London, England: Purebred Arabian racing is set to receive a significant boost by one of its biggest patrons who revealed plans to introduce a new series of top tier races aimed at revitalising the sport.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who has been supporting Arabian racing for more than three decades, has proposed to stage three championship events in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which will help raise the profile and status of the breed.

Speaking to journalists during a rare open-house session at Warren Lodge in Surrey, England, Shaikh Hamdan said: “The Jockey Club still judges Purebred Arabian racing to be an amateur sport which has had a huge impact on the sport’s growth in the UK and Europe in particular.

“By not giving professional thoroughbred trainers the licence to also train Arabians it has prevented the sport from developing further. It also puts limitations on the prize money allocated to Arabian races in the UK, which is another factor that has held back any potential progression.

“I think the Arab countries who support Arabian racing need to join hands and cooperate towards changing the perception people have of the sport,” he added.

“One way of doing this is to have a three-race international champion series in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Horses who finish in the top three positions in major races around the UK and Europe will qualify for the series, which will then be contested by the best horses.”

Shaikh Hamdan, who earlier this month was honoured with a Special Merit Award during the annual Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) Awards, said that winning races was more important to him than receiving an accolade.

“While it is important to get the recognition as an owner and breeder my goal is to buy the right horse and breed the best horses,” he said. “It is more important to get this right, and to find the right races for them to compete in. You don’t just bring any horse to a race you bring a horse that you are confident has the chance to win, or finish in the top three places.

“There are over 15,000 thoroughbreds being trained in the UK by around 500 trainers, so it is a very competitive business. To finish in the top ten is a big achievement and I can proudly say that we, have always been in the top ten. That is very satisfying.”

Shaikh Hamdan was also referring to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whose breeding arm, Darley, also won the top award for leading British-based Flat Breeder at the TBA awards.

He also urged more horse owners in the UK to get involved in Purebred Arabian.

“At this point of time most of the owners of Arabians are Arabs, without our interest the sport will collapse,” he said. “I would like to see more British and European owners buying Arabians as they are very interesting horses to own and race.

“This will help to expand the sport and bring more awareness. We don’t want it to be only a sport for Arab owners, the Arabian is a magnificent animal and worthy of more recognition around the world.”