Inside international horse racing paddocks with form expert Susan Trevelyan-Syke
Pure Bred Arabians
*Americas
*Americas 2009
*Breeder's Cup
*Dubai World Cup
*DWC 2009
*Europe
*France
*Ireland
*UK
*World
*Endurance FEI
Patron of DIARD and Prix Shadwell Manganate (Deauville) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with his son Sheikh Rashid at Newbury Racecourse.
France:
Qatar Arabian World Cup
As part of Qatar's sponsorship of the Arc de Triomphe weekend, Qatar included the Arabian World Cup (Group 1 Pure Arabians) in the Sunday races.
The magnificent grey mare Al Dahma GB (Amer QA-Al Honoof), winner of the Dubai Shadwell International Stakes, Group 1 PA, held at the Dubai International
Arab Race Day at Newbury Racecourse, was defeated by her little brother General GB (Amer QA).
Traditionally, the weekend starts with an Arabian Horse Sale at St Cloud and the race concludes a series of challenge races.
Turkey
Pau trainer Jean-Pierre Totain's Badad (Tidjani) won The IFAHR Trophy (Group 2) at Veliefendi, Istanbul, for 3yo+, 2100m, in 2m24.61 seconds by 2 lengths.
Badad, owned by Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will compete in the Arc weekend Group 1 race for Pure Bred Arabians.
France
Dax Racecourse, France, hosted the Prix Zayed Le Premier (Zayed the First) Cherri-Bibi Cup as the third and final Arabian horse race in a festival series hosted by AFAC (French Arabian Horse Racing Association) and sponsored by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE.
The Group 2 Prix for 3yo Pure Bred Arabians was won by Seraphin Du Paon (Akbar) owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahran and the second was Rahef (Kerbella) owned by Sheikh Mansoor. Al Barada (Dormane) was third.
Nicolas de Watrigant, 28 and head of Mandore International Agency, acquired Seraphim du Paon, Forgehill Cezanne (Dormane)--winner of the Prix Kesberoy, and Akim de Ducor (Akbar) for Sheikh Khalifa for the Festival series.
Ultimately, they were primed to compete in the October 2 Saint Cloud Arabian Breeders' Cup for 3y olds.
August in Deauville is the magnificent setting for two famous Group 1 races for Pure Bred Arab horses.
The first, Prix Kesberoy, was for three-year-old juveniles, colts and fillies, at 1900m on sand fibre and was won in grand style by the paddock eye catcher, Forgehill Cezanne (Domane Fr).
Forgehill Cezanne was not the favourite; it was Raqiyah GB (Amer SKA) and owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar.
The winner was bred by Valerie Bunting who is English and lives in the South West of France.
Forgehill was trained by Nicolas de Watrigant for owner Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE.
In the final Group 1 for Pure Bred Arab horses, the Prix Shadwell Manganate, for four and five-year-old males, 1900m on sand fibre, the favourites did win.
Four horses competed from the Al Khalediah Stables almost as a team. It was only a question of which one would prevail.
In the end, it was Jalab Al Khalidiah KSA (Amer KSA) who beat its stablemate Nashwan Al Khalidiah KSA (Tiwaiq KSA) and the French favourite Adjinn D'Aroco (Tidjani Fr) who came in third and is owned by the generous sponsor Shadwell (stud operation of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum).
Haigh Winner
Former Racing Journalist of the Year, Paul Haigh, won the £10,000 first prize in a journalists' competition to mark the Dubai Summer Festival at Newbury Racecourse last month (adjacent column) for an article to appear in the September issue of International Thoroughbred magazine. A donation of £2,000 will be made to charities of his choice. Sue Montgomery of The Independent took the £2,500 second prize and Marcus Armitage of The Telegraph £1,000 for third.
Racing International was also a nominee for its website coverage.
UK Arabian Derby
Nayef Al Khalidiah (Calin du Loup KSA) was ridden to perfection by French jockey Christophe Lemaire to hold off Al Dahma's grey brother General (Amer QA) by 3/4 lengths and will contest the Arabian race Arc Day.
