Purebred Arabian horseracing aficionados are in for a real treat at Abu Dhabi Sunday evening with the second edition of the world’s most valuable Purebred Arabian contest, the €1.2 million [Dh4.78m] 1600m Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, the undoubted highlight of the six-race card.
Worth a tidy €720,000 [Dh2.87m] to the winner, last year’s inaugural running was won by Kalino, representing Qatar and Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani. Trained by Alban de Mieulle, he will again be ridden by Olivier Peslier, who said: “This has been his main target since last year’s victory. It looks a very strong race but hopefully he will go close.”
The three who chased Kalino home last year are all back in opposition but in what does appear a stronger renewal.
Second 12 months ago was Sahabba, the mount of Jean-Baptiste Hamel, who was prepared in France by Damien de Watrigant.
Thakif was third last year, his first run of a season which would include Group One victories in both the 1600m opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan and HH The President’s Cup, over 2200m, at Abu Dhabi.
Trained by Majed Al Jahouri, he will carry the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mansour Al Nahyan. Abhaar, the choice of Tadhg O’Shea, was fourth.
Trophies for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Jewel Crown, world's richest Arabian race. #AbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/x9QpJbYwyJ
— Laura King (@LauraKingDXB) November 8, 2015
However, Kalino is more likely to be threatened by ‘newcomers’ to this particular party.
Of the local challenge, the Musabbeh Al Mheiri-trained AF Mathmoon, owned by Sheikh Hamdan, looks sure to run a big race. He finished last season with Group One in the 1400m Liwa Oasis, on the Abu Dhabi turf. and the 2000m Kahayla Classic, on the dirt at Meydan.
Dane O’Neill’s mount is certain to be put to the test in this star studded field in which all 16 have something to recommend them.
However, as transparent as the claims of many are, few can compete with those of Al Mourtajez, trained by Thomas Fourcy and ridden by Julien Auge.
Sporting the now famous silks of Al Shaqab Racing, Fourcy’s stable star arrives in Abu Dhabi as, surely, the best Purebred Arabian in the world, on turf. The winner of 12 races from 16 career starts, he arrives here on the back of four consecutive victories in a European campaign which began in May.
