Dubai International Arabian Races 2020 Cancelled

The 2020 renewal of the Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) at Newbury will not take place, it was announced today, however, the fixture will return for 2021.

With a large proportion of the Arabian racing season already lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, a decision has been taken not to stage this year’s event with the DIAR committee, Shadwell team and the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) focusing instead, on delivering the event next year.

The decision comes on the back of DIAR preparation races in Holland, Italy and Sweden all being lost earlier in the year.

However, the Goodwood Festival was able to go ahead last week, being the first large scale horse racing event to take place in front of a crowd for 2020, since the coronavirus pandemic. The racing fixture plays host to a race that forms part of the Arabian racing’s Doha Triple Crown which comprises of three Group 1PA contests over a mile, a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.

Richard Lancaster, Shadwell Stud director, said:

Having given it plenty of thought, it has been decided not to stage DIAR Day at Newbury this year. It is a great pity because Newbury is the flagship event of our sport and stages arguably the best day of Arabian racing anywhere in the world.

However, the public are a huge element of the day and with ongoing uncertainty surrounding covid and the strong likelihood of no crowds, we felt it was the right decision. We are already looking ahead to planning next year’s event.”

ARO chairman, Charles Gregson, added:

Naturally we are hugely disappointed DIAR Day will not take place this year. It’s importance to Arabian racing, both for the domestic and the international competitors cannot be under-estimated, it is a great loss to the sport. However, these are unprecedented times and we understand the reasons behind the decision.

ARO remains committed to working with the DIAR committee and the Shadwell team to welcome back our participants and the crowds for 2021.”