It was once again a winning start at the beginning of a new racing season in the US as Paddys Day demolished his rivals in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup-Grade 1 (Amethyst Jewel – the 1st Leg of the Triple Jewel) at Sam Houston Race Park, Houston Texas on Saturday, March 4.

The 2015 and 2016 winner of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s Triple Jewel, Paddys Day, under Deshawn Parker, demolished his rivals to win the US$ 45,000 seven furlong Grade 1 contest comfortably.

The win in this Amethyst Jewel race puts the Scot Powell-trained 6-year-old son of Burning Stand in pole position to once again win the bonus of US$ 150,000 provided by the Festival to the horse that earns the maximum points after three ‘Jewel’ races here in the US.

Easter Man under Ivan Arellano and Quick Sand AA under Adrian Ramos finished second and third respectively after the 14-horse field was reduced to 13 when CR Ardiente pulled out. Sand Victor, the horse that beat Paddys Day in the third and final leg in Pleasanton last year, finished fifth under David Cabrera.

Before Paddys Day obliged his supporters the spotlight was on a 19-year-old school girl from Denmark. Lisa Lindbjerg was spot on riding the Jerenesto Torrez-trained Ruby AA to classy win in the Festival’s HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race

Lindbjerg and Ruby AA finished ahead of Spain’s Beatriz Alonso on Dream Pearl with UK’s Emma Todd running into third place on the pre-race favourite RB Kinkie. The young Dane will now take part in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship finals in Abu Dhabi in November.

Lisa Lindbjerg and Ruby AA

“I'm truly happy and overwhelmed over this experience! It is amazing to get this opportunity, and I'm truly grateful to the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival for giving me this chance,” said Lindbjerg.

“The race went as planned and Ruby AA was happy and ready, she was fantastic,” she said after winning from pillar to post. 

“I was in Abu Dhabi last year for the final, but I didn't ride. I can't wait to ride in the final. That's a dream come true to win this race and be in the final!” said the school student who works for two trainers in Aarhus. 

His Excellency Saeed Mubarak Al Muhairi, Consul of the United Arab Emirates in Houston and Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) along with US officials gave away the trophies to the winning connections.

HE Al Muhairi hailed the success of the Festival and thanked the UAE leadership for promoting UAE culture through the Purebred Arabian horses. “We thank HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy PM of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs for his support and for bringing this Festival to Houston,” he said.

“The success of young Lisa once again reiterates the depth of the Festival’s events in proving a platform for so many youngsters to showcase their skill and talent,” said Ms. Sawaya.

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, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, 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 2016, 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
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf