Ernst Oertel poised to take trophy to Abu Dhabi
South African handler hot favourite to win UAE trainers’ championship
Dubai: On October 30, 2011, Ernst Oertel won the first race of the season to make a winning debut as a trainer in the UAE.
Now, come Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting, the South African is all set to make history by becoming the first ever Abu Dhabi-based trainer to win the country’s trainers’ championship.
Oertel, who trains horses owned by UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his son Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has within two seasons risen to the top of the trainers’ pack.
Based at the Al Asayl Stables tucked away in Sweihan, about 40km from the capital, most of Oertel’s wins have come from Purebred Arabians, although he does handle a string of thoroughbreds, two of whom will be seen in action on Saturday.
Oertel goes into the season-ending Dubai World Cup night with two strong contenders in the Dubai Kahayla Classic Group 1 for Arabians — Seraphin Du Paon and TM Junior Johnson — plus Ganas in the Al Quoz Sprint (Group 1), Capital Attraction in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile, and Averroes in the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup.
The 49-year-old has 34 winners for the season, one more than Mosabah Al Muhairi, who has just one runner all night — Russian Rock in the Al Quoz.
Speaking to Gulf News yesterday, the champion-elect said: “It is the highlight. Being the champion trainer of any country is a proud moment. To me it is a great honour.”
With more than 25 years of experience in England and South Africa, Oertel said: “It is a great honour especially for our team. Al Asayl Stables have not done it before and Abu Dhabi has not done it before. It is great to be the first one to do it.
“So much effort has been put by Their Highnesses to bring Al Asayl back into being a power to be reckoned with. Al Asayl have a breeding programme for thoroughbreds in England and we have a few mares that we breed every year. We also have a strong breeding operation for Purebred Arabians.”
Commenting on his success this season, with 26 runners-up to go with his 34 winners, the South African said: “I was quite confident. We had a very hard-working team. Of course we have very nice horses. And the support from the bosses has been tremendous.”
On his chances on Saturday, Oertel added: “I would like to win all of them. I like my chances in the Dubai Kahayla Classic. In the thoroughbreds, both Ganas and Capital Attraction have a big chance.”
