Sheikh Fahad lends Motion to National Heritage Centre

To raise awareness of the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art's nomination as a as a finalist for the Art Fund Museum of the Year, Sheikh Fahad Al Thani has agreed to lease Melodic Motion to the National Heritage Centre for her appearance in the Betway Fillies' Handicap at Newmarket this Saturday.

It had initially been intended for Diamonds Pour Moi to carry the black and yellow colours of the National Heritage Centre under the owner's name of 'Art Fund Museum of the Year Finalists 17' in the Listed Fred Archer Stakes on the card, but unfortunately she is now a non-runner. Her stablemate Melodic Motion, who will be chasing a handicap hat-trick at Newmarket after wins at Pontefract and Goodwood, is a very able deputy.

The £100,000 Art Fund Museum of the Year prize will be awarded on July 5, and Newmarket's National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art is the first sporting museum to be shortlisted for this prestigious prize.

Chris Garibaldi, Chief Executive of the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art, said:

‚"We are extremely grateful to Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and Ralph Beckett for allowing us to lease Melodic Motion at Newmarket on Saturday. The idea is for all the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year finalists to be able to enjoy and celebrate being on the shortlist and experience the thrill of our amazing sport of horseracing. It shows the unique cultural territory that the National Heritage Centre at Palace House in Newmarket occupies, connecting as it does the worlds of sport, science and the arts."

Speaking on behalf of Sheikh Fahad and Pearl Bloodstock, Racing Manager David Redvers said:

‚"Sheikh Fahad is delighted to help and did not hesitate once he heard about the initiative. The National Heritage Centre is doing a great job in promoting the sport and increasing people's understanding of its history and heritage, while also educating and entertaining visitors. We wish them the best of luck in their bid to win the prestigious prize of Art Fund Museum of the Year."

The Betway Fillies' Handicap, due off at 4.20pm is over a mile and a half and will be broadcast on Racing UK.