Abu Dhabi: The Qatari camp went into a frenzy as Kalino, owned by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani and ridden by French jockey Olivier Peslier clinched a thrilling win to claim the world’s richest race for Purebred Arabian — Group 1 €1.2 million (Dh4.7 million) Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown race at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club here on Sunday.
Kalino, trained by Alban de Mieulle, got the better of Jean-Baptiste Hamel’s Sahabba by a short head in the feature event of the night. A good five and half length behind was Thakif piloted by Wayne Smith in third spot.
Trainer de Mieulle immediately pointed out that his horses had done well in the past at the capital course. “We campaigned Kalino in Europe but he was disappointing in all his four runs. Still we thought he had the potential to win at this level and that’s why we flew him to Abu Dhabi. He proved that by winning this prize,” said an overjoyed de Mieulle, who had won two Group 1 races in Abu Dhabi during his previous visits.
“We had engaged the services of Peslier quite regularly as he have a very good understanding and he is thorough in riding the Purebred Arabians as much as the Thoroughbreds. He rode a fantastic race by following the instructions to the word. He was asked to keep his horse with the leading group from the start and he had Kalino well placed in second early on in the race and that helped in the end,” added de Mieulle.
Peslier is no stranger to the UAE and had won the Kahalya Classic twice in 2001 on Magic De Piboule and on Seraphin Du Paon in 2011.
“It is a great win. This is like a French team but the horse is from Qatar. I’m so happy to come and win here tonight. We have seen all the best jockeys and horses as well as apprentice jockeys here and to win among them feels great,” said an elated Peslier.
“This title is for Qatar,” said a thrilled Sami Al Boenain, the IFAHR chairman who hails from Qatar, heaping words of praise for UAE’s organisational abilities. “This was a well organised and best event for the Purebred Arabian Horses. I would like to thank Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs for the beautiful race,” added Al Boenain.
HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFAHR) was won by 19-year-old Australian Ben Thompson, on AK Adour. Thompson led AK Adour from the inside and then judged the run to perfection to pip 16-year-old Ommar Lakjal of Morocco on Haanoof by one and quarter length. French teenager Isis Magnin, on Merzal, was third, another three and a quarter length behind.
“Unbelievable. It is a fantastic win after being provided with the opportunity to come and race here. Got an opportunity to ride in Kentucky where I won and to win here again is great,” said a jubilant Thompson, who has improved his career win record to 66 with this triumph.
The HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR), over 1600M, was won by Swiss jockey Astrid Wullschleger on Najm Alemarat, by one and quarter length ahead of Haizoom, ridden by Rebeca Smith of Great Britain. The third place was bagged by Sandee Martin of USA on Molahen El Alhan.
“I had won on ice in Switzerland and was out of the country for the first time so this win is really very special for me. I’m really thrilled to win on my first outing here,” said a beaming Wullschleger.
It was also a fairytale start for Dubai World Cup winning jockey Fernando Jara, who rode Invasor to a famous victory in 2007. The America based Panamanian jockey won the first race of the season on his comeback to the UAE by leading AF Al Sally to victory in the United Arab Emirates Martyrs’ Cup.
Jara, who signed up for UAE champion trainer Musabah Al Muhairi after a span of seven years, led AF Al Sally across the line by three and a quarter length ahead of AF Tawaq, ridden by Wayne Smith. Finishing third was Christopher Hayes on ES Deemha.
“It is nice to be back here to the place that I love. It is an honour to be here and Musabah Al Muhairi has nice horses,” said an ecstatic Jara, who was keen on carrying his good form into the rest of the season.
“I would like to build on the start that I have got here. The win is a huge boost for me and I’m looking forward to doing well this season at a place where I wanted to come back for a while now. I wanted to be here last year itself but couldn’t make it due to some complications in the paperwork,” revealed Jara, who rose to prominence when he won both Belmont Stakes in the US and Dubai World Cup on Invasor owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Twenty-year-old apprentice jockey George Buckell, on-board Al Shabab, proved his credentials by brushing aside the challenge from TM AC-DC, ridden by Hayes, to clinch the Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners, by a neck. Jara on AJS Amjad was three and quarter lengths behind in third spot.
“He (Al Shabab) travelled very well into the race. He got a bit tired towards the end but held on which was nice,” said a beaming Buckell, who hails from London. The UAE Martyrs Cup over 2200m was won by Blue Tiger’s Eye ridden by Frederik Tylicki ahead of Tadhq O’Shea’s Mutual Force by one three quarters of a length. Coming third by another half a length was Wayne Smith aboard Wintergreen.
