Sport | Horse Racing
Arabian racing set for UK boost
Purebred Arabian racing is set to receive a major boost in UK following Sunday's 26th running of the Dubai International Arabian Race Day at Newbury racecourse.
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Sports Editor
- Published: 00:06 July 18, 2008
- Image Credit: P.K. Majed
- The Newbury Racecourse in England will host the 26th running of the Dubai International Arabian Race Day, the highlight of the Purebred Arabian racing calendar, on Sunday.
Newbury: Purebred Arabian racing is set to receive a major boost in England following Sunday's 26th running of the Dubai International Arabian Race Day at Newbury racecourse, the highlight of the Purebred Arabian racing calendar.
Mirza Al Sayegh, chairman DIARD organising committee, told Gulf News: "This meeting will be a landmark year for Purebred Arabian racing in the United Kingdom.
"The sport has come a long way since it was first introduced to British racegoers 25 years ago and after some scepticism it has now caught their attention.
"It has taken a while but I believe that Purebred Arabian racing in the UK is set to take off and I believe that it has a brighter future."
Al Sayegh said that only one person can take the credit for promoting and developing the sport in the country and that person was Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
"Shaikh Hamdan's role in taking Purebred Arabian racing to greater heights cannot be measured," said Al Sayegh, who is also Director of Shaikh Hamdan's office.
"He has be en the driving force. He conceptualised the Dubai International Arabian Race Day as a championship event for the breed 25 years ago and has been constantly innovating and planning to ensure that it captures the attention of race goers in the country.
Not taken seriously
"Years ago Arab horses were not taken seriously, and not even considered to be capable race horses. Today the scenario has changed dramatically.
"Professional jockeys have been cleared by the Jockey Club to ride in Arabian races, there are more trainers showing interest in the breed and there has been a significant increase in the number of Purebred Arabian owners," said Al Sayegh.
Shaikh Hamdan is one of the world's leading owners of Arabian horses. Through his support Purebred Arabian racing has now reached a wider audience.
Sunday's racing will also break new ground when TURFTV, the new television service for betting shops in the UK will broadcast the Dubai International Arabian Race Day at Newbury live into thousands of businesses across the country. Earlier last week Philip Brannan, Managing Director of Sportsguide Ltd, promoters of the event since 2003 said: "This deal is further industry recognition of the growing profile Arabian Racing in the UK.
"It is testament to Shaikh Hamdan's vision of using key events, such as this, to raise the profile Arabian Racing within the wider sporting community.
"Back in 2003 there was no TV coverage and media interest was minimal. Just five years on the meeting has full programming on Racing UK and will now have the opportunity to engage a completely new audience."
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