Three-year-old chestnut filly Salaamah FR struts her stuff in Newbury Racecourse's
Winner's Circle after winning the Emirates Equestrian Federation International
Stakes (Group 2) for owner Sheikh Monsoor Bin Zayed.   Photo Racing International

A record of over 16,000 enthusiastic racegoers attended the Dubai International Arabian Race Day at Newbury Racecourse July 18 in perfect weather.

Dubai Summer Festival organisers provided wonderful carnival-type play facilities for children of every age and extensive food and beverage selections for the happy, relaxed crowd. 

It was an informal raceday with many forming picnic groups in front of the stands as they did at Dubai's old Nad Al Sheba racecourse.

Many are repeat guests who know the Arabian horses well and availed themselves of the Tote betting windows for a record turnover.

Missing this year was the sponsors' corporate marquee and the Arab skin painting specialists who served delicious Middle Eastern coffee to their 'free' clients.

The 'Colourful Camels' and 'Horses', designed by children at nine local schools was one of the most popular attractions of the day followed by the 'Best Dressed Ladies' and 'Best Child's Hat'.

Every attendee had a chance to win the Toyota and other prizes awarded after each of the eight Arabian races. 

The races themselves were of the first order with a quality card equal to any at Ascot or Newmarket.  The horses race under Rules.  The only difference from predominant UK racing is that the horses are Arabians not thoroughbred.

The Darley and Godolphin Arabians were the orginal horses bred to create the modern thoroughbred.

Arabian horses start racing at three as they mature later than thoroughbreds.  They tend to be smaller than thoroughbreds and are not quite as fast, but are probably smarter.  They certainly have more character and are more independent than most thoroughbreds.
 
Despite first-class entires from all over Europe and the Middle East, British trainers won six of the eight races with French trainers winning both Group sprints (photo of Salaamah above).


The Emirates Airline Premier Handicap Stakes was won by Jamaahir (Makzan FR) by a neck to Dakaran (Kamah UY) in a killer jockey battle with popular Sarah Doyle prevailing over Rachel Kneller.

Welsh owner-trainer Delyth Thomas was thrilled saying "He's such a lovely horse and tries so hard.  I can't quite believe he's won, but I think it would have broken my heart if he had been second yet again; it's a dream come true to win here and Sophie rode a superb race."

Jamaahir was bred by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd owned by DIARD's Patron Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.


The Meydan International Stakes produced the first of trainer Julian Smart's two victories with jockey Alan Munro.

Smart regularly trains Arabians for Qatar's HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani and campaigns them worldwide.

Six-year-old grey Mu'azzaz (Amer) seemed to tire in the final stages of the 1m 2f race, but was galvanised by Munro to win by 2-1/4 lengths.


The Emirates NBD Hatta International Stakes (Group 1 PA) brought the first Group 1 success for Nokomys' breeder Jane Haddock.

Trainer William Smith was happy to share the spotlight with Ms Haddock for what was probably the most popular victory of the day.

Owner HRH Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Ahmed Al Saud was so confident he attended the race and accepted the trophy himself for his Athbah Stud Limited.

Nokomys (Amer) is very well known and loved in Britain.  It seemed that almost everyone there wanted her to win.

The plucky mare had the 1m 2f race in hand and was overtaken by Al Anqa (Amer).    

There were gasps and the strangest feeling came over the stands.   As if we were of one mind, the crowd willed her to fight back and willed her home to her success.



Plucky eight-year-old Nakomys with her proud British trainer William Smith, jockey
Sam Walker and breeder Jane Haddock.                     Photo Racing International 


HRH Prince Abdu Aziz Bin Ahmed Al Saud of Saudi Arabia accepted victory for his
Nokomys with Gary Dugan, Sulaiman Al Mazroui and Saif Al Mansoor (left to right).



The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Group 1 PA), second Group 1 of the day, was won by another smashing grey Jaafer (Amer) trained by Julian Smart and ridden by Alan Munro.

The handsome six-year old demonstrated his extraordinary turn of foot to stalk and devastate the second and third, Adjinn D'Aroco and Jalab Al Khalidiah, by three lengths in the 1m 2f race.

This is a horse with great style and charisma who impressed me at the Dubai World Cup day when he won the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1).  



Jaafer takes his winning lap round the Dubai World Cup paddock after winning the
Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic 2010.                        Photo Racing International