Newbury Racecourse

Newbury welcomes the return of Dubai Duty Free for a twelfth consecutive year as title sponsor of its action-packed two-day September meeting this weekend.

This will be Dubai Duty Free's second visit to Newbury this year, the multi-award winning airport retailer having sponsored the Spring Trials meeting here in April, and the racecourse executive is delighted to have the opportunity of hosting them, and their guests, once again.

Memories of the mighty Mill Reef will be evoked on Saturday with the running of an immensely significant Group 2 contest named after the 1971 Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, who was trained locally at Kingsclere.

A six furlongs event for two-year-olds only, the race has produced a string of top-class winners since its introduction in 1972, and unearthed another potential Classic winner last year in the Barry Hills-trained Dark Angel, who went on to add his name to the roll of honour of the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Sadly, Dark Angel was unable to race as a three-year-old and retired as the winner of four of his nine races, but left an indelible mark on the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes.

This year's renewal is being targeted by Brian Meehan with Gallagher, who was unlucky not to win when beaten half a length after running into traffic problems at Deauville last time out, but is a 'serious horse with a very bright future', according to his Manton trainer.

Also featured is the Dubai Duty Free 25th Anniversary World Trophy, a five furlongs event for three-year-olds and upwards with Group 3 status which marks the sponsors' Silver Jubilee year.
Joining Dubai Duty Free in their support of the programme are John Smith's with sponsorship of an ultra-competitive ten furlongs handicap, and the Usk Valley Stud, the 140-acre thoroughbred breeding establishment in Abergavenny, which is responsible for the six furlongs nursery.

The ghost of Shergar, one of the all-time great racehorses will be stalking Newbury on Friday when the card includes the 28th running of the Haynes Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes - the race in which the ill-fated English and Irish Derby hero made a winning debut in 1980.

Sponsored by the Stow-on-the-Wold-based wine merchants, this mile event traditionally throws up a horse with Classic race potential, and they could be toasting another this year in the John Dunlop-trained Palavicini who looks like he may fit that mould.

Other highlights on the opening day's order of running are the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial and the Dubai Duty Free Cup. Look out for Regime and Majestic Roi respectively in these races.

Race start times are: Friday 1.40 p.m. and 1.35 p.m. the following day and remember, accompanied children under the age of 17 go FREE.