Abiyah Athbah and Phil Dennis winning the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr2PA) at Royal Windsor over six furlongs © Debbie Burt

 

Consistent mare gains first black type win along with her trainer and jockey

Saturday 29 June 2024 –

Abiyah Athbah, the UK’s highest rated mare finally got deserved black type success in the £20,000 HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, a Group 2PA contest held over six furlongs at Royal Windsor today. Partnered by Phil Dennis she was in command from the outset and was never headed. Upstart Crow and Darragh Keenan tried to challenge, but lacked the mare’s turn of foot and had to settle for third place as stablemate, Fareedhat El Izz and Adam Farragher stayed on for second. Farragher was sporting a black armband in memory of the late Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nujaifi, father of owner breeder Dr Mohammed Al Nujaifi who passed way earlier this week.

This was the first running of the race under the sponsorship of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, who support ten races in the UK this season and 150 globally, culminating in the Group 1PA HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi in December. A crowd of over 5,500 had gathered to watch the race at Royal Windsor on one of their summer Saturday highlight’s Ladies Day.

Quotes:

Phil Dennis, jockey, 1^st, “It’s my first Group winner ever, whether it’s Arabian or thoroughbred I’ll certainly take it. I rode her over a mile last time at Doncaster and she actually rallied towards the line so dropping back to six I was fairly keen to make plenty of use of her. She probably visually looks keener than she is, she’s enthusiastic, but never over cooking it, it went right for her today.”

Pete Hammersley, trainer, 1^st, “The cards all fell right for her today. We felt coming into the race that she was really in the form of her life. Sue [Wileman]kept saying that she’s never felt better and the stop watch on the gallops confirmed that, the ground has come right for her, she needs it quick. To be fair she’s always been taking on horses better than her, they come and go and then the next year there’s another one, and now she’s finally reaped the reward.”

Jenny Lees, Dilmun Racing, owner, 1^st, “We were so excited, we can hardly talk. It’s wonderful, mainly for Peter, he’s put so much into this, I really wanted it to happen for him.”

James Owen, trainer 2^nd, 3^rd, “I thought Fareedhat El Izz ran really well, Abiyah Athbah’s a real sprinter and got her conditions, it was a fast run race which took both of mine out of their comfort zones. Fareedhat El Izz stayed on well at the end and will have leaned a lot. We’ll step her up into better things against her own age group I think. Upstart Crow was just flat out all the way, stayed on well, different conditions on a different day, but he’s more of a stayer.”

 

Lara Sawaya, Pete Hammersley, Phil Dennis, Abiyah Athbah, Sue Wileman and HE Mansoor Abulhoul Al Falasi, winners of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr2PA)

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

HE Mansoor Abulhoul Al Falasi, the UAE Ambassador to the UK, “It’s hugely meaningful for the UAE to be hosting these sort of events, given that our founding father HH Sheikh Zayed loved the Arabian horse. 

“To see that continue through HH Sheikha Fatima sponsoring this high-level Arabian race at Royal Windsor racecourse, which of course is continued by the support of and generosity of her son HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed, so for me it marks a huge celebration between Emirati and British culture coming together. I was also really impressed with number of people who were here today to watch the race.”

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “It’s been a beautiful day at Royal Windsor for Ladies Day, we have the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup won by Abiyah Athbah, a mare, and owned by Jenny Lees of Dilmun Racing, so it is very appropriate. We thank HE Mansoor Abulhoul Al Falasi, the UAE Ambassador to the UK for attending today and assisting with the trophy presentation.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We thank HE Mansoor Abulhoul Al Falasi and Lara Sawaya for attending today for the Festival’s most prestigious UK Arabian race. We are delighted for the win of Abiyah Athbah who always gives her best on the track and we congratulate Jenny Lees, Peter Hammersley and Phil Dennis who are all winning their first Arabian Group race today and also Abiyah Athbah’s groom Sue Wileman who won the Racing Welfare Best Turned Out Award presented by Chloe Martin.”

 

Pete Hammersley, Jenny Lees, Phil Dennis, HE Mansoor Abulhoul Al Falasi, Lara Sawaya and Genny Haynes winners of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup (Gr2PA)

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

 

 

 

 

Al-Hatab and Lewis Saunders win the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-60) Handicap at Bath

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

Leads home a one-three-four for trainer Peter Hammersley

Saturday 15 June 2024 –

Midlands based Peter Hammersley had plenty to celebrate at Bath today with Al-Hatab coming back to form in the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-60) Handicap over 1m5f. The striking grey six-year-old had run up a hat-trick of wins at the end of last season and having been placed on his last run, connections were hopeful of a return to the winners enclosure. Partnered today by Lewis Saunders, now attached to National Hunt trainer Olly Murphy, he’d had plenty of placed rides on Arabians when an amateur and Al-Hatab was the 20 year-olds first win on the breed.

The pair were settled mid division for most of the race with Saunders asking for an effort as they entered the home straight to reel in recent course winner Victoria and Miss Teagan Padgett, to win by a length. Stablemates Coljani ridden by Paddy Bradley and Belle Angelique ridden by Jack Doughty were third and fourth.

Breeder Julie Kelway, who owns Al-Hatab in partnership with Hammersley was there with a large contingent of supporters to welcome them into the winners enclosure.

Watch Al-Hatab and Lewis Saunders win the Wathba Stallions Cup (0-60) Handicap at Bath

Quotes:

Lewis Saunders, jockey, 1^st: “It’s been a long time to get my first Arabian winner, two years – I kept getting beat on the line to be second, in my first season especially. It worked out well today, Al-Hatab won quite comfortably. I knew he’d keep going. I watched him at Lingfield, as I was on Aloof who finished second, so I knew he’d keep going and I thought Teagan would go off in front too soon. I’m now a conditional with Olly Murphy and it’s going well for me, last season I had four winners, I‘ve already had one winner for him this season so hopefully it will kick start some more.”

