Arabian Racing Returns to Chester Racecourse with IFAHR Trophy Taking Place on Saturday

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) returns to Chester for the first time in 19 years this Saturday (1 July), when the world’s oldest racecourse hosts the inaugural running of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR) Trophy.

The Group 2PA contest, previously known as the Za’abeel International Stakes and latterly the Royal Cavalry of Oman International Stakes, is to be run over six furlongs and will round off a thrilling day’s racing on the Roodee.

The race, which is scheduled for 5.22pm and was previously run at Newbury, has a long history of crowning top-class sprinters, such as the three-time winners Dahess (2005, 2006, 2007) and Al Mouhannad (2013, 2014, 2015).

Last year’s winner, Ekleel Athbah, is set to try and make it back-to-back victories, while AJS Saaeq, a winner of the Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) over a mile in Doha in February is also amongst the entries.

From 2002 to 2004, Chester previously played host to the UAE Equestrian & Racing Federation International Stakes, a Group 2PA run over a mile and a half.

Andrew Tulloch, Head of Racing at Chester Racecourse, said:

“Chester Racecourse is delighted to be staging the ARO’s first black type race of the year, the IFAHR Trophy, on Saturday. Marking the welcome return of Arabian racing to the world’s oldest racecourse for the first time since 2004, we would like to thank the ARO for the opportunity to showcase this renowned, Purebred Arabian sprinting contest, in what promises to be a thrilling finale to our racecard.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer, added:

“ARO is thrilled to be returning to Chester with such a high-profile contest. With this race under new sponsorship and at a new venue, it’s great to have attracted several international entries, as well last year’s winner and several of our other top rated domestic Arabians. We thank IFAHR and Chester for supporting our racing this season and look forward to bringing Arabian racing to a new audience on Saturday.”

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