mayfair as well, we’ll see, she’s been growing.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO congratulates James and his team, winning with Al Mahbooba and also Alice recording her first success on the breed.

“We thank the Emirates Breeders series for their continued sponsorship, and also the British Horseracing Authority and all the team at Southwell for supporting our racing this season.”

Five-time ARO leading trainer James Owen has a strong hand with three runners in the Emirates Breeders (0-75) Handicap Stakes at Southwell on Thursday. The £3,000 race has attracted eight runners from ten entries and will be the last chance for many of these horses to run this season, which ends next week in another Emirates Breeders sponsored race at Wolverhampton.

The field is headed by Owen’s Racing Club’s Al Mahbooba, partnered again by amateur rider, Alice Stevens, who finished third on the mare in July at Wolverhampton. In his wife, Jenny’s colours is Jaahez, who has twice been placed for his stable amateur Rhea Betts this year, along with recent scorer, Mrs R B Skepper’s Heritage Valentino, who renews the winning partnership with course specialist Kieran O’Neill.

However, none of Owen’s three runners are proven at the 1m6f trip, a factor which is common to many of their opponents, though Darren Plumb’s Jeewan did win over 2m1f in June, beating among others, Heritage Valentino. He is another reunited with his winning partner in Dougie Costello. Three-time winner Zayin Zyperion has been campaigned by trainer Peter Hammersley for Zayin Arabians at 1m2f and shorter. Ridden again by Joey Haynes, they will take comfort in the fact that his half-brother, Zayin Zachilles, won over this trip at this level.

Craig Kester’s Kamikaze, ridden on Thursday by Gina Mangan, will be fitter for his recent return to action behind Heritage Valentino and is a two-time winner over 1m4f, who has been placed at this trip. Evermore Racing’s Kayack also made a belated seasonal reappearance last week and though placed over 1m4f, is another stepping up in distance for leading lady amateur and regular jockey, Serena Brotherton. Completing the field is the Connally’s Labwah, may also improve for the stamina test and this week will be ridden by Collen Storey.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said: “ARO is delighted with the number of declarations for our last handicap of the season. The race looks to be a very open one and we’re delighted to return to Southwell, who were so accommodating when we had to move one of our races there at short notice, earlier in the season.

“We thank the Emirates Breeders series for their continued sponsorship, and also the British Horseracing Authority and all the team at Southwell for supporting our racing this season.”

There was further homebred success for Mrs Skepper and her daughter Jane Marson, this time with Heritage Valentino who stepped up on his recent second to win the £4,000 Wathba Stallions Cup (0-55) handicap at Wolverhampton this afternoon. Having scored with his brother Heritage Vadel earlier in the year, this time it was the five-year-old son of Vadeer’s turn to bring the family into the winner’s enclosure. Trained by James Owen and ridden by Kieran O’Neill, the grey soon went to the front in a slowly run race and was never headed, with the consistent Aljawaaher  two and threequarters of a length in second and Kayack a further length and three quarters adrift in third.

Owner breeder Mrs Skepper commented: “We’re delighted with him. The jockey said he felt like he could go round again so we’ll be looking for some longer races for him now.”

Riding only his second UK winner on an Arabian, O’Neill said: “There wasn’t a lot of pace, James had said to try and get cover early on, but there wasn’t really many going forward so I let him go to the front and when he got there he had a good look around. As soon as we got the three pole I ask him to go on again and he went away nicely. The further he went, the better he got and he didn’t stop.”

Representing Owen on this occasion was Alex Chadwick who said: “It’s great for the owners, I think Valentino is learning his job a lot more now. I think Kieran gave him a very good ride today, he’s been a bit keen early on, but letting him bowl along and have a nice lead in front has paid dividends, so hopefully he can improve again.  He might be out again next week at Southwell.”

In keeping with the countrywide recognition by British horseracing of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, fifteen minutes before the start, there was a two minute silence held in the paddock, in addition to  all the jockeys wearing black arm bands as a mark of respect.

