Dubai: Brazilian jockey Silvestre De Sousa said he was looking forward to building a strong relationship with his new boss Musabah Al Muhairi after riding a fourth winner for the Emirati handler at Al Ain’s second meeting of the season on Friday.
De Sousa, who in March won the $10 million (Dh36.7 million) Dubai World Cup (G1) aboard the Godolphin-trained African Story, comfortably landed the 1400m Al Sarooj Handicap with Maltese Cat and then said: “He has won that well as it looked competitive beforehand. I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”
De Sousa completed a meet double when he won the 1000m Al Maqam Handicap for trainer Mohammad Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Grandstand Stables’ retained rider Royston Ffrench took the featured Oud Al Touba rated conditions event with the Majed Al Jahouri-trained Ghalib.
“He won a similar race here last season on the previous all-weather surface and that was over 1800m so stamina was always going to be his forte here,” said Ffrench, “He was outpaced early on but has run strongly all the way to the line.
“This is always a great yard to ride for.”
Trainer Helal Al Alawi, who is based at The National Stables, saddled a 1-2 in the Mezied Maiden where Alizee Du Bibal Mazaha denied stable companion Mazaha by a nose.
The winner was ridden by British apprentice George Buckell who said: “He hung on grimly and responded well when I had to ask him for a final effort near the line.
Assigned to Al Muhairi’s Oasis 1 Stables the youngster then tweeted: ‘Lovely to ride another winner here in dubai #keepkicking.”
Richard Mullen maintained his lead at the top of the jockeys table when he secured his 12th winner of the season with the Jaber Bittar-trained Sabbaq.
The pair hit the front close home to deny champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea on AL Yawazi. Mullen said: “The Bittar yard are in good form and they seemed pretty hopeful.
“My season has started really well and hopefully it can continue.”
Al Aasfa Stables jockey Xavier Xiani partnered MH Lazzaz for trainer Elise Jeanne to win the Al Sarooj For Private Owners Only handicap.
The winner was losing his maiden tag at the 22nd attempt and Jeanne said: “We are only a small yard so we are pleased with our two winners so far this season. “We were hoping for a good run as he has pleased in both his previous starts this year.”