Arabian Racing Organisation thrilled with overseas interest in key Newbury event

The Arabian Racing Organisation has expressed its delight at the increase in international entries for the four Purebred Arabian Group contests on the Dubai International Arabian Races card at Newbury on July 28.

The afternoon promotes Purebred Arabian racing worldwide and is organised under the patronage of Hamdan Al Maktoum.

The 46 entries – up on last year's 41 – included 29 international horses that have not been previously registered to run with the ARO. Including the UK-based horses, 84 entries were received for the four Group races in all.

The ARO and DIAR committee was very keen to achieve an increase in international entries and attributes their success to the DIAR prep series and bonus scheme, as well as travel incentives for overseas runners.

Of the six DIAR prep races held so far, in Italy, Sweden and the UK, five winners, Avez De Pine, Bayan, Cleopathre, Kanaan and Kao Kat MHF, have all been entered for Newbury. It is possible the sixth prep-race winner, Assuan, may head to the international conditions race, although entries for that contest are still open at this stage.

There are 19 individual Group or Listed Purebred Arabian winners entered, notably 2015 Shadwell Dubai International Stakes winner Gazwan, who has amassed almost £7 million in prize-money – before the Gold Cup at Ascot on Thursday, Stradivarius's earnings stood at £2,707,481, to lend Gazwan's haul some perspective - and was the joint top-rated colt of 2018 in the International Classifications.

The entries also include Hayyan and Kanaan, first and third in last Sunday’s French Purebred Arabian Derby, and the 2018 French and English Derby winner Rodess Du Loup.

Hamdan Al Maktoum: driving force behind the Newbury meetingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Genny Haynes, ARO commercial and finance director, said: “We welcome the continued support of HH Sheikh Hamdan for our flagship event, which promotes Purebred Arabian racing worldwide from the grassroots to the highest level.

"It is clear from the increase in international entries that the DIAR prep series continues to gain momentum and that the appetite for top quality international Arabian racing remains strong across Europe.”

ARO was also delighted to announce an additional award, that of DIAR Leading Trainer, which will be sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds. This new initiative will run across the eight DIAR races at Newbury next month, with points awarded down to sixth place in each race. The trainer amassing the most points will win £1,000.

Haynes added: “We also embrace the addition of the Baileys Leading Trainer Award, which adds another dimension of competition to this event and we thank Baileys for their sponsorship.”

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