The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted with the 12 entries for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Group 3PA to be run over a mile at Haydock Park on Saturday 9 September. With a prize money increase of £5,000 to £20,000, it will be the third running of the contest under the sponsorship of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, with the race run as part of Haydock’s Sprint Cup Celebration fixture.
Top rated on 111 is Ekleel Athbah, one of four entries from Newmarket based Phil Collington. Collington has won all four of the previous running’s of this race, three of which were for his principal patron, Athbah Racing. Also from the Athbah stable this year are the four-year-old fillies Thaydah Athbah, and recent UAE President Cup, UK Derby third, Thakeera Al Shahania, along with John Elliott’s Lujain.
Runner-up last year, and third in 2021 was Abiyah Athbah, trained by Peter Hammersley for Dilmun Racing. Sixth in 2022 was Gavin Kelly’s Mulan who also holds an entry along with John Morris’s Alameen. Also entered is Group 3PA winner Storm Troupour, who made his seasonal reappearance for new trainer Mitchell Hunt on Sunday. Whilst current ARO leading trainer James Owen could have two representatives, in recent Brighton winner Mayfair and the progressive Upstart Crow, who would be seeking a fifth consecutive win on Saturday if he was declared.
The sole overseas entry, Dolon, scored in the Wathba Stallions Cup- Prix Arca last month in La Teste, France. Carrying the colours of Haif Mohammed Al Ghatani he is trained by Elizabeth Bernard, like his half-brother Jarif, who has won six PA Group races in Italy, Holland and Belgium to date.
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “The Festival sponsors 153 races globally this year, 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 race sponsorship and the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup is our most prestigious event in the UK.”
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival for their continued and generous support of our racing, with the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup being their sponsorship highlight, along with the popular Wathba Stallions series which supports our grassroots racing.
“ARO is thrilled with the number of entries and we look forward to declarations on Wednesday at 10am.”
