Double for Al Deen Deeb and Badel

Abu Dhabi: The capital's horse racing season got off to a roaring start with trainer Saif Al Deen Deeb and jockey David Badel recording a double each, including the feature race for Purebred Arabians, at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

After Rod Simpson kick-started proceedings when Anood Al Ghaid and Jowharat Al Asayl finished first and third respectively in the Emirates Equestrian Federation-sponsored Fillies maiden, the combine of Deeb and Badel took over.

It was the French jockey Badel who struck first when he rode the Jaber Bittar-trained Zain Al Reef to finish ahead of another Simpson-trained runner Marjan Al Asayl in the Khalidiyah Park race for colts.

In the fourth race, Jinad gave trainer Deeb his first win of the evening when he won a close duel with the Michael Kettle-trained Limeted Edition ridden by Salima Al Taleei.

Later, in the feature race — the Festival of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Zayed the First Arabian Cup — Deeb and Badel combined to complete their double.

After Simpson's Jazeerat Alsadyaat had done all the early running before fading away, it was Eric Lemartinel's Baher under Wencelas Walter, who came up with a good run.

Turning for home, Baher led the field and with about a furlong left in the eight-furlong race, Badel brought Rachidia into the picture with a searing run.

‘Delighted'

While Baher kept battling ahead, Rachidia with the advantage of four kgs caught and pipped the former on the line to win by a short head.

The win in the feature race completed a double for Deeb and Badel. "I am delighted with the two wins. I was lucky to have a good horse and she did the job," said Badel.

Yesterday's feature race, the Festival of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for Arabian flat horse race, was organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, the Breeding Stables of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, based in Normandy, France, Sorouh Real Estate, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, IAL Art Logistics and Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2010.

Results

1. Emirates Equestrian Federation, Fillies, Maiden, Turf, Dh 35,000, 6.5F:

1. Anood Al Ghaid (Rod Simpson) M. Henry;

2. Al Jaziyah W'Rsan (Jaci Wickham) Tagh O'Shea;

3. Jowharat Al Asayl (Rod Simpson) C. Eddery

Dist: 7L, 1.75L, 5.25L; Time: 1:29.16

2. Khalidiyah Park, Colts, Maiden, Turf, Dh 35,000, 6.5F:

1. Zain Al Reef (Jaber Bittar) David Badel;

2. Marjan Al Asayl (Rod Simpson) M. Henry;

3. Ameer Al Sraya (Saifaldin Deeb) Tadhg O'Shea

Dist: 3.75L, 5L, 1.25L; Time: 1:28.26

3. Zayed The First, Handicap, UAE-bred, rated 0-60, Dh 55,000, Turf, 8F:

AF Amthaal (Bakhit Al Ketbi) D. Smith;

Rafed (E. Lemartinal) G. Avranche;

AF Qa'ed (Musabah Al Muhairi) Wayne Smith.

Dist: Shd, 2.50L, 3.75L

4. Al Mushrif, Maiden, Turf, Dh 35,000, 7F:

Jinad (Saifaldin Deeb) Royston Ffrench;

Limeted Edition (Michael Kettle) Salim Al Taleei;

Barolo (A. Al Shamsi) Wayne Smith

Distance: 0.25L, 3.50L, 2.25L Time: 1:34.71

5. Festival of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Zayed the First Arabian Cup, Handicap, 0-80, Dh 70,000, 8F:

1. Rachidia (S. Deeb) David Badel;

2. Baher (Lemartinel) W. Walter

3. Le Gusta Bailar (Simpson) Devlin.

Distance: Shd, 2.75L, Nose Time: 1:46.15

6.Al Manhal Handicap, Thoroughbreds, rated 65-90, Dh 70,000, 7F:

Ibn Batuta (Musabah Al Muhairi) W. Smith;

Palm Court (A Al Raihe) R. Ffrench;

Montmorency (Seemar) R. Mullen.

Dist: 4L, 1.25L, 2.50L Time:1:23.83