Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

windoverhills — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 02:31:09 GMT

As an owner and breeder of Arabians I have been following Arabian racing pretty closely for about 7 years. I attended the 1st Arabian race at Keenland (2010)(beautiful place) and both times that they raced at Churchill (2011 and 2013). I am about to send my first racing prospect into training next week. I have raised 3 foals and she is the best one yet. She is a strong beautiful alpha Arabian mare with more than 7 generations of good solid, sound, and very successful racing Arabians. As this is my first venture into racing; I am forming a partnership. One of my goals is that she will run in one of the UAE president's cup races. If anyone would like to know more or would like to follow her progress as she starts training feel free to contact me at windoverhillsarabians@hotmail.com - if you like what you see we may still have some openings in the partnership- currently there are 2-4 openings. I am looking forward to see who will be running in the Arabian race at the Breeders' Cup- the breed is making amazing strides in the industry.

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

Alicia McQuilkin — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 17:04:24 GMT

As soon as I heard that the BC was doing this, I thought it was a great supplement for the races, something to stick around for. Although, I'm guessing it won't be shown on NBC's coverage (though it would be brilliant to promote other-breed racing, especially to kids who may have an Arabian or more 'showy' breed) so I'll just have to YouTube it afterwards. I'd love to see a longer distance race, 2+miles in this exhibition rather than 6F-8F. One of the Arabian's biggest traits (and strongest genetic influence they've passed, particularly Morgans and T-breds) is their stamina. It would be novel to see if the race dynamics play out any differently in these longer races. Racing needs more novelty, everyone gets excited for something new and different.

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

TripleCrownKaren — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:59:53 GMT

The Arabian is the oldest PURE blood breed and as stated before has contributed to the formation of MANY other breeds. The Polish breeders have been "race-testing" their horses for decades as a way of determining who "deserves" to go to the breeding shed and pass on their genes. This includes the mares as well as the stallions. Seems to me the Thoroughbreds could use that philosophy instead of the "precocious, fast running, get them to the sales" philosophy.

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

Pedigree Ann — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:51:32 GMT

Arabs and Arab-crosses dominate distance races in this country and the world. At 50 miles or 100 miles, there is nothing to challenge the Arabian. So why do they want to race them at TB distances of 6F or a mile? It does not show them to best advantage.

P.S. The Turk and Barb horses were also sources of stamina in the TB breed. The conflating all Oriental horses with the ancestors of modern Arabians is inaccurate.

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

deb — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:58:26 GMT

I think it would add to the breeders' cup. I would enjoy watching arabs race.

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

SOUTHBENDFARM — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:55:00 GMT

Those people who disparage the Arabian horse should remember that the Thoroughbred would not be a breed without the Arabian. Neither would the Quarter Horse, and several other breeds. The stamina the Thoroughbred has comes from the Arabian. I remember talk several years ago about re-introducing Arabian blood to reinvigorate the gene pool and to bring more stamina back to the breed.

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

Fred and Joan — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:43:49 GMT

We at one time had a 16-year-old 3/4 Arabian named Turk we used to train young Thoroughbreds to saddle and bridle. Many times Turk was faster and quicker than the 3-year-old Thoroughbreds we were training. The owners always became disappointed when we would explain to them that their young, big horse would make an excellent pony or outrider horse at the track but did not have sufficient speed to race. Turk was an even balance of Polish and Egyptian pedigrees.

re: Breeders' Cup and Arabian Racing

wjfraz — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:40:33 GMT

For those of us who race Arabians, it is just as rewarding to win a race as it is with Thoroughbreds. I have, and do, race Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Arabians stay sound, race well beyond their 3 year-old year and absolutely run to form. I currently have a 12- year-old still racing, who has won 16, placed 16 and showed 14 times in an 80-race career and who is still sound and without a blemish on him. He has been twice voted California Horse of the Year and I am looking forward to November. The catastrophic breakdowns that have caused so much consternation and head-scratching is almost nil with Arabians and in my experience over the past 12 years of racing Arabians, only know of five or six in that period of time to have suffered catastrophic injuries. Bravo to the Breeders' Cup.