UAE PRESIDENT CUP – UK ARABIAN DERBY (Group 1PA) Eight declared for the £400,000 contest at Doncaster on BetFred St Leger Day

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted with the declarations for the mile and a quarter UAE President Cup sponsored UK Arabian Derby (Gr1PA), to be held at 5.23pm on Saturday 13 September at Doncaster. Declarations include the placed horses from the French equivalent at Chantilly, along with the brother to the 2024 winner, who was supplemented last week. The UK stage of the UAE President Cup, the world’s oldest Arabian classic series, has returned after a two-year absence to its traditional slot on BetFred St Leger Day and has had its prize fund boosted to £400,000 – making it the most valuable race exclusively for four-year-old Arabians in Europe.

Of the eight declared, four are from France, three are from the UK and one is from Qatar. The highest rated is Lippo De Carrere, ridden by Mickael Barzalona and trained by Alban de Mieulle for Wathnan Racing. He has won in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, and was beaten half a length by the filly, Hajmah in the French equivalent on his first start in Europe. Just behind him in third that day was Moneer, bred like the world’s top-rated Arabian, Al Ghadeer by Dr Mohammad Al Nujaifi, but now carrying the Wathnan second silks, reunited with Jean-Bernard Eyquem. Al Shaqab Racing, who won this last year with Luwsail, have his brother Shaihaan, to be partnered by Tom Marquand, supplemented on Sunday. Carrying their first colours will be Al Theeb, partnered by top Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim. Lino is Group 3PA winner who bypassed the Chantilly race, but will be ridden here by Ioritz Mendizabal, the only jockey to win this contest before (Hayyan 2019, Luwsail 2024).

The domestic contingent will all be running at this level for the first time. Both Mdawi, trained by Charlie Wallis for Five Racing and Marakeb trained by Okbar Aashour for Pharitz Racing are by sires that have got past winners of this race in Azadi, and Al Mourtajez. The only filly, Okewood Bloodstock’s Hibikinada Du Mazet trained by James Owen, makes a quick reappearance following her third over this same trip at Royal Windsor on Monday.

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We were thrilled with the depth and quality of entries for this year’s race and with the runners who stood their ground this morning. The French Arabian Derby form is always a significant pointer to success at Doncaster and the finish of this year’s race at Chantilly was so close, with just over three lengths separating the first seven home, it bodes well for a really competitive race.

“We thank the UAE President Cup for their continued support of our racing and for the very significant increase in prize money. We look forward to the race on Saturday, which can also be viewed live on Sky Sports Racing.”

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