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+ James Owen Racing blog
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Mith'haf Athbah asserts his class at Newbury
This year’s Royal Cavalry of Oman Clarendon Stakes Gr3PA had looked a stronger renewal than in recent years and it proved the case with a win for the top rated horse Mith’haf Athbah. With Shomoos Athbah in second it was a double celebration as both horses were owned and bred by Athbah Stud and trained by Phil Collington. Alazeez completed the places, improving on his fifth placing last year.
Both Mith’haf Athbah and his stablemate Shomoos Athbah were held up behind the ealry pacesetters of Zayin Angkor Centurion and the 2016 winner Kao Kat MHF. As the final furlong approached, each horse went to the outside of the main group, with Mith’haf Athbah on the rail and Shomoos on the far side and the pair readily drew clear. Hoewwever Mith’haf Athbah had the creater acceleration and was most impressive in the manner of his win.
He was ridden by Silvestre de Sousa on this occasion who commented: “He was good. We just took our time, as he was carrying a [Group1PA] penalty. He was the class horse in the race. You have to give all the credit to the trainer, for a horse to win over seven furlongs and then to drop back to five and win on the bridle is a nice performance.”
Athbah Stud Technical Manager Abdul Moniem Ahmed said: “ We were so delighted to see him win today in front of His Royal Highness, as he is one of the best horses we have in training. He didn’t like the ground here on Dubai Day on his previous run, but today it was perfect.”
Collington was delighted with both his horses saying: “ Shomoos is ultra-consistent, she’s won and been placed at this level and was second in this last year too. Pehaps she was a little unlucky going the far side, Tadhg came in and said he should have gone right, instead of left, but over five furlongs, it’s a split second decision.
“Mith’haf is just an amazing horse, he’s won three Group (PA) races at three different grades, over three different trips, at three different coures, for three different jockeys and in two different countries. He’s proving so versatile, he showed a great turn of foot at the end, though obviously he’ll probably step back up in trip next time.”
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Vindetta and Harding - Wathba Stallions winners at Chelmsford City
It was an emotional win for jockey James Harding on Vindetta in the Wathba Stallions Cup Series at Chelmsford City on a day that was dominated by the Phil Collington stable. Harding was adding to his season total of three winners, which have been all gained on horses trained by Adam Newey. Collington is on course for his best ever season and his four wins today, make the chance of a first ARO trainers championship a strong possibility, with the season drawing to a close.
Run over a mile, the Wathba Stallions Handicap Stakes had attracted a field of nine, with course winner Kayclaire sent off as favourite. However last-time-out winner Vindetta, always had the upper-hand, despite losing her early lead, she soon got back into contention with two furlongs to go. Despite briefly being carried wide by the eventual third, Fatinah, she rallied and stayed on under pressure to win by a neck from Kayclaire, who tried valiantly to reel her in, but was never quite going to get there.
Harding was clearly delighted saying: “It was awesome to reward Adam and the Allmost All Partnership, who continue to support me me to the hilt and to land a big prize for them was brilliant, and thank you to Wathba Stallions and to Lara Sawaya for sponsoring the race. It always helps when you have such a willing partner in Vindetta, who responds so well for pressure.”
Harding received his trophy from Lara Sawaya, executive director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, general manager of Wathba Stallions, chairperson of IFHRA and of the Ladies and Apprentice Racing Committees in IFAHR. She spoke of the HH Sheikh Mansoor’s committment to the Arabian horse and was delighted to see so many different owners colours in the Wathba Stallions race.
Watch VINDETTA (Nivadour Cardonne x Viny De Passerat ) win the Wathba Stallions (41-65) Handicap Stakes over 1m at Chelmsford City on August 19
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Trainer Phil Collington had got off to a flying start in the opening race, the Royal Cavalry of Oman Conditions Stakes, with a win for debutant Bodour Athbah ridden by Charlie Price, a first UK Arabian runner for HRH Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Fittingly both she and his third winner, Thamaraat (ridden by Will Pettis) are by Munjiz, who is one of Wathba Stud’s most successful stallions.
