AF Arrab wins in Abu Dhabi

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The 1600m handicap Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only produced a nail biting finish with Tadhg O’Shea, riding for his main employer Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and trainer Ernst Oertel, driving AF Arrab (Victor Adam x AF Alriaah by Tidjari Des Forges) to a narrow success over MH Wari (Zefiro de Nulvi x Arkadya by Dormane) ridden by Ryan Curatolo, trained by Elise Jeanne, owned and bred by Mansoor Khalifa Sultan Bin Habtoor.

Homebred, the 5-year-old entire was doubling his career tally in the process having fought back to regain the initiative right on the line. Having led from the outset, he was headed with about 75m remaining, but stuck his neck out to lead when it mattered.

Oertel said: “I thought he would win at Sharjah a fortnight ago, but he did not run well. That was a brave effort this evening and he will have a bit of a break now.

“He now has a turf win to add to his dirt success, so that gives us more options.”

Helal Al Alawi’s Dassan DA (Majd Al Arab x Froda DA by Altis Del Sol) conducted by Fabrice Veron and owned by Mohad Ali Saif Al Mezaini finished.

Source: Emirates Racing Authority