Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, won an unprecedented 16th ARO (Arabian Racing Organisaton) Owners’ Champion honours as the curtains came down on the Purebred Arabian racing season in Britain on Saturday.
Shaikh Hamdan, who is the chief patron of the ARO, officially the Arabian Racing Organisaton and sole racing authority for Purebred Arabian racing in the UK, also ended another successful season on a high note with three winners at the finale at Huntingdon Racecourse.
The fixture was dominated by Shaikh Hamdan’s principal Arabian trainer James Owen, who rounded off his most successful year yet by winning the first four races on the card with Insignia, Mahaasen, Dolfina D’Ibos and Tatbeeq. Owen had already been confirmed as ARO Champion Trainer for a second season going into the fixture.
This year’s Jockeys’ Championship went to David Turner, whilst Ellie Mackenzie was crowned Champion Novice Jockey.
Shaikh Hamdan’s three wins were delivered by Mahaasen, Tatbeeq and Almareekh.
Commenting on Shaikh Hamdan’s success, Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster said: “It is wonderful that Shaikh Hamdan has once again become leading owner. He is passionate about the Arabian horse and he puts so much into promoting Arabian racing around the world.”
Owen was delighted with his team’s performance: “I’m so pleased for my parents who bred Insignia, he’ll probably be retired, but they have really enjoyed racing this season and have some nice youngsters coming through for next year. I think Mahaasen was lucky as Taqdeeraat got left at the start, but she had the benefit of experience to help her. Tatbeeq has been slowly coming to hand, he really tried today and he should improve over the winter. Dolfina D’Ibos has run for me almost every meeting, but she has strengthened throughout the season and Simon gets on really well with her. She’s sound and she’s tough — she’s won on the All Weather, she’s won on the grass, she’s given some of our novice jockeys a great experience and ended up as Champion Arabian and Champion mare.”
ARO Champion Lady Jockey, Joanna Mason, was also recording her second consecutive championship.
She thanked Owen for his support saying: “It’s thanks to him that I’ve been able to ride nice horses. It’s amazing to get 10 winners, I would never have dreamt that was possible at the start of the season.”
Though he had to settle for a third and a second on the day, David Turner secured his first ARO Jockeys’ title and is not far short of recording a landmark of 100 career winners. He commented: “It’s been a very good season thanks to all of Peter Hammersley’s owners and of course the Royal Cavalry of Oman. I’ve always been thereabouts in the Championship over the years, and mostly this season, I’ve ridden the lower rated horses, which proves you can win a title from the lower end. However, some have been really nice horses who I’m sure will progress next year.”