Peter Hammersley, 1^st, 3^rd, 4th: “They’ve all been working well at home. I thought Lewis rode Al-Hatab well, he said he just hit a bit of a flat spot, but he knew he’d get home ok. He’s run on well at the end, he’s hardly having a blow really. Paddy asked if we had races over further because Coljani would stay a lot further, he enjoyed the ride. Jack was pleased with Belle Angelique, I asked him about the blinkers and he said to keep them on.” 

Lissie Reeves, Arabian assistant trainer, 2nd: “Victoria was effectively running off top weight, despite Teagan’s claim and I think the trip was just a bit too far for her.”

Julie Kelway, Peter Hammersley, Al-Hatab, Liz Sian and Lewis Saunders

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “We are delighted to be back at Bath on their Ladies Day for another of our Wathba Stallions Cup series races in the UK. We congratulate Lewis Saunders, Peter Hammersley and Julie Kelway for winning today with Al-Hatab.”

“The Festival sponsors 10 races in the UK this year, with the global Festival highlight being the Group 1PA Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December. We look forward to returning to Royal Windsor on June 29th for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup.”

Lewis Saunders, Julie Kelway and Peter Hammersley with the trophies for the Watba Stallions Cup (0-60) Handicap at Bath

© Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer: “We are delighted for Julie and Peter, winning again with Al-Hatab and also for Lewis, getting his first Arabian winner at last. It’s great that these young jockeys who start out on Arabians are still keen to come back once they’ve progressed to thoroughbreds.

“We thank Baker McVeigh International for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award presented to Sue Wileman for Coljani. We now look forward to Royal Windsor in two weeks time, where we hold the first of our black races, the Group 2PA HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, which has a long history of producing important winners when it was run as the Za’abeel International Stakes.”

 

Coljani and Sue Wileman winners of the Best Turned Out Award sponsored by Baker McVeigh International

©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

 

 

Fareedhat El Izz wins well on first run for James Owen

Fareedhat El Izz and Daniel Muscutt win the Emirates Breeders Novice at Newbury

©Debbie Burt

 

Thursday 13 June 2024 – Leading Iraqi owner breeder Dr Mohammed Al Nujaifi will be delighted with his home bred filly Fareedhat El Izz making a winning UK debut in the Emirates Breeders Novice Stakes and placing his colours in the Newbury winning circle 12 years after his Hilal Al Zaman won the Group 1PA Za’beel International. The four-year-old filly partnered by Daniel Muscutt had plenty of racecourse experience in Italy and France which she put to good use to overhaul recent winner Hadaaya, ridden by Tom Marquand. They pulled clear of Rich Pulls Pitch and Oisin Murphy, one of two debutants for Al Asayl and Hugo Palmer, though she kept on well to keep third.

Effectively a winner without a penalty having been disqualified for minor interference in Italy last November, she was a ready winner here and looked well suited by the seven furlong trip, despite that near success over 1m2f in Pisa. She also repaid her owners’ faith in his aim to renew his support UK Arabian racing, as she was his first UK runner since 2017. She has recently joined the Newmarket stable of James Owen and is his third Arabian winner of the season, which places him at the top of the ARO trainer leaderboard.

Watch Fareedhat El Izz and Daniel Muscutt win the Emirates Breeders Novice at Newbury

Quotes: 

Daniel Muscutt, jockey, 1^st: “I wasn’t able to get any cover so I just left her on her own at the front end and she set good even fractions on her own accord and she seemed to enjoy me not pulling her about too much, she found a good rhythm in front and every time I gave her a squeeze she picked up nicely and saw the trip out really well. She didn’t mind the ground and she could hopefully go on to better things. She seemed like she enjoyed herself today.”

Lissie Reeves, Arabian assistant trainer, 1^st: “That was really nice, she ran really well. The Group 2PA HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup at Windsor will most likely be next, she’s proven today that she’s ready for that.”

Val Bunting, Racing and Breeding Manager, Al Nujaifi Racing, 1st: “We are delighted with our first runner in UK since 2017. Fareedhat El Izz is a homebred filly so that makes it even more special. She is not a straightforward filly and her former trainers Endo Botti (Italy) and François Rohaut (France) have all played a big part. We thank James Owen and his team for the result today.”

Phil Collington, trainer, 2^nd, 5^th: “I need to watch it back again, I think coming here today we were scratching our heads a bit as we didn’t know how good the Lingfield race was that he’d won. Mobaasher looks to have finished the same distance behind Hadaaya as he did at Lingfield. Hadaaya was running with a penalty, but Mobaasher was still very immature in his race, but he was better behaved than he was at Lingfield. Connor [Planas] did everything we asked for, and he will stay further. I wouldn’t be too disappointed with him and of course he’s only three.”

Daniel Muscutt, Fahreedhat El Izz and Lissie Reeves winners of the Emirates Breeders Novice Stakes at Newbury

© Debbie Burt

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer:  “We are thrilled for all at Al Nujaifi Racing and the James Owen team for the win of Fareedhat El Izz. It is particularly pleasing to see returning owners gain success, and we’re also pleased to see Al Asayl place with their first UK trained filly Rich Pulls Pitch, though of course they have won PA Group races here before with overseas trained runners. 

“We thank The Arabian Racehorse magazine for sponsoring the Best Turned Out Award presented to Sue Wileman for Assassen and look forward to making a quick return to action at Bath on Saturday.”

 

Lissie Reeves receives the trophy for the Emirates Breeders Novice Stakes on behalf of Al Nujaifi Racing from Genny Haynes

©Debbie Burt

 

 

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.”