UK , Royal Windsor 7 May 2024
Paramer Angel proved he still has what it takes to win, reunited with his regular partner Charlie Price to score by an impressive 12 lengths on heavy ground. James Owen’s Victoria and last year’s leading jockey, stable amateur Teagan Padgett, were second, with Julie Kelway and Peter Hammersley’s Al-Hatab ridden by Callum Shepherd a further three lengths away.
Repeating his form from 2022 when winning first time out at Newbury, Delyth Thomas’s much loved 13 year-old gelding was out of sorts last season, but has always shown a good level of ability prior to that. Based in Wales, Thomas gave Price his first start in racing, helping him to become ARO leading novice in 2016, whilst Price has since gone professional and is currently riding for Wiltshire based trainer Robbie Llewellyn.
Quotes:
Charlie Price, jockey, 1st: “I’ve been trekking away down to Delyth’s to ride him three times a week and all the hard work’s paid off for her. I really appreciate her giving him another chance this year. It was hard last year as I was off injured and I wasn’t available to help her out as much, but look he’s found his form again. The question mark today was the ground, but luckily he’s enjoyed it and he’s stormed through it. It proves he’s still got the ability.
“I was very confident today as he runs better fresh, he’s all that time off and he didn’t have much of a season last year, the only worry was the ground.”
Lissie Reeves, assistant Arabian trainer, Victoria, 2nd: “She ran really well, as we expected really, the ground was just a bit too soft for her and it just took it out of her – she’s only small, but I’m really happy with her.”
Peter Hammersley, trainer, Al-Hatab, 3rd: “Callum just said he’s run a nice race, he’s looked after him. He just didn’t go in the ground at all.”
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “We have really enjoyed the welcome that everyone at Royal Windsor has given us for our first Wathba Stallions Cup series race in the UK. We congratulate Charlie Price, and Delyth Thomas for winning today with Paramer Angel.”
“The Festival sponsors 10 races in the UK this year, with the global Festival highlight being the World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown which is held in Abu Dhabi in December. We look forward to returning on June 29th for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup.”
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer: “We’re thrilled to open our season of Sheikh Mansoor Festival sponsored races at Royal Windsor where we will hold the Group 2 PA HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, our most prestigious sprint contest, worth £20,000. We congratulate Delyth and Charlie, as well as Brett Norris who won the Baker McVeigh International Best Turned Out award for Paramer Angel as well.
