Racing Reports
2008 Championships
Owner:
Trainer:
Jockey:
Pure Bred Arab:
Anglo Arab:
Thoroughbred:
Trainers Championship Sponsors
Come Racing
2008 Fixtures
ARO Racecourses
Annual
Raceday
Membership
Next Racemeeting
Purchase Tickets
Racegoers Guide
Dubai International
Raceday
Click here to download the 2007
ARO Formbook
Click here for Single Race Previews
Click here for Raceday Previews
Click here for Single Race Reviews
Click here for Raceday Reviews
Newmarket 9th July
By Paul Simmons
The President of the UAE Hydra Properties Challenge Derby (Group 1 PA) over
1 Mile 2 Furlongs
Will be published here early next week.
By Paul Simmons
Exeter 5th July Preview
Race 1 - The Southbrook Arabians Maiden Stakes over 7
Furlongs
A competitive field of runners for this
maiden with several in with a chance, including Champion
trainer Gill Duffield’s well bred runner Inshaad and a
couple of useful juveniles in Bin Amer and CS Jakari, both
of whom are entered in Group 2 Juvenile race on Dubai Day.
Main dangers are the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s runner
A’Rasheeq who was a good 2nd to Edjalie over 6f
at Huntingdon on his debut. Bill Smith runs the well bred
Djalk who raced in France last year and should be able to
make his experience count here.
Race 2 - The Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap Stakes 0-95 over
1 Mile 1 Furlong
A good competitive handicap and Jelvita, who
won so well at Fontwell over 7f on her debut should go
close. Angela Colledge’s locally trained mare Estival is
extremely classy and made short
work of the opposition when cantering home at
Huntingdon on her seasonal debut over 14 furlongs. She’s yet
to finish out of the frame in 6 starts. The Bill Smith
trained Khadeer looked extremely classy winning on her debut
last season over 6 furlongs at Stratford and has place
claims, as does Alize Safinat.
Race 3 - The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-55 over
1 Mile
Helen Bona’s yard is bang in fine form
recording three winners including a valuable Premier
Handicap and runs Hayleys Comet here. He goes well fresh and
trip and track should suit. His main dangers are Bonham who
returned to form in grand style last week at Hereford
winning over 14 furlongs and he should be fighting out the
finish although he carries a 6lb penalty here for that win.
The Way To Go is continuing to hold her form this season and
has strong place claims.
Race 4 - The Ajay Construction Ltd Handicap Stakes 0-80 over
6 Furlongs
Chazan was placed on both his starts last
term in maidens over 6-7f and failed to stay when tried over
10 furlongs on his seasonal debut and looks capable of
taking a place. Popidol Kossack has been steadily getting
closer and stands a good chance of scoring here. Sabden was
out of the frame in a competitive 0-95 contest on the all
weather earlier this week but this seems more his class and
he could go close.
Race 5 - The Shaw & Fox Handicap Stakes 0-65 over 1 Mile 1
Furlong
A hard race to call with several smart and
improving handicappers in the line up. The locally trained
runner from Gill Plumbley’s Cornwall yard Pacific Way has
always shown plenty of ability and looked to be coming to
hand with a good effort when 3rd to Nenette over
7 furlongs at Fontwell. Pinkie Tuscadero was a good 2nd
to Raihan over 7 furlongs at Hereford last week and both
have place claims here. As does the Angela Colledge (based
in Devon) trained Operatic who just lost out a titanic
battle with Debrett over 14 furlongs at Hereford last week.
Race 6 - The Penn Challenge Handicap Stakes (Anglo & PBA’s
only) over 1 Mile 1 Furlong
L’Escalou is smart performer and looked
pretty good when beating thoroughbreds and coming home 2nd
to Megabond at Exeter. Paul Greenwood’s local runner
Curupanna can never be discounted and won really well at
Fontwell over 12 furlongs beating Madrison; both should make
their presence felt in the closing stages here.
Race 7 - The Dutnall and Walker Maiden Stakes over 1 Mile 1 Furlong
Bill Smith’s smart performer Maakar was narrowly run out of it Fontwell when a nose 2nd to Alsharq over 10 furlongs. She showed plenty of determination that day and could lose her maiden tag here. Champion trainer Gill Duffield has Qawaafil entered and she was 3rd on her debut behind Hidalgo and could be thereabouts too. Al Bashiq has been placed on both his maiden starts to date and will appreciate the trip and track.
Race 8 - The Western Commodities Anniversary Open
Handicap over 1 Mile 1 Furlong
The one they all have to beat here is
Northern trainer John Wilson’s powerhouse Night Cap who
demolished the opposition on his seasonal debut at
Huntingdon over 10 furlongs. It’s hard to see any of these
giving him cause for concern. Take The Plunge won well at
Hereford last week over 7 furlongs and at Taunton over 8
furlongs and has strong place claims. Son Of Sophie won well
at Nottingham over 14 furlongs and should be thereabouts.
