Oertel, Al Naboodah star in another Wathba Cup win

Owner Khalid Khalifa Al Naboodah is enjoying a fantastic season, particularly with horses he has bred himself and trained by Ernst Oertel. The combination first struck again in the opening 1400m maiden at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on Sunday, March 12, with debutant AF Asheham who was never headed under Antonio Fresu.

Then in the 5th race of the night, the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners race, they scored again.

The owner and trainer celebrated a double, this time it was Tadhg O’Shea aboard the winner, Ibn Harmany Al Zobair, who led close home in a 1200m handicap. Royston Ffrench was soon in front aboard Naiem, tracked by Richard Mullen aboard AF Khafajeh, a stable companion of the eventual winner but who was beaten early in the straight.

Ffrench’s enterprise appeared likely to prevail but his mount started to tire about 200m from home when O’Shea was able to conjure up a decisive late challenge from Ibn Harmany Al Zobair who was not actually bred by the owner.

“He stays 1400m well and this 1200m would be his minimum trip requirement,” said O’Shea. “There was a strong gallop early on which has really helped him utilise his stamina close home.”

Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and Mr. Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, ADEC Director General gave away the trophies to the winning connections.

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