The advent of Arab horse racing in 1978 was greeted
with enthusiasm by the Harwood Arabian Stud. In the early years
two horses were trained at the stud by stud groom Joe Norman, himself
an ex-steeplechase jockey. Dick Carline and Joe’s wife Sue rode
Sharukh (a gelding by Indian Flame) and Tsavo (a stallion by Kilifi)
to wins. Sharukh was no spring chicken when he took up racing after
a successful show career. Standing only 14 hands he attained many
placings and finally took the honours at Mollington. Tsavo had only
two runs before being sold, he was placed on his first outing and
hacked up easily to win on his second.
Monica Calvert and grandson Alec Moore considering
their chances in the paddock at Newmarket
In 1986 Georgie Moore and husband John took
over the training and there began a learning curve with Gentian
(by Genaro). She was small but with excellent limbs. John rode Gentian
in all her early races and they achieved many placings, the win
eluded them but she was to be second in the Mares Championship at
Goodwood in 1987 this time ridden by Mel Goddard. Gentian has gone
on to breed two subsequent winners with her daughters Gennista and
Perle d’Azur. Gaining wins and placings with homebred horses is
the aim of the stud and in 1987 Miralda (by Kasadi) came to join
Gentian. A small, glamourous mare with outstanding action she went
on to notch up several wins and also some high class placings. Her
daughter Milicent (by Shabaan) and son Sambucus (by Sambist) are
now in training and have both earned prize money. Kasadi’s son Syllvester,
an eyecatching grey has provided much fun and joy in the handicaps
for the past three years.
Syllvester winning at Market
Rasen May 2000 (photo: Joanna Prestwich)
At Tattersalls in 1995 Pharitz Maneon (by Galeon)
was purchased to add to the racing string. She was to prove very
fast and won a race in her debut year at four, the next season she
had two easy wins from two starts and but was sadly to trip in a
hole which pulled a tendon. We are very pleased with her offspring
to date. A strong three year old gelding by Kasadi and a beautiful
yearling filly by Saker. She has had a grey colt by Saker in 2002.
Milicent with Sam
Holdsworth up, see here at Newmarket's International Meeting.
Although racing
mares to estimate their broodmare value to the stud is the primary
aim of the racing, a lot of fun has been had with geldings. Syllvester
has already been mentioned and another is Gavin (by Kasadi out of
Gennista), a champion in hand who relished the racing. He gave the
stud their first big win on an international day. He always tried
and has now gone on to a gentler life as a riding horse for his
new owner. Malaki (by Taqah) is another very athletic horse who
has won for the stud and is now competing in medium dressage. Randolph
(by Sha’baan) has stayed with the Moores, a useful lead horse on
the gallops and hunted by all the family.
Perle D'Azur ridden by Sam Holdsworth after
winning at Exeter. Photo by Mark Johnston
John retired from race riding after
two years of struggling with his weight and for a while Joe Norman
was first jockey which was great fun for all involved with the stud.
Since he stopped riding at 60 Georgie has used a number of jockeys
some from point to pointing,principally Sam Holdsworth, and some
of whom have gone on into the ranks of the professionals.
Trainer Georgie Moore about to celebrate
Syllvester's win at Market Rasen with Don Harrington