Nayef Al Khalidiah is owned by Prince Khalid bin Sultan al Saud of Saudi Arabia and trained by Bordeaux' Jean-Baptiste Bernard.
Lemaire said "Riding an Arabian horse or a throughbred doesn't make a difference to the jockey. For us, we know that Arabian racing is growing around the world and this race at Ascot for the first time was a very imporant milestone for the sport."
Moscow is the next stop for the President of the UAE Cup series and then on to a four-part series in Baden Baden, Germany.
________
Thirteen of the top four-year-old Pure Bred Arabians will compete for the UAE President's Cup (Group 1), 2000m, sponsored by the Emirates Equestrian Federation for the first time at Ascot on Saturday, July 25th.
The UAE President's Cup was created 15 years ago by the UAE's late President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The Cup has been hotly contested every year throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States.
The Dubai International Arabian Race Day at Newbury Racecourse celebrated its 27th anniversary this year (left column).
The Darley Arabian was one of the original four horses to form the thoroughbred lineage.
Abu Dhabi, one of the two capitals of the UAE (Dubai is the other), is sponsoring three thoroughbred races on the day and its sponsorship is contingent on an Arabian race being included as it is a requirement of Qatar's sponsorship of the Arc de Triomphe.
Dubai International Arabian Race Day
Thrilling finish to The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes with 11-Group 1-winning mare Al Dahma defeating No Risk Al Maury, Fryvoulous (nearly hidden with white noseband) and Al Fatih (from left to right) before a record Newbury crowd.
Photos by GJ Multimedia
Well over 15,000 dignitaries, children and racegoers enjoyed a full card of Arab horse races on Sunday at Newbury Racecourse.
The event was held during Newbury's three-day Dubai Summer Festival 2009 under the auspices of the Arabian Racing Organisation and organised by The Office of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.
Not to be outdone by humans, some of the world's finest Arabian horses traveled from the United States, Europe and the Middle East to compete in the world's premiere and richest Arabian competition which is in its 27th year.
Leave it to a frisky five-year-old mare Balladore (Domane Fr) to start the day by tossing her California-born trainer and jockey Dennis Batteate before the race and the winning The Emirates Arline Premier Handicap Stakes, 7f, with ease.
Batteate rode the tricky mare as he thought he had a better chance of staying
on her than her other luckless jockeys.
Another son or Domane, Dariya Fr, took the first Group 1 for Pure Arabians, The Al Hai Group Zaabeel International Stakes at 6f, for respected French trainer Robert Litt and jockey Phillipe Sogorb.
He was bred by HH Sheikh Monsoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who owns the famous Al Reef stables, for his brother Sheikh Mohammed of the UAE.
Saudi Arabian Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Al Saud's Quesche Du Paon Fr (Akbar Fr) had it her own way in The Emirates NBD Hatta International, Group1 PA, 1m 2f, for fillies and mares.
This is another training victory for France's Jean-Francois Bernard and perfect riding from Gerald Avranche.
Al Dahma
Stunning mare Al Dahma won her eleventh Group 1 in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes.
The feature race of the day is always eagerly anticipated it did not disappoint with its ferocious finishing battle.
The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Group 1 PA), 1m 2f, went to the betting favourite Al Dahma (Amer QA). This is the grey mare's 11th Group 1 and reinforces her reputation as the greatest Arabian horse of her sex.
Sheikh Hamdan's local champion No Risk Al Maury Fr (Kesberoy), twice winner of the race, was denied his hat trick by an amazing competitor when he idled in front. He fought back valiantly to close Al Dahma down, when rewound by world-class jockey Richard Hills, after she slid by him.
Al Fatih (Amer QA) at 25.1 surprised everyone when dead heating with Fryvoulous Fr (Domane Fr) for third.
The press room erupted with disgust with the ride the world's highest-rated Arabian Fryvoulous was given.
The proud little bay gelding was full of the running, but his jockey held him back too long and then steered him all over the course before trying to squeeze him in almost no space between No Risk and Al Fatih.
The latter's jockey Thierry Jarnet showed his professionalism and generosity in making space for the thrilling finish.
He could have won.
