Abu Dhabi: Qatar’s Kalino won the world's richest race for Purebred Arabian – the Group 1 €1.2 million Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown – at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club here on Sunday.
Kalino, owned by Qatari royal Shaikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, ridden by French jockey Olivier Peslier and trained by Alban de Mieulle, got the better of Jean-Baptiste Hamel’s Sahabba by a short head in the feature event of the night.
Settling for the third spot was Thakif piloted by Wayne Smith, a good five and half lengths behind.
“It is a great win. This is like a French team but the horse is from Qatar. I’m so happy to come and win here tonight. We have seen all the best jockeys and horses as well as apprentice jockeys here and to win amongst them feels great,” said an elated Peslier.
“This title is for Qatar,” said a thrilled Sami Al Boenain, the IFAHR chairman who hails from Qatar, heaping words of praise for UAE’s organisational abilities. “This was a well organised and best event for the Purebred Arabian Horses. I would like to thank Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs for the beautiful race,” added Al Boenain.
The HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFAHR) was won by 19-year-old Australian Ben Thompson, on AK Adour. Thompson led AK Adour from the inside and then judged the run to perfection to pip 16-year-old Ommar Lakjal of Morocco on Haanoof by one and quarter length. French teenager Isis Magnin, on Merzal, was third, another three and a quarter lengths behind.
“Unbelievable. It is a fantastic win after being provided with the opportunity to come and race here. Got an opportunity to ride in Kentucky where I won and to win here again is great,” said a jubilant Thompson.
The HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR), over 1600 metres, was won by Swiss jockey Astrid Wullschleger on Najm Alemarat, one and quarter length ahead of Haizoom, ridden Rebeca Smith of Great Britain. Third place was bagged by Sandee Martin of USA on Molahen El Alhan.
“I had won on ice in Switzerland and was out of the country for the first time so this win is really very special for me. I’m really thrilled to win on my first outing here,” said a beaming Wullschleger.
It was also a fairy tale start for Dubai World Cup winning jockey Fernando Jara, who rode Invasor to a famous victory in 2007. The America based Panamanian jockey won the first race of the season on his comeback to UAE by leading AF Al Sally to victory in the United Arab Emirates Martyrs’ Cup.
Jara, who signed up for UAE champion trainer Musabah Al Muhairi after a span of seven years, led AF Al Sally across the line by three and a quarter lengths ahead of AF Tawaq, ridden by Wayne Smith. Finishing third was Christopher Hayes on ES Deemha.
“It is nice to be back here to the place that I love. It is an honour to be here and Musabah Al Muhairi has nice horses,” said an ecstatic Jara.
Twenty-year-old apprentice jockey George Buckell, onboard Al Shabab, proved his credentials by brushing aside the challenge from TM AC-DC, ridden by Hayes, to clinch the Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners, by a neck. Jara on AJS Amjad was three and quarter lengths behind in third spot.
“He (Al Shabab) travelled very well into the race. He got a bit tired towards the end but held on which was nice,” said a beaming Buckell, who hails from London.
The UAE Martyrs Cup over 2200m was won by Blue Tiger’s Eye ridden by Frederik Tylicki ahead of Tadhq O’Shea’s Mutual Force by one and three quarters of a length. Coming third by another half a length was Wayne Smith aboard Wintergreen.
