Newbury hosts the day of Arabian Races on Sunday, 28 July

26 July 2019, Newbury, UK ~The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted with the declarations received for the forthcoming Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), to be held at Newbury racecourse this Sunday, 28 July 2019. DIAR promotes Purebred Arabian racing worldwide from the grass-roots to the highest level, with the flagship event organised under the generous patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The 153 entries, yielded 73 declarations, which include Gazwan and Al Shamoos, the joint-highest-rated horse and the highest-rated filly in the world in 2018. They head the declarations for the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes and the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes, both Group 1 PA races held over 1m2f.

The declarations also include seven DIAR prep race winners and nine horses who were placed in the prep races across Europe, so the potential for the DIAR bonus awards to be claimed, in addition to the winning prize money, is high. The success of the prep series has contributed to the most significant change for this year’s DIAR card, which has been in the number of international runners declared. This has increased to 24 from 17 in 2018, across the five races that are open to them, which is a very positive achievement for Arabian racing in Europe.

Also to be applauded is the number of champion jockeys across a variety of disciplines that will be riding, headed by HH Sheikh Hamdan’s retained professional Jim Crowley (UK champion Flat jockey 2016). This compliments four-time French champions, Olivier Peslier and Ioritz Mendizabal; seven-time UAE champion, Tadhg O’Shea and last year’s UK champion conditional [National Hunt racing] Bryony Frost, as well as multiple champion lady amateur Serena Brotherton. Not that ARO’s own talent has been forsaken as former ARO champion novices, Ellie Mackenzie and Charlie Price, who since turned professional, will both line up, as will amateurs David Turner (ARO champion in 2017) and Stephen Harrison, who have each surpassed the landmark of 100 winners under ARO rules.

Shadwell Stud Director, Richard Lancaster commented: “We are very happy to see the level of runners that will be racing on Sunday. Owners and trainers from the UK, Europe and further, will bring some of their best racehorses to compete at Newbury. We are very grateful for their support towards our programme and Arabian racing in the UK.

“There are 16 horses competing for the DIAR bonus, won by two horses in 2018 and we wish the best of luck to the eligible horses this year.

He concluded: “We are expecting very competitive racing and we are very much looking forward to Sunday.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director, commented: “The success of DIAR and the prep race series was evident in the number of entries received and in particular, the significant increase in international horses declared. It confirms that the appetite for international Arabian racing at the highest level continues to expand and which we at ARO are pleased to encourage as it is part of HH Sheikh Hamdan’s vision for the day.

“We are also delighted to welcome some of horse racing’s best jockeys and proud that our own homegrown talent will be riding alongside them. Apprentice Ellie Mackenzie has already ridden the juvenile Group winner at DIAR, when still an amateur and rides the favourite in that race this year. Charlie Price is currently third in the UK conditional championships and gets the opportunity to ride in his first Group 1 PA race on Sunday. There have been so many young jockeys under both codes who have already benefitted from riding Arabians such as Tom Marqand, Holly Doyle, Page Fuller, Rachel King, James Bowen and Tom Scudamore and we hope that this trend will continue.”

Haynes continued: “For the first time this year, Baileys Horse Feeds will be sponsoring the DIAR 2019 Leading Trainer Award, where the trainer gaining the most points across the eight races will be presented with a cheque for £1000.

“Dubai International Arabian Races is the highlight of our season and we are fortunate that we have a grade one facility in the recently redeveloped Newbury racecourse to showcase our sport. We look forward to welcoming everyone to this unique event on Sunday.”

The bonuses on offer for the Dubai International Arabian Races 2017 are as follows:
– Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA): £3,000
– Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Gr.1 PA for fillies and mares): £2,500
– Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) : £2,000
– International Stakes (Gr.2 PA for 3yos only): £2,000
– Premier Handicap Stakes (UK domestic horses only): £500
In order to win the bonus fund, a horse must finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a designated ‘Preparation Race’ and then go on to win one of the bonus races on 30th July in Newbury. Connections of horses winning or placed in a ‘Preparation Race’ can choose to run in any of the above races to compete for the bonus prize money.

Previous Bonus Winners:
2016 Urge Di Gallura – DIAR International Stakes [then a Gr2PA]
2017 Lightning Bolt – Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA)
2018 Al Chammy – Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Stakes (Gr1PA)
Joudh – Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA)

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