Watch BODOUR ATHBAH (Munjiz x Bzeubzeu Al Maury) win the Royal Cavalry of Oman Conditions Stakes over 1m
at Chelmsford City on August 19
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Collington’s other two winners Makhaater and Anfaas, were, like Thamaraat, homebred by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Anfaas led home a notable one-two-three for His Highness, with the placed horses, Emiraaty and Awzaan, trained by James Owen. All three were sired by Shadwell stallions, Anfaas a daughter of No Risk Al Maury, and Emiraaty and Awzaan are by Al Saoudi.
Watch THAMARAAT (Munjiz x Aljawza) win the
UK Arabian Racing at CCR Maiden Stakes over 1m2f at Chelmsford City on August 19
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Speaking of his horses perfomances, Collington said: “The horses have never gone so well round here as they have this afternoon. It was amazing for Bodour Athbah to win first time out for a new owner, she’s been a nice filly at home, but has needed a bit of time. Thamaraat has been knocking on the door all year, she got a nice ride from Will and this was defintely a more suitable trip for her.”
Of Makhaater winning the longest race of the day, the Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap over 1m6f he said: “That was a bit of a surprise, stepping up in trip, but there weren’t many options left for him in the racing calendar and my other runners ran great races in defeat.”
Watch MAKHAATER (No Risk Al Maury x Magie De Faust) win Royal Cavalry of Oman (0-80) Handicap Stakes over 1m6f at Chelmsford City on August 19
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And of his final winner, ridden like Bodour Athbah by Charlie Price he said: “Anfaas, she’s run over her perfect trip of a mile and took to the surface well. The other horses might have been unlucky as it was such a close finish, Emiraaty’s so game, he’s a lovely horse, but she’s just outpointed him close home.”
Watch ANFAAS (No Risk Al Maury x Laqataat) win the Arabian Racing Organisation UK (0-110) Handicap Stakes over 1m at Chelmsford City on August 19
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Those were not Price’s only winners as he also won the second race on Callymay. Trained by Delyth Thomas, the mare had already been placed twice over course and distance this season and was running off a handy mark in first-time cheekpieces. Afterwards, Thomas commented: “She ran very, very well, I’m really pleased with her.”
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Watch CALLYMAY (Dahess x Raada) win the www.aroracing.co.uk (0-55) Handicap Stakes 7f at Chelmsford City on August 19
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The final race of the day was a first win for My Boy Sam, making his handicap debut for trainer James Owen. Heavily backed before the off, they landed the gamble decisively given a pillar-to-post front-running ride by Joanna Mason. Bred by Owen’s mother Jenny, the colt was only having his second start, but made the most of his age allowance and won by a decisive three and a half lengths.
“I’m delighted to get our first winner for the James Owen Racing Club, with My Boy Sam winning the last,” commented Owen. “It was great that many of the members were there to cheer him home and it is what the club is all about.”
Arabian racing returns to Chelmsford City on September 16, with the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Gr1PA) to be run at Royal Windsor racecourse on Monday October 15, supported by a stage of the HH Sheikha Lateefa bint Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Pony Race.
Watch MY BOY SAM (Sambist x CV Tulee) win the UK Arabian Derby Group 1PA (0-40) Handicap 1m2f at Chelmsford City on August 19
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Lightning strikes again in Ostend
On Monday, August 20, at the Wellington racecourse in the Belgian city of Ostend, Dynamites struck again to win the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship race under Belgian Jurico Bogaerts for the owner-trainer combination.
Dynamites finished ahead of El Zarka D.A under P.Karamanos of Cyprus while Adam Benko of Hungary on Storm Trouper finished third. The winning time for the 1,000-metre races was 1:03.55.
And a little later Karin van den Bos saddled the winner for Waterland when Lightning Bolt won the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Group 3 PA race run over 1,800 metres. Lightning Bolt was given a superb ride by jockey Adrien de Vries to complete the double for van den Bos and Waterland.Second in the Euros 35,000 race was Rijm under Falah Bughenaim while the favourite Aoun under Roberto-Carlos Montenegoro finished third. The winning time was 2:11.27.
