Arabian Racing Review
Taunton Saturday 16th May
by Paul Simmons

The Arabian Magazine and Zayin Arabian Stud Maiden Stakes over 7 Furlongs:
A real international race with the first three home all being bred in different parts of the world, and thrilling finish to this season opener with a head bobbing three way finish. Taer Al Hurr was making his racecourse debut and made the running in the early stages with the field bunched in behind with Ebraam, Al Harith and Al Rasheeq all travelling well in behind. As they entered the straight Iraqi bred Al Harith went for home with 6/4 favourite Ebraam breathing down his neck, and Oman bred Al Rasheeq chasing in behind. As they entered the final furlong Ebraam took the lead under a strong ride from Phil Collington, but David Turner would not be denied on Al Harith (Asad Saif x Wadha Al-Thania) and rode a powerful finish to drive the colt over line to win by a short head to give first season trainer Adam Newey his first winner with his first runner, and first UK win for Iraq based owner Dr M Al Nujaifi. HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Ebraam (Al Sakbe x Dorswayne Du Cayrou) lost nothing in defeat and showed admirable battling qualities to reel head the winner inside the final furlong, whilst the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Al Rasheeq (Djendel x Salam) was finishing fast and furious down the inside rail and was another short head back in third.

The Harwood Arabian Stud Handicap Stakes 0-70 over 6 Furlongs:
The fantastically named Pinkie Tuscadero (Izentespeshal x Altyv) ran some gutsy races in defeat last season and looked well in the paddock before the race, and showed a tough and determined attitude to get up on the line under another expertly well judged ride from Phil Collington to score by half a length from the speedy Edjalie, losing her maiden tag in some style and giving talented rookie trainer Adam Newey his second winner from as many runners for the Almost All Partnership, and a great start to his debut season. Edjalie (Bengali D’Albret x Edjara Al Garamaze) ran a superb race in second for first season trainer Nick Paterson, she led inside the final two furlongs and was all out the winner until Pinkie came with her run inside the final furlong to hold onto victory. Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Kyle x Ellaria) cut out a decent pace in the early stages and stayed on well for third.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-55 over 1 Mile 5 Furlongs:
An incredible result here and full credit to owner and trainer Jane Harris who’s entire Kayeed (Kheiralla x Joli) lost his maiden tag in some style at the grand old age of seventeen. Kayeed in his youth won and held the record for the stamina sapping Arab Horse Society Marathon, he came to the racing scene late but showed he was no back number when 2nd to Brigitta in the Jebel Ali Bronze final at Warwick last season. Looking well in the parade before hand this game stallion (bred by the late June Alexander) was always travelling well in behind under a confident Rachel Kneller, he was head to head with Floren inside the final furlong and was superbly piloted by Kneller to get up on the line and win by a neck. Floren (Bengali D’Albret x Florys de Nautiac) ran an eye catching debut after a year off the track, he led into the straight and was nip and tuck with the winner all the way to the line and just failed; his turn looks near. Whilst Abra (Dormane x Djoula) ran another game front running display and was clear for the majority of the race just tiring in the straight, but kept on in the closing stages to hold onto third.

The Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap Stakes 0-95 over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
Proof that stable jockeys don’t always know best, Phil Collington had to watch in despair from the back of Marsak as stable second string Shibl produced an awesome display to defeat a class field on only his second start under a brave ride from Martin Smith. Shibl (Al Sakbe x Bisbille) won his maiden at Nottingham last season and wasn’t seen again, here he made all and in spite of the beautifully bred Royal Cavalry of Oman runner Quorman Des Vialettes stalking him throughout, Shibl had plenty of fuel left inside the final furlong to hold on gamely to victory by a neck for Champion trainer Gill Duffield and owner/breeder HH Sheikh Hamdan. Quorman Des Viallettes (Dormane x Khandela Des Vialette) lost nothing in defeat and looks to be still improving, he rallied hard inside the final furlong but couldn’t get past the winner. Marsak (Al Sakbe x Margau) was the form horse with solid place efforts on Dubai Day and in Premier handicaps last season, he looked to be travelling well into the straight but found surprisingly little under pressure inside the final furlong.

The Friends of Arab Racing Handicap Stakes 0-80 over 1 Mile:
A fantastic staying handicap with stablemates Debrett and Gazal ensuring it was a true test of stamina, with the rest of the field chasing in behind. As they entered the home straight the Julian Smart trained and Royal Cavalry of Oman owned Mudalal (Darike x Rawabi) cruised into the lead inside the final two furlongs and was all out under Mr A S Al Siyabi for victory with the gallant stayers Gazal and Debrett head to head in behind for the placings. At the line Mudalal held on to victory by a length and a half from a highly impressive Gazal (Sambist x Shout For Joy), who in turn was a neck ahead of the ever game and consistent Debrett (Bengali D’Albret x Djeba El Mels).