Prep events raise expectations for Dubai International Arabian Races

Duindigt, Holland: The prep races for this year’s Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), the flagship event for Purebred Arabians at Newbury, have identified some exciting prospects for the July 26 showpiece.

Samima, owned by the Royal Cavalry Club of Oman and trained by Karen Van der Bos, won the Dubai International Arabian Races Stakes (Listed PA). The winner was ridden confidently by Jadey Pietrasiewicz.

Ten runners contested the 1,800 metre event, which carried a purse of €26,500 (Dh107,267). Vulcain Du Clos, trained by the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Al Hadhrami finished second and Badi, representing trainer C.J.M. Wolters, was third.

The nine-runner Shadwell Arabian Stallion Stakes (Listed PA) was won by Handassa, in the colours of DIAR patron Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Run over a distance of 2,150 metres, the four-year-old-plus contest was worth €20,000. Paramour T was the runner-up and Hurra the third-placed finisher.

Bulus Al Azuiz won the No Risk Al Maury Stakes (International Race) from Fareedha, with Choumouk Qardabiyah taking third position.

Richard Lancaster, Stud Director at Shadwell, the breeding operation of Shaikh Hamdan that supported the event, distributed the prizes to the winners.

The Holland race meeting continues on the 11th edition of the DIAR at the Capannelle Racecourse in Rome.

Lancaster said earlier: “We are delighted to be sponsoring races in The Netherlands for the first time in 2015 with DIAR.”