AF Hakeem wins Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Al Naboodah in Abu Dhabi

Owner-breeder Khalid Khalifa Al Naboodah struck again, this time with  AF Hakeem, to win the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race course on Sunday, February 26.

Al Naboodah and trainer Ernst Oertel in fact completed a double on Sunday and one of their wins came courtesy of AF Hakeem who was never headed in a 1400m handicap with Antonio Fresu aboard the winner.

The same connections’ AF Al Almaa looked a massive danger throughout the straight before weakening in the closing stages, losing second near the line to AF Al Mawhebah.

“He was always happy out in front and then responded well when challenged”, said Fresu. “You always know you have a chance riding for these connections as they do so well in these races.”

In the day’s feature - the Emirates Colts Classic Prestige - was totally also dominated by Al Nabooda and Oertel who supplied the first three home, headed by AF Al Sajanjle.

The choice from the trio of Richard Mullen, the winner tracked stable companion, AF Maher under Antonio Fresu before throwing down a challenge on the home turn. Fresu’s mount put up a real fight and it was only about 300m from home that the winner took the initiative with the runner-up trying to fight back, ultimately, to no avail. Third was AF Yathroq. 

The Wathba Stud Farm Cup race is held under the umbrella of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival which is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and 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 and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare  and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  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 2017, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

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