Newbury, England: Mirza Al Sayegh, Director to the office of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, has his task cut out — that of realising the vision of one of the world’s most highly respected racehorse owner-breeders.
One of his most challenging tasks, among many others, is to help promote Shaikh Hamdan’s passion for Purebred Arabian racing globally. The scale on which he operates is daunting, but with the help of a dedicated and professional organising team, he has succeeded on most levels.
Come Sunday, the UK’s century-old racecourse at Newbury will play host to the Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), one of the oldest and most prestigious race meetings for the Purebred Arabian in the world.
Conceptualised and supported by Shaikh Hamdan, the DIAR will be celebrating 36 glorious years since its humble beginnings at Kempton Park racecourse in 1982.
During that time Purebred Arabian racing was virtually unheard of in the UK and as a result was struggling to find a home from where it can project to the world the beauty and ability of the breed. It received a massive boost in 2003 when Newbury, for long regarded as one of the top ten racecourses in the UK, agreed to stage a six-race meeting dedicated to the Arabian racehorse.
The seed was sown and Newbury became a permanent home for the event which has now grown to a level where it is recognised as the greatest race meeting for the Arabian. Testament to that can be gauged by the number of international owners, trainers and jockeys who mark their calendar for the event.
With record-prize money topping £193,000, free admission, 10,000 give-aways and a host of activities to entertain the family, Arabian racing’s flagship event looks set for another memorable day.
The prize money is up by £13,000 on last year with the Group 2 Emirates Equestrian Federation International Stakes now worth £25,000, and the featured Group 1 Shadwell Dubai International Stakes offering £58,000.
Dubai is well known for its hospitality and the DIAR reaches out to all and sundry who turn up at Newbury with special prizes for the best dressed lady, best children’s hat among the many on offer.
In addition, racegoers can win a Citreon and a holiday to Dubai.
One of the star attractions targets school children in the Newbury area with the annual Arabian Rainbow painting competition. Fourteen local schools will be participating in the competition, which has rewarded winners with over £90,000 since its introduction in 2009.
Shaikh Hamdan is a keen supporter of youth and has personally been involved with the competition which challenges students to paint life-size sculptures of Arabian horses with their own design reflecting Anglo-Arabic culture.
No one is looking forward to the event more than Al Sayegh and his team of Abdulla Al Ansari, Masoud Saleh and Mohammad Taha, as the DIAR, the jewel in the crown of Arabian racing continues to shine on Newbury, the UK and the world, on Sunday.
