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| Rowan Anderson |
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Somoud is the jewel in the crown for trainer Jean du Roualle.
A 9YO son of Munjiz and Wadya he has four Group Ones to his name of which most recently is the
Four times Group One winner he relishes the Abu Dhabi track and distance that he will line up again in on Thursday night in the Group One HH The President Cup.
Worth AED $2.5 million it is a feature race that du Roualle’s star knows well having won the past two editions of.
Last year by he won by a neck over Ashton Tourettes while in 2021 he won by 1.25 lengths.
It is one of the biggest meetings of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club’s season with six races highlighted by the Purebred Arabian Group 1 HH The President Cup.
Trained by Jean de Roualle for Yas Racing, the homebred full horse has also won two editions of the Group 1 Emirates Championship over this same course and distance, showing it as his optimum conditions.
He arrives here having won the prep, over track and trip, a month ago and will be met by the runner up on that occasion in the 6YO Mujeeb.
Trained by Salem Al Ketbi for the Al Asayl ownership he is going to have to bring his best in hopes of cutting Somoud’s hopes for a threepeat.
The unknown quantity is Fawzi Nass’ local debutant Antares Del Ma, seven times a winner but not at this level. A 7yo entire he will be hoping to spoil Somoud’s party also.
Over 1400m, the Listed HH The President Cup for Thoroughbreds has attracted a field of 12 with the reigning winner, Shadwell’s Haqeeqy, seeking a repeat victory for John Hyde. Dane O’Neil retains riding duties after the partnership won this race last season.
Shadwell has another pair outside of the defending champion in the Musabbeh Al Mheiri trained Raaeb who will see Antonio Fresu and Ali Albadwawi saddling Taamol, a course and distance winner, under Pat Cosgrave.
The Attorney trained by Salem bin Ghadayer will run his second race in the region under Royston Ffrench and is a leading hoped along with the Ahmad bin Harmash trained Island Rule with Ray Dawson piloting.