DIAR supports four Arabian races at Lone Star Park, Texas

22 September 2016, USA ~ Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) is delighted to announce that the global race program for Arabian racehorses will return to the USA on 4 November 2016, at Lone Star Park, near Dallas, Texas.

The DIAR initiative is the brainchild of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai and visited the United States for the first time in 2015. In its first year, it played an important part in developing the career of a subsequent Gr.1 winner in THESS IS AWESOME. The Cre Run Enterprises-owned colt won the DIAR Texas Open Stakes for 3 year olds and upwards over a mile plus in November 2015 and went on to win the prestigious Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Awards Stakes ($100,000 purse) at Santa Anita, California, in April 2016.

The 4 races set to be run at Lone Star Park, Texas, will include 2 recently upgraded races: the Dubai International Arabian Races Open Stakes and the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Distaff Stakes which have both been granted Listed status for the first time by the Arabian Jockey Club that has welcomed the DIAR program back to the USA.

Kathy Smoke, President of the Arabian Jockey Club stated: “The AJC is pleased to welcome back Shadwell and the DIAR sponsored races for purebred Arabians once again in Dallas Texas at Lone Star Park. These races running around the world shine light on the race bred Arabian. The USA is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this series.”

This uplift to graded status has been a big step forward for the DIAR programme in the USA and one welcomed by Denise Gault the USA representative for DIAR and Shadwell Arabian Stallions: “After last year’s DIAR event proved to be a great success, I am very pleased that HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has leant his support for the DIAR series to be run for the 2nd year in the USA. To say I am a major supporter of this international series and very proud to be a member of the Shadwell team is an understatement.”

This sentiment was echoed by Ed Wilson, Chairman of TABA (Texas Arabian Breeders Association, the host authority for this year’s DIAR event in the USA): “We at the Texas Arabian Breeders Association are honoured and pleased to welcome the DIAR races back at Lone Star Park. These Stakes provide an exciting highlight near the close of our fall meet.”

The Dubai International Arabian Races Committee look forward to welcoming owners and trainers to Lone Star Park on Friday 4 November, for racing and a gala dinner – an event which is swiftly becoming recognized as the finale to the 2016 Arabian racing season in North America.

The action is not, however, restricted to the excitements of the racetrack. Mickey and Michelle Morgan will once again be opening the doors of Mandolynn Hill Farm to showcase their stallions and young stock. The event is a wonderful opportunity for owners and breeders to get together and enjoy the warm Texas hospitality and BBQ.

“Mandolynn Hill Farm looks forward to our open house every year. It’s a time to sit back at the end of the season and relax and enjoy all our friends in racing. The cherry on the top is that we will get to share this weekend with the DIAR races, patronised by His Highness Sheikh bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Mandolynn Hill Farm is looking forward to everyone coming out.” commented Michelle Morgan who is also the Chief Steward of the Arabian Racing Cup.

Gates open at Mandolynn Hill Farm at 10 am and all are welcome. There will be prizes for the best-dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl, so be sure to sport your best boots and hats. There will also be a raffle held to support the Arabian Racing Cup with a chance to win some fabulous items while supporting breeders of Arabian racehorses.

With the help of its American agents, the DIAR committee have secured great value accommodation for anyone who would like to make a weekend of it in Texas. Full details of the accommodation deal will be sent out with invitations for the event.

On behalf of the DIAR committee, Richard Lancaster of HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud commented: “We are, of course, delighted to be returning to the USA with the Dubai International Arabian Races for 2016. We hope that our continued support helps the sport grow in the USA and provide an opportunity for Arabian racing to showcase itself to a wider audience.”

Races 4 November, Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie, Texas

Dubai International Arabian Races Open Stakes – Listed
$30,000 – 3YOs & up – 1 & 1/16 mile

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Distaff Stakes – Listed
$30,000 – 3YOs & up – fillies & mares – 1 mile

Texas Lone Star Futurity sponsored by www.shadwellarabian.co.uk
$20,000 – 3YOs – fillies – 6 furlongs

Texas Lone Star Futurity sponsored by DIAR
$20,000 – 3YOs – colts & geldings – 6 furlongs

~ end