Newbury braces for Dubai International Arabian Races

The stage is set for £183,000 Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) to be held on Sunday at the Newbury Racecourse in England. For the Europe’s most prestigious Purebred Arabian race day, the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO), official Arabian Racing Authority in the UK, announced an increase in international numbers for the eight-race meeting on July 28, with the day’s four Group races receiving a significant boost.

Started by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the prestigious race-day serves as a perfect platform in promoting Purebred Arabian racing worldwide.

Among the 153 entries for the eight races, as many as 19 are individual Group or Listed winners.

Heading the list is Gazwan, who was the joint top-rated colt of 2018 in the international classifications and who won 2015 Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr1PA). The race also includes Hayyan and Kanaan, first and third in the French PA Derby (Gr1PA) as well as the 2018 French and English Derby winner, Rodess Du Loup. There is similar strength in depth for the fillies’ equivalent contest, the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International (Gr1PA) in which the highest rated filly of the 2018, dual Group 1 PA winner, Al Shamoos, is entered.

The possible runners also include eight prep race winners and 15 horses that were placed in the prep races across Europe, so the potential for the DIAR bonus awards to be claimed is again high. Last year Al Chammy followed up his prep race win, to take the Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Stakes (Gr1pA), whilst Joudh, who had been second at La Teste, won the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Gr1PA). The connections of both horses received an additional £2000 DIAR bonus on top of their prize money.

Shadwell Stud Director, Richard Lancaster said: We are delighted with the level of entries for our flagship event at Newbury at the end of the month.

“The quality and number of horses entered are testament to the strength of the day and we are very grateful to all the owners and trainers from the UK, Europe, and beyond, who are supporting our races.

“The Arabian racing authorities have played a pivotal role in building this European race program and have done a fantastic job. We would like to thank everyone involved for their continued support and we’re looking forward to a competitive day of Arabian racing at Newbury.”

Mirza Al Sayegh, chairman of the series, has praised the organising committee for their efforts in helping raise the standard of the 2019 edition of the DIAR.

Phil Collington, the former champion jockey-turned-Purebred Arabian racehorse trainer, has pinned hopes on Halib des Forges.

“I will have 11 runners, including seven for Sheikh Hamdan. I think Halib des Forges is my best chance on the day.”

Meanwhile, champion conditional jockey, Bryony Frost, is switching disciplines to ride at the DIAR on Sunday. Gearing up to make her debut, Frost said: “The Dubai International Arabian Races is an awesome day out with top class racing and loads of entertainment for all the family.  I’m really looking forward to being part of it.

“Riding Arabians competitively for the first time will be a challenge but I’ve had lots of help and advice from James (Owen) and Richard Hills and I can’t wait.

“Arabians are real characters, they’re very intelligent and really switched on.  You have to take them through their gears slowly and make sure you say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ but once you get them there they really start to roll.

“It will be a real honour to step out in the famous blue and white silks of Sheikh Hamdan and I am thrilled to have been invited to ride.”

James Owen, a former amateur rider who can count among his achievements more than 50 Arabian winners on the Flat and nine consecutive East Anglian point-to-point championships, said: “It has been great to have the opportunity to welcome Bryony to the yard and to introduce her to some of Sheikh Hamdan’s Purebred Arabians.  Having ridden both jumpers and Arabians I hope I’ve been able to give Bryony some good advice.  Arabians and thoroughbreds are very different in character but I am sure as an accomplished horsewoman Bryony will be able to make the most of her ride.”


Dubai International Arabian Races:

July 28, Newbury Racecourse, UK

Race 1. Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes

Purse £12,000

Race 2. UAE Embassy in London International Stakes

Purse £25,000

Race 3. DIAR International Stakes (Group3)

Purse £25,000

Race 4. Jebel Ali Racecourse Za’abeel International Stakes (Group 1) Purse: £35,000

Race 5. Shadwell Arabian Stallions Hatta International Stakes (Group 1) Purse: £58,000

Race 6. Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Group 1)

PurseL £10,000

Race 7. Dubai Developments Premier Handicap Stakes

Purse: £10,000 (PA rated 40-75)

Race 8. Emirates NBD Handicap Stakes

Purse: £8,000 (PA rated 40-75)