Double for Ffrench and Deeb in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Trainer Saif Al Deen Deeb and jockey Royston Ffrench registered a double each while the Eric Lemartinel-trained Baher scored a long-awaited win when Gerald Avranche steered the eight-year-old to victory in the feature event at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race course on Sunday.

Deeb's Ballerina under Wayne Smith and Jinad under Ffrench won their respective races in a six-race card, all for Purebred Arabians.

Ffrench later completed his double when he pulled off a smart win on the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Firstwan in the night's last race.

Earlier in the feature race, Baher under Avranche staved off a strong challenge from the Jaber Bittar-trained Ordoki under David Badel to win the Al Karama Conditions race over 11 furlongs by a neck.

Baher's win comes after 33 months and 22 races since the son of Tidjani last won on his first run in the UAE in February 2007.

Gillian Duffield also opened her account for the season in the capital when the former champion Purebred Arabian trainer saddled a winner in Nawara under Tadhg O'Shea.

Results

•  Al Khubairah, PA, Maiden (Mares & Fillies), Dh 35,000, Turf, 8F:
• Nawara (Gillian Duffield) Tadhg O'Shea; Limeted Edition (Michael Kettle) Salima Al Taleei; 3. Ana Dhabiania (Rod Simpson) Daragh O'Donohoe.
• Time: 1:50.00; Distances: 0.50L, 0.25L, 0.75L
• Baynoonah Handicap, PA, UAE-bred Fillies & Mares, Turf, Dh 45,000, 8F:
• Balerina (Saif Al Deen Deeb) Wayne Smith; 2. Alama (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche; 3. Dhuha W'Rsan (Jaci Wickham) Richard Mullen.
• Time: 1:48.57; Distances: 0.75L, Neck, 8L
• Emirates Equestrian Federation, Conditions, PA, UAE-bred, Turf, Dh 35,000. 7F
• Marjan Al Asayl (Rod Simpson) Daragh O'Donohoe; 2. Naseem Al Reef (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche; 3. Million (Jaber Bittar) David Badel.
• Time: 1:35.31; Distances: 0.75L, 0.25L, 2L
• Umm Al Nar, Conditions, PA, Turf, Dh 35,000, 11F:
• Jinad (Saif Al Deen Deeb) Royston Ffrench; 2. AS Muheeb (Ahmad Al Shamsi) Wayne Smith; 3. Raneet (Eric Lemartinel) Wencelas Walter.
• Time: 2:33.39; Distances: 1L, 0.50L, 3.50L
• Al Karama, Conditions, PA, Turf. Dh 75,000, 11F:
• Baher (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche; 2. Ordoki (Jaber Bittar) David Badel;
• Ejaabi (Gillian Duffield) Tadhg O'Shea.
• Time: 1:33.81; Distances: Neck, Neck, 2.75L.
• Al Rawdah, Conditions, PA, Turf, Dh 40,000, 8F:
• Firstwan (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Royston Ffrench; 2. Nabila (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche; 3. Jadhebeh Al W'san (Jaci Wickham) Tadhg O'Shea.
• Time: 1:47.74; Distances: 1.25L, 9.25L, 3.25L.