Ireland’s Walsh strikes on Akoya for Dutch trainer

HH Sheikha Fatima Apprentice race in Copenhagen

Ireland’s Apprentice jockey Eoin Walsh scored a narrow win on the Dutch-trained Akoya in the Danish leg of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship series race on Sunday, September 2, 2018.

The Karin van den Bos-trained Akoya under Walsh won a close race at Denmark’s Klampenborg racecourse and Sunday’s card also marked the Ladies Day and the featured Oaks for Thoroughbreds.

After a double in the Festival’s races in Ostend, Belgium owner Landgoed Waterland and trainer Karin van den Bos were back with another win in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival-supported  races this year with Akoya.

Akoya edged out Al Mounteze Monlau under Polish jockey Karolina Dynarowska with just a neck separating the two while in third place was Cleopathre under Alan Wallace.

Cleopathre under Norwegian-licensed Wallace in the saddle was the first to show in a bunch of horses willing to go and finding their positions down most of the backstretch in the 1800-metre contest. Al Mounteze Monlau joined her in the bend and the pair were ahead by some four lengths into the straight.

By the 200 metre marker they were joined by Akoya and another battle commenced. The filly couldn't quite take part when the two colts engaged in a lengthening and shortening neck battle to the line. Having hit the front Akoya would not be denied, however, and saw to it that it was  his connections that got to enter the winner’s enclosure.

"He idled in front, but I was never worried," said Eoin Walsh, who now joins other winners of the series for a shot at the final of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship race in Abu Dhabi in November.

Dutch trainer Karin van den Bos – a multi-race winner in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival said, "He's a good horse."

Bred by his trainer, Akoya had won twice as a juvenile and did so again this season before he was fifth in the French Derby. Then he went to Italy finishing a solid second before Sunday’s win under Walsh.

The UAE's Ambassador to Denmark, HE Fatima Khamis Al Mazrouei, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Director General Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi along with other VIP guests and representatives of Denmark’s Arabian racing attended the prize distribution ceremony and gave away the trophies.

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 carrier,  in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFHRA, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC,  Nissan Middleast  Al Massood Automobiles, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Equicare Veterinary Services, Alawal Stud, Cavalos Equine Care & Supplies, SET Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, Kabale, YAS Channel, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School,  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 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.
(Inputs from Nils Rosenkjaer) 

Source: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan (Inputs from Nils Rosenkjaer)