Mary Carline organised a marvellous day out for the family at
Goodwood with entertainment including the Petworth Town Band,
who added to the friendly atmosphere of the day, a parade by four
of the Junior British Endurance Team, a 'Champagne Competition'
to correctly name the first three horses home in the second race,
AHS merchandise and other trade stands, and not forgetting the
thrilling racing from our wonderful Arabian horses on this 16th
year of Championship racing at Goodwood, for the Arab Horse Society.
Close finishes were the order of the day, with jockeys having
to work hard for their wins. There were doubles for trainers Andrea
Boulton and Sarah Kelleway, while eight different owners took
the trophies home.
The first race, kindly supported by Barclays Bank plc, was for
maidens 4 years old and over. Simon Walker, on the hot favourite
Altayarah, found he had a race on his hands as Hanne Jenson
chased him all the way to the finish line on Crusader Junior
who was making his racecourse debut - one to watch out for next
season. Babuska and China Sky took the minor placings
in this fast run 7 furlong contest.
The Loddon Stables Handicap for horses rated 0-50 had supporters
cheering in the stands as Sam Morris brought Yvonne Ruffle's Borago
up the centre of the course, while WFA Jehangir and The
Widow Maker battled it out under Sarah Kelleway and Martin
Smith on the stand side. Sam and Borago prevailed by half a length
over Sarah and the favourite. Both Yvonne and trainer Andrea Boulton
were in tears in the winner's enclosure as Andrea explained that
the horse had broken his back four years ago. "He was going
to be put down, but as he was still standing up the vet said he
would come back the next day. We didn't let the vet come back.
He's a very special horse - a miracle horse."
This year has seen more Anglos take part in racing than for several
years which has allowed the Race Committee to put two races for
A/A and Part breds on most race cards, which in turn has encouraged
more owners to race their Anglos. Let us hope this trend continues
next year, with even more horses taking advantage of the opportunities
offered by the Arab Horse Society.
Martin Smith enjoyed his ride on Bold Midas especially
when he finished a length to the good over Pierre Deymonaz on
Rushing in the Barclays City Business Team Champions Stakes
over 2 miles. Joy Maclean set off in front on her Arctic Fire,
eventually finishing fourth ahead of Frimousse Champeix,
while Nick Isaac gave a bow to the crowd as he passed the line
last of the seven runners.
John Wilson's Prussian Duke made his debut a winning one
in the Wedding Stakes over a mile for Anglos and Part Breds. In
an exciting finish the five year old took the race from Hardtoback,
ridden by Nick Isaac, and Great lady, under Philip Collington,
both previous winners although better over a shorter distance.
The Sprint Championship, kindly supported by B & M Caldicott
Building & Roofing Contractors, went to the front running
Pavot Al Kyle who set a blistering pace under Cathy Thomas
to win by 2 lengths, ahead of Djemila De Leyre and Pleinne
D'Amour who were only separated by a head.
The Al-Arabi-A Championship Stakes, kindly supported by Mr &
Mrs M Mohammed, gave Sarah Kelleway's Cheri Du Loup the
longer distance race that he enjoys as he finished ahead of Vicky
Youell's Nivadour Cardonne ridden by Martin Smith. The
consistent Rawen was third with Joy Maclean, which secured
her the award of Champion Mare for the season after three wins
and a second over the year.
A new race on the card was the first running of The AHS Stewards
Cup in recognition of the great services rendered to Arab Racing
by the team of Stewards and Officials. Anne Unwin kindly gave
the Challenge Trophy for this race, while first prize also included
a stallion nomination to Abitibi kindly donated by Sarah Kelleway.
Spectators were not disappointed with this race as Brian Boulton
came with a perfectly timed run on one of many horses that has
improved with age, Charan El Nefous. Andrea and Brian do
a marvellous job keeping their horses fit and well and enjoying
their racing. The consistent Doraman, rarely out of the
places this season, finished second, with Bergamot half
a length behind for jockey Hannah Fox.
A bold show of front running in The AHS Council Handicap Stakes,
kindly supported by The Arab Horse Society Council Members, allowed
Kevin Waterman to stay ahead of the field on Joanne Holman's The
Silver Gambler, Brian Boulton was second on Darein,
unable to catch the winner on this occasion, with Rob Baily a
very close third on his Pharitz Samman.
A most enjoyable race meeting on which to end the season. Many
thanks to all the supporters, stewards and helpers on the day,
have a good rest through the winter and we will see you all again
next year.
Rob Woollard
