Al Shabab snatches victory in Wathba Cup

Abu Dhabi - After finishing second twice 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 at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse, Al Shabab finally struck to register his third win in 14 starts.

The five year old son of Velte had finished second to AF Maqayes on January 17 and again last week had finished second to Dere’A Al Jazeera, losing by less than a length. On Sunday, February 21, it was another tight finish but Royston Ffrench did well to stave off the challenge by AF Maqayes to win by a neck.

It was AF Maqayes under Tadhg O’Shea that was in the lead until the final furlong when Ffrench took over and steered Al Shabab to a sweet win.

The win gave trainer Helal Al Alawi a double after he had saddled Marbouh which won the opening Mussafah Maiden.

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 with  and sponsored by 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