Abu Dhabi: Trainer Majed Al Jahouri, who had won all eight Purebred Arabian Group 1 races in the UAE last season, started on a high when Thakif clinched the Race 4 National Day Cup for Purebred Arabians at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.
Thakif, under Harry Bentley, picked up pace towards the end to push his stable companion Areem, ridden by Silverstre de Sousa, to second spot. Thakif was also in supreme form in the Group 3 Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup which he won four weeks ago.
“I knew it would be between these two horses, but it didn’t matter which horse won at the end as long it was from my stable,” said Al Jahouri.
“Thakif proved to be the better horse on the night. He had come into the race with the benefit of a run and it worked out well for him.”
Al Jahouri is hoping that Thakif will be able to keep up the good work. “The Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 is a likely option for both Thakif and Areem,” added Al Jahouri.
“Areem was coming off a long break of 280 days and his preparation was also a bit delayed. He should come well from this race. Perhaps a rematch at Meydan in January.”
Jockey Bentley was also elated with the effort, saying: “Areem was the horse to beat in the field. I saw him struggling a bit after the final bend and then I got to work and got a good run from my horse.”
The listed The National Day Cup for Thoroughbreds was won by jockey Richard Mullen on Satish Seemar-trained Nine Realms. Mullen had earlier warmed up with victories in the Al Khaleej Al Arabi Conditions Race and Al Ras Al Akhdar Handicap under Sataar Al Reef and Sharaf Al Reef. “Nine Realms arrived in Dubai late last season and ran a cracking race to take second at Jebel Ali two weeks ago. So, we were hopeful, and he did it quite nicely tonight,” said Mullens.
Najm S’hail came full of running under De Sousa to pip Girl Powerr, ridden by Saeed Al Mazroui, in a strong finish in the Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners.
Trained by Saifaldin Deeb at Al Falah Stables, the six-year-old son of Big Easy prevailed by 1.5 lengths in 1.03.17 seconds.
Brazilian jockey De Sousa, who completed a double on Sunday night after earlier winning on Boss Des Vialettes in the third race, said: “Najm S’hail is in great form and did nothing wrong all the way.”
