La Yfootkum gives Saleha first win as trainer in Wathba Stallions Cup, Abu Dhabi

The New Year seems have started on a perfect note for UAE lady trainer Saleha Ahmed Al Ghurair. And it was in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on Sunday, January 14, 2018 that Saleha recorded her first ever win as a trainer.

The Saleha-trained La Yfootkum came up with a searing run under Apprentice jockey Adam McLean to win the 1600-metre race. It was the 6-year-old grey’s first win in 14 starts and also opened the account for trainer Saleha Ahmed Al Ghurair for whom it was her first win with her 25th runner.

Earlier in the race Majd Al Gharbia under Paolo Sirigu looked headed for a win with about a furlong left. But McLean brought La Yfootkum from the outside and with about 50 metres left, hit the front to win by a length from Majd Al Gharbia. Buzet De Carrere under Jesus Rosales finished third in the Dh 80,000 race sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

“Obviously I am very pleased,” said Al Ghurair. “We hoped he would run well and the jockey has given him a very good ride.”

Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi- Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club along with other guests gave away the trophies.

“We congratulate Saleha Ahmed Al Ghurair on her first win as a trainer. The Wathba Stallions Cup is aimed at promoting UAE trainers and owners and since its inception this series has received a lot of success,” Ms. Sawaya said.

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, Al Massood Automobiles and Nissan Middleast as official car partners, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority for Sports 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 2018, 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
Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf