Arabian horses set to race in Australia

Originally posted on: Horsetalk.co.nz

8 April 2011

Victoria's racing minister Denis Napthine welcomed a delegation from the United Arab Emirates this week in the leadup to Arabian horse racing at Caulfield Racecourse tomorrow.

Napthine was joined at State Parliament by Mirza Al Sayegh, a representative of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Mark Kelly, from Shadwell Stud Australasia; and Mike Symons, chairman of Melbourne Racing ClubMelbourne Racing Club.

A field of purebred Arabian horses will contest the Shadwell Arabian Mile on Saturday.

"This unique event is sponsored by one of the world's most successful horse breeders, Sheikh Hamdan, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister for Finance," Napthine said.

"It is a real honour to welcome our connections from the United Arab Emirates, to celebrate the close ties between the Victorian racing industry and the UAE.

"The Persian Gulf has a special place in the history of horse racing. The majestic purebred Arabian horse is the oldest breed in the world, from which thoroughbreds are descended, and the breed of choice for its beauty, toughness and stamina.

"Racegoers at Caulfield this Saturday will witness the beauty of Arabian racing, with a strong field of 11 starters."

Napthine predicted the showcase race would signal the growth of Arabian racing as an exciting new sport for Victorian enthusiasts,

"Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Stud has had enormous success here and overseas with their thoroughbred horses, with many wins in Melbourne over the past 25 years.

"This includes two Melbourne Cup winners, At Talaq and Jeune, and a Caulfield Cup winner in Tawqeet.

"It is important to foster ties between our racing industry and the UAE and those ties could be through Victorian horses racing in Dubai, UAE-owned horses racing in Victoria, or further investment by the UAE in our state's valuable breeding industry," Napthine said.

Sheikh Hamdan is supporting Saturday's racing at Caulfield with $A80,000 in sponsorship, including $A20,000 in prize money for the Arabian horse race, as an incentive to kickstart the sport in this country.

In addition to the Arabian race, there will be a display of United Arab Emirates culture and tourism.

The Shadwell Arabian Mile will be run between races 4 and 5 of the Melbourne Racing Club's Anniversary Vase meeting at Caulfield Racecourse. A special permit was issued by the Minister to allow the race to be lawfully conducted at the racecourse.