Dubai: Areem will benefit from the skills of Dubai World Cup (G1) winning jockey Silvestre De Sousa as he bids to become only the third horse in history to win the Group 1 National Day Cup, the first major race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.
The only horses to achieve the feat were Ezil, who strung together three straight triumphs between 1999-2001 and the great Alanudd who won the contest in 1993, 1996 and 1998.
The fact that no horse has been able to repeat those performances in over 13 years illustrates the magnitude of Areem’s task.
However, Majed Al Jahouri, who swept all eight UAE Purebred Arabian Group One events last season, said: “This race has been his obvious first target all along and he seems in great form.
“We are happy to be drawn one and expect him to run a big race.
“To win the race three times in succession would be a great achievement by the horse.”
Al Jahouri also saddles Thakif, winner of the Group 3 Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, who will once again be ridden by Harry Bentley.
Both Al Jahouri’s runners are owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, who is also represented by Sha’Red and Haanoof, both trained by Yousef Al Bloushi.
Other notable runners include Sahib Du Clos, the 2011 winner who was second last year and Shayel Aldhabi, who was fourth on that occasion.
Trained by Saifaldin Deeb, he is the mount of Wayne Smith who said: “He has a good record fresh. He won this first time out three years ago and won the prep on seasonal debut last year so lack of a run is no concern.
“He ran a great race when second last year behind Areem who, again, looks the one to beat.”
The thoroughbred equivalent of the National Day Cup (Listed) has attracted eight runners including last year’s winner Nawwaar. trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe landed the prize last year from 2012 scorer and stable companion, Derbaas.
They are joined in the 1600 metre contest by the Dhruba Selvaratnam-trained Master Of War, winner of the prep race three weeks when defeating Nawwaar and Derbaas.
Nawwaar will be ridden by Dane O’Neill who said: “We have a great draw in two. This horse just loves to bowl along in front so we are in exactly the right stall to suit his style of running.
“He will have improved from that run in the prep, when penalised, and really should go very close.”
Derbaas will be ridden by Al Raihe’s stable jockey, Royston Ffrench, who said: “My fellow will run his usual solid race but Nawwaar will be hard to beat.”
Master Of War’s trainer, Dhruba Selvaratnam, cautioned not too take Nawwaar lightly despite the defeat three weeks ago.
“Our horse will have improved from that run when winning the prep,” he said, “However, Nawwaar was giving us weight and will surely also have come on for the outing.”
“He will be had to beat but our horse is in good form and should run well.”
Sunday’s card is supported by four other Arabian contests including the Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners Only.
Racing starts at 5pm and entrance to the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is free.