The third race under the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival banner drew the loudest cheers as young jockeys lined up on their ponies in the Ostend leg of the Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Pony championship race.
[copy and photo supplied by HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival 2018]
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James Owen Racing Update
Based in Newmarket, Suffolk, James rode under ARO rules as a jockey, though it was in Point-to-Points where he flourished, being nine-times East Anglian Champion.
Since retiring from the saddle he has had continued success as a trainer, gaining the ARO Best Newcomer Award in his first season in 2015 and the ARO Trainers Championship in each season since. Follow the yard throughout the year in his monthly column for The Arabian Racehorse.
The James Owen Racing Club have had their first winner with My Boy Sam in the 0-40 handicap at Chelmsford last weekend. It may not have been a group race but it certainly felt like one with the celebrations! We had a great turn out of members at the meeting and it was fantastic that so many of them could be there to witness Sam crossing the finish line in front with his ears pricked. There was even one member who had travelled all the way from Scotland for the meeting! We have had some great feedback from the racing club this year and have plenty of people reserving shares for next year already, so it looks to be a successful venture so far! We will continue to expand this club and are in the process of sourcing some new horses for next season.
Unfortunately things went against us on Dubai Day this year and we just missed out on a winner. Rafeef ran a cracking race to finish second in the 0-90 Emirates Premier Handicap, just getting headed in the closing strides by her half sister Taqdeeraat. As always, Emiraaty ran a solid race to finish second to the impressive No And No Al Maury in the UAE Embassy in London International Stakes. Let’s hope for a bit less rain next year as we will be back fighting!
Alazeez finished a good third in the Royal Cavalry Of Oman Claredon Stakes Grou 3 last Saturday at Newbury. It was nice to see him bounce back to form in a hot race over a trip that is probably too sharp for him. There aren’t many races left for him in the UK this season, so we are looking for opportunities to take him abroad to race over the next couple of months.
Dolfina D'Ibos, who was champion ARO racehorse and mare last season, unfortunately sustained a minor injury in the early part of the season this year and so we had to replace her in the racing club with Karlos Du Cayrou. He has now dropped down to a winnable mark and has been a lot more competitive in recent races, so hopefully we can get a win out of him before the season is up. Dolfina has now been retired from racing and is in foal to Al Tair, who is a multiple group winner and stands in France. This will be our first Arabian that we have bred and we are looking forward to the new adventure.
Shares for The James Owen Racing Club can now be reserved for next season, so please get in touch if you would like to secure your space.
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Rajeh back on top in Deauville
There was dual Group 1PA action in France on Saturday August 11 with Rajeh and Rodess Du Loup renewing their rivalry in the Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) over 2000m at Deauville (pictured (C) Noelle Derre). This was the first time the four-year old colts had come up against older horses and they made their age allowance tell, filling the first three placings home, as Taymour, a Gr3PA winner at La Teste (also four), was third.
Motrag, like Rajeh, a winner of Saint-Cloud’s Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1PA) as a juvenile, cut out the early pace, with Rajeh and Taymour at the rear of the field. Rodess Du Loup, who had come out on top at Chantilly in the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes (Gr1PA) was settled mid-field and was soon tracking Motrag, in company with Derby third, Hajres, and the five-year-old Shahm.
In the straight, with 200m to go, they fanned out across the course and with nearly all eight runners in a line it was Rodess Du Loup that asserted, though he was unable to hold off the late challenge of Rajeh. There was only three quarters of a length between them at the finish, and the same distance between Rodess Du Loup and Taymour, suggesting that this seasons’ classic crop of colts are quite closely matched.
Rajeh is now a dual Group 1 PA winner, and has only finished out of the frame once, when he was fourth in the Derby to Rodess Du Loup. It is interesting to note that trainer Charles Gourdain attributed Rodess Du Loup’s improvement in that race to removing the blinkers he had worn on his previous start, whilst Rajeh wore headgear for the first time to win at Deauville.
