27 April 2015, UK ~ For nearly 3 decades His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been a successful and dedicated supporter of Arabian Horse racing both in the UK and internationally. On behalf of our patron, Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) is delighted to announce that a sponsorship deal to support even more Arabian races in the UK has been reached with the Arabian Racing Organisation.

Dubai International Arabian Races have taken up sponsorship of 15 races across the UK including the Shadwell Arabian Derby (Gr.1 PA) which will now be run as part of Shadwell Day at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse on Friday 25th September. Of further significance is the sponsorship of the ARO Season Finale at Huntingdon Racecourse on Sunday 20th September 2015.

In addition, funds have been put forward to support both the ARO UK Breeders Scheme (for UK owners/ breeders) and the ARO UK Owned Horse Registration Subsidy Scheme.

Sheikh Hamdan’s representative, Mirza Al Sayegh comments on the advanced schedule:

“His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a wonderful supporter of Arabian racing and takes his position as patron of the Arabian Racing Organisation seriously. As a result, he has made this very generous sponsorship contribution to ensure that the UK owners and breeders of Arabian Racehorses are properly supported and can now continue to work towards the further development of the sport.

Sheikh Hamdan is always keen to broaden Arabian Racing’s appeal and to ensure it is a sport that people and horses can compete in at every level. It is for this reason that we set up the Dubai International Arabian Races and why we have centred our support at grass-roots level.”

Genny Haynes, ARO’s Director responded: “On behalf of the Arabian Racing Organisation, I am delighted that His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has extended his sponsorship of UK Arabian Racing. ARO is incredibly grateful for this support as it will be invaluable in providing opportunities for both the grass-roots competitors and Gr. 1 horses alike. The sponsorship scheme for UK breeders recognizes the need to support this side of the industry and the lasting benefits of this scheme will be seen on the racecourse for many years.”

“This sponsorship comes in addition to the continued support by DIAR already in place for 2015. This includes 4 preparation races in June and July to give trainers an opportunity to prepare their horses and encourage them to run them at the flagship event of the program, the Dubai International Arabian Races (Newbury) on Sunday 26th July at Newbury Racecourse. As in previous years, this event will include free entry for race-goers and showcase 3 Gr.1 (PA) races.

The full DIAR UK fixtures list:

Wolverhampton, Saturday 2nd May

• Dubai International Arabian Races supporting UK Arabian Racing Maiden Stakes

• Shadwell Arabian Stallions Handicap Stakes

• Shadwell Graduation Stakes

Taunton, Sunday 17th May

• Shadwell Arabian Stallions Maiden Stakes

• Dubai International Arabian Races Handicap Stakes

• www.shadwellarabian.co.uk Handicap Stakes

Newbury, Thursday 11th June

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes

Chepstow, Friday 12th June

Shadwell Arabian Stallions Premier Handicap Stakes

Newbury, Thursday 25th June

DIAR at Newbury Racecourse 26th July International Stakes

Newbury, Thursday 9th July

DIAR at Newbury Racecourse 26th July International Stakes

Newbury, Thursday 23rd July

• FREE Arabian racing at Newbury Sunday 26th July Handicap Stakes

Newbury, Sunday 26th July

DUBAI INTERANATIONAL ARABIAN RACES: FULL DAY OF ARABIAN RACING incl. 3 Gr.1 PA races

Bath, Friday 31st July

• DIAR Season finale on Sunday 20th September Handicap Stakes

Huntingdon, Sunday 20th September

• HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Gold Final Handicap Stakes

• Dubai International Arabian Races Silver Final Handicap Stakes

• Shadwell Arabian Stallions Bronze Final Handicap Stakes

• Shadwell Maiden Stakes

• www.diaraces.com Handicap Stakes

• www.shadwellarabian.co.uk High Rated Handicap Stakes

Newmarket, Friday 25th September

Shadwell Arabian Derby (Gr.1 PA)

For full details of all the races sponsored as part of this program visit the Dubai International Arabian Races website: www.diaraces.com or www.aroracing.co.uk

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