Newbury, England: Racegoers who braved the wet weather to watch Purebred Arabians in action at Newbury Racecourse in the UK on Sunday were rewarded with some top-class racing during the eight marquee races.
The Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), which were created by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, were celebrating their 34th year since being launched at Kemptom Park in the early 1980s.
Horses owned by Shaikh Hamdan, one of the most respected owner/breeders of Purebred Arabians, battled with the superpowers owned by the Royal Cavalry of Oman for a share of the £450,000 (Dh2.6 million) prize money on offer during the eight races.
Fittingly Gill Duffield, one of the most successful Arabian trainers in the world, won the opening race on the card, when two-time British champion jockey Paul Hanagan drove Aghsaan to victory over favourite Katonahotinroof in the Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes.
“She ran an admirable race as the conditions were pretty testing,” Hanagan said. “She will definitely get further and improve for this run. Gill had her spot-on for the race.”
Duffield added: “It’s always very pleasing to win a race for Shaikh Hamdan, who is so passionate about his racing. This was only a handicap but a winner is a winner.
“Aghsaan is a nice little horse who always gives one hundred per cent when she runs. This win will boost her confidence as she did it very nicely and with a fair bit of conviction.”
Shaikh Hamdan completed a quick double when Rasaasy landed the Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes. The winner was once again ridden by Hanagan and trained by Duffield.
The Royal Cavalry of Oman struck back to win the third and fourth races as the rain began to clear.
French champion Olivier Peslier was on board the top weight Vulcain Du Clos to deny Hanagan’s Bon Baiser De Faust in a close finish.
“He’s a classy horse, so I rode him confidently,” said the Arc-winning Frenchman. “The ground may not have been suiting but he handled it well and won easily.”
Jockey Thomas Henderson had the honour of winning the first of three Group 1 races on the card when he partnered Al Mouhannad to victory over fellow Qatari raider Meeyur, the mount of Harry Bentley, in the Jebel Ali Za’abeel Racecourse International Stakes.
Close to 8,000 racegoers enjoyed an amazing day at Newbury, the home of Purebred Arabian racing in the UK, where the off-course entertainment rivalled the action on the track.
There were exciting prizes on offer in the several competitions that took place.
“This is one of the highlights of the DIAR at Newbury as children are the future of this sport,” Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said. “Shaikh Hamdan is very closely involved with the community and what better way to give something back than through competitions that are targeted at the youth?”