Kempton Park 2nd July Review
Come Racing At Newbury Premier Handicap 0-95 Stakes over 6
Furlongs
Merwah (bred by HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Estate Co. Ltd)
started the proceedings in controversial form dumping her
jockey Eddie Hern before the start. However, undeterred this
rapidly improving mare owned by long time Arab racing
stalwart John Elliot, who has a huge amount of ability and
full credit to Helen Bona for training her so well this
season. Merwah (Bengali D’Albret x Aksarka), who was
second last week to Mustajib, was settled midfield under a
positive ride from Eddie Ahern. As the pace quickened
inside the final two furlongs he brought this talented mare
with a run and she quickened clear to show a smart turn of
foot to win going away by just under two lengths. Merwah is
entered in the Group 1 Hatta Stakes and could be even more
interesting stepped back up in trip (she won at Nottingham
on her seasonal debut over 10 furlongs). Back in second was
the Bill Smith trained Aberfeldy who won well at Nottingham
over 6 furlongs in May; she was always prominent and made a
bold bid for victory inside the final furlong but couldn’t
quite catch the winner, but remains a useful mare to follow
this season. The ultra smart Angel Picamer was coasting in
behind the leaders but seemed to get tapped for toe inside
the final few furlongs, however, she battled on strongly
inside the final furlong and kept on for third ahead of a
tiring Shuhood.
Newbury 24th June
The Georgina Ward Arabian Racing Stakes
Aljaareh predictably led the field at a fierce gallop for the
first mile before being swept aside by stablemate No Risk Al Maury and UAE raider Jaafer ASF at the two furlong marker.
Jaafer ASF made a bold bid for victory under a powerful ride
from champion jockey Simon Walker upping the pace inside the
home straight, but Richard Hills was cruising in behind on
HH Shiekh Hamdan’s classy stallion No Risk Al Maury. As they
hit the final furlong marker Hills pressed the button and
No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy x Necatarine Al Maury)
powered clear with Jaafer chasing hard in his slip stream,
winning in the end by just under two lengths but value for
more. Once again Champion trainer Gill Duffield holds the
strongest UK chance of victory in the Group 1 Dubai Stakes
in July. Jaafer ASF ran an impressive race on his UK debut
for trainer Georgina Ward and owner/breeder HH Sheikh
Mohammed Al Thani rallying hard in the closing stages but
will have to find a lot more to oppose the winner on Dubai
Day. Smart sprinter Nimr was in need of the run but showed
plenty of guts and resolution to plug on ahead of staying
pace maker Aljaareh.
Hereford Saturday 28th June
By Paul Simmons
All photos courtesy of Racing Advertiser
A record crowd turned out to watch an excellent day's racing at Hereford on Saturday. The best dressed lady's competition added a touch of glamour to the event. It was a close finish and a difficult call for the judge, Simon Sherwood, but the overall winner was Annette Webster (pictured centre), who took home £100 cash and a ticket straight in to the final of the Best Dressed Lady competition on Dubai Day.
.JPG)
1st race – Shaw & Fox Maiden Stakes 3yrs old and
over 1 Mile 1 Furlong
They went a fair clip from the outset in this competitive
maiden with odds on joint favourite Barik, Sifan and
Billoube all showing good early speed, and Marsak settled
comfortably in behind. Inside the final two furlongs it
became a dual to the line with Billoube and Marsak, who were
nip and tuck all the way to the post with Phil Collington
driving HH Sheikh Hamdan’s strapping Derby entered colt
Marsak (Al Sakbe x Margau) home to win by head from the
Mark Wall owned and trained Billoube. The latter lost
nothing in defeat and is impressing with every run and looks
more than capable of winning soon. Few and Far made some
good late progress in the closing stages plugging on well
for third.
.JPG)
2nd race – The Come Racing with ARO Handicap
Stakes 0-75 over 7 Furlongs
A small field but nevertheless a really competitive
handicap. Musaayar made the running and set a decent pace
from the start but Muhal was cruising in behind. Muhal
kicked clear in the final four furlongs with Musaayar
chasing hard in behind; he was kept up to his work in the
final furlong but was off the bridle in the dying strides
and only galvanised his effort as Musaayar came back at him
under a strong ride from Simon Walker. In the end Muhal
(Amer x Babelia) got home by a nose for owner/ breeders
the Royal Cavalry of Oman and trainer Julian Smart, whilst
Musaayar lost nothing in defeat. Al Mamoon ran a lifeless
race and only ran past a lack lustre Remaal in the final
stages to claim third.
