Arabian racehorses under hammer for first time in Britain
The UK’s first Arabian racehorse sale will take place this summer (9 August). It is only the 2nd sale of its kind in Europe.
The sale is being run in partnership by the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) and leading equestrian auctioneers Brightwells.
Brightwells bloodstock manager Andrew Elliott said it is a “very exciting venture” as the company broadens its portfolio.
“At present there is only 1 other established sale of this type of high-value horse, and this takes place annually in France,” he said. “We are anticipating an entry of between 40 to 50 selected horses – with prices between £5,000 and £50,000 – although it would not be unrealistic to see higher prices achieved.”
The sale will be held at Charlie Mann’s Neardown Stables in Lambourn, on the eve of the annual Dubai International Arabian race day, at nearby Newbury Racecourse (10 August).
ARO director Bill Smith is expecting “a high quality of Arabians [to be] selected for sale”.
“ARO’s ambition is to establish an annual event to encourage the growth of Arabian racing and breeding worldwide,” he said.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Arabian racing has been running in the UK for more than 30 years, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The sale will begin at 6pm on 9 August, with horses available to view on 8 August from 10.30am at Neardown Stables, Lambourn.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.