Ubu Al Mels wins Wathba Cup in Al Ain

In a grand treble win at the Al Ain race course on January 7, UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea also ensured a win in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners Only race.

O’Shea steered the Mohammed Ramadan-trained Ubu Al Mels to a nearly three-length win over AF Thobor under Paolo Sirigu while Richard Mullen on Extra Hope finished third.

Ubu Al Mels was produced fast and late by O’Shea, to land the opening 1000m handicap and initiate the jockey’s treble.

It was a sixth career victory for Ramadan’s charge, third over 1000m but first since Boxing Day 2015, over the same course and distance as this victory.

“The trainer was very bullish and has been proved right,” said O’Shea. “This 1000m really seems to suit the horse and he won quite readily in the end.

“It is a great start to the day,” said O’Shea who went on complete a treble and hog the limelight at the Al Ain Racecourse on Saturday evening.

After the Wathba Cup win, O’Shea did a double for both owner HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and trainer Eric Lemartinel. The trio combined to win both last two races, including the finale and official feature, a 2000m handicap aboard Hamza.

Soon in front, O’Shea drove his mount for home at the top of the long straight. The pair never looked likely to be caught with the horse winning for the first time since last March when he landed Sharjah Racecourse’s biggest race, the Ruler Of Sharjah Trophy.

O’Shea had already picked the right one in the penultimate race, a 1400m maiden, partnering Joori who was making it third time lucky to the relief of connections. He could have ridden the third, stable companion, Bainooni.

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