02.12.2019

ARABIAN RACING RETURNS TO ASCOT IN 2020 WITH A NEW RACE SPONSORED BY SHADWELL STUD

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is thrilled that plans to stage a new race for Purebred Arabians at Ascot have been approved by the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Pattern Committee. The £ 15,000 Listed and Shadwell Stud sponsored PA race will be run over a mile at the historic Berkshire track on May 8^th,, 2020.

It’s been almost ten years since PA horses last made an appearance at Ascot when the French filly Kiss de Ghazal stormed home by an impressive seven lengths in the President of the UAE Cup - UK Arabian Derby (Gr1 PA) in 2011.

Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster said: “We’re delighted to be staging an Arabian race at Ascot. We would also like to congratulate the team at Ascot for facilitating the race on one of their thoroughbred cards. This is an important time for Arabian racing and, to stage a race at Ascot, is a great way of raising the profile of a sport which is incredibly important to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.”

Genny Haynes, the Commercial and Finance Director of ARO, commented: “Naturally, we are very excited to be returning to Ascot. The race will be open to international competition, and we are still consulting with Ascot, Shadwell and the British Horseracing Authority as regards finalising the details. Once this has been completed, we will publish the race conditions. Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum is our most generous patron and he recently won the ARO Owners’ Championship for the 18^th time after another successful season. His continued support of our programme, not just through race sponsorship, also extends to his horses, trainers and stallions. This is integral to our success, from the grassroots to the highest level. His decision to increase his sponsorship via this race, and at one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious racing venues, further enhances the status and reputation of UK Arabian racing. Last season saw a significant increase in runners from overseas in our pattern races, which shows that the appetite for top class Purebred Arabian racing around the world continues to grow. We look forward to building upon this achievement in 2020.”