Focussing on the Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy at Royal Windsor
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THE ARABIAN
RACE HORSE
Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy supporting UK breeders
Bronze - Edition of 9 at Art & Horse Racing Gallery - Newmarket
DEBORAH BURT
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Welcome to the Spring edition of The Arabian Racehorse previewing the UK's most valuable race for Arabian fillies and mares and celebrating the longstanding international commitment to Arabian racehorse breeding of the Al Nujaifi family.
Year on year, Arabian racing continues to grow around the world and with the increase in prize money for such events, including the UAE President Cup series, The HH The Amir Sword Festival, the Dubai Kahayla Classic and at the Saudi Cup and Arc de Triomphe meetings, international interest in these races grows with it.
Now in it's second year, Al Nujaifi Racing has established the sponsorship of a completely new Arabian race for the UK at Royal Windsor racecourse in Berkshire, aiming to promote the breeding of Arabian racehorses in this country, rewarding the highest placed British owned filly or mare with a free nomination to Al Agar, a half-brother to his champion - Al Ghadeer.
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SPRING - 2026
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THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
Gharraa
Broodmare of a lifetime
Gharraa and Shane Karlsson in the parade ring at Ascot in 2011 Photo: Val Bunting
The Al-Nujaifi family and their studs have played a major role in preserving the continuity of racing and the purity of the Arabian breed in Iraq, a country constantly affected by challenging events. To this day, the family maintain their position as one of the leading owner breeders in Iraq and support several training stables around the country in Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul. When he took over the management of the breeding program, Dr Al Nujaifi wished to maintain the foundations of the family's Iraqi bloodlines, however he knew he needed to add in some outcrosses. Initially he purchased several
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE horses from Russia's famous Tersk Stud, including Matador 12, the sire of Gharraa.
Bred in Iraq by a member of Dr Al Nujiaifi's family, Gharraa is out of Wadha Al Thania. When racing in Russia, Matador 12 was highly effective over a range of distances, winning the Great Sprint Cup, the Great Summer Stakes - 2000 Guineas and the All-Russian Derby. He was a son of Drug, a winner of many races in Russia, as well as at Ascot in the UK and at Evry in France before he was exported as a stallion to the UAE.
Gharraa won several races in Iraq and was imported to France to Dr Al Nujiaif's racing and breeding manager Val Bunting's farm near Bordeaux and from there went into training with Pia Hoiom in Sweden. She won four races for Hoiom, as well as being placed third in the Group 1PA UAE President Cup - UK Arabian Derby to Kiss De Ghazal when it was run at Ascot in 2011. Returning to Sweden, she won a Group 3 PA over 2000m and then faced Kiss De Ghazal again in Paris in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments (Gr1PA), finishing third.
Having shown such good form, it was decided to keep her in France where there were better races
Gharraa with Al Ghadeer at just a few days old Photo: Val Bunting
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE and she joined trainer, Damien de Watrigant, winning on her debut for him in the French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic (then a Listed race, now a Group 1PA) in Toulouse three weeks later, well and truly vanquishing her old rival, Kiss De Ghazal, who finished fifth.
The following year she was placed twice at Group 2PA level, including on her first start in Turkey in the IFAHR Trophy (Gr2PA), before closing out her season by winning another French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic.
A CRASTUS
Durat Al Zaman goes to post for the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Gr1PA) at ParisLongchamp in 2019 this year.
Then as a six-year-old in 2013 she was third to Al Mamun Monlau at Saint-Cloud in the President of the UAE Cup Coupe d'Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1PA), next winning a Group 2 at La Teste as well as returning to Turkey in September for the IFAHR Trophy. This time partnered by Fabrice Vernon, she was drawn on the outside, tracking the leader in the early stages, closing upsides for the mid part of the race before readily pulling well clear in the home straight for an eased down win. Unplaced behind Mushrae in the Arabian World Cup the following month, she was beaten just over a length into fourth when trying for a third French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic, and was then retired to stud having won ten races in four countries from 1400m to 2200m.
Her first cover was by Dr Al Nujaifi's dual Group1 PA winner Hilal Al Zaman, producing a filly, Durat Al Zaman (2015), a winner over 1900m and fourth in the 2019 Juments to Raahah. Bunting feels she could have been even better as a racehorse, but for breaking her pelvis as a two-year-old. She currently has her first foal, Faidh (by Dahess) in training with Francois Rohaut and has produced a colt by Morad
Gharraa then visited Burning Sand, producing Al Agar, who was sold and exported to Champion UAE owner-breeder Khalid Al Nabooda's AF Farms. His first UAE bred foals from 2022 are just reaching the track now, though in common with the Al Aweer Farm's policy of not rushing their offspring, most have only run in trials at this stage.
Matador 12 Photo: Rahba
Returning the following year to Hilal Al Zaman resulted in another black type filly, Ghurat Al Zaman (2017) who raced in Italy and France, winning three times including the Qatar Prix de L'Elevage (Gr2PA) in Toulouse over 2000m in 2022 as well as the Group 3PA Prix Damas at Bordeaux before her sale later that year as a five-year-old.
Rested the following year, she then visited first- season sire Al Mourtajez, producing Al Ghadeer in 2019. He is now one of the most well-known Arabian racehorses outside of the sport, and became the world's highest rated Arabian, a landmark moment for any breeder.
She returned again to Hilal Al Zaman this time producing a colt, Nadir Al Zaman, who was exported to Saudi Arabia to run for Al Nujaifi Racing. In 2022 she foaled another colt, Musbil to Mister Ginoux, who was sold to Athbah Racing and in 2024 she foaled Al Ghudran, a colt by Dahess, who is currently in pre-training.
Now in her later years, in 2024 she foaled MN Tarfa, FRANCE GALOP
a full sister to Al Ghadeer and a valuable addition to the Al Nujaifi broodmare band, along with MN Ghabrah, a filly by Ebraz, who was produced by embryo transfer. She has been rested again, with the hope that she may get in foal again this year and continue her legacy.
Al Agar at two years Photo: Val Bunting
Al Ghadeer with Dr Mohammed Al Nujiaif and his son Zaid in the winners enclosure at ParisLongchamp after winning an historic third Qatar Arabian World Cup in Ocotber 2025
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
This year's free nomination to the highest placed British owned mare in the race, generously provided by Al Nujiafi Racing, is to Al Agar.
His sire is the American bred Burning Sand, one of the most prolific Arabian stallions who has been the leading sire in the USA for over 20 years. His pedigree is predominantly Crabbet blood blended with Polish, Russian and original Desert bred ancestry. Burning Sand's grandsire Mirzaz won the Polish Derby in 1961 and was then imported into the USA.
His stallion sons include Group 1PA winner TM Fred Texas (sire of HH The Amir Sword winner, Abbes), as well as TM Junior Johnson, Big Easy, Harran, Aim South, Quick Sand AA, Reda, Sammy V and So Big Is Better. Burning Sand was selected as a sire to add speed to the mare, who had been an out and out stayer on the track.
With a superb temperament, he is a complete outcross with Amer, whose blood blends well with
Al Agar
Chestnut 2016 Burning Sand x Gharraa (Matador 12)
Al Agar at Al Aweer Farm, UAE photo: AF Farms
Burning Sand - for example the reverse cross found in RB Burn, TM Thunder Struck.
Dhahab, a 2026 colt by Al Agar bred by Clelia Cabanne
O Clelia Cabanne
BREEDING PUREBRED ARABIAN RACE HORSES AMIDST THE DUNES
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Fareedhat El Izz and Billy Loughnane win the inaugural Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy in 2025 ©Darren Cool
The Al Nujaifi Racing Trophy, a Listed contest for Fillies and Mares was first run in 2025, generously sponsored by Al Nujaifi Racing to support the breeding of Arabian racehorses in the UK.
Last year's winner Fareedat El Izz, a homebred for Al Nujaifi Racing, had transferred to be trained the UK from France and has remained here over the winter, hoping for a second win in the contest.
In addition to the £15,000 prize fund, Al Nujaifi Racing kindly offered a free nomination to their promising young stallion Amir Al Zaman to the highest placed British owned mare in the race, THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE which was won by Wendy Hassall for the runner-up Victoria. Pharitz Racing's homebred, Pharitz Lahia finished in third.
ARO CEO Genny Haynes commented, "We thank Al Nujaifi Racing for their generous support of this new Listed race for Arabian fillies and mares and are delighted to welcome them back to Royal Windsor this year. We are also delighted that they continue to support our British owner-breeders with a nomination to another of their homebred stallions, Al Agar, a half-brother to world champion Al Mourtajez.
Izz Al Khail x Fareedha (Dhahman Baghdad) Al Nujaifi Racing Mrs W Hassall Billy Loughnane
Well-travelled mare, placed in Italy over further at three, though didn't get on the board in two starts in France thereafter. Transferred to the UK, winning on her debut over 7f at Newbury and then runner-up in a Group 2PA here over 6f. Understandably found things tough behind world champion Al Ghadeer at Goodwood next time in the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA), however won three on the bounce last year, including this event by 10 lengths for today's jockey.
First start for new trainer today, and runs without a hood, but has conditions to suit and is well clear of the others on the ratings as she bids to follow up for a second year, though is without a prep run.
Lightly raced mare who suffered with a few minor growing pains in her younger years which held her back. Has shown glimmers of ability for her previous trainer, including placing second over this trip on her penultimate start last year, ahead of Zizania Du Mazet (4th, better off today) and Pharitz Lahia (6th).
Sire was top class over 1m2f, whilst dam was a useful sprint handicap winner, so if her new owner-trainer can unearth some of that ability in her, she could still find some improvement this season. Big ask on seasonal return though.
Hibikinada Du Mazet and Jack Mitchell at Windsor in September
HIBIKINADA DU MAZET
5yo Ch mare OR 69
Hilal Al Zaman x Djenteel (Ala Croixnoire) Okewood Bloodstock
Charlie Wallis
Charlie Bishop
Showed plenty of promise at three, placing second on debut and then winning, beating a useful yardstick, both over today's distance. Things went a bit awry last term, twice well beaten by Fareedhat El Izz (on quick ground), though made the frame three times subsequently around this trip (sporting visor and then cheekpieces. Beaten but not disgraced, when finishing the highest placed of the UK runners when sixth in the Arabian Derby at Donacaster (winner now rated 125).
Showed up well before fading to fourth on seasonal return and debut for new trainer at Wolverhampton in April, also over a mile, behind a useful UAE import. Sure to be better for that outing, though form best on good or softer, so drying ground could be a concern. Sports first time blinkers today.
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
PHARITZ LAHIA 6yo B mare OR 41
Lahoob x Sophia (Kerbella) Pharitz Racing
Jude Fernandes
Sire a Group 1PA winner over this trip on the Polytrack and of a Listed PA event at the Curragh. Her dam was tough, winning twice at this trip from 21 starts. Both wins came on easy ground, however she was placed ten times, often on a faster surface, though it took her five starts to break her maiden.
Can sometimes race too freely, though was a surprise third in this last year, albeit well off the winner. Looked flattered by that in subsequent starts last season, but stayed on for third on latest at Bath over 1m4f in May. Tried in a hood last year, now in first time cheekpieces, has a lot to do to reverse the form with last year's winner.
VICTORIA
5yo B mare OR 55
RB Burn x Dolfina D'lbos (Mahabb) Mrs Wendy Hassall
From the first crop of her sire, who was a Group1PA winner at this distance. Dam was a useful staying handicapper winning three times from 1m2f to 1m6f, whilst her diminutive half- sister Mayfair, managed to squeak some black type, placing third in a Group 3PA at this trip.
Sire a Qatar Guineas winner at this trip who went on to secure Group 1PA wins up to 1m4f. Best son to date also scored at the highest level winning the French Arabian Derby over 1m2f and the Qatar International Cup at this distance. Dam was a course and distance winner and is a half-sister to Mehdaaf Athbah who was second in a Group 1PA over course and distance, and to multiple Group winning sprinter-miler Bayan Athbah.
Scored twice over 1m2f (good) and 1m6f (Tapeta) during 2024 and was probably struggling with her mark last season for new connections, though did finish second in this race. Two further runner-up spots last year and this, showing up well on return, however they were in handicaps and she has plenty to find with Fareedhat El Izz at level weights.
Useful handicapper, with wins at 7f, 1m and 1m2f on good or quicker (including for today's pilot), was fourth in this last year (jockey dropped whip). Looked in need of the run on seasonal return, will love the ground and could make the frame this time.
KING POWE
Sassy and Isobelle Chalmers win The Arabian Racehorse in association with Trackside Handicap at Bath in
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
Sire a Group 1PA winner over 1m3f, won the Qatar Derby (1m2f) and was third in the Uk Arabian Derby, whilst dam unplaced in five starts in Qatar. Won a very competitive handicap over 1 m2f on her final start at three and return delayed by minor issue, though was runner up here, also over 1m2f beating stablemate Hibikinada Du Mazet (3rd) and Pharitz Lahia (5th).
Slowly away at Wolverhampton on seasonal debut and first start for new trainer, may have found the step up to 1m4f too much when fourth, latest, behind several of these. Best efforts to date have been over two furlongs further and on good or softer, so drying ground a likely negative.
Ghayah and Phil Collington on Newmarket Heath in April
GHAYAH
4yo B filly NOR
Nieshan x Clairvoyant (Tahar de Candelon) KS Racing Mr P Collington Visor (1)
Sire was a multiple Group 1PA winner in the UAE, who can get horse of a similar calibre. Dam unplaced, but a producer of winners including Sniper De Monlau (Calin Du Loup) a 1m4f Group 3PA winner in the UAE, who was third in the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1PA) and Thi Qar (AF Albahar), a Qatar Arabian Oaks (3yo) winner over this trip.
Big ask to win on racecourse debut against much more experienced mares, however has a solid pedigree and gets the benefit of her four- year-old allowance. Experienced trainer can get one ready at this level (and above) too.
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
Globally there are 7 Group 1 Purebred Arabian (PA) races worth $1million or The Qatar International Stakes (Qatar Goodwood Festival) Group IPA with a prize fund of £400,000, is the most valuable Arabian races over 1 mile in Europe
In the majority of countries Arabians first race at 3 years old. The UK has the richest 3 years old only race in Europe, the UAE President Cup Series Group 3PA with a total prize fund of £150,000
An Arabians' Classic year is as a 4 year old. The UAE President Cup (UK Arabian Derby) (St Leger Racing Festival) Group IPA has a prize fund of £250,000 and is the most valuable 4 year old only race in Europe
Minimum UK race value £6,000, handicaps up to £10,000, PA Pattern races from £15,000 to £400,000
Since January 2021 BHA licensed thoroughbred trainers may also train Arabians
Existing Thoroughbred owners may also own Arabians through sole ownership, partnerships, syndicates and racing clubs and are also eligible for ROA membership jenis juga jbp
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