A day that promises excellent Arabian racing, added prize money, and special gifts for racing attendees

21 July 2016, Newbury, UK ~ A press conference held at the Newbury Racecourse on 21 July, previewed the Sunday, 24 July,Arabian race entries at Newbury, and some of the show stopping highlights of the annual Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR).

Eight Arabian races and 81 declared runners will fill the day which has attracted sizzling runners to this 14th edition of the International race day. Adrenalin will be assured in top runners, three Group 1 PA races, £180,000 ($238,000) in prize money, family fun and entertainment, gifts and awards. The 2016 prize money is bolstered and supported by an increase to the winner of any of the Group races that has also placed 1-3 in one of the 24 DIAR Preparation Races held in the UK and Europe. Sunday’s racing is the Flagship event of the Arabian Racing Organization’s (ARO) season and staged under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shadwell’s Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR).

The Group 1 Shadwell Dubai International Stakes with prize money of £55,000 has attracted top runners Muraaqib (highest rated Purebred Arabian juvenile racehorse of 2015); Majeed (1st DIAR Shadwell Arabian Stakes, Duindight, 12 June); Al Janoob (2nd DIAR Stockholm Arabian Cup, 4 July); Bakir de Flauzins (1st DIAR Prep race, 7 July); Jaldi Karo (trained by Georgina Ward), Lares De Pine (first Italian runner in the race and trained by Mme E Bernard); Alcea Rosea (2nd, Shadwell Arabian International Stakes, Newbury, 9 June); and Toutatix ( with 2 seconds in 2016).

Amanda Smith, Director of Racing for ARO said: “This is the most important day for Arabian racing in the UK, the pinnacle of the ARO season. We are most excited to have 26 International entries for the day, and we had 12 last year. Every country that had a prep race has sent runners, including the first entries from Sweden. “

HE Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman of the DIAR race day Committee, spoke about the 2016 13% increase in prize money that will support the Group 1 races: “His Highness Sheikh Hamdan is a passionate supporter of Arabian racing and is delighted to see this day continue to grow and inspire similar events across Europe under the banner of the Dubai International Arabian Races. The prize money will be used to boost the Gr.1 PA Shadwell Dubai International Stakes; the Gr.1 PA Dubai Duty Free Hatta International Stakes and the Gr.1 PA Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Stakes.”

Shadwell Stud Director, Richard Lancaster thanked DIAR race day Chairman, HE Mirza Al Sayegh for his oversight to expand the DIAR Prep races that he knew had driven the International race entries for Sunday to over twice the numbers in 2015. Lancaster said, “Sunday’s fields as full of strong opposition.”

The racing on Sunday will be announced by enthusiastic racing personality, Derek Thompson, who will share racing history and highlights and announce the prize awards for crowd- pleasing activities such as the Children’s Original Hat Making contest, the Best Dressed Ladies contest, and award winners of free drawings for prizes ranging from fashion watches to a red Citroen automobile.

The popular Arabian Rainbow Competition for schools and educators which encourages artistic license to paint colorful versions of large Arabian horse statues, will again showcase the winners. The Arabian Rainbow competition has brought over £80,000 to local schools where money has been used for school improvements and programs.

Admission is free to this Day of Superlatives, with gifts and entertainment for all. In honor of The Queen’s 90th birthday, two of her prized Arabian stallions will be on show. Presented to The Queen by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, the stallions, Mlolshaan Mahrous and Tuwaisaan Tha’atha’a’ta will be in the parade ring at 12:30 before the start of racing at 2pm.

For those not able to attend there will be live TV coverage by Racing UK and Dubai Racing Chanel with knowledgeable commentator Gary Capewell.

Sunday Race card:

[gview file=”https://horsereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ARO-Racecard-Sunday-24-July.pdf” save=”1″]

 

More information here: http://www.diaraces.com/