The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) looks forward to the £4,000 Emirates Breeders (0-70) Handicap on Sunday September 3rd, to be run over an extended five furlongs at Brighton.
Looking to recapture past glories is the top weight Storm Troupour, who has now joined the stable of Mitchell Hunt in Somerset. The well-travelled son of Nivour de Cardonne started his career in the USA, and has since had success in the UK, Sweden, and the UAE. A winner of a Group 3PA over six furlongs on the All Weather, he has also been Group 1PA placed at that trip on good to soft at Newbury. Highly tried in the UK subsequently, he has lost his form of late and was last seen finishing fourth here last August. Connections will be hoping that a change of scene can revitalise him and he will be partnered for the first time by Aiden Keely.
Hunt is a former assistant to ARO leading trainer James Owen. Both are now training thoroughbreds alongside their Arabians, with Owen currently experiencing a good run of form, lying tenth in the National Hunt trainer’s table. From his Newmarket base he sends two lightly raced homebred half-sisters, who will be ridden by two of his stable’s amateur jockeys.
He commented, “Mayfair has been running consistently all season. She showed quite a bit of speed at Chepstow and I think the drop in trip at Brighton will suit. The headgear goes back on and Rhea [Betts] rides her. It would be lovely for Rhea to get a winner this season as she’s been knocking on the door and improving with all her rides.
“We also run Victoria, Mayfair’s year younger half-sister who’s shown speed in her runs but has failed to finish off her races to good effect. This is probably her best chance and at the weights she should be there or thereabouts. Teagan [Padgett] who’s done so well on Upstart Crow takes the ride. I think they’ve both got great chances.”
Making the journey from Epsom, from the stable of Jen Harris is another homebred, Kayack. HIs dam was successful over six furlongs and will be trying this distance for the first time under his regular partner, leading amateur, Serena Brotherton.
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO thanks the Emirates Breeders for their support of our grassroots competitors, who we are also assisting through our ARO breeders’ scheme. The scheme gives a financial bonus to UK registered ARO breeders whose horses finish in the first three places of all our races, and all bar one of the runners in this race are eligible for the bonus.”
