OWEN DOMINATES FIRST WATHBA STALLIONS FIXTURE OF 2017 in UK

Munbaher and Joanna Mason: Picturte courtesy Debbie Burt - Equine Creative Media

Chelmsford, UK - James Owen dominated the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s first Wathba Stallions sponsored fixture of the 2017 Arabian Racing Organisation season at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Saturday afternoon. 

In front of a crowd over a thousand racegoers, the in-form Newmarket-based trainer recorded a four-timer, with victories for Dolfina D’Ibos (0-55 Handicap), Karlos Du Cayrou (0-95 Handicap), Munbaher (0-80 Handicap) and Crahck (Restricted Maiden), giving jockeys Simon Walker and Joanna Mason doubles in the process. 

The wins put Owen five points clear in the current Trainers’ Championship and Joanna Mason two points clear in the Ladies’ Championship.

Speaking after racing, a delighted Owen said: “It’s been great today, they’ve all run well. I like the track, which is local for us. None of them have had hard races today, so we can go to war again with them.

“I’m pleased to get another win out of Dolfina D’Ibos. She stays well, if she goes up a bit in the handicap a little bit, I might run her in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak World Ladies Championship race here in August. She does possess a lot of speed. We’re learning more about her, she’s had a few season problems, but we’re getting there with her. Simon (Walker) gave her a great ride, I know she won easily, but he rode her well.

“Karlos Du Cayrou won well too. He enjoyed the surface and he would definitely run here in the Apprentice handicap over a mile - which would be the perfect trip for him. He’s a little bit quirky, but he’s getting better all the time. He comes out of his races well.”

“Crahck has been knocking on the door in maidens. The young lad, Lucas Olsen, who rode him in his first two races, has gone back to Denmark now; he did a great job on him. He’s ok, Crahck, he’s a trier, so I’m glad to win with him, and Munbaher, he loves this track. He’s a Madjani; they all seem to like it here. He loves to get his toe in, loves to lead and he likes to race,” Owen said.

There was also a win for the Royal Cavalry of Oman in the opening maiden, with Riyam ridden by Ellie Mackenzie. Afterwards trainer Saed Al Badi commented: “We’re pleased with that. He has improved since he ran in France in May. We thought he would run a good race and he’s won easily.”

The 0-65 Handicap was won by the Peter Hammersley trained Unity Belle, for owner-breeder, Heather Phillpott, giving jockey Sam Lee his first win under ARO rules. Lee was pleased saying: “It’s my first winner from three rides with ARO. I’ve had quite few winners point-to-pointing; I’m based with Fred Hutsby in Northampton, he gives me a lot of good horses to ride, but this keeps me fit in the summer.

“This is my third season riding over all, I rode one Arabian last year and I thought I’d take it a bit more seriously this season. I ride out for Peter at home and I knew what I had to do - it’s great when a plan comes together, the horse ran as expected, so it went well.”

There was also a first ARO win for Isabella Farnese in the 0-40 Handicap, riding her mother’s Cosmic Girl. Selena Farnese said: “Cosmic Girl’s being retired as a broodmare now. She has a yearling by Monsieur Al Maury and is booked for Assy shortly. Isabella had her first ride on her when she was 17, back in 2011, and this was her second ride, so it’s lovely for her to win. She works for Ed Walker now, so came up from Lambourn to ride today.”

Gemma Cobb, ARO Racing Operations Executive said: “It is a pleasure to host the Wathba Stallions Series again this season. ARO is extremely grateful for the continued support of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and Ms. Lara Sawaya and we look forward to our next meeting here, supported by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival on 12th August.

“We are also grateful to Baileys Horse Feeds and Brian and Anna Wallace, who generously sponsored the Best Turned Out Awards here today, as well as all the staff and racegoers at Chelmsford who have made us feel so welcome.”

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC,  Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2017, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Debbie Burt