18 June, 2015, Holland ~ On 14 June, Duindigt Race course hosted its first races in the DIAR series sponsored by Dubai International Arabian Races under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
A swinging band playing live music, gorgeous flower arrangements, a well-known hat designer showing her newest designs, an Oyster & Champagne bar, a Wine tasting, and of course a Herring Cart where people could taste the traditional Dutch raw herring, set the scene.
3 International Arabian Purebred races – 29 Arabian Purebreds – 14 nationalities
Chairman of DIAR Mirza Al Sayegh and Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster offered in addition to the generous prize money extra bonus money for 1, 2 and 3 finish and entry into the Dubai International Arabian Races Newbury, on Sunday 26th July at Newbury Racecourse.
The Dubai International Arabian Race Stakes Listed PA Prize Money €26,000
The first of the three races for Arabian Purebreds in a racing day that consisted of trotting races – including the Dutch Championship for trotters – and a Thoroughbred race.
Samima (Dahess x Oleya du Loup), owned by the Royal Cavalry of Oman, trained by Karin van den Bos, and ridden by Dutch top lady jockey Jadey Pietrasiewicz, was the favorite for the Dubai International Race Stakes PA Listed. Samima likes to race in front and Jadey, who had only just returned from a 7 months’ stay in Australia, took her right to the lead and set the pace all the way. Vulcain du Clos was ridden very strongly in the final two furlongs and came very close, but Samima held her ground and won the race. Austrian bred Nain, trained by Dutch trainer Dorenberg, came in third.
Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes (Listed PA)
In the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes (Listed PA) over 2150 meters, Poulain Kossack, Dutch owned and trained, took the lead and held on to this front position until Handassa (Madjani x Ziva) racing in the colors of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum and ridden by Bertras, took the lead in the final furlongs to win the race effortlessly. A battle between Dutch bred/owned/trained Paramour T and Hurra, bred and owned by Al Nujaifi Ltd. was decided in favour of Paramour T, followed by Bachair Qardabiyah in fourth place.
No Risk Al Maury Stakes
Last of the three races for Arabian Purebreds was the No Risk Al Maury Stakes, a sprint race over 1300m in which Phraseur Kossack immediately took the lead, closely followed by Bulus al Aziz, Choumouk Qardabiyah, and Fareedha. Bulus al Aziz was cleverly ridden by Italian jockey Manueddo and came forward in the last few furlongs to easily win the race in front of Fareedha, Choumouk Qardabiyah, and Phraseur Kossack in fourth place.
DIAR and Shadwell supported the Arabian races and two pony races (small and large size ponies) watched by an excited crowd who cheered the young riders all the way home.The youngsters, possibly future jockeys, received to their surprise and delight a special rucksack filled with lovely trinkets from Shadwell Stud Manager Mr. Richard Lancaster.
The Dutch Arabian Racing Committee would like to express, also on behalf of all Dutch breeders, owners and trainers, their immense gratitude to Chairman of DIAR Mirza Al Sayegh and Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster for their support of Arabian racing in the Netherlands and making this very special day possible.
The Dutch Arabian Racing Committee would also like to express its sincere appreciation to Mr and Mrs De Ruiter for their tremendous efforts and organization skills which resulted in this splendid showcase of Arabian Purebred racing, and a special thank you also to Mrs Rachel Gowland, Marketing & Nominations Manager of the Shadwell Stud for the smooth cooperation during the preparations.
A special thanks also to Mr Brett Williams who light-heartedly provided the audience with much background information about the horses during the racing day and interviewed the winning connections.
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates H.E. Abdallah Hamdan Al Naqbi attended the race day along with another ten Ambassadors from the nearby The Hague which is known for the large community of foreign diplomats and business people.
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