Abu Dhabi – Ain Jaloot, ridden by Gerald Avranche, cruised to his fifth consecutive win the in the Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners Only at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.
Stable companion AF Asefah was a length back in second under Tadhg O’Shea and behind them finished Aim Hi under Silvestre De Sousa. The winner covered the 1000-metre distance in 1.00.53 seconds.
The race was held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
“It’s a great pleasure for us to be associated with this race,” said the winning owner and breeder Abdul Basit Al Yaqoub received yet another special bonus of Dh10.000 in prize-money which is provided by the Festival for the winning breeder of every individual round of the Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners Only.
“It’s a great honour for me to be here along with other Arabians breeders and owners to compete in this prestigious series,” he said.
“Once again I would like to thank HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime |Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival has motivated many people to enter into the breeding industry and become part of this brilliant vision to promote the Arabian horse within the UAE and elsewhere,” he added.
Ain Jaloot, the five-year-old son of Amer, launched his claim from stall-5 and kept himself perfectly poised behind the early speed before he was asked to improve and made a smooth progress to lead and sprinted home comfortably.
“I have just put him right on the track and Ain Jaloot did all the work. He’s an honest horse and very easy to ride,” Avranche added.
Trainer Eric Lemartinel commented: “He was narrowly beaten in his earlier four starts before we came to discover that the five to seven furlongs are his best trips and fortunately he appreciated the drop in distance and has never been beaten since.”
“Once again, all owners, trainers and jockeys are grateful for HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan who made it possible for us to showcase and develop the capabilities and potentials of the local-bred Arabians,” he said.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, Omeir Travels and Racing.