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, said: “The Sheikh Mansoor Festival is pleased to be back at Wolverhampton, and we congratulate the Skepper family winning with a homebred, as it is an important aspect of the Wathba Stallions Cup series to support the breeding of Arabian racehorses.”

Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation Chief Executive Officer commented: “ARO is delighted that yet again all the entries stood their ground, and we thank the Sheikh Mansoor Festival for all their sponsorship this season, especially for races at this level which are the lifeblood of our grassroots sport. We warmly congratulate Mrs Skepper and her daughter Jane Marson for another homebred winner this season, particularly during National Racehorse Week and all the team at Green Ridge Stables.

“We also thank Wolverhampton racecourse and the British Horseracing Authority for supporting our racing, particularly during this time of mourning for HM The Queen.”

Owner-trainer Steve Blackwell will be hoping his homebred mare Aloof can record a hat-trick of wins in the forthcoming Wathba Stallions Cup (0-55) Handicap Stakes, to be run over nine and a half furlongs at Wolverhampton on Tuesday 13^th September. The five-year-old was one of ten entries who declared for the £4,000 race, run as part of the Wathba Stallions race series which supports the grassroots of the sport around the world.

Aloof, who renews the recent winning partnership with conditional jockey, Josh Bryan, is one of two runners for Blackwell, the other being the consistent veteran, Aljawaaher. Now in his seventh season racing for the Bridgend based trainer, Aljawaaher has struck up a fruitful partnership with young amateur rider Lewis Saunders, and the pair have not finished out of the frame in all their starts this season.

At the top of the weights and returning for new connections after several years absence is Kamikaze. Now owned and trained by Craig Kester, when last seen at Royal Windsor he was victorious in the valuable HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies World Championship, ridden by Miss Helen Boehler. This time another amateur jockey, Henry Main will be on board, making his debut on Arabians, though has had plenty of experience on Thoroughbreds with his first win coming for his stepmother Heather last July, for whom Kester also works.

Making her All Weather debut is the five-year-old Zikada Zayin, who is a sister or half-sister to three winners, all of whom have won at the Midlands track for her owner-breeder Paul Simmons of Zayin Arabians. Trained like his thoroughbred mare, Opticality by Mitchell Hunt near Taunton, this will also be her first start beyond a mile. Hunt started his career as assistant to James Owen, who fields Heritage Vadel and Heritage Valentino for the brothers’ owner-breeders Mrs Skepper and her daughter Jane Marson. Heritage Vadel is already a Wathba Stallions Cup winner this season, when ridden by Rhiain Ingram who renews the partnership here. Third on that occasion was Heritage Valentino, who has since gone on to be a close second to Aloof in another Wathba Stallions sponsored race, last month at Chepstow.

Another homebred lining up is Kayack. He makes a belated seasonal return for Jen Harris, but will have the assistance of regular partner and multiple champion amateur lady jockey, Serena Brotherton in the saddle. One jockey at the start of their amateur career is Kaitlen Robinson who partners the family owned and trained Mulan. The pair were twice successful in a lesser grade at Chelmsford several years ago, but their progress was interrupted by Covid. Outclassed in their latest appearance in a Group 3PA at Haydock, the pair should be more at home in this company.

The field also includes two relatively unexposed mares who are trying headgear for the first-time. Labwah is a well-bred purchase by Sue and Tony Connally from the Shadwell dispersal and in addition to cheekpieces, she swaps her usual partner Miss Kelly Bostock for apprentice Tyler Heard. Running for Dilmun Racing in visors is Belle Angelique, who has the least distance to travel, coming from Peter Hammersley’s Leicestershire yard. Mostly ridden by vet student and regular work rider Paddy Barlow, she will have Joey Haynes in the saddle who has had plenty of success with the Hammersley string.

Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation Chief Executive Officer commented: “ARO is delighted that all the entries stood their ground, and we thank the Sheikh Mansoor Festival for their sponsorship this season, especially for races at this level which are the lifeblood of our grassroots sport.

“We also thank Wolverhampton racecourse and the British Horseracing Authority for supporting our racing, particularly during this time of mourning for HM The Queen. There will be a period of two minutes silence, fifteen minutes before our race.”