This is fantastic news – I just had to share. Congratulations to all concerned.

C-H-G MEDIA RELEASE ARABIAN HORSES TO RACE AT CAULFIELD

MEDIA RELEASE
ARABIAN HORSES TO RACE AT CAULFIELD

Shadwell Arabian Mile – Caulfield Racecourse – April 9 Anniversary Vase Meeting.
Racegoers at Caulfield Racecourse will be thrilled by a different kind of race on April 9 when a field of purebred Arabian horses compete in the Shadwell Arabian Mile sponsored by one of the world’s most successful horse breeders.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai & Minister of Finance, has generously provided sponsorship for the day’s racing including the prize money for the Arabian horse race of $20,000 as an incentive to kick start the sport in this country. The Shadwell Arabian Mile will be run between races 4 and 5 of the Melbourne Racing Clubs Anniversary Vase meeting at Caulfield Racecourse.

This race was to have been held in February but due to scratchings from flood stricken Queensland and Victoria and ironically, the subsequent inundation of Caulfield racecourse during the Victorian deluge, it has been rescheduled for April.

Sheikh Hamdan is committed to establishing Arabian racing worldwide. Last year His Highness sponsored races in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Both Sheikh Hamdan and his brother Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum own a number of high profile Thoroughbred studs, amongst the most famous in the world are Shadwell UK, Derrinstown Ireland, Shadwell Farm USA and Darley. These breeding and training operations located in the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and the United Arab Emirates also include Arabian racing and endurance horses.

Mr Mirza Al Sayegh, Investment Director of HH Sheikh Hamdan, will be representing Sheikh Hamdan and Shadwell at the event with a leading nine member delegation. Sheikh Hamdan is proud to be assisting with this event and he recalls his marvelous wins in Melbourne over the years by At Talaq (1986) and Jeune (1994). Other wins include Tawqeet (2006), Rewaaya (2005 and 2006), Nadeem (2006) and Reaan (2008).

The Arab people have a special affinity with their ‘national’ horse – the purebred Arabian – the oldest pure breed in the world, from whom all Thoroughbreds are descended. The Arabian horse’s beauty belies its toughness and stamina. This makes them the breed of choice for the demanding sport of endurance long distance racing, now an international discipline in which the Arab nations have become dominant.

The April 9 Shadwell Arabian Mile will be a comeback for Arabian racing in Australia. The National Arabian Racehorse Association (NARA) is confident that it will be the first of regular races to be run in all States.
A strong field of at least 12 starters will line up for the Shadwell Arabian Mile and with nominations already in from NSW, ACT, Queensland and Victoria the race is sure to provide an exciting finish.

The race meeting will also be a showcase for the United Arab Emirates with promotional marquees displaying tourism attractions, Arab culture and food. Distinguished guests from the UAE will attend a luncheon together with the UAE Ambassador, the Victorian Premier and the Minister for Racing.

The UAE Embassy and NARA see this as a wonderful opportunity to use the Arabian horse as an ‘equine ambassador’ to further diplomatic relations and promote tourism between Australia and the UAE.

Enquiries regarding race nominations should be directed to NARA (03)5429 6985 or email  naraaustralia@hotkey.net.au