Talking to Jour De Galop after the race his trainer Francois Rohaut said that they had been disappointed with his run in the French Derby, but reviewing the film, saw that the horse was a little mischievous in the race and needed to focus on his work. He was not certain that Rajeh would go to the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA), as his owner HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, has a lot of good horses, and maybe it would be best to wait until next year as he is only four years old. However he could go to the Prix Dragon (Gr1PA) on Arc Trials day on September 16 and then they would make a decision.
Should Rajeh come to the UK instead, he and Rodess Du Loup could meet again in the President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) (Gr1PA) at Doncaster on September 15, as both featured in the list of entries published this week.
That Rodess Du Loup will head to Doncaster was confimed by Gourdain saying: “ This race served as a preparation for the Derby at Doncaster. I am happy with him, perhaps the ground was not to his advantage [today]. His jockey told me he was a little flat in the turn, but overall he has had a good run.”
Watch RAJEH (Jaafer ASF x Nelka) win the Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) Gr1PA over 1m2f at Deauville on August 11
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Also on the Deauville card was the Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) (Gr1PA) also over 2000m but confined to three-year-olds. There were only five runners which included Prix Tidjani (Gr3PA) winner Fettah Du Loup, the unbeaten Chantilly Gr2PA winner Deryan and Marid, a winner on his debut, though third to Deryan at Chantilly.
The only filly, Mashael, led the field in indian file for most of the race, with Marid restrained in second. Though Marid laid down his challenge around the 400m mark, Mashael held on gamely under strong pressure, only losing her position in the dying strides to the colts. Marid took the spoils, winning by a neck to Deryan, with the fast finishing Fettah Du Loup three quarters of a length back in third. Mashael was only a short head behind and must be a contender for the three-year-old fillies Gr1PA contest at Saint-Cloud in October, whilst Badi Al Cham was beaten a nose in fifth.
This was a first Group win for the Antoine de Watrigant trained Marid, and a first Group 1PA winner for his second season sire, TM Fred Texas, winner of the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA). Marid is a half brother to stablemate Yazeed (by Munjiz), who won a Gr2PA contest in Doha and who was second in both the Prix Dragon and the Qatar World Cup last year. Their dam, the exceptional racemare Al Dahma, won 25 races in France, Germany, Qatar, Turkey, UAE and the UK, like her sons, she raced in the colours of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Kahlifa Al Thani.
Watch MARID (TM Fred Texas x Al Dahma) win the Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) Gr1PA over 1m2f at Deauville on August 11
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Quick Sand AA scoops Delaware Classic
Joe and Betty Gillis's Quick Sand AA maintained his unbeaten record this year with a win the Delaware Park Arabian Classic Handicap (Grade 1 PA) over 1m2f on August 18. He faced a determined challenge from his stablemate Quick And Rich with Thess Is Awesome in third. Horse of the Year Paddys Day, was never a threat and finished a disappointing last of nine.
Trained by Jerenesto Torrez, the five-year-old son of Burning Sand won his first Grade 1 PA on his seasonal reappearance when taking the 100 Years Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Stakes at Sam Houston (pictured (C) HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival), before following up in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Darley Awards Stakes, also a Grade 1 PA at Santa Anita. Taking a break, his next outing was when winning an allowance race at Delaware at the end of July, which clearly put him spot on for a win in this $50,000 contest.
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Turkey's International Festival
A reminder that Veliefendi Racecourse in Istanbul issued a notice last month that due to an outbreak of Glanders this year's International races that were due to be run on 1st and of 2nd September will now only be run as domestic races and will
NOT
be open for overseas horses. They are hoping that everything will be back in place for 2019.
The fixture includes the Group 1 PA Malazgirt Trophy run over a mile on Turf, won last year by Muraaqib and the Group 2 PA International IFAHR Trophy run over 2100m on Dirt, won last year by Handassa
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Debbie Burt
VINDETTA (2009 Nivadour Cardonne x Viny De Passerat) and James Harding win the Royal Cavalry of Oman Amateur Riders Handicap from Conquer and Joanna Mason at Chepstow on August 8
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