Winked won HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Cup for Ajban Stables

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Abdallah Al Hammadi and his main patron, Al Ajban Stables, just 30 minutes after the first race, were celebrating a double, this time combining with Connor Beasley who was also aboard Ottoman, when Winked (Thoroughbred (x Sand Witchh by Burning Sand) led close home to take the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Cup, a conditions race over 1600m, but for fillies and mares.

Top weight RB Money To Burn (Majd Al Arab x RB Burn Baby Burn by TH Richie), owned by Shkha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan and trained by Eric Lemartinel, looked the likely winner entering the short straight, but seemingly tiring, she hung left towards the standside under Fabice Veron, initially forfeiting the lead to Hakeemat Muscat (Akim De Ducor x Djourella by Kerbella), owned and bred by Muscat Stud and trained by Ibrahim Al Hadhrami, about 150m out.

Veron’s mount tried to fight back but eventually had to settle for third behind Hakeemat Muscat, ridden by Szczepan Mazur in what was virtually a triple photo finish. Meanwhile, after a slow start, Beasley crept Winked into contention on the bend and his 4-year-old filly finished powerfully, leading in the closing stages to register a hard fought victory, her second career success after just five outings.

“I won a 1600m maiden at Al Ain on dirt on this filly. We were probably never headed that day, but this evening she half missed the break and I have had to be patient. She has finished the race very strongly and I was able to glance across so was pretty confident we had won”, Beasley said.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Horse Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner, Emirates Airline as the official carrier, sponsored by Al Massood Automobiles Nissan, Areej Alameerat, Omeir Travels Agency, YAS Sports TV, Viola Communications, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, Emirates Arabian Horse Society & Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Source: Emirates Racing Authority with inputs of Cidinha Franzão– Image Credit: Shamela Hanley Photos