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HH President Cup Abu Dhabi doubles for Mullen

Ricard Mullen riding Mujeeb

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The second, thus middle, of the biggest three meetings staged during the season on the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club turf, Thursday’s HH The President Cup card was highlighted by the 2200m AED 2,500,000 Purebred Arabian Group 1 HH The President Cup and the Al Asayl team were celebrating a famous victory after their Mujeeb landed the prize.

Saddled by Salem Al Ketbi, Richard Mullen, sporting the Al Asayl silks, deserves a lot of credit, having been fully rewarded for making a decisive move, kicking for home, leaving the home turn. He and the 6to homebred entire shot clear and from about 275m out it seemed apparent they would not be caught. It was a fourth, by far most important, career success for the horse.

Mullen said: “He is a nice horse and has been running well without enjoying much luck. Thankfully everything fell into place tonight and that is a great result for the whole team.”

Richard Mullen riding Western Writer

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And then, just as he had done in 2021, Mullen doubled up in the Thoroughbred equivalent, the 1400m Listed HH The President Cup, this time riding for Bhupat Seemar and Athbah Racing aboard Western Writer. A 4yo gelded son of Shamardal, he has now won half of his eight career starts and both for current connections.

Mullen said: “That is actually my first winner for Bhupat but we go back a long way. This horse will improve over further, probably 1600m ideal for the now.”

Ray Dawson riding Almotajalliah

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Restricted to 4yo fillies, the spoils in the 1600m Emirates Fillies Classic, afforded Prestige status, were snatched in the final 175m by turf debutante Almotajalliah, delivered with a perfect challenge by Ray Dawson for Ibrahim Al Hadhrami, completing rapid doubles for jockey and trainer.

Homebred by Ben Shahwan Arabian Horse Stables, Dawson’s mount was having just her second start having finished a remote fourth on debut, over 1600m on the Al Ain dirt, in December.

Ray Dawson riding Mutaqadim

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Just 30 minutes earlier, a 1600m handicap was won in relatively comfortable fashion by Mutaqadim, Dawson performing the steering aboard the 6yo entire, homebred by the Omani Royal Cavalry, for Al Hadhrami.

It was a fifth career success and second this season for the winner who, after just 12 starts, could feasibly still be improving.

Antonio Fresu riding Fadwaan

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The 4yo colts’ highlight, over the same 1600m as the fillies’ race and also classed as a Prestige contest, the Emirates Colts Classic was won stylishly by Fadwaan, now unbeaten after three starts, partnered on each occasion by Antonio Fresu in the silks of Al Rahmani Racing for Ahmed Al Mehairbi.

Fresu said: “He is a nice, young horse who has won on both turf and dirt, over 1400m and twice at 1600m. Hopefully he is improving with racing experience and is a nice prospect for connections.”

Allai Tiar riding RB Sarab

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For horses in private ownership, the opening 2200m handicap proved a red letter occasion for apprentice Allai Tiar who partnered his first ever winner, never far away aboard RB Sarab before grabbing the initiative a long way out. The pair had to dig deep in the final 125m, clinging on grimly in the colours of Mansoor Musabah Abdullah Hamad Al Sinaidi for trainer Khalifa Al Neyadi.

The 5yo entire was doubling his career and seasonal tally, adding this victory to a 1000m success on the Al Ain dirt in the middle of December.

Source: Emirates Racing Authority