Mutwahhej Athbah and George Wood win the Emirates Breeders (0-95) Handicap at Doncaster

©Jonathan Hipkiss

 

Comfortable Doncaster win gives Collington two possible Derby contenders

Saturday 1 June 2024 – Trainer Phil Collington and owners Athbah Racing could be returning to Doncaster on August 17 with two hopefuls for the UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby (Gr1PA) following the comfortable win of Mutwahhej Athbah this evening. The four-year-old colt improved for every stride of the Emirates Breeders (0-95) Handicap contest and both trainer, and jockey George Wood, seemed confident that he would get the extra two furlongs of the mile and a quarter trip required for the August contest.

Proven miler Abiyah Athbah set a strong pace from the outset under Phil Dennis. Though challenged by Upstart Crow on the rail entering the final furlong, it was Mutwahhej Athbah who asserted on the far side, going clear to win by an easy length and three quarters. Headed by Upstart Crow, Abiyah Athbah bravely fought back to regain second on the line. Wood had been in the plate when Mutwahhej Athbah had won on his debut last October and was suitably impressed with the colts’ progress over the winter.

Collington and Athbah Racing now have two four-year-old colts that are live Derby candidates following the success of Hadaaya on Lingfield Derby Trials day last month. They also won this corresponding race last year with Thakeera Al Shahania, who went on to finish third in the UK Derby and fourth in the French equivalent of the Arabian Oaks at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend, both top level contests.

 

Watch Mutwahhej Athbah and George Wood win the Emirates Breeders (0-95) Handicap at Doncaster

Quotes: 

George Wood, jockey, 1^st: “He’s a very exciting horse, he won well last time at Windsor, he’s really improved a lot, he’s grown up in his mannerisms, everything about him is a lot more professional today. He’s an exciting horse for Phil and the team, I’m very pleased with him.”

Phil Collington, trainer, 1st, 4^th: “Mutwahhej Athbah probably ran the sort of race we would have imagined he would if he was good enough to win tonight, which he was. The further he went, the better he went and he looks a proper mile and a quarter horse. George thought he was a nice horse going forward and the further he goes, it plays to his strengths.

“Jameelaty, she perhaps didn’t quite stay, we’ve learned a bit more about her though. Perhaps we’ve just got to drop back in trip with her, but I think she’ll be ok, but it was just the distance that was wrong tonight.”

 

George Wood, Phil Collington, Mutwahhej Athbah and Victor Darling winners of the Emirates Breeders (0-95) Handicap Stakes at Doncaster, as well as the Racing Welfare Best Turned Out Award

© Jonathan Hipkiss

 

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer: “Mutwahhej Athbah certainly looks the sort to progress from the race today and we’ll be delighted to see him step up in trip and class again if he comes back here for the UAE President Cup – UK Derby. We congratulate Athbah Racing, Phil, George and the team at Cedar Lodge, as well as Victor Dearing who also won the Racing Welfare Best Turned Out award presented by Gail Buton-Pye for Mutwahhej Athbah.”

“We now look forward to our next race at Newbury on June 13th.”

 

Phil Collington receives the trophy for the Emirates Breeders (0-95) Handicap on behalf of Athbah Racing

©Jonathan Hipkiss

 

 

Hadaaya and Clifford Lee win the Equine MediRecord Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

Clear debut win could set colt up for the Derby at Doncaster in August

Saturday 11 May 2024 – It was a one-two-three for Newmarket trainer Phil Collington with all three of his debutant runners filling the frame in the Equine MediRecord Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park. Fittingly on Derby Trials day at the course, Collington’s four-year-old colt Hadaaya, could well be a live UK Derby candidate following his 12 length success. After being very green in the early stages, the three-year-old Mobaasher ran on well, whilst his other runner, Hattie Sparks, who was bred by his wife Sheila, was a further length and a quarter behind in third.

Hadaaya, ridden by Clifford Lee, looks to have a bright future, as he is a half-brother to Barakka, already a Group1PA winner in the UAE. Hadaaya is owned by Athbah Stud and was bought from the Shadwell Stud dispersal, as was the third Mobaasher now owned by Bader Salama Mubarak Al Rashdi.

Watch Hadaaya and Clifford Lee win the Equine MediRecord Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park

Quotes: 

Phil Collington, trainer 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd : “Not exactly how I thought it would go, I thought Hadaaya and Mobaasher would be a lot closer at the finish. Hadaaya was the ultimate professional, the way he travelled through the race, other than jumping the road crossing, it was reminiscent of his sire No Risk Al Maury.

“Mobaasher, on the other hand raced very greenly, but it was notable the way he finished his race off. Hattie Sparks ran on and ran a nice race.

