HH Sheikh Zayed Cup to Run at Sandown Park

aro6 July 2016, Sandown Park, UK ~ Top rated entries are already lining up for the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Gr1PA) to be run at Sandown Park on 20 August, and supported by the Arabian Racing Organization (ARO). The list includes Kalino, the winner of the 2015 Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown. This Abu Dhabi race with a prize fund of €1.2 million Euros is the world’s richest Arabian horse race.

Half the 24 entries are rated over 100, including Kalino’s stablemates TM Thunder Struck and Djelamer, all trained by Alban de Mieulle. TM Thunder Struck was a dual Group 2 winner in Qatar over the winter and was also a close second in the 2016 Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) after AF Mathmoon in the opening race on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan.

The seven International entries also include the winner of the 2015 Shadwell UK Arabian Derby, Mahess Du Soleil, the first British-bred Arabian in over 10 years to claim that race.

The home challenge is led by last year’s winner, Lahoob trained by Beverley Deutrom. The horses trained by Deutrom have been placing with great effect this season, both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

The Sandown race is part of a two-day family-oriented Thoroughbred fixture supported by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. This day includes the UK stage of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship Series to be run on Friday 19 August, which allows both amateur and professional lady jockeys to compete against each other on Purebred Arabians.

Amanda Smith, ARO Racing Manager, commented. “This is the first time we have staged the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup at Sandown Park and ARO is delighted to receive such a high quality selection of entries. This is testament to the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and Lara Sawaya, to whom we are incredibly grateful. I am looking forward to seeing top quality Arabian racing at this Grade 1 track following a successful visit with the Sheikha Fatima Apprentice race last year.”
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