Yalap Al Naif wins thriller in Wathba Stud Farm Cup

Al Ain, UAE - In a thrilling finish, Yalap Al Naif under Apprentice jockey George Buckell won the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners Only race at the Al Ain race course on Friday, January 27.

The Wathba Stud Farm Cup was the opening 2000 metre handicap and the Helal Al Alawi-trained Yalap Al Naif under Buckell, won the Dh 70,000 race in the final strides. The winner denied stable companion, Al Gassimi who tried gallantly to lead throughout under Bruno Reis.

“This horse always tends to be slowly away and he was again today,’ said Buckell. 

“He makes life hard for himself but we know these conditions suit him after his very easy course and distance win on his penultimate start.

“He has been kept busy this season and perhaps deserves a little break now.”

Al Alawi went on to complete a double, with Royston Ffrench the man in the saddle on this occasion and he was never headed aboard Naiem later in the meeting.

Faisal Al Rahmani, Chief of Al Ain racecourse, gave away the trophies to the winning connections of the Wathba Stud Farm Cup which is part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor 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, 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