“The wide margin that Hadaaya has won by was a little bit of a surprise, but going forward I think he’ll be a nice horse. We’d love to step him up in trip now and we’ve always thought a mile a quarter would be his optimum, it would be nice to think that he could be a Derby horse. We don’t know if he’s got Barakka’s ability, but he certainly behaves like him.

“My daughter Sophie owns the dam Laqataat and she’s had an AF Albahar colt this year, so though he’s a half-brother to Barakka, their sires are full brothers. Quite exciting really, as he’s a stunning foal as well.”

Clifford Lee and Hadaaya winners of the Equine MediRecord Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park

© Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

 Finlay Dargan, EMR Chief Operations Officer, “That was an impressive win on debut by Hadaaya, so congratulations to Phil Collington and all the connections. 

“We’re really delighted to be supporters of Arabian racing as ARO was one of the first regulatory groups to mandate us to have all their horses to use our system to keep track of the horse’s health, and to improve the overall health of the herd in the UK. So we’re delighted that they put their trust in us all those years ago and we’re delighted to be here today.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer,  “We were thrilled to learn that our Associate sponsor Equine MediRecord would not only be sponsoring another race with us this year, but bringing with them a new sponsor in Cassadol. We congratulate Athbah Racing, Phil and his team as well as Mitchell Hunt who won the Best Turned Out award sponsored by Cassadol for Pharitz Lahia.

“We now look forward to our next race at Bath on May 24th.”

Finlay Dargan with Phil Collington and Clifford Lee

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

 

 

Paramer Angel and Charlie Price win the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-65) Handicap

at Royal Windsor ©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

Veteran performer wins on seasonal debut for a third time

Monday 6 May 2024 – Paramer Angel proved he still has what it takes to win, reunited with his regular partner Charlie Price to score by an impressive 12 lengths on heavy ground. James Owen’s Victoria and last year’s leading jockey, stable amateur Teagan Padgett, were second, with Julie Kelway and Peter Hammersley’s Al-Hatab ridden by Callum Shepherd a further three lengths away.

Repeating his form from 2022 when winning first time out at Newbury, Delyth Thomas’s much loved 13 year-old gelding was out of sorts last season, but has always shown a good level of ability prior to that. Based in Wales, Thomas gave Price his first start in racing, helping him to become ARO leading novice in 2016, whilst Price has since gone professional and is currently riding for Wiltshire based trainer Robbie Llewellyn.

Quotes:

Charlie Price, jockey, 1st: “I’ve been trekking away down to Delyth’s to ride him three times a week and all the hard work’s paid off for her. I really appreciate her giving him another chance this year. It was hard last year as I was off injured and I wasn’t available to help her out as much, but look he’s found his form again. The question mark today was the ground, but luckily he’s enjoyed it and he’s stormed through it. It proves he’s still got the ability.

“I was very confident today as he runs better fresh, he’s all that time off and he didn’t have much of a season last year, the only worry was the ground.”

Lissie Reeves, assistant Arabian trainer, Victoria, 2nd: “She ran really well, as we expected really, the ground was just a bit too soft for her and it just took it out of her – she’s only small, but I’m really happy with her.”

Peter Hammersley, trainer, Al-Hatab, 3rd: “Callum just said he’s run a nice race, he’s looked after him. He just didn’t go in the ground at all.”

 

Watch Paramer Angel and Charlie Price win the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-65) Handicap at Royal Windsor

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “We have really enjoyed the welcome that everyone at Royal Windsor has given us for our first Wathba Stallions Cup series race in the UK. We congratulate Charlie Price, and Delyth Thomas for winning today with Paramer Angel.”

“The Festival sponsors 10 races in the UK this year, with the global Festival highlight being the World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December. We look forward to returning on June 29th for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer: “We’re thrilled to open our season of Sheikh Mansoor Festival sponsored races at Royal Windsor where we will hold the Group 2 PA HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, our most prestigious sprint contest, worth £20,000. We congratulate Delyth and Charlie, as well as Brett Norris who won the Baker McVeigh International Best Turned Out award for Paramer Angel as well. “We now look forward to our next race at Lingfield Park on Derby Trials Day, May 11th.”

 

Charlie Price, Paramer Angel, Brett Norris and Delyth Thomas winners of the Watba Stallions Cup (0-65) Handicap at Royal Windsor

© Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

 

Upstart Crow and Miss Teagan Padgett win the Emirates Breeders Conditions Stakes at Royal Windsor

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

 

Winner of four races in 2023 still has more improvement in him

Monday 15 April 2024 – Linda Reeves leading Arabian of 2023 showed he has improved again over the winter making a strong return to win by three quarters of a length in the Emirates Breeders Conditions Stakes at Royal Windsor this evening. Ridden by regular partner, stable amateur Teagan Padgett, the pair just edged ahead of the eventual favourite Jameelaty and Silvestre da Sousa to get the James Owen stable off the mark with their small Arabian string in 2024.