Fryvoulous had his extraordinary speed blunted. It was not the course or the ground. When horses reach this level, they must have riders to do them justice.
A perfect example of what a very experienced jockey can do for a 20.1 Iraqui horse, Al Harith (IQ) (Asad Saif IQ), was to almost carry the horse into an unexpected third. Steve Drowne did just that in the second race.
Altobello Fr (Kerbella Fr), a four-race veteran in France, ran away with The Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Group 2 PA), 7f, for three-year olds--equivalent to thoroughbred juveniles.
Arabians are smaller, develop slower and start training a year later than thoroughbreds.
Jaady Fr (Prince D'Orient Fr), Shadwell France SNC bred, made an astonishing debut in chasing and nearly closing down the winner to four lengths in the hands of Richard Hills. This young horse has a big future as does the winner.
Both horses are trained by two of Britain's best: Bill Smith and Gillian Duffield respectively.
The host sponsor of the day, Sheikh Hamdan, had better luck in the two final races when his Al Mannsoub Fr (Akbar Fr) and Riko Fr (Domane Fr) won the final two handicap races at 1m 5f and 1m for sponsors The Jebel Ali Racecourse and The Jumeirah Group respectively.
Both winners were trained by Mrs Duffield.
Dominant winning sire Domane led the way for French breeding to triumph at this annual race meet.
Three French and three British trainers joined the one American trainer in the Winners' Circle.
France, Britain, Australia and America kept the Arab breed alive during the disruptions of the World Wars.
It is to the credit of the Arab owners and breeders who want to reclaim their heritage and share these magnificent race horses with the world.
The Dubai International Arabian Race Day is a precious gift to those of us who love horses.
DIARD'S PATRON
HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 27-year Patron of the Dubai International Arabian Race Day and his son Sheikh Rashid avidly study their cards and horses.
Highest-rated Arabian Fryvolous
No shame in defeat as proud Fryvolous, world's highest-rated Arabian, shows typical beautiful Arabian style as he returns from epic battle at the Dubai International Arabian Race Day, Newbury Racecourse.
Photo by GJ Multimedia
Better Days at Newmarket
Fryvolous beat them all in The Abu Dhabi International Stakes (Group 2 PA), part of The President of the UAE Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses on the first day of the Newmarket July Festival.
Fryvolous Fr (Domane Fr), the world's highest-rated Arab race horse, hit the world stage winning the Arab Horse Race at the Dubai World Cup Meet and will be trained for the Arab Race at the Arc de Triomphe by irrepressible trainer Rod Simpson.
Only El Rigoletto Fr (Kesberoy Fr) came anywhere near matching him.
Fryvolous is owned by The President of the UAE and El Rigoletto by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
Thrilling finish to The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes with 11-Group 1-winning mare Al Dahma defeating No Risk Al Maury, Fryvoulous (nearly hidden with white noseband) and Al Fatih (from left to right) before a record Newbury crowd.
Photos by GJ Multimedia
Well over 15,000 dignitaries, children and racegoers enjoyed a full card of Arab horse races on Sunday at Newbury Racecourse.
The event was held during Newbury's three-day Dubai Summer Festival 2009 under the auspices of the Arabian Racing Organisation and organised by The Office of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.
Not to be outdone by humans, some of the world's finest Arabian horses traveled from the United States, Europe and the Middle East to compete in the world's premiere and richest Arabian competition which is in its 27th year.
Leave it to a frisky five-year-old mare Balladore (Domane Fr) to start the day by tossing her California-born trainer and jockey Dennis Batteate before the race and the winning The Emirates Arline Premier Handicap Stakes, 7f, with ease.
Batteate rode the tricky mare as he thought he had a better chance of staying
on her than her other luckless jockeys.
Another son or Domane, Dariya Fr, took the first Group 1 for Pure Arabians, The Al Hai Group Zaabeel International Stakes at 6f, for respected French trainer Robert Litt and jockey Phillipe Sogorb.
He was bred by HH Sheikh Monsoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who owns the famous Al Reef stables, for his brother Sheikh Mohammed of the UAE.
