Deeb-trained Naj S’hail scores under De Sousa

Abu Dhabi - Najm S’hail came full of running under Silvestre De Sousa to pip Girl Powerr, ridden by Saeed Al Mazrouei, in a strong finish in the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners Only which was contested over 1000 metres at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday, December 7.

Trained by Saifaldin Deeb at Al Falah Stables, the six-year-old son of Big Easy prevailed by 1.5 lengths in 1.03.17 seconds.

The race was held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival to support local breeders and owners of Arabian horses within the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the world.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Suroor Al Sharqi, representing Invest AD, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int'l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committee in the Int'l Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) presented the prizes and trophies to the winners.

Brazilian jockey Silvestre De Sousa who completed double on Sunday night after earlier winning on Boss Des Vialettes in the third race said: “Najm S’hail is in great form and did nothing wrong all the way.”

Lebanese trainer Saifaldin Deeb thanked the festival on behalf of owners and breeders saying that the Festival has motivated people to show more interest in breeding and owning Arabian horses as evidenced in the big numbers of horses which are entered and declared for the races.

Adnan Sultan noted that the Arabian races are moving from strength to strength thanks to the great support of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“The numbers of owners and horses are on the rise and we have been receiving requests from owners in the neighbouring Gulf States to send their horses to race in the UAE,” he confirmed.

Meanwhile, Ms Sawaya thanked all the breeders, owners and trainers who have been sending their horses to take part in the Wathba Stud Farm Cup series.

“With more horses in the lineup, the quality of races increase,” she said. “Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the festival has provided special prize-money of Dh10,000 for the breeder of the winning horse in each individual race.

“The Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners Only provides a very good opportunity for the UAE breeders to do more as the whole world is watching them via the live telecast of the races by the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel,” she said.

“On December 29, delegations from the world racing community, including 40 apprentice jockeys who have participated in the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice Championship, meet in Abu Dhabi to witness the convention of the International Federation for Training Schools,” she said.

The new body is not restricted to connections of Arabian horses alone, but it includes the Thoroughbred horse connections as well,” Sawaya clarified.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with Arabtec Holding PJSC as the Official Partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC),  Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), National Archives, Al Rashid Investment, Al  Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Racing Post.

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