Abu Dhabi: Aided by talented horses owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, former endurance rider-turned flat-race trainer Majid Al Jahouri is making a name for himself in the big races.
Al Jahouri registered a double at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday night, clinching a 1-2-3 in a rated conditions race and then going on to win the Arabian Triple Crown Round 2, a Group 3 contest.
Laamma, a four-year-old colt of Munjiz bred at Shaikh Mansour’s breeding stables in Normandy, France, was making his UAE debut and also attempting the 11-furlong distance for the first time.
His only win in France came over seven furlongs. But Al Jahouri decided to take a chance with him in the Group 3 contest against Shayel Aldhabi, winner of four consecutive runs here.
Under Harry Bentley, Laamma came up with a late run to finish ahead of Ernst Oertel’s duo of Shayel Aldhabi and Najm Alemarat to complete a double for his trainer.
Kieren Fallon had earlier led 10-year-old Jarnin to a 1-2-3 finish for Al Jahouri, with stablemates Musharab, under Harry Bentley and Rasikh, under Jesus Rosales, following behind.
Commenting on Lammaa’s win, Bentley said, “This was the first time he did this distance and the question was would he have the staying power. And he proved that [he did] tonight. He certainly has room for a lot of improvement after this winning run.”
Oertel started the evening with a smart win when Errada, under Tadhg O’Shea, won the opener. But in the Emirates Colts Classic their partnership was second best when Hab Nessnas came behind the Jaber Bittar-trained Monawer under Patrick Cosgrave.
In the only race for thoroughbreds, the Satish Seemar-trained Malthouse won the prep race for the Emirates Championship by three lengths under Richard Mullen. Second place was a dead heat between Mulaqat, ridden by James Doyle, and Mantoba (Kieren Fallon).
