11 June 2015, UK ~ The Sunday, 26 July Dubai International Arabian Races flagship day at Newbury is showing a renewed vigour for the fixture with increased entries. The feature race, the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) and the Fillies equivalent, the Dubai Duty Free Hatta International (Gr.1 PA), both maintain their strength from previous years with 21 and 24 entries respectively.

Amanda Smith, Racing Manager for ARO commented on the increase in entries for the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Gr.2 PA) and the Emirates NBD International Stakes:

“It is very encouraging that the 2 races that showcase future talent have increased numbers of entries from 2014. The Emirates NBD International Stakes is a perfect stepping stone for horses that are yet to win a Group race, so we hope to see some of these horses progress to pattern races in future years. The Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Gr.2 PA) for 3 year olds is also a key race for juvenile Arabians which often offers clues for the future. A perfect example is the 2015 Kahayla Classic (Gr.1 PA) winner MANARK (owned by the day’s patron HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum),a previous winner of the Emirates Equestrian Federation race.”

The entries also give an indication of the considerable quality of potential runners at the UK’s premier Arabian race day, and enthusiasts and punters alike will do well to take note of some of the eye-catching entries. Owned by the Royal Cavalry of Oman, VULCAIN DU CLOS has won some valuable conditions races on the continent as well as being competitive in Group company. Sired by the recently deceased Shadwell stallion MONSIEUR AL MAURY it would be particularly fitting if he won the Emirates NBD International Stakes on a day patronised by HH Sheikh Hamdan.

Winner of the valuable Qatar Total Arabian Trophy (Gr.1 PA) in Longchamp last September, LORAA is owned by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansoor and represents the stable of the late Jean Francois Bernard. She followed up her Longchamp victory with an unlucky second to fellow Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) entrant RAWAH, trained by Francis Graffard for HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani. If both mares appear in the final declarations, we will have a scintillating re-match to look forward to.

Another tantalising prospect for the day is the 6-year-old mare AL MOUHANNAD, trained by Mr Baillet in France, who is bidding to make it a hat-trick of consecutive wins in the Gr.1 PA Jebel Ali Racecourse Zaabeel International Stakes.

The first Arabian horse in UK training for champion Qatari trainer Jassim Ghazali, RASI, is hoping to prove he can hold his own as a 4-year-old against older horses if he is declared for the day’s feature race the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA).  He will have to take on last year’s Shadwell Dubai International winner AL HIBAAB amongst others if his trainer chooses to run him. This is not however a 2 horse contest; competition also comes from trainer Julian Smart in the form of AL MAJH’HOOR who finished third in Doha’s feature race of the year The Emir’s Sword. He is also entered in the Jebel Ali Racecourse Zaabeel International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) but that race would represent a considerable drop in trip for the Qatari raider.

Richard Lancaster, Shadwell’s Stud Director was delighted with the consistent number of entries in the feature races and also the spread of potential horses for the DIAR feature day on 26th July:

“The Dubai International Arabian Races are designed to encourage people to “have a go” at running their horses at a higher level, introducing new countries in to the mix of the DIAR experience and challenging them to travel to the UK to compete on this stage for the sport of Arabian racing.  To that end, I am really pleased to see horses from the UK, France, Qatar, The Netherlands and Belgium all aiming to participate in this great spectacle.  The DIAR committee put a great deal of effort in to schemes such as the warm up bonus races and in to picking new countries to introduce in to the DIAR family and it is very rewarding to see that it is starting to pay off.

On behalf of the DIAR committee, I would like to thank everyone who has supported us this year by entering horses and encourage them to run them – not only to enhance the enjoyment of enthusiasts and first time race-goers on the day but to highlight the sport for the truly great spectacle it is.”

Early Closing Entries:[gview file=”https://horsereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Newbury-26-July-DIAR-Early-Closing-Entries-2.pdf” save=”1″]

Gates open at Newbury Racecourse on 26th July at 12noon and entrance is FREE for all race-goers.  There is also the opportunity to register in advance for an exclusive chance to win a trip to Dubai courtesy of Emirates Airline and Rotana Hotels & Resorts.

As well as top–class international racing, the day features a large range of family activities and competitions, full details of which will be updated on the DIAR website in the lead up to the event.

The showcase day at Newbury is supported by a series of international warm-up races in the UK and Holland. Each race acts as a preparation for a key race on 26 July. Horses that are placed in the preparation races and go on to win at Newbury on 26 July will be awarded a bonus amount of prize money in addition to their winnings of the feature race.

For more details of the DIAR bonus races and prize fund visit: www.diaraces.com

~ends