​NARA Australia

History was made when a large crowd including many Arabian enthusiasts, gathered at the Gold Coast Turf Club racecourse  for the first Arabian races to be run at this magnificent track.  Seventeen beautifully presented Arabians thrilled the crowd with two closely contested races.

The race caller gave a short history of the runners and the Arabian breed as the horses entered the mounting enclosure. The majority of the runners were having their first start but all were impeccably behaved and loaded into the barriers like professionals and I'm sure every Arabian fan swelled with pride at our breed's wonderful temperament and athleticism.

 The first race was the Shadwell Arabian Plate over 1400 metres and was won by Coolinda Park Dance With Me with Conderosa Millenium Silver hot on her heels coming second by a length. River Oak Moccona was third by four and a half lengths followed by Warrawee Naaziq in fourth place.

 The second race was the UAE Arabian Plate, also over 1400 metres, again an exciting finish, with Mulawa Stud's grey mare Alchimia taking the honours from the fast finishing Ausden Prince Mahal with a margin of one and three quarter lengths. Moondarra Maya was a close third with Jill Colwell's Aloha Desert Jewel a scant long head behind to take fourth place. Both these races carried the very generous prize money of $25,000.

Without the continuing support and extraordinary generosity of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shadwell Australasia these races would not be possible. NARA was delighted to have the pleasure of the company of His Excellency Mirza Al Sayegh and Mr Masoud Saleh who travelled with a delegation from Dubai to officiate at the races. We were also happy once again to welcome Mr Mark Kelly of Shadwell Australasia and  Mr Chris Kennard of Shadwell UK. All of these gentlemen have worked hard to ensure the success of the Shadwell events in Australia and we look forward to a continued close association. Mr Faisal Al Mazrouei headed  a party from the UAE Embassy in Canberra and presented the trophy for the second race.

TV personality Dr Harry Cooper and Myer Fashions on the Field Ambassador Rebecca Bramich were amongst the many guests present at the luncheon who also included Federal and State politicians, media representatives and local and interstate business people.

 To say that Anthony Mountney, trainer of the two winning horses and Dani Walker, jockey of both, were excited, was an understatement! Congratulations to them both. I bet there was some celebrating that night!     Congratulations must also  go to the members of the Queensland Arabian Racing Club for gathering together such a quality field of well presented athletes. Thank you also to the connections of the interstate horses who travelled from the ACT, Victoria and NSW and far North Queensland to make the day such a resounding success . Many thanks must go to the committee and staff of the Gold Coast Turf Club for bending over backwards to make us feel so welcome.
        

The Cultural Marquee proved a popular meeting place with delicious Middle Eastern food supplied by Taboon Restaurant at Robina and the two ladies who provided henna tattoos did a steady trade  during the day. The generous gifts supplied by Shadwell were also very well received by patrons.
        

 All in all a great day for Arabian racing and Shadwell and we really hope this will encourage people to help us grow Arabian racing. Breeders, owners and trainers, you now have 12 months to get those horses into race training for next year's Shadwell and experience the thrill of seeing YOUR horse gallop to the finish line at the Gold Coast Turf Club.