Quotes:

Miss Teagan Padgett, jockey, 1st: “That was exactly how I expected him to run. We thought break and just stay straight and let the race unfold for him, and if we can win then go for it, but if he was beaten, not to be too hard on him, as there will be other days for him.

“After riding him I’m very excited for the season, he seems to have improved again this year, he’s stronger and hopefully there’s still some more improvement in him. Exciting times ahead”

Linda Reeves, owner, 1st: “We’re really pleased with how he went, we didn’t know how he’d go after his break but he’s looking strong and good to go again.”

Philip Collington, trainer, Jameelaty, 2nd: “We’re pleased with her on only her second start, Silvestre [da Sousa] said she travelled into it well, he was aware that he was getting alot of weight and he didn’t want to let Upstart Crow get away, and she’s probably just pulled up a bit in front, she’s still quite green and she can only improve for that.” 

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer: ” We’re delighted to be back racing again and warmly congratulate the Reeves, Teagan and everyone at James Owen’s for their win with Upstart Crow, as well as his breeder John Elliot who was here today with his partner Teresa Kinsey. We now look forward to our next race at Wolverhampton on May 1st.”

 

 

 

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is delighted to welcome the registrations of two horses from leading UAE owner breeder Al Asayl Bloodstock. Both three-year-olds have arrived at Hugo Palmer’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire and are being prepared to run in the UK this season. Marakeb, a colt by leading first and second crop sire Al Mourtajez, is out of a five-time winner for the Late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, founder of Al Asayl, whilst Rich Pulls Pitch is a filly by their two-time Group 1PA winner RB Burn.

Multiple Classic winning trainer Palmer, for whom this is his first experience of training Arabians, said, “We’ve just taken over two horses for Al Asayl which is the Abu Dhabi based racing team of Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan and her father Sheikh Sultan. I think I’m their only trainer to train Flat thoroughbreds, jumping thoroughbreds and Arabians!

“When Sheikha Alyazia asked me, I said I’d love to, but you must realise I’ve never had anything to do with Arabians and she said they’re just like thoroughbreds, treat them like thoroughbreds. So, on her instructions, that’s very much what we’re doing.”

The horses arrived as two-year-olds in early December having been broken and pre-trained in France and Palmer sought the advice of five-time leading Arabian trainer James Owen, who had trained for ARO’s late Patron, HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

He continues, “I rang James, who’s now making a very good fist of being a National Hunt trainer and he very much said treat them as though they’re a year behind. They’re very much like small thoroughbreds really and though they were quite backward when they arrived, in the last couple of weeks Marakeb, the colt, is just beginning to switch on and improve.

“I think there’s got to be potential for the sport to grow [in the UK]. If the money is there and if the races are there, then I’m sure the horses will follow. We would like to have more than two here. My heart will be in my mouth the first time they run, because it’s very hard to know what’s going on until we get them on the track. That’s going to be really fun and I’m looking forward to it.”

Harry Peter-Hoblyn, Al Asayl European Racing Manager commented, “Everyone at Al Asayl is very much looking forward to having Arabians in England with Hugo. We’ve had success in the past on the track here with Arabians, most notably Sir Bani Yas and we hope that can continue. We already have thoroughbreds in England with Hugo and George Boughey and to add Arabians to our English string is an exciting prospect. Hugo seems to be getting to grips with them and his eagerness to take up the challenge is certainly encouraging. There are a number of top class races on the calendar here which is obvious from the number of French raiders we have seen in previous years coming across the channel and I certainly hope we can give them a run for their money.”

 

Watch Hugo Palmer talking about the addition of Al Asayl’s Arabians to his string ©JSC Comms

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “Since January 2021, licenced BHA trainers have been permitted to train Arabians as well as thoroughbreds. Though we have had our own trainers such as James Owen, or his former assistant, Mitchel Hunt, take out a full BHA licence to train thoroughbreds, Hugo is the first established thoroughbred trainer to take on Arabians, which is extremely positive for our sport.

“As is the backing of a globally successful stable such as Al Asayl, who won the first running of our most valuable race, the £400,000 Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood with Sir Bani Yas in 2015 and the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, at Sandown, also a Group 1PA, the following year. He was trained in France, and we hope that we may now see horses of his quality trained and raced here.

“When Arena Racecourses took us over in March last year, the future of Arabian racing in the UK was secured, and we’ve already been able to increase the number of races programmed for 2024. This opens up many more opportunities for owners and trainers to either compliment their existing interests or to try something completely new by adding Arabians to their string.”

Concluding she said, “ARO always welcomes enquiries from people new to the sport or those wishing to expand their Arabian racing activities in the UK. We’re looking forward to the start of our season which will be at Royal Windsor on Monday 15^th April.”