Dispersal by a top Arab horseman

Wafic Said, one of the Arab world's leading international horsemen, announced on Thursday that he is leaving racing at the end of the year.

Said, a Saudi businessman whose insurance company Sagitta dropped its sponsorship of both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in June, cited his increased absence from Britain as the main reason for his decision. All of his horses, the 30 or so he has in training, 16 broodmares and a number of yearlings, will be dispersed at auctions conducted by Tattersalls this autumn in England.

Among the broodmares will be his 1000 Guineas winner of 1996, Bosra Sham, and Lady Carla, the winner of the English Oaks the same year. Said also campaigned Distant Relative, a two-time Group 1 winner at a mile, and French Derby runner-ups Croco Rouge and Oscar. In the United States, where he raced under the nom de course Addison Racing Ltd., he had Grade 3 Turfway Park Fall Championship winner Generous Rosi with Niall O'Callaghan and Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap winner Hal's Pal with Ben Cecil.