Abu Dhabi: Silvestre de Sousa scored a brace with victories on AF Mathmoon and Da’Areen for two different trainers in Musabah Al Muhairi and Majid Al Jahouri in the penultimate meeting of the season at Abu Dhabi race course here on Sunday.
De Sousa’s first victory came in the second race of the evening, the Al Falah Handicap, where he led four-year-old colt AF Mathmoon across the finish line with a five-and-a-half-length margin ahead of Wazn, ridden by George Buckell. Tadhg O’Shea on RB Inferno was third.
“Mathmoon is a smart horse and I’m very pleased he’s run well again. He’s still a big baby but he’s done well in both starts,” said a jubilant De Sousa.
The Brazilian jockey then saw Da’Areen to victory in the Mizzna Conditions, one-and-a-half lengths ahead of second-placed Bibisheena led by Harry Bentley. Wayne Smith on Manade Athbah stood third.
Crowd favourite Royal Revival won the Khalifa Handicap for trainer Satish Seemar in a closely contested thoroughbred race.
Jockey Richard Mullen with that win also stretched his record this season to 41 winners — five clear of second-placed De Sousa in the UAE jockeys’ championship.
“It’s still a long way to go but it’s nice to be up there with the winners. I’m very fortunate and thankful that I got a stable that is in great form, and it has been a pleasure working with them. It has been a fantastic season for me and long may it continue,” said Mullen.
RB Torch, a four-year-old colt and son of TH Richie, continued to impresses at the capital course by registering his third win in four starts.
O’Shea led RB Torch to victory authoritatively by five-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of the Jesus Rosales-ridden Ameer Al Reef. Love to Dance, led by De Sousa, settled for third.
“RB Torch is a very good horse and he is still growing up mentally. Obviously, there is more to come but he is very exciting. He probably should be unbeaten,” said O’Shea.
“His only defeat unfortunately came when a horse fell in front of him and he got too far back in the race that night. But we won our race with a very good horse in the shape of Abhaar. So they are two of the best four-year-olds over this distance with little or nothing between them.”
