Spain’s Gutierrez on Kontrat De Ghazal wins in photo-finish

HH Sheikha Fatima World Apprentice Championship race in Tarbes, France

Alejandra Gutierrez on Kontrat De Ghazal (Nº 3)

Spanish Apprentice jockey Alejandra Gutierrez on Kontrat De Ghazal had to spend a few anxious moments before the photo declared her the winner in one of the closest finishes in this year’s HH Sheikha Fatima Apprentice World Apprentice Championship (IFAHR) series.

The race in Tarbes, France had Alejandra Gutierrez on Kontrat De Ghazal and Germany’s Claudia Pawlak on Rmmas cross the line almost together with Robert Fitzpatrick on Domino De Maligne just behind.

It was Rmmas, one of the three horses  from Yas Horse Racing Management, the racing body of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs which looked a winner in the final furlong. But Gutierrez, who earlier in the race had to steady Kontrat De Ghazal from going wide, did very well to pip the leader at the post with a searing run from the outside and get the verdict in the photo finish.

Ireland’s Fitzpatrick on Domino De Maligne finished third in the 1500-metre race which carried a prize fund of Euros 20,000. 

Alejandra Gutierrez became the 10th rider to qualify for this year’s HH Sheikha Fatima Apprentice World Apprentice Championship (IFAHR) series final to be held in Abu Dhabi on November 10, 2017.

“It was a thrilling race and the way it finished stands testimony to the quality of the field. I am so excited to win here and am proud to be representing Spain in the finals,” said Gutierrez.

Mr. Martial Boisseuil gave away the trophies on behalf of the Festival.

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, 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 Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC,  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, 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