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AF Alwajel wins the GP 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup

AF Alwajel ridden by Pat Dobbs

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A busy National Day weekend concluded, after four consecutive days of racing, in the UAE capital when the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club staged its biggest meeting of the season, highlighted by the 2200m Group 1 AED5 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown; First Classs taking the prize, chased home by last year’s heroine, Lady Princess.

The main support race, the 1600m Group 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup was taken fairly comprehensively by AF Alwajel, homebred by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, saddled by Ernst Oertel and a spare ride for Pat Dobbs who replaced the absent Tadhg O’Shea in the saddle.

Returning after exactly a year off the track, the 7yo entire showed few signs of rustiness and Oertel said: “I am very proud of my horse after such a long absence and it is great to win such a big prize with a horse bred in the UAE.”

Suny Du Loup ridden by Pat Dobbs

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The fixture kicked off with a 2200m handicap in which Dobbs produced Suny Du Loup to deny the gallant Only Smoke in the dying strides for Hamad Al Hamar.

The 4yo colt, twice successful in Poland last year, has now won a third of his nine career starts and was scoring on just his second UAE outing.

Nadia Du Loup ridden by Antonio Fresu

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A conditions race for 3yos, the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Cup attracted the capacity field of 16 but only one mattered from the top of the straight when Nadia Du Loup, one of three fillies in the race, shot clear under Antonio Fresu, sporting the silks of Yahya Rashid Al Masruri for trainer Sulaiman Al Ghunaimi.

Raced four times in her native France, losing her maiden tag on her previous start at Toulouse in in late October, she proved a class apart on this occasion.

Dareen ridden by Dane O'Neill (left)

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A similar 1600m contest but for the older fillies and mares, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, was settled by judge’s photo, Dane O’Neill and Dareen just holding on for Yas Racing and Jean de Roualle, thwarting the late challenge of Bshara.

The homebred mare, a 5yo, was actually making her turf debut on just her third start, doubling her career tally in the process having won her previous outing, in the middle of March, in a 1600m on the dirt at Al Ain where she is trained.

O’Neill said: “I was pretty hopeful we had edged it but it was very close at the line.”

De Roualle added: “I am very pleased with that, especially first time on turf and after a long break. She is a nice young mare.”

AF Rasam ridden by Fernando Jara

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Oertel and Al Nabooda supplied the 1-2 in the finale, a 1600m handicap Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only, Fernando Jara and AF Rasam pulling clear of stablemate AF Muhem over the final 150m, completing doubles for owner and trainer.

Source and photos: Emirates Racing Authority