Abu Dhabi: The world’s richest Purebred Arabian contest, the €1.2 million (Dh4.79 million) Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown-empowered by IPIC, takes centre-strage at the Abu Dhabi Race course on Sunday.
Al Mourtajez, the Qatari challenger and the highest rated Purebred Arabian in the world at 134, starts as firm favourite.
The six-year-old grey son of Dahess is a winner of 12 of his 16 races that includes eight Group 1 prizes. Trained in France by Thomas Fourcy, Al Mourtajez will be the horse to beat as he has arrived at the capital at the back of four race wins on the trot, including Group 1 prize for Arabians on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day.
“He is the best. He is an exceptional racehorse who has plenty of speed for this 1,600m, but also stays 2,400m well,” said his jockey Julien Auge, who has ridden him in all but one of his 16 career starts.
Trainer Fourcy was also upbeat about his horse’s chances and was thrilled after the draw.
“The draw in stall five looks ideal and we are really looking forward to the race. It is a big race and going to be a good one,” said Fourcy, whose horse’s only shock defeat came in February’s HH The Emir’s Sword in Doha, a race he had won comfortably in 2015.
The Group 1 race has drawn a maximum 16 over the 1,600m trip, including last year’s winner Kalino and runner-up Sahabba, both from Qatar.
Trained in Qatar by Alban de Mieulle for his main patron, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Kalino, the seven-year-old chestnut will be looking to defend his title with French star jockey, Olivier Peslier.
“He has proven himself at Abu Dhabi, which is obviously in our favour. It looks a very strong race, as you would expect for the prize money but this has been his target and we hope for a good run,” said an upbeat Peslier.
Last year’s runner-up French horse, Sahabba, third-placed Thakif and Abhaar, who had settled for the fourth spot, too, are in fray. Also keep a close watch on AF Mathmoon, the Dubai Kahayla Classic winner, who spearheads the local challenge.
AF Mathmoon has won six of his seven career starts. He was beaten only by Thakif on his fourth start and Group 1 debut at Meydan in January this year.
However, trainer Musabah Al Muhairi felt that the timing of the race was not ‘ideal for the local horses.’
“It’s the beginning of the season for our horses. It gives horses arriving from outside an advantage as they are either on the middle or end of their seasons,” said Al Muhairi, who despite being drawn wide was still hopeful of a good show. “We won the Dubai Kahayla Classic from stall 14 so that is not an issue.”
Thakif, the eight-year-old chestnut of Mahabb, a winner over the course and distance in 2014, will also challenge for the Jewel Crown.
There are three American challengers — Paddy’s Day, Sand Victor and Thess is Awesome. However, having races on dirt and left-handed at home, most feel that the Abu Dhabi right-handed and turf would pose them some trouble. Paddy’s Day was a disappointment in the prep race last Sunday — where he finished fifth. His task is made more daunting with a wide draw on stall 15.
Sand Victor, who will be ridden by Pat Dobbs, is seeking his first Group 1 victory and making his turf debut but trainer Terri Eaton feels that won’t be an issue at all.
“He is in wonderful form and raring to go. We have a great draw in four and we are certainly going to try and take the trophy home to America,” Eaton said.
