The Arab Racing Organisation (ARO) is expecting a 50% increase in entries in the coming season now that the sport, previously run with separate schedules for the Arab Horse Society (AHS) and ARO, is united.
So far, 200 horses have been registered to run and there has been more interest than ever in handicap races. Charlie Corbett, racing manager at ARO, said that he had been “bowled over” by the positive response to the new arrangements for the sport.
Highlights of the coming season, which starts tomorrow (Saturday 3 May) at Taunton, include the new Fontwell meeting on 15 June, which will form part of The Arabian International Horse Festival; the UAE Derby at Newmarket on 8 July, which is a £50k race, and the Abu-Dhabi Championship on 23 September.
The biggest meeting of the year is Dubai Day at Newbury Racecourse on 20 July, its festival atmosphere traditionally attracting large crowds.
As well as managing the calendar, registration and entries for the coming season, ARO, which is based at Newbury Racecourse, has organised well-supported riders’ seminars.
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