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Magik Du Paon wins Wathba Stud Farm Cup

Magik Du Paon, the 4-year-old chestnut colt won the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup race at the Abu Dhabi race course on Sunday night, January 26.

The shorter distance of 1200 metres seemed to suit the son of Mahabb and with former champion jockey Wayne Smith on board, Magik Du Paon scored yet another victory in the colours of owner Ali Hadad and the French trainer Eric Lemartinel.

Taking the lead in the final furlong Magik Du Paon did well to stave off the challenge from top weight Zells Fred under Sam James with AF Maya Hab under Antioco Murgia in third place.

The winner clocked 1:17.52 seconds with a short head being the winning margin.

Lara Sawaya, Director the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and head of IFAHR ladies racing welcome His Excellency Jean-Paul Tarud, Chile’s Ambassador to the UAE who participated in the prize distribution after the race along with Mr. Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

“It was a very good finish and the event was very well organized,” said HE Tarud.
“I have attended a lot of racing events here and today’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup race was well contested,” he said.

Mr. Stephen Bowey of Invest AD, Mr. Saif Sultan Al Awani of Awani Enterprises also took part in the prize distribution.

Mr. Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism& Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said, “In organising the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has the preservation of the UAE's cultural heritage and traditions as its driving principal.”

“Equestrianism in general, and Purebred Arabian racing in particular, has been a part of the life and spirit of every Emirati and by promoting this sport globally the Festival seeks to enhance the status of Arabian racing,” he added.

“Under the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood the Festival has achieved tremendous success and we intend to continue and build on this,” Al Muhairi said.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf