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| Staff Writer |
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The renowned Gr.1 HH The President Cup was won by two-time champion jockey Richard Mullen riding RB Kingmaker, setting off jubilant celebrations in Abu Dhabi.
Helal Alalawi's 5YO, partnered by the absent Cristian Demuro on his two previous starts and shuffled by Adrie de Vries, who supported French raider Al Riffaa, travelled powerfully throughout under Mullen, who made his bold turn for home.
Mullen encouraged his horse to quicken after noticing a seam on the inside rail. The National Stables-owned horse quickly responded, going on to stretch away by five and a quarter lengths after finishing past eventual runner-up Ajrad Athbah (Majed Al Jahoori/Bernardo Pinheiro).
Mullen and RB Kingmaker had a huge victory margin, but De Vries and Al Riffaa managed to hold onto third place, even though they were further behind.
"I was gutted three weeks back when it looked like Mujeeb was likely to miss the race when he had a setback as he had run such a great race in the prep," said Mullen, celebrating his fifth victory in the prestigious event.
"I'd then been booked to ride Thaydah Athbah but there was a turn of events which meant they decided to bring their jockey from Saudi so, on Monday afternoon, it didn't look like I had a ride in the race.
"I went to bed, and at 9am on Tuesday, I got a call from Helal (Alalawi) to say I would ride Kingmaker - that conversation didn't last too long!
"Obviously, I jumped at the chance as he is a class horse and had run some very good races as well as being closely matched with Mujeeb. They are probably two of the best local Arabians round here as he ran a very good race in the Jewel Crown and was second in the prep.
"When a horse is travelling so well, they take you through races so much easier and you can pick your position which, in turn, makes a jockey's life so much easier."
Mullen was fulsome in his praise for conditioner Alalawi and all at National Stables: "I must say a huge thanks to Helal and his team because at the declaration stage I didn't have a ride in the race – he certainly came to the rescue for me!
"I couldn't compliment the horse enough as he was very well trained and prepped by Helal and his sons, so it was a great result for all at National Stables as they work extremely hard.
"Helal has been very good to me over the years and has supported me, so to land him a big one was lovely."
As he guided Nibras Passion to her third career victory in the thoroughbred HH The President Cup (1700m) for trainer Ismael Mohammed, Pat Dobbs maintained his excellent form in the saddle and paid Mysterious Night a handsome compliment.
The six-year-old son of Iffraaj, who finished second to the gifted Godolphin Group campaigner in his previous outing at Meydan, had to battle for some light in the straight under Dobbs with limited room.
But after slogging through traffic, the Irish rider—having an incredible season in the UAE—and his partner took the lead with 100 metres remaining. They had enough left over to hold off Fort Payne, which was second behind Adrie de Vries and Nicolas Caullery by a half-length, while Ventura Rebel, third behind Said Al Balushi (Ahmad bin Harmash), came in third.
"He's normally held up for a late run, but he had a nice position today and he relaxed well before he quickened up well to win his race," said Dobbs.
"Ismael has done very well with his horses – he doesn't have a big stable, but he places them very well."
After losing in Oman, Heroes De Lagarde won the Gr.2 Liwa Oasis (1400m) handily, giving jockey/trainer Connor Beasley and Ibrahim Al Hadhrami a double.
The pair, who had previously triumphed in the 1600m maiden event of the esteemed meeting alongside Singasong Al Maury, partnered with the seven-year-old to win over 1200m in Abu Dhabi last month, and he easily adapted to the increased distance.
A comfortable lead of a length and a half separated the talented grey, settled in the mid-division and travelling smoothly, from Saifaldin Deeb trainee Ekleel Athbah (Alexis Moreno) and AF Maqam (Ernst Oertel/Jules Mobian), who was another nose behind in third. The talented grey extended well in the straight under the championship-leading rider.
Singasong Al Maury, who finished a strong second on his debut behind Al Dinari last month, made it easier for Beasley and Al Hadhrami to win their first race on the card. He powered past Ben Coen-ridden Kombat Hipolyte (Ahmed Al Mehairbi) in the final 200 metres to win by a length and a quarter.
Under Jules Mobian, who stepped off the Meydan canvas after being unshipped from his chosen ride before the inaugural event on Friday evening, Eric Martinel trainee Maanar held on admirably to claim third place.
After being defeated by a close margin in the first game, coach Ahmed Al Mehairbi quickly received revenge in the Wathba Stallions Cup 0-70 handicap match when Meeqat scored decisively under Sandro Paiva.
With 200 metres remaining, the winner appeared vulnerable as RB Bestevah (Abdul Aziz Al Balushi) edged closer on the rail; however, Paiva had a little trick up his sleeve, and his six-year-old partner persevered bravely to win by three lengths, his second victory in as many races. Third place went to AF Soqrat, which Tadgh O'Shea was riding for Ernst Oertel. He was a further length behind.
Paiva quickly finished a double on the card when the steadily improving Diyaah overcame Alwarry to win the Listed Arabian Triple Crown R1 (1600m) and hand trainer Mohamed Daggash his first victory of the season.
Although leaning left, the well-known Caram'bar (Alexis Moreno) found plenty of room in the straight but was unable to withstand the 75-rated winner's brilliant turn of foot, which surprised him by defeating several opponents rated a length and a half and higher.
After Unlimited defeated the Doug Watson-trained Winds Of Fortune (Pat Dobbs) by half a length in the final strides, rider Charlie Bennett secured his second campaign victory for in-form trainer Jaber Bittar.
Challenging as he was under Tadgh O'Shea, Ernst Oertel trainee AF Almoheeb persevered in sticking to his assignment and held onto third place, although he was still half a length behind.