Abu Dhabi: Harry Bentley-led Thakif to a thrilling win by a shorthead in the Dh3 million Group 1 race for Pure Arabians the HH The Presidents Cup at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.
This was the third successive win for the seven-year-old chestnut son of Mahabb owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and trained by Majed Al Jahouri. With the triumph, Thakif has also booked a place in the Dubai World Cup night’s Arabian showpiece event - the Kahayla Classic. Adries de Vries on Abu Alabyad was second while Shayel Aldhabi ridden by Patrick Dobbs finished another three and half lengths behind for third.
“To be honest, a season or two seasons ago there was no chance he would stay this trip, because he was very keen,” said an elated Bentley adding, “He seems to have grown up since last year. We went on an honest gallop and he kind of settled in very well. Two seasons ago, he won a Group 3 over five furlongs. Amazing how versatile he is.”
Thakif’s stable-mate Areem ridden by Ahmad Ajtebi led the most part of the race but was caught after it turned into the final bend. Thereafter, the battle for the title was between Thakif and Abu Alabyad, who was gaining acceleration towards the finish but Thakif somehow staved off the challenge.
“I believe that qualifies him for the Kahayla Classic as Thakif has now won all his three races, two Group 1 prizes and a Group 2. He was running this distance for the first time and he impressed us with this effort tonight. It wasn’t Areem’s trip but we are very pleased with his effort,” said a delighted trainer Al Jahouri.
Ertijaal under Royston Ffrench clinched the thoroughbred HH President Cup, a Listed race over 1,400m in a photo finish from South African trainer Mike de Kock’s pair Johann Strauss and Disa Leader.
“It was a long walk back because Mike de Kock’s horse finished very fast. I wasn’t sure if we had held on at the finish,” said Ffrench.
The Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners was clinched comfortably by three lengths by Gerald Avranche ridden Ain Jaloot and trained by Eric Lemartinel. The pair thus completed a hat-trick of titles here at the Capital.
Ain Joot had given the French trainer-jockey pair wins in the Wathba Stud Farm Cup on December 21, 2014 and then again on February 1 this year to make it three in a row and his 5th win in 12 starts.
Shane Karlsson on TM AC-DC led up to about 300 metres from home before being caught by Ain Joot and had to settle for the second spot while another short-head behind was Nizam Al Gharbia led by Silvestre de Souza.
Swedish jockey Karlsson, however, opened his account at the Capital course earlier by leading Smokin Rich to triumph in the opening Al Samha race of the evening by 1.5 lengths. Finishing in second spot was Sharaf Al Reef ridden by Richard Mullen while Tadhg O’Shea on Shaikh Down went on to claim third.
In the Emirates Fillies Classic, George Buckell also registered his maiden victory of the season here by leading Huyam to a fine win by one length. Xavier Ziani on MH Kanz was second followed by Harry Bentley on AZ Shamah.
“There was no plan but a straight forward affair. I just tried to keep her up as no one was keen to take up the pace and go forward and so I let her go at her own pace. Luckily, I was able to step up the pace slowly,” said a jubilant Buckell.
