13 July 2016, France ~ Connections travelled from all over France to join the DIAR team at La Teste-De-Buch in the Southwest of France on 12 July, for the final prep race before the DIAR Champions Day at Newbury Racecourse, UK, on Sunday, 24 July 2016.
DIAR and Shadwell jointly hosted a lunch for over 60 breeders, trainers. and owners of Arabian horses – the event was extremely well received as it presented a rare opportunity for a large number of members of AFAC, France’s Arabian Racing Authority, to meet and discuss the issues of the day. It was also a good opportunity for the DIAR team to encourage owners and trainers to supplement their horses for DIAR Champion’s Day before the 12noon deadline on Wednesday, 13 July.
After a buffet lunch of regional delights including the world-famous oysters of Arcachon, the group gathered to watch the three Arabian races on the card, the first being the Shadwell Prix Tidjani a Gr.3 PA run on the turf over 1900m.
The hotly contested race for 3YOS was won by the Damian de Watrigant-trained Ahzar (Munjiz), followed closely home by Brama De Pompadour; these two were well ahead of the rest of the field. Ahzar is owned by M. J M de Watrigant, father of the trainer, and was ridden on the day by Ioritz Mandizabal.
The race was the last in a comprehensive program of prep races designed to encourage international runners to the biggest full day of Arabian racing in Europe – DIAR Champions Day which is held this year at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday, 24 July. The event is free to enter, gates open at 12noon with the first race at 2pm. The day features three Gr.1 PA races, a Gr.2 PA race for 3YOS as well as a selection of competitive races for both international and domestic UK runners.
Photos by Robert Polin Photographie
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