.JPG)
3rd race – The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap
Stakes 0-50 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs
Bonham (Bakara x Bonnie Jet)
returned to form with a vengeance under a superb ride from
Sam Holdsworth for owner/trainer Chris Culleton. Hhe had
him handily placed throughout, tracking long time leader El
Hamsa, and rode a powerful finish to just get up on the line
by short head in battling head bobbing finish. El Hamsa was
very brave in defeat and is impressing with his attitude
this term and was unlucky not to hold on. Anganate Safinat
did the best of the rest and took third from Dibba inside
the home straight.
.JPG)
4th race – The Outdoor Installations Ltd Handicap
over 7f Furlongs
Take The Plunge
(Benny The Dip x Pealry River) was held up with a run sitting in comfortably behind leader
and pace setter Fraternity under a calm well judged ride
from Simon Walker. As they hit the two furlong marker
Walker made his move and ran on well leaving Fraternity in
his wake to win by just under two lengths. Whilst former
Champion thoroughbred Fraternity made a pleasing comeback
and should be winning soon. Ela Figura had no chance with
the first two but ran on well to hold onto third ahead of
prolific winner and favourite Megabond.
.JPG)
5th race – The Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap
0-95 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong
A surprise result here as odds on favourite and former UAE
Derby winner Zoumir was beaten. Mustajib (Vadeer x
Mangana) ran well last season winning twice and did nothing
wrong here settling well mid field under an in form Simon
Walker. He brought Mustajib with a strong run inside the
final furlong and showed a useful turn of foot to power
clear in the final furlong and win by a length at the line
for HH Sheikh Hamdan and trainer Bill Smith. Back in second
was Merwah who is continuing her upward climb racing this
season. Always well placed, she took up the running two
furlongs out and chased the winner all the way to the line
but couldn’t get past. Zoumir ran well on his UK debut;
settled in second till taking up the running five furlongs
out, he had no answer to the first two, but stayed on well
getting the better of stablemate Sakari, who also ran well.
Zoumir holds an entry in the UK Derby but will have to
improve significantly for the run to hold his own against
the best from Europe.
.JPG)
6th race – The Kelanne Stud OPEN Handicap over 1
Mile 6 Furlongs
A much deserved win for the excellent Kings Cavalier
(Stormin Fever x Port Of Silver) who ran a storming
race here under a well timed ride from Fred Offord. He
kicked home inside the final furlong and pulled readily
clear for a comfortable six length victory for the David
Paton stable. Back in second was a good run from Exclusive
Air who led the field a fine gallop but was vulnerable to
the devastating turn of foot of the winner in the final
furlong. Whilst Burnley kept on for third.
.JPG)
7th race – The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap
0-60 over 7 Furlongs
A superb performance by Sue Connally’s gallant handicapping
mare Raihan (Passem Lotois x G Sustika) who led from
start to finish and battled on really well in the final
furlong under a galvanised ride from Simon Walker (who was
scoring a hatrick), to hold off the sustained challenge of
Pinkie Tuscadero. The latter ran a great race under Phil
Collington and looks capable of winning in this grade soon.
Benny The Dip was always handy chasing the principles and
was kept up to his work in the final stages to get home from
The Way To Go.
.JPG)
8th race – The “Carabineer” Memorial Handicap
0-70 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs
A superb racing finish in fitting tribute to the memory of
the late great Arab racehorse Carabineer, who himself fought
and won so many memorable battles on the UK racetrack. Debrett
and Operatic set off like scalded cats from the start
blazing a trail and taking it in turns to lead at various
stages throughout the race. In the end it was David Turner
on Debrett (Bengali D’Albret x Djeba El Mels) for
owner Linda Cross and trainer Sam Davison who gained the
upper hand inside the final furlong coming home a length too
good for a very brave Operatic. The latter lost nothing in
defeat and is running his heart out this term and could
easily reverse the form next time out. Notid relished the
step up in trip and stuck on well to snatch third off Blu By
You in the final furlong.
.JPG)
Racing News
Racing Data
ARO Sponsors
Registered Horses
Ratings
Racing Reports
Photo Gallery
Results Archive
International Racing Scene
Members Area
Race Planning
Registration Forms
Regulations
Racing Calendars
Online Entry Form
Online Declaration Form
International Racing Calendar
Find a Trainer
Find a Jockey
Long Distance Travel Concession
Information
Area
About ARO
How To Get Involved
Information
Request Form
Area Reps
Horses for Sale
People Profiles
Annual Racing Review
History of Arabian Racing
Breeding
Useful Links
.JPG)
2006 Raceday Previews
3rd
May Taunton
Click here
Nottingham
17th May
Click here
Huntingdon
31st May
Click here
Wolverhampton
8th June
Click here
Fontwell
15th June
Click here
2008 Raceday Reviews
3rd
May Taunton
Click here
17th
May Nottingham
Click here
Huntingdon
31st May
Click here
Wolverhampton
8th June
Click here
Fontwell
15th June
Click here
2008 Single Race
Previews
24th
June Newbury
Click here
2nd
July Kempton
Click here
2008
Single Race Reviews