Al Wathba Racing, Al Jahoori and Jara
doubles highlighted by Jawaal

Jawaal ridden by Fernando Jara

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Sharjah Longines Racecourse staged its final meeting of 2020 on Saturday afternoon, December 19, with a 1200m conditions race with prestige status, the 1200m Crown Prince of Sharjah, was the Purebred Arabian feature and went to the ‘upwardly mobile’Jawaal (Mahabb x Gabra by Dormane), ridden by Fernando Jara for Majed Al Jahoori and Al Wathba Racing, completing a double for connections. Only a 4-year-old, the homebred colt had won a prestige handicap over this course and distance just last Saturday and followed up in style here, taking up the running about 300m from home and never appearing likely to be caught. Prior to last week he had won once, again in prestige company, when taking last season’s Emirates Colts Classic over 1600m on the Abu Dhabi turf.

Jara said: “This horse is improving all the time and that was a very good effort in a decent little race. He was good last week in a quality handicap, but this was a lot stronger. He stays further, has won on turf and is tactically versatile, so is a really smart horse to be associated with. He has not had much racing and you would like to think there is more to come.”

Fandim ridden by Fernando Jara

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Al Jahoori and Jara are forming a fruitful association in these races and earlier combined to land a 2000m handicap for horses foaled in the UAE with Fandim (Bibi De Carrere x Vermeille by Manganate) for Al Wathba Racing. A 5-year-old homebred, the gelding was another recording a second career victory, in his case supplementing a course and distance maiden success on his fourth start last November.

Jara said: “Obviously these conditions really suit him because he ran really well last time when I rode him over course and distance when we were fourth. It is nice to get his head back in front.”

Najem Al Rwasi ridden by Fabrice Veron

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The opening 1200m handicap went to Najem Al Rwasi (Morshed x Doumba Du Cayron by Dormane), ridden by Fabrice Veron for Ahmed Al Shemaili and doubling his career tally on career start 15. A 6-year-old entire, the horse had posted his previous victory on his third career start, over the same track and trip, as well as for the same jockey, in February 2019.

Veron said: “I actually won on this horse early last year when it was a fair bit easier than today when he has really had to battle, so all credit to the horse.”

Harbh ridden by Pat Cosgrave

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A 1700m maiden produced what appeared a most unlikely winner when Harbh (Nonolitho x AF Azmaah by Madour) flew home from a most unpromising position under Pat Cosgrave. Trained by Ahmed Al Mehairbi for Saif Mohd Fan Abdulla Al Mehairbi, the 5-year-old mare had plenty of her 11 rivals in front of her entering the home turn, but, once in the short straight, finished with great purpose to snatch the spoils close home.

Cosgrave said: “To be fair she has shown great heart to win from what was not looking a winning opportunity. Once in the straight she really picked up well and, in the end, probably won a tad comfortably.”

Wakeel W’Rsan ridden by Richard Mullen

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Also for horses foaled locally, a 1700m maiden developed into a duel between AF Mukhrej and Wakeel W’Rsan (Nitagor x Wadouda W’Rsan by Heir Apparentt) after the duo fought past early leader AF Mukhrej (AF Al Buraq x Warda Al Maury by Kudor), who battled on gamely in third, leaving the home turn. Wakeel W’Rsan stuck his grey head in front about 150m out and kept responding to the urgings of Richard Mullen, riding in the colours of W’Rsan Stables for Jaci Wickham. A 5-year-old, he was losing his maiden tag at the ninth attempt and has also shown promise on turf at Abu Dhabi, so appears versatile.

Mullen said: “I had a very willing partner and was always travelling nicely throughout the race. When I pulled him out he responded well, but is still a big baby because he was looking at everything, the big screen, the grandstand, but he did dig deep. I am delighted for Jaci Wickham who is a very good trainer and, hopefully, has a nice horse here. He is only going to improve for that experience and I would like to think he will be back in the winner’s enclosure soon.”

Source and photos: Emirates Racing Authority