American racing's test of faith

?At this point, there is no significant obstacle to our continuing plans to stage the Breeders? Cup as scheduled,? said Cup president, D G Van Clief.

?I gather the Ryder Cup decision was player-driven, connected with their lack of comfort about travelling to Britain and participating there. We have had no such negative feedback from the NYRA or any likely participant.? But as the FBI investigate increasing numbersof hate crimes against Muslimsin the US ? thought to be reprisals against the faith of prime terrorist suspect, Osama bin Laden ? both Van Clief and Nader acknowledge potential security problems for this international event.

Arab owners are the backbone of British racing, but have increasingly sought to expand their influence in the US.

Sheikh Mohammed has made American plaudits a priority for his international operation, Godolphin ? establishing a satellite yard and targeting its top races, often at the expense of Europe. But he is also defence minister for the United Arab Emirates, one of only three states to have recognised the Taliban regime that shelters Bin Laden. Yet the UAE also supported the 1999 UN resolution requiring Afghanistan to hand him over, backed the Gulf War and forged military links with the US during the Kosovo crisis. The Sheikh was at Kentucky?s Keeneland Sales when the terrorists struck and condemned their actions in uncompromising terms.

However, concern exists that Arab connections and their horses could be at risk ? unthinkably of actual physical harm, more conceivably of a hostile or cold reception should, say, Godolphin?s Fantastic Light win the Breeders? Cup Classic.

?I?m hopeful that, for the most part, we can expect the Belmont Park crowd to be well beyond that kind of backlash,? said Van Clief. ?There?s a great deal of rhetoric, aimed at avoiding such incidents, being delivered across the US by our President and other political and spiritual leaders.?

The NYRA will take advice from the New York City and local Nassau County police units. Nader is confident ?the New York melting-pot? would still welcome Arab owners in the winner?s enclosure, appreciative of their crucial role in international racing and bloodstock, but he fears they may choose to stay away. ?It would be unfortunate if they didn?t come, but it?s their choice,? he said.

?If they didn?t, I?m sure it wouldn?t be because they don?t want to, but because they?d decide they shouldn?t.

?It would be awful to think the actions of a minority group could influence such a decision, but it probably will impact on it.?

The water may be tested even sooner: Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum?s Lailani is on course for Belmont?s Flower Bowl on Saturday week. It?s hard to imagine such horses being withdrawn now but, if the political situation escalates, that may change.

Coincidentally, Sheikh Mohammed has been absent from the last three Breeders? Cups ? even when Daylami won the 1999 Turf. A wise and thoughtful leader, he won?t act hastily at this sensitive time. Perhaps he may even deem his presence necessary this year to show how sport can set an example of inclusivity.