UK edition of the President Of The UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) Group 1 PA

16 August 2017, UK ~ Entries for the 2017 President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) have more than doubled on last years’ figures, according to the Arabian Racing Organization. The President of the UAE Cup is the oldest Purebred Arabian race series and it is fitting that it is to be run on the same card as the UK’s oldest Thoroughbred classic, the St.Leger, on Saturday, 16 September 2017 at Doncaster.

With 26 possible runners for the final Group 1 of the UK Arabian racing season, entries include three existing Group 1 winners headed by Nafees trained by Charles Gourdain, winner of the French equivalent at Chantilly in June.

Run over a mile and a quarter, The President of the UAE Cup resumed its’ association with the UK Arabian Derby last year and is exclusively for four-year-old Purebred Arabians. Sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, it boasts a prize fund of £80,000, with £40,000 to the winner.

ARO Racing Operations Executive, Gemma Cobb was delighted with the numbers saying: “The number of entries received is a great step forward for UK Arabian racing. With 18 international entries, together with eight domestic entries, it is a huge increase on the 11 received last year. It just shows what a welcome addition to the European Pattern this race is, as it is the last race confined to both sexes of the classic generation of 2017.

“The prize money boost for this race which was implemented last year, has encouraged a strong potential line up of Group winners and Group placed horses. It is also encouraging to note that the first three home in last years’ contest have all won Group 1 races this season, further enhancing the races’ Group 1 status.”

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ARO Director, Genny Haynes was also pleased commenting. “We were excited to welcome back the President of the UAE Cup last year and are extremely grateful to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for their generous support of our feature race for four-year-olds. Moving the race from Ladies Day to St Leger Day itself this year, further enhances the prestige of the race and the status of Arabian racing in the UK, with it being run as part of Doncaster’s most prestigious meeting of the year.”

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