21 July 2015, Newbury UK ~ The stage is set for the most exciting renewal yet of the Dubai International Arabian Races at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday, 26 July, which boasts a day of top class Arabian racing, valuable prize giveaways, family entertainments and free admission for all.
Staged under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the action on the track features no fewer than three Group 1 events, attracting runners from across Europe, as part of a fully sponsored eight-race program which begins at 2.25 p.m.
Announcing plans for this year’s event at a Press Conference held at Newbury Racecourse, H.E. Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of the Office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “The Dubai International Arabian Races now extends to many countries beyond the UK but the Newbury raceday remains very special to H.H Sheikh Hamdan. The quality of the racing is superb and it has provided the inspiration for many of the other events staged under the banner of the Dubai International Arabian Races around the world.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is well represented in both the Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes and the Rotana Hotels and Resorts Premier Handicap Stakes. The latter of the races will see previous Dubai International Arabian Races winners Aljawaaher and Azizi take each other on. However, they will have to face Kamikaze, winner of the preparatory race for this contest, who will be chasing a bonus by following his Chepstow success back in June with a win at the flagship day for Arabian racing in the UK.
After a standout performance in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) from Al Hibaab last year, champion Qatar trainer Jassim Ghazali is hoping Rasi, his first Arabian horse in UK training, can hold his own as a 4-year-old against older horses if he is declared for the feature race.
Julian Thick, Newbury Racecourse CEO said,
We are looking forward to welcoming the Arabian racing community to Newbury on Sunday and we are hopeful that with good weather and the offer of free admission, there will be a strong local crowd. The event has moved around our calendar in recent years, but now that it has returned to its traditional successful slot on the fourth Sunday in July, we are looking forward to building on the excitement that the fixture generates in the local area as a family event that should not be missed.
The day includes competitions for all ages and family entertainment including a young artist’s workshop. The Arabian Rainbow Competition returns, an exciting art project for primary schools. Promoted in conjunction with the Dubai International Arabian Races at Newbury Racecourse, the competition challenges youngsters to create and apply an original design inspired by the event using acrylic paints and lots of imagination.
Outstanding commercial support
The Dubai International Arabian Races enjoys enthusiastic support from some of the UAEs most recognisable brands which for the first time this year include Dubai Duty Free, the world-leading airport retailer, also title sponsor of two thoroughbred meetings at the Berkshire course, who support the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes.
Renowned international racing and breeding operation Shadwell Stud, whose horses run in the famous colours of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, sponsors the feature race of the day the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes and the Group 1 trio is completed by the Zaabeel International Stakes which enjoys the support of Jebel Ali Racecourse, Dubai’s ‘family racecourse’.
Under the experienced guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shadwell’s global Thoroughbred and Arabian racing and breeding enterprise stretches from Shadwell Estate Co. Ltd. in the UK to Shadwell Farm (USA) and Derrinstown Stud in Ireland.
Between Shadwell Stud, Derrinstown Stud (Ireland) and Shadwell Farm (USA) 12 Thoroughbred Classic winners have raced in the famous blue and white colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Shadwell Arabian Stallions have won numerous international Gr.1 races. Their progeny has been successful across the globe, winning in the USA, Sweden and Russia as well as the UK, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Four Arabian stallions stand in Europe and a further 3 in the USA. In addition, over 50 horses in training race across Europe and in the UAE in the same famous blue and white colours as their Thoroughbred relatives. The Shadwell Arabian headliner of 2014 was AL HIBAAB, winner of the Shadwell Stud Dubai International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) and International IFAHR Trophy (Gr.2 PA).
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