Newbury, England: Multiple French champion jockey Olivier Peslier lauded Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance’s commitment and support for Purebred Arabian racing after riding a quartet of winners at Newbury Racecourse in the UK on Sunday.
Peslier, a 22-times French champion who has ridden winners in 18 countries around the world, struck a purple patch on a rain-swept Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR), the most prestigious day of racing for Arabian breeds.
The 45-year-old jockey, who has won some of the most prestigious Group 1 contests around the world, including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France (4 times), the Epsom Derby in England, the Breeders’ Cup in America (4) and the Kahayla Classic in Dubai, chose the stage to single out Shaikh Hamdan for praise.
Despite the continuous light showers that drenched the West Berkshire course around 6,000 racing fans attended the meeting, which impressed Peslier.
“It’s always great to ride four winners on a day, but to ride that many here at Newbury on such an important day, is very special,” the French ace told Gulf News.
“Shaikh Hamdan is a massive supporter of Arabian racing and without his support we would not have such a fine race meeting. If Arabian racing should continue to grow, like I believe it will, it will be because of the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan who has always been there for the sport of horse racing.”
Peslier’s four wins of the day came courtesy Tahirwah for Shaikh Hamdan and Al Chammy, Joudh and Nafees for the Royal Cavalry of Oman, who have become a powerhouse stable for Arabians.
Shaikh Hamdan himself celebrated a hat-trick of wins with Taqdeer, No And No Al Maury and Saleemahm at the meeting that he established in 1981 at Kempton Park Racecourse, with the help of the Jockey Club.
Sharing the spotlight with Peslier were the enthusiastic racing team from the Royal Cavalry of Oman, led by the effervescent Brigadier Abdulrazak Al Shahwarz.
“We expected our horses to run well, just like they have all year, but to win all three Group 1 races exceeded our expectations,” said Al Shahwarz. “Shadwell day at Newbury is always important to horse owners as it is such a prestigious event, that has the attention of all Purebred Arabian owners in the world.
“In this context, we are delighted with the results we have achieved. The standard of Arabian racing is growing slowly, but steadily, and it has become very competitive. Not like in years ago. I think, with the support of Shaikh Hamdan, the sport has a brighter future.”
Winning the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes, the feature race of the afternoon, was a particular significance to Al Shahwarz and the boys from Oman, as it was a race that they had won three years in a year with the great Muhannad.
This time the honours were claimed by Nafees, a dual French and UK Derby winner, who finished off the frame in this year’s Dubai Kahayla Classic at Meydan behind the stunning grey Tallaab Al Khalediah, from Saudi Arabia.
The meeting attracted 80 horses from five countries across Europe with top jockeys such as Tadhg O’Shea, Harry Bentley, Sam Hitchcott, Pat Dobbs and Martin Dwyer on duty.
The next Dubai International Arabian Races will be held on this same day, July 29, in 2019, it was confirmed by Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of Shaikh Hamdan’s Office and the driving force behind the organising committee of the Dubai International Arabian Races.