Saudi Arabian Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Al Saud's Quesche Du Paon Fr (Akbar Fr) had it her own way in The Emirates NBD Hatta International, Group1 PA, 1m 2f, for fillies and mares.
This is another training victory for France's Jean-Francois Bernard and perfect riding from Gerald Avranche.
Al Dahma
Stunning mare Al Dahma won her eleventh Group 1 in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes.
The feature race of the day is always eagerly anticipated it did not disappoint with its ferocious finishing battle.
The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Group 1 PA), 1m 2f, went to the betting favourite Al Dahma (Amer QA). This is the grey mare's 11th Group 1 and reinforces her reputation as the greatest Arabian horse of her sex.
Sheikh Hamdan's local champion No Risk Al Maury Fr (Kesberoy), twice winner of the race, was denied his hat trick by an amazing competitor when he idled in front. He fought back valiantly to close Al Dahma down, when rewound by world-class jockey Richard Hills, after she slid by him.
Al Fatih (Amer QA) at 25.1 surprised everyone when dead heating with Fryvoulous Fr (Domane Fr) for third.
The press room erupted with disgust with the ride the world's highest-rated Arabian Fryvoulous was given.
The proud little bay gelding was full of the running, but his jockey held him back too long and then steered him all over the course before trying to squeeze him in almost no space between No Risk and Al Fatih.
The latter's jockey Thierry Jarnet showed his professionalism and generosity in making space for the thrilling finish.
He could have won.
Fryvoulous had his extraordinary speed blunted. It was not the course or the ground. When horses reach this level, they must have riders to do them justice.
A perfect example of what a very experienced jockey can do for a 20.1 Iraqui horse, Al Harith (IQ) (Asad Saif IQ), was to almost carry the horse into an unexpected third. Steve Drowne did just that in the second race.
Altobello Fr (Kerbella Fr), a four-race veteran in France, ran away with The Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes (Group 2 PA), 7f, for three-year olds--equivalent to thoroughbred juveniles.
Arabians are smaller, develop slower and start training a year later than thoroughbreds.
Jaady Fr (Prince D'Orient Fr), Shadwell France SNC bred, made an astonishing debut in chasing and nearly closing down the winner to four lengths in the hands of Richard Hills. This young horse has a big future as does the winner.
Both horses are trained by two of Britain's best: Bill Smith and Gillian Duffield respectively.
The host sponsor of the day, Sheikh Hamdan, had better luck in the two final races when his Al Mannsoub Fr (Akbar Fr) and Riko Fr (Domane Fr) won the final two handicap races at 1m 5f and 1m for sponsors The Jebel Ali Racecourse and The Jumeirah Group respectively.
Both winners were trained by Mrs Duffield.
Dominant winning sire Domane led the way for French breeding to triumph at this annual race meet.
Three French and three British trainers joined the one American trainer in the Winners' Circle.
France, Britain, Australia and America kept the Arab breed alive during the disruptions of the World Wars.
It is to the credit of the Arab owners and breeders who want to reclaim their heritage and share these magnificent race horses with the world.
The Dubai International Arabian Race Day is a precious gift to those of us who love horses.
DIARD'S PATRON
HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 27-year Patron of the Dubai International Arabian Race Day and his son Sheikh Rashid avidly study their cards and horses.
Highest-rated Arabian Fryvolous
No shame in defeat as proud Fryvolous, world's highest-rated Arabian, shows typical beautiful Arabian style as he returns from epic battle at the Dubai International Arabian Race Day, Newbury Racecourse.
Photo by GJ Multimedia
Better Days at Newmarket
Fryvolous beat them all in The Abu Dhabi International Stakes (Group 2 PA), part of The President of the UAE Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses on the first day of the Newmarket July Festival.
Fryvolous Fr (Domane Fr), the world's highest-rated Arab race horse, hit the world stage winning the Arab Horse Race at the Dubai World Cup Meet and will be trained for the Arab Race at the Arc de Triomphe by irrepressible trainer Rod Simpson.
Only El Rigoletto Fr (Kesberoy Fr) came anywhere near matching him.
Fryvolous is owned by The President of the UAE and El Rigoletto by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
