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.

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.
www.brightwells.com

Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, 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.