UAE PRESIDENT CUP – UK ARABIAN DERBY DECLARATIONS

UAE PRESIDENT CUP – UK ARABIAN DERBY DECLARATIONS

First two home in French equivalent reoppose on the 250th St Leger Day at Doncaster

 

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is looking forward to an exciting rematch in the mile and a quarter UAE President Cup sponsored UK Arabian Derby, Group 1PA, to be held on Saturday 12 September on Betfred St Leger Day at Doncaster. Part of the world’s oldest Arabian classic series, with a prize fund of £250,000 it is the most valuable race exclusively for four-year-old Arabians in Europe.

Since the race returned to UAE President Cup sponsorship in 2016, every winner of the French equivalent to contest the race has won at Doncaster, with the Al Shahania Stud homebred, Sab’aan Al Shahania bidding to be the fifth to do the double. However his winning margin from Wathnan Racing’s Romeo AT was so narrow at Chantilly, it promises to be a thrilling contest. Trained by Francois Rohaut (a winner in 2024), Sab’aan Al Shahania is ridden by regular jockey Stephane Pasquier, whilst Romeo AT, trained by Xavier Thomas-Demeulte, will have a new partner in Tom Marquand (third last year) and will wear a hood for the first time.

However, it is far from a two-horse race as Rohaut also sends Al Wasmiyah Stud’s Laffan, a winner of two Group 1PA races at this distance in France, who has beaten Romeo AT on every occasion they have met. This includes on his European return in August against older horses in a Deauville Group 1PA when he was second, with Romeo AT three lengths away in third. Usual pilot, Maxime Guyon will be on board for his first ride in the race.

The UK challenge is headed by local trainer David Griffiths, more familiar to the thoroughbred world as the trainer of Group winning sprinters such as two-time King George Stakes winner Take Cover. He makes the short trip to Town Moor with Al Sharid, already a course and distance winner, he has struck up a great partnership with John Egan who will be hoping replacing cheekpieces for a visor can work the oracle.

Newmarket based Phil Collington, fields two British breds, the highest rated of which is Ash’jaa, who was bred by his wife Sheila and now runs in the colours of his principal supporter, Athbah Stud. Ridden by Dougie Costello, Collington will be hoping to improve on the fifth place he achieved with the colt’s half-brother, Dossar Athbah in 2016. Running for Red Dragon Racing Club is Zayin Sentinel, placed on his last two outings, he’s also sporting a change of headgear, switching cheekpieces for blinkers. He will be partnered by former three-time ARO Lady champion, Joanna Mason, who was third in this contest in 2023 for Collington and Athbah Stud.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “Year on year this race produces a quality winner who goes on to further top-level success around the globe. This year’s edition promises to be just as competitive and a significant pointer for future champions.

“We thank the UAE President Cup Series for their generous and continued support of our racing, which along with this race, was extended to include a Group 3PA race for three-year-olds in August, which at £150,000 was the most valuable race for that age group in Europe. We look forward to our race on Saturday which can be viewed on Sky Sports Racing.”