Emirates Breeders Novice Stakes Attracts Strong Field

The Emirates Breeders Novice Stakes to be run at Wolverhampton today (Thursday 22 October) has attracted a strong field of nine runners. The race which looks particularly competitive features the third, fourth and fifth from the UK Arabian Derby, and will be run over a trip just short of the Derby 1m2f distance.

Heading the field is Alameen, who had gone into the Derby race on the back of a promising win in Belgium, though his trainer James Owen felt the race at Doncaster didn’t play to his horses’ strengths and could be discounted. He will be partnered by his regular rider at home, Alex Chadwick who is able to claim his amateur’s allowance of three pounds. Chadwick, who was last seasons’ leading ARO jockey, has been in a good vein of form winning on four of his five most recent rides on Arabians and thoroughbreds under rules. Also from the Owen stable, is the unraced Al Mutasallet, who is one of five HH Sheikh Hamdan runners in the contest. He is from the family of the Shadwell Arabians sire, Al Jakbar and will be ridden by Dane O’Neill.

Completing the Owen trio will be Sattam for his own James Owen Racing Club, for whom Arwen Forta was successful last week. Owen is hopeful of an improved run from the gelded son of General, who had caught the eye on debut and was a not disgraced fourth in the Derby a week later.

Loolwa was the most impressive that day, as she was making her first racecourse appearance for His Highness and trainer Phil Collington. She travelled smoothly through the raced and just lacked the pace of the more experienced French runners at the finish. Collington will be hoping for a big run from her, though admits she is likely to be even better next season, back on Turf. His Highness’s principal retained jockey Jim Crowley takes the ride. Collington also sends out Jeewan and Jamaarat for His Highness and Dergham Athbah for Athbah Stud.

The other winner in the race is the three-year-old Al Shaamikh who gave Newmarket handler Jessica Quinlan her first ARO winner with her first Arabian runner. The three-year-old colt will have to shoulder a penalty for that success, but like many of the other unexposed runners in the field, has looked like the step up in distance will suit. This includes Quinlan’s other runner for Mohammed Fahad Al-Attiyah in Toufan Du Croate, who has improved with every race and will be partnered by Harry Bentley.

Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said:

We are delighted with the quality of the runners in this our first novice race of the season, we hope the race will be as exciting as it looks on paper.

ARO are very grateful to the Emirates Breeders and all our sponsors for their support in 2020 which enables us to maintain a presence as part of UK Arabian racing during these challenging times. In addition we also thank the British Horseracing Authority and Wolverhampton racecourse for their continued assistance this season.”