Dubai: Shadwell made a triumhant return to Italy to sponsor an entire day’s racing at Rome’s Capannelle Racecourse and were rewarded with some high quality racing watched by a large crowd of racegoers.
History was made when two Purebred Arabian races, held under the banner of the Dubai International Arabian Races, become the first ever IFAHR (International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing) approved stakes races to be run in Italy.
The featured Premio Dubai International Arabian Races 2016, a Listed event run over 1900 metres, was won in emphatic fashion by Vulcain Du Clos, while Urge Do Gallura landed the Premio Shadwell Arabian Stallions Stakes.
The Premio Dubai attracted 15 runners including international raiders from France and Holland. However, Vulcain Du Clos, a well-bred son of Monsieur Al Maury, proved that his rivals were simply no match, with the much-campaigned Ahlete Del Sol finishing seven lengths behind for Darley Award-winning trainer Karin van den Bos. Toronado Bycucchele was third.
All three horses will be eligible to compete at Newbury for the DIAR Bonus Fund of 2016.
Speaking on behalf of the winning owners, the Royal Cavalry of Oman, Chloe Marchandet of the FBA, said: “We are very happy with this win. It is his first race of the season since his second place in Casablanca at the end of last year.
“His programme is aimed at international races and we hope he will return to Dubai International Arabian Race Day (DIARD) at Newbury on July 24 where he won the Emirates NBD Conditions Stakes in 2015.”
The addition of the IFAHR races to the programme of races on ‘Dubai Day’ was a result of the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and the hard work of the Ministry of Agriculture in Italy and the National Agency of Arabian Horses in Italy (ANICA) and the Italian Racing and Endurance Arabian Horse Association (IREAHA).
Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of Shaikh Hamdan’s Office, Shadwell Chairman and Head of the Organising Committee, hailed the Dubai Day as another success story.
“The Dubai International Arabian Horse races at Capannelle Racecourse enjoys a special status and reputation on the rich calendar of horse races in Italy and has become one of the most anticipated and high profile events held at this historic racecourse.
“We pay great attention to this race meeting as it carries the name of Dubai and the UAE and receives substantial support from Shaikh Hamdan through his Shadwell Stables and their partners, Emirates Airline and Jebel Ali Racecourse.”
An ANICA representative said: “We are very pleased to have our first Listed PA race in Italy and we would like to thank Shaikh Hamdan and the Dubai International Arabian Races for supporting Arabian racing in Italy for the last five years.
“This is a great start for our international development and we hope to build on today’s success.”
To celebrate the first Listed IFAHR Purebred Arabian race run in Italy, Shadwell held a prize draw among the Italian owners and breeders for a free nomination to their prestigious stallion Madjani.
The winner was G Floris, the owner of Tabasco, who contested the Listed contest.
All other entrants in the draw have been offered free nominations to Jiyush and Eau Royal, as a gesture from Shadwell Arabian Stallions to support the breeding of Arabian horses in Italy.
Shadwell and its partners have been supporting Thoroughbred racing in Italy for over 15 years. The partnership is of great importance as Shadwell stand two Thoroughbred stallions at Allevemento Besnate.
Mujahid is a multiple champion sire in Italy and the sire of Cleo Fan, the last winner of the Premio Presedente della Republica.
Arcano is standing his first season in Italy and proving popular with breeders.
