In a year that female runners have dominated thoroughbred racing, I guess it should come as no surprise that Arabian racing has experienced its own version of Girl Power in 2009.

First, the undefeated and likely Darley Horse of the Year (sound familiar) Sand Witchh turned heads with a string of dominating victories, capped by a 14-length romp in the Delaware Park Arabian Juvenile Fillies Championship Stakes (don’t ask me why it’s called the Juvenile Fillies Championship when it’s for three-year-olds). Then, Burning Fancy, who Sand Witchh had beaten twice — by a combined margin of 32 ¼ lengths — took center stage with some impressive triumphs of her own, including an 11 ¼-length score in the Rancho Milagro Yegua Arabian Stakes on Oct. 17.   Read more

Like most Novembers, it is time for the latest stallions to retire to stud. But unlike many Novembers long gone, the latest entries into the breeding game are young and still vibrant. And for hopeful financial gain, the new males will go about propagating, leaving the pacing and trotting to the colts less fortunate and less rich during only two racing seasons.  Read more