RICH PULLS PITCH GETS HUGO PALMER OFF THE MARK WITH HIS ARABIAN RUNNERS

Rich Pulls Pitch and David Egan winning the Emirates Breeders Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park © Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

Clear win for Al Asayl Bloodstock’s filly in the Emirates Breeders Maiden at Lingfield Park

Tuesday 23 July 2024 –

It was an historic first UK Arabian win for Classic winning thoroughbred trainer Hugo Palmer with Al Asayl Bloodstock’s homebred filly Rich Pulls Pitch coming clear of the field under David Egan in the Emirates Breeders Maiden Stakes. The £4,000 mile contest at Lingfield Park had attracted seven runners, most either making their debuts or their second starts, with the Palmer trained duo of Rich Pulls Pitch and Marakeb the most experienced in the line-up.

The three-year-old daughter of Al Asayl’s RB Burn, broke well and was soon leading, stretching out well. Newcomer Hibikinanda Du Mazet and Sean Dylan Bowen tried to mount a challenge in the home straight but it was not enough to get near the leader, who was always doing enough in front to win to by two and a quarter lengths. The Peter Hammersley trained Assassen, making his first appearance on the track for Gavin Kelly, was ridden into third by conditional, Lewis Saunders.

Palmer already trains thoroughbreds for Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nayhan and her UAE based family with runners on the Flat and over jumps for them. The two Arabians joined his string at the Sheikha’s behest last December and have had two starts at Newbury and Yarmouth, with the filly placing both times. She has plenty of American speed on both sides of her pedigree, with her sire RB Burn winning Group 1PA races over six furlongs and a mile in the UAE, her win takes her sire to the top of the UK Arabian sires table.

Quotes:

David Egan, jockey, 1^st: “She’s a filly who only just does enough, she would probably show more of her ability in a race that’s higher in grade. The blinkers were there to keep her mind on the job as she’s a very laid back individual. She was first in the stalls and we were in there a long time waiting for the others to load and she as a quiet as a lamb, she’s got a very good temperament. She doesn’t know she’s had a race today, she’s not the biggest, but she tries hard and I think there’s a lot of improvement in her, she’s definitely taken a step forward today from Yarmouth.”

Hugo Palmer, trainer 1st, 4^th, : “Obviously I’m delighted to have the support of Al Asayl both with the Thoroughbreds and Arabians, so I’m thrilled to get our fist Arabian winner for them. Right at the start I said I’d be very nervous watching them run and with only two it’s quite hard to compare their work, all I can find out at home is the filly is faster than the gelding! Rich Pulls Pitch has been frustratingly green on her first two starts, but the blinkers sharpened her up today and she travelled much better, David said her felt she was only really in second gear.”

“Marakeb will step up in trip next time.”

Lissie Reeves, Arabian Assistant to James Owen, 2^nd: “We’re really happy with Hibikinanda Du Mazet first time out. She’s been going really well at home, so we were hoping for a nice run and she’s done exactly what she needed to do.”

Peter Hammersley, trainer, 3^rd, 5^th: “We’ve had few issues with Assassen, but the moment Lewis is on him, he just settles, we were only halfway down the walkway to the track and he’d chilled out. I’m pleased with the way both he and Another Angel ran today.”

David Egan and Rich Pulls Pitch, winners of the Emirates Breeders Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park © Debbie Burt – Equine Creatie Media

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We’re delighted for Al Asayl Bloodstock and Hugo Palmer for this historic first UK win with Rich Pulls Pitch and we thank the Emirates Breeders series for their support of our racing. Our warmest congratulations go out to all our new and returning owners who had runners today, it’s a big positive for the sport in the UK.

“We also thank The Arabian Racehorse magazine who sponsored the Best Turned Out Award won by Maddie Plumb for Sally Sixpence and now look forward to our next race at Goodwood on Wednesday 31 July.”

Genny Haynes presents the trophy to Sarah Peacock on behalf of Al Asayl Bloodstock, winners of the Emirates Breeders Maiden Stakes at Lingfield Park with Rich Pulls PItch

© Debbie Burt- Equine Creative Media

1st: RICH PULLS PITCH (FR)

2nd: Hibikinanda du Mazet (FR)

3rd: Assassen (GB)

7 ran

Distances: 2.25, 1.5

Time: 1.50.04

Going: Standard

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