Al Raihe-trained AF Maqayes wins Wathba Cup in Al Ain

In the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners held on Saturday, January 9, in Al Ain, AF Maqayes sprinted to victory over 1000 metres under Tadhg O’Shea.

The Jockeys' Championship leader O’Shea completed a double for the day and his first win of the meeting was with his retaining trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe on AF Maqayes.

The lightly raced four-year-old led from the jump, running on strongly to make it three wins from just four career starts. It was the seventh winner of the weekend sent out from Dubai's Grandstand Stables following four at Meydan on the opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival on Thursday and a Jebel Ali double on Friday.

“It has been a great weekend,” said Al Raihe. “The horses are in really good form and hopefully will continue to be.”

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC),  Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels, Racing Post Paris Turf and Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Shamela Hanley