Dubai: Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide, Australia will have the honour of hosting the opening races of the 2016 Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) to complement Shadwell Stud Australasia’s sponsorship of a full card of Thoroughbred racing.
The two Arabian races, in association with the National Arabian Racehorse Association of Australia (NARA), will be staged as part of a full day of thoroughbred racing sponsored by Shadwell Stud Australasia, which is celebrating 30 years of success in Australia.
The story started when At Talaq, sporting the colours of Shadwell-owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, won the 1986 Melbourne Cup.
“The family-friendly event is a platform to promote the sport of Arabian horse racing in South Australia and showcase Middle Eastern culture, and it promises to be an exciting lead-up event to Adelaide’s premier racing event - the 2016 UBET Adelaide Cup on March 14,” said South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) Chief Executive Officer, Brenton Wilkinson.
“The event is a great way to acknowledge the long-standing relationship between Shadwell and the Hayes family, both who have played such an important part of Thoroughbred racing in South Australia over the last 30 years.”
The Arabian horse races have been made possible through the support of the DIAR programme whose patron is Shaikh Hamdan, one of the pioneers in bringing European bred Thoroughbreds to race successfully in Australia.
“The Arabian horse racing industry is small but growing in Australia, with many drawn to the athleticism of the horses, as well as the excitement of the racing,” Wilkinson said.
“Arabian horses are generally smaller than Thoroughbreds, but can carry large weights and have gentle temperaments, opening the door for a broader range of people to get involved in the sport as jockeys.”
Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of Shaikh Hamdan’s office, commended the commitment of Shaikh Hamdan to promote Arabian racing all over the world.
“Shaikh Hamdan knows what it takes to develop Arabian racing in to a flourishing industry in Australia. And with the willingness and keen support we felt today from the officials of South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC), I would say, it’s very much possible and we are glad to assist in achieving this goal,” he said.
“I vividly recall that Arab racing started here six years ago with a minor but historical event held at Melbourne and fittingly sponsored by Shaikh Hamdan, who went on to sponsor a similar event in Gold Coast for many years, and today here in Adelaide.
“Despite what we could envisage as difficult obstacles in the way, I believe that Arabian racing has come a long way. Thanks to the efforts of NARA, Maureen & Virginia who are with us today. Without their dedication and commitment, I wouldn’t have been standing in front of you here today,” Al Sayegh added, “I would like to assure you all that, Shadwell stud, which has been promoting TB racing industry here for the past 30 years, will again lend their support to Arabian racing for 30 more years to come, and beyond”.
Mark Kelly, Director of Shadwell Stud Australasia, reiterated the significance of Shadwell’s support of the race day in South Australia and their connection with the DIAR programme.
“We are excited that the connection between Shadwell Stud Australasia and South Australia can be further developed through the sponsorship of a card of Thoroughbred racing in the lead up to the Adelaide Cup,” Kelly said.
“We have invested heavily in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in South Australia for 30 years and this is a great opportunity to commemorate our significant achievements during that time.
“All the Thoroughbred races on Saturday will be named after horses that have won Group One races in Australia in the famous nominated colours of Shaikh Hamdan.
“It fits really nicely that Sheikh Hamdan is also the patron of DIAR and that this event provides the opportunity to educate more people about the Arabian breed, the sport of Arabian horse racing and the Arabic culture which underpins it,” said Wilkinson.
An all-South Australian jockey line-up will feature in the Arabian races showcased by the Shadwell Arabian Stallions Plate valued at $30,000 (Dh110,194) and the UAE Arabian Plate worth $20,000.
Community projects
In the lead-up to the March race meet, Adelaide primary schools have been involved in an exciting community art project called ‘The Arabian Rainbow Competition’. The competition allows students to paint a life-sized fibre glass sculpture of an Arabian horse.
It is hoped the project will provide school children to learn more about the Arabic culture while nurturing their creative and artistic instincts.
The finished sculptures will be display at Morpettville Racecourse on Saturday and will be judged by the committee of the DIAR, led by Al Sayegh.
The winning school will receive a cash prize of $3000, and there will be $2000 for second place and $1500 for third.
