ABU DHABI – Naseem, ridden by Wayne Smith, won the 2200m Purebred Arabians UAE Arabian Derby in great style at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club here on Sunday night.
Stable companion Areem under Harry Bemtley led for most of the trip before he dropped to finish second to secure the first two places for Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Daffagh Al Asayl chased the winners home to take third under Morco Demuro.

Having won the first round of the Arabian in the same stylish fashion and the connections are looking forward to see more coming out of him.

Wayne Smith who partnered Naseem to victory said: “I really like this horse. I rode him last time out and he’s a top class performer. He’s not an easy horse to ride. The plan for him is to go for the remaining two rounds of the Triple Crown and he may probably go to the Dubai Kahayla Classic.”

Manisha emerged the easiest of winners under Mirco Demuro in the 1600m Purebred Arabians Emirates Fillies Classic Prestige second feature race on the card.

The four-year-old Darike filly missed the break and had to come from well back as the pack hit the turn for home.

At that stage, Shajaret Eddor Al Reef took the lead under Jaesus Rosales and looked like a winner with less than one furlong to go.

But Manisha got up very strongly and stormed home impressively to cross the finish line by more than four lengths to the run of the judges.

The winner is trained by Ernst Oertel on behalf of His Highness the President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Harry Bentley rode a quick double in the first and second races of the evening. He first partnered Bibi Basha who came from the reserves bench to land the 1600m Purbred Arabians UAE-Bred Al Reef Maiden first race sponsored by Al Reef Stables.

The four-year-old Babi De Carrere colt is trained by Mohammed Al Ketbi for owner Shaikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

In the second race, Al Ras Al Akhdar Conditions event for Purebred Arabians contested over a mile, the brilliant rider was in the saddle when Raeaa W’Rsan sprinted home unchallenged to earn trainer Jaci Wickham her first winner of the night.

The third race, a 1400m Purebred Arabians Wathba Stud Farm Cup Handicap was easily won by NH Wafi in the hands and heels of champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea.

The early leader Barolo dropped to second under Mirco Demuro and behind these came top weight Chase Me, ridden by Gerald Avranche to finish third.

Naseem Al Reef won the sixth race and Jamhoori made virtually all under UAE apprentice jockey Saeed Al mazrooie to win the Lulu Island Maiden, the only thoroughbreds race of the night.