Heelywa opens account with Spanish success at Premio Sheikh Mansoor Racing Festival Maiden

Heelywa ridden by Valentin Seguy. Photo: San Sebastian Racecourse

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Carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, three-year-old Arabian filly Heelywa (No Risk Al Maury x Al Shahania Aseala) broke her maiden, taking the Premio Sheikh Mansoor Racing Festival Maiden at San Sebastian, Spain, on Sunday August 15th.

The François Rohaut-trained bay filly was having her second start having finished third on her debut at La Teste De Buch, France, last month.

Sent off favourite for the eleven runner race, Heelywa was placed in mid-division and travelled strongly though the early stages of the 2,000m contest, under jockey Valentin Seguy. With a strong pace being set, the field was well stretched out and Heelywa remained in mid-division before making a move around the outside, taking closer order on the home turn.

Early pacesetter Dabba De Monlau (Assy x Dalia) looked like stealing first run on the field as the field turned into the home straight. Both Al Jasrah (Amer x Shama De Laborde), carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Heelywa closed strongly inside the final 200m, heading Dabba De Monlau as the duo led to the line. Heelywa produced one final effort and got the better of Al Jasrah, who is trained by Didier Guillemin and was ridden by Alexandre Gavilan in the final strides, winning by half a length. Dabba De Monlau held on well for third under R. Ferreira Sousa for trainer M. Molist Comas.

Bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Al Shahania Stud, Heelywa is by Shadwell Arabian stallion No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy). Her dam Al Shahania Aseala (Arawak D’Aroco) was unraced and has produced Al Afreata (Amer), fourth in the Group One Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches at Saint Clout, France, and Sayaad (Dahess), a winner on debut at Pompadour, France.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club