It was a case of youth over experience with a pair of three-year-old fillies from Shadwell Estates being the first two home in the Emirates Breeders International Sprint Stakes over six furlongs at Newbury this evening. Muneer, who had won on her debut in a Lingfield maiden, confirmed that form with Al Khaleey, who this time finished a length behind, with Dilmun Racing’s seven-year-old mare Abiyah Athbah a further length and a half adrift in third. Despite greenness when hitting the front, it was a professional performance from a juvenile filly taking on older horses. Winning in a time of 1.19.82, which, compared to past running of the Za’abeel International (Gr1PA) over course and distance, is the fastest time since Nashwan Al Khalediah in 2010.
This was also a second win on an Arabian for Doyle in the blue and white colours at the Berkshire track, as she had partnered Farhaa home the previous week for leading trainer James Owen.
Owen was really pleased with Muneer’s performance saying: “She’s come on massively from her first run and she’ll improve again for this one. She’s got lots of talent. We’ve a few nice ones at home which we’ve yet to unleash, they’ll be coming out in those maidens in August, but Muneer’s been the most precocious of them throughout.”
He continued: “We’ll see how she comes out of this and discuss the next steps with Richard Hills and the team at Shadwell. I hope we might go to France with her, I think she’s entitled to take her chance out there. She’s so professional to deal with and it was great to get on a Grade One turf track with her. She’s an exciting horse for the future.”
Doyle was similarly enthusiastic commenting: “I got to the front sooner than we planned, but she was travelling so well and really enjoyed the ground. Though she was still a bit green, she will have learnt a lot today. It’s great to have another winner on the Arabians for Shadwell Estates and Sheikha Hissa.”
Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) Commercial and Finance Director said: “That was a great performance from Muneer in an eye-catching time and gives us plenty to look forward to with our young horses for the future. We congratulate James, his team, and all at Shadwell Estates. It’s also really pleasing for ARO to see Hollie clicking so well with the Arabians from comparatively few race rides, hopefully she’ll get more from now on.”
She continued: “ARO is very grateful to the Emirates Breeders for sponsoring this race. It is part of a series that supports UK Arabian racing through maidens, conditions races and a variety of handicaps that cater for all levels.
We also congratulate Sue Wileman, groom of Abiyah Athbah, on winning the Best Turned Out Award presented by Chloe Martin of Racing Welfare, which is part of their ongoing recognition of the hard-working staff in UK Arabian racing.”
Haynes concluded: “We would also like to thank the BHA and all the team at Newbury racecourse for their continued assistance this season and we are delighted that our race was the first on the card of the Vaccination Volunteers Racenight, which is celebrating the work of the Newbury Vaccination Centre.”
