UAE's Al Marzooei all geared up for big Qatar test

Dubai: UAE apprentice jockey Saeed Al Marzooei puts his burgeoning riding skills to the test when he competes in the second Qatar Apprentice Invitation Jockey's challenge at the prestigious Qatar International Equestrian Festival (QIEF).

 Al Marzooei will represent the UAE in the competition which features three races over three days of action at the new Rayyan track. He will compete against apprentice riders from 13 countries who will edeavour to make their presence felt on the big stage.
The Emirati business school graduate-turned jockey, who rides out of champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe’s Grandstand Stables in Dubai, will be taking part in the competition for the second year in succession.

 Malih Lahej Al Basti, Emirates Racing Association (ERA) Board Member and Chairman of the Racing Committee Meydan Group said: “We wish him all the very best of luck and hope he does well.

 “Saeed has been working very hard as an apprentice and deserves this chance to compete on the international stage. He will be in the full glare of the racing world, but he thrives in such situations as he gives one hundred per cent.

 “You don’t ask for success, you go out and get it and that’s what Saeed will be hoping to accomplish in Qatar this week.”

 Al Marzooei said he was eagerly looking forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the best apprentice riders from around the world.

 “It’s a very exciting competition as it gives you a good opportunity to see how you compare with apprentices from so many countries,” he said. “I was in Qatar last year and it was a wonderful experience. You need a little bit of luck with the draw of horses but I will do my best as I am representing the UAE.”

 Other participating apprentices taking part are Ali Hassan (Bahrain), Junji Shimada (Japan), Hyeok Lee (South Korea), Mohammed Fadzlei Ismail (Malaysia), Muanis Al-Siyabi (Oman), Yasin Pilavcilar (Turkey), Donovan Dillon (South Africa), Naif K. Alanazi (Saudi Arabia), Nooresh Juglall (Maurituis), Darry De Ocampo (Philippines) and Yousef Al Hajri (Qatar).

 The Festival culminates in a triple extravaganza on Thursday which features Qatar’s most prestigious thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian races – the QR 2million HH The Emir Sword and QR 500,000 Emir’s Sword for Arabians and the QR 1,5million HH Emir Trophy for thoroughbreds.