About Arab Racing
Arabian Racing is one of the best established amateur equestrian sports in the UK. It all started when in 1977 Mrs Val Whitehead and Mr & Mrs John Unwin sought Jockey Club approval for a programme of Arabian Horseracing to be staged. Permission was granted for the Arab Horse Society to be the Registration and Racing Authority under Jockey Club Rules and the first racemeeting was held at Hawthorn Hill in 1978.
The sport has come a long way since then; in 1999 the Arabian Racing Organisation was founded, and in 2003 became the sole organiser for Arabian Racing in the UK. Now run under the BHA Regulations for Arabian Racing, this year’s programme will this year feature 18 Arabian Racedays and 10 Single Races held on Thoroughbred Cards.
ARO Fixtures in the South West this Summer
Arabian Racing has always been very popular in the West Country, with racecourses regularly hosting fixtures over the last 30 years. Although it has featured at Taunton Racecourse for a number of years, this year sees the first fixture at this picturesque Somerset racecourse since 2003. Always a popular venue with ARO participants and racegoers alike, this racemeeting promises to be a great start to the 2008 season, with 8 races, including 7 races for Purebred Arabians and 1 that is open to Thoroughbreds, Anglo Arabs & Part Bred Arabians.
There will be many seasoned campaigners back in action, and with the possibility of runners representing the Royal Cavalry of Oman, who will be based in the UK for the second successive year, there will be a slightly international flavour to the event. As well as a strong the local contingent, there will also be runners from across the country, including champion trainer Gill Duffield, from Newmarket, who trains for HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, and ex-Royal jockey, Bill Smith, from Portsmouth.
ARO will be back in the West Country on Saturday 5th July at Exeter, where a further 8 races will be contested, including 6 for Purebred Arabians, 1 for Anglo Arabs & 1 that will be open to Thoroughbreds, Anglo Arabs & Part Bred Arabians. Finally, this year’s popular Salisbury fixture will be on Sunday 7th September. This day will feature 7 races for Purebred Arabians only; if last year’s meeting is anything to go by, a great day’s racing is sure to be on the cards.
Gates open at 12 noon for all racemeetings, with the first race at 2pm. With bars, refreshments and bookies, this should be a great day out for all the family. Tickets are as little as £8 for adults, and accompanied children under 16 are Free; with access to all the enclosures, racegoers are set to
Get Close To The Action!
Contact Information
For more information on racemeetings this year, or if you would like to take part, go to www.aroracing.co.uk or contact the ARO Office on 01635 524445.
Competitions