March 8, 2013, UK, Press Release ~ The Arabian Racing Organization (ARO) is delighted to announce that Arabian Racing will return to Hereford racecourse in 2013! This venture is supported by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nayhan with 10 races throughout the year forming part of the prestigious Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
As well as the Sheikh Mansoor festival races, the 5 Hereford fixtures will also feature races supported by ARO’s associate sponsor The Royal Cavalry of Oman, including valuable series qualifiers for the Oman final at Newbury on July 20th. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club have also renewed their support of British Arabian racing and will be sponsoring a breeders premium throughout the year in addition to their qualifying series of handicap races.
Increase in fixtures for Arabian Racing Season
The 2013 Arabian Racing season, which will see the number of dedicated fixtures rise by 20% to 12 and a further ten single races run on thoroughbred cards, opens on Sunday, 5 May. The five‐month programme which benefits from considerable commercial support from the UK and the United Arab Emirates, sees an increase in the number of races run under the banner of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nayhan’s Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
Five fixtures will be held at Hereford Racecourse under an agreement with Arena Racing Company (ARC). The first four fixtures will take place on the first Sunday of the month from May through until August with the fifth fixture being the Arabian Racing Season Finale taking place on Saturday, 28 September with races supported by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor.
The flagship fixture of the Arabian Racing season, The Dubai International Arabian Race Day at Newbury, staged for the past 30 years under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, moves from its traditional Sunday slot to Thursday, 15 August and precedes two days of thoroughbred racing at the Berkshire course.
Backing for two important race series has been renewed by the Royal Cavalry of Oman and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club who have also recently announced their support for an Innovative Breeders’ Incentive Scheme.
Amanda Smith, Arabian Racing Organisation Racing Manager said: “We are looking forward to an exciting season ahead which we are confident will appeal to our owners and supporters. The regular Hereford fixtures from May to August lend themselves to a dedicated marketing campaign through which we hope to be able to introduce new people to our sport and increase our following.”
“We are enormously grateful to our commercial supporters and to our owners and trainers for their loyalty and helping us to continue to raise the profile of Arabian Racing and strengthen its position in the sports and leisure market.”
Jim Allen, ARC Racing Director said, “We are delighted to have been able to find a way for the facilities at Hereford to be used while we continue to develop our longer term strategy for the venue.”
Further information about the Arabian Racing Organisation is available by visiting
www.aroracing.co.uk or by calling Amanda Smith on 07776 143342 or +44 (0)1635 524445.
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