Number of Purebred Arabian firsts at Newbury and Wolverhampton

The Royal Cavalry of Oman’s busiest weekend of sponsorship with the Arabian Racing Organisation witnessed many of the participants record notable firsts in the sport of Arabian racing.

Awzaan's victory in the Group 3 Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon Stakes at Newbury on Saturday was a first Purebred Arabian Group win for trainer James Owen, for jockey Martin Dwyer and for the sire Al Saoudi.

The Sultanate of Oman Raceday followed at Wolverhampton and was significant as the first UK full Arabian fixture outside of the Dubai International Arabian Races to be open to professional jockeys.

The opener was won by Izenterisky, a first homebred winner for Sheila Collington, wife of trainer Phil. Later on the card amateur Hayley Lewis rode her first ever winner on Jaahez, for Owen, and in the concluding race, professional Dylan Hogan gave the Collington-trained Halib Des Forges a positive ride to record his first win on an Arabian; both were in the silks of ARO patron Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Owen said of Awzaan: “That was a bit of a shock, though we’ve always known Awzaan had ability. He’s grown up a lot this year, he’s handled his races so much better this season. I hope we get to keep him in training next season as I think there are more options for him now.”

He added: “It’s my first ever Group winner, hopefully the first of many. I’m delighted for Martin as well, he’s enjoying riding the Arabians and his feedback is fantastic.”

Firsts and lasts

While the following day at Wolverhampton was an emotional one with the successes of Izenterisky for the Collingtons and Jaahez for Lewis, it was also a final appearance for Syrah Gris in the Taqah Beach Handicap.

Trained by Adam Newey for the Almost All Partnership, after 73 starts he made his last outing a winning one, adding to his five previous victories when getting up to deny My Boy Sam in the final strides.

Lewis was smiling from half a furlong out when recording her first ever win on the maiden Jaahez in the Ras Al Hat Novice Stakes.

She said: “James told me to just let him go and enjoy himself. I’ve been with James for two years and this is my first season race-riding; I’m really grateful for the opportunity, he’s great to work for.”

Genny Haynes, ARO commercial and finance director, said: “It was a wonderful weekend of racing for the Royal Cavalry of Oman, who have been a loyal and generous supporter of UK Arabian racing for over ten years.

"The Clarendon Stakes is the most valuable of all the Royal Cavalry’s race sponsorship with us and took place in front of a near sell-out crowd at Newbury. We were pleased to welcome runners from Belgium and Sweden, proving that Arabian racing in the UK can support international competition and this comes on the back of recent overseas wins by our domestic trainers, James Owen and Phil Collington."

She continued: “The annual Sultanate of Oman Family Raceday at Wolverhampton marked a significant milestone in ARO’s history as it was the first time outside of the DIAR meeting that we have had professional jockeys riding alongside amateurs at an ARO full fixture."

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app