The Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Stakes to be run in association with Emirates Breeders over seven furlongs at Chelmsford City on Saturday 7 November, features some exciting newcomers in the eight-runner line-up. This will be the Arabian Racing Organisation’s (ARO) first visit to the Essex track this season, with the event preceding a further nine thoroughbred races that evening.
Those with experience are Alameen, who won in Belgium over a mile in the summer and Wanassa who has twice been placed at Wolverhampton this autumn. Wanaasa, who is a half-sister to multiple winner Al Azeeza, gets the benefits of her sex and age allowances and could make her experience tell. Behind her in September was Nadelshiba, who comes from a speedy family and should improve for that outing.
They are trained by James Owen for HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, as is debutant Alghadeer, who is closely related to a number of Group1PA winners, including the world’s highest rated Arabian of all time, Al Mourtajez. Also making their debuts in the blue and white silks are Awtaar and Balqees, trained by Phil Collington. Awtaar’s dam Zormania, won a juvenile Group 2PA race over the same distance, whilst Balqees is the first foal of Najlaa, who was beaten a short head in the UK Arabian Derby.
Collington also fields Akala Firefly a home-bred of Nicki Thorne, who raced his sire Tidarbret and who’s first winner, Billy’s Girl came at this track. Whilst Biggore represents Khalifa Ghanim Al Mari and is trained by Peter Hammersley. Hammersley got off the mark for the season in style with a convincing win last week from Al-Tabari, who’s dam he had trained to win the same race seven years ago.
This is the first of two races that Baileys Horse Feeds are sponsoring with ARO, their export manager Mark Buchan commented: “We are delighted to be renewing our association with UK Arabian racing again this season supporting both a novice and a conditions race at our local track, Chelmsford City. We feel it is important to be putting something back into the domestic sport and of course the Middle East is also a significant part of Baileys global market.”
Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation Commercial and Finance Director said: “We are thrilled to renew our association with Baileys Horse Feeds whose support of UK Arabian racing began in 2017 with a variety of Best Turned Out awards and we now welcome them back as lead sponsor of two races.
“ARO is very grateful for this increased support, which has enabled us to maintain our presence as part of UK racing, as have all our valued sponsors in 2020. In addition, we also thank the British Horseracing Authority and Chelmsford City Racecourse for their continued assistance this season.”
