Abu Dhabi: Dynamite exploded amidst a star-studded field to become the first UAE-bred Purebred Arabian to win the His Highness the President's Cup (Group 1), the world's richest race for Arabians horses and its trainer Saifaldin Deeb celebrated with a triple win.
The Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race course, where the Saifaldin Deeb-trained Dynamite had created history last season by becoming the first locally-bred horse to win a Group 1 race - The National Day Cup - was once again the scene for a devastating display by the 7-year-old son of Bibi De Carrere.
The great Madjani, three-time Kahayla Classic winner and twice winner of the President's Cup, the highly-rated Doug Watson-trained Kandar Du Falgas, Eric Lemartinel's Shadidya - beaten just once to second place in six starts and UAE debutant Fryvolous, a top contender from James Frazier's yard were all part of one of the strongest ever President's Cup fields with a total prize money of Dh one million on offer.
Greatest wins
But it was young 20-year-old South African jockey Keagan Latham who managed to keep Dynamite's start-to-finish affair safe, staving off the double-pronged attack from Madjani and Kandar Du Falgas.
"This is one of the greatest wins and to beat Madjani makes it simply superb," said Saifaldin Deeb, who also won two more races on the night to celebrate in style. "I just asked Latham to keep him close to the rails and he did just that.
"It was great the way he kept going. Dynamite has a big heart," said the winning trainer.
While Latham registered his first double when AF Inthekab managed to keep his head in front of GRP Mondial Ghantoot, the win also marked a terrific treble for Deeb.
In the penultimate race, the Deeb-trained Rachida, a 4-year-old Dormane filly was ridden to a classy win by Lisa Jones to complete the Lebanese trainer's triple win.
Earlier in the only race for Thoroughbreds in a card of seven races sponsored by Nakheel, Herman Brown's Officer under Ryan Moore scored a comfortable win with Better Mix under Martyn Dwyer finishing second.
Update
Latham to cherish victory
Young Keagan Latham's dream start to his racing in the UAE continues.
The rider for South African Herman Brown who made the most of a spare ride to get off to a winning start here in the UAE earlier in the season, scored one of the biggest wins of his fledgling career on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Partnering local-bred Dynamite, a horse that has seen his fortunes dip since winning the National Day Cup last season, the 20-year-old South African seemed to work his magic on the 7-year-old to stave off the challenge from the mighty Madjani and a handful of other top horses in the world's richest race for Purebred Arabian horses.
"This win is something special. It is my first Group 1 win and I will remember it for a long, long time," said the smart youngster who has fully broken free from his apprentice tag of last season.
Results
Race 1.The Nakheel Gold Khanjar maiden race, Purebred Arabians, UAE-bred fillies & mares, Dh 30,000, 11F:
- 1. Gifara (Eric Lemartinel) David Badel;
- 2. GRP Lolita Ghantoot (M. Ramadan) Ahmad Ajtebi;
- 3. AF Mahab Alshamal (Gillian Duffield) Ted Durcan.
- Time: 2:37.82. Distance: 1L, 5.75L, 2L
Race 2. The Nakheel Gold Falcon, Purebred Arabians, UAE-bred maiden, Dh 30,000, 11F:
- 1. Bareq (Musabeh Al Muhairi) Wayne Smith;
- 2. La Tarmes (James Frazier Jr.) Gaven Birrer;
- 3. Abyan 1I (Jaber Bittar) Jesus Rosales.
- Time: 2:34.02; Distance: 9L, 18L, 5.25L
Race 3. The Nakheel Gold Trophy, Purebred Arabians, Handicap 0-40, Dh 30,000, 11F:
- 1. Abu Alemarat (James Frazier Jr.) Ted Durcan;
- 2. Alama (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avaranche;
- 3. Cavalry (Jaber Bittar) Jesus Rosales.
- Time: 2:36.06. Distance: 2.25L, 3.25L, 1.75L
Race 4. The His Highness President's Cup (Group 1) Nakheel, Purebred Arabians, Dh 1000,000,11F:
- 1. Dynamite (Saifaldin Deeb) Keagan Latham;
- 2. Madjani (Gillian Duffield) Ted Durcan;
- 3. Kandar Du Falgas (Doug Watson) Martin Dwyer.
- Time: 2:32.22; Distance: 0.25L, 2.25L, 0.75L
Race 5. The Nakheel Challenge Trophy, Thoroughbreds, Handicap, 65-85, Dh 65,000, 8F:
- 1. Officer (Herman Brown) Ryan Moore;
- 2. Better Mix (Doug Watson) Martyn Dwyer;
- 3. Aamaaq (Ali Rashid Al Rahie) Royston Ffrench;
- Time: 1:37.67; Distance: 3.25L, 0.25L, 2.25L
Race 6. The Nakheel Gold Trophy, Purebred Arabians, Maiden, Dh 30,000, 8F:
- 1. Rachida (Saifaldin Deeb) Lisa Jones;
- 2. Jabar (M. Ramadan) Ahmad Ajtebi;
- 3. Dormak De Brugere (Musabah Al Muhairi) Wayne Smith.
- Time: 1:50.12; Distance: 2L, 0.25L, 6L
Race 7. The Nakheel Silver Cup, Purebred Arabians, UAE-bred Conditions race, Dh 35,000, 8F:
- 1. AF Intekhab (Saifaldin Deeb) Keagan Latham;
- 2. GRP Mondial Ghantoot (A. Manuel) A. Nicholis;
- 3. Rafed (Eric Lemartinel) Tadhg O'Shea.
- Time: 1:49.56; Distance: Shd, 0.25L, 10L
