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| Staff Writer |
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For the Al Hadhrami stable, the path to President's Cup glory has been paved with near-misses and learning experiences. After more than a decade of trying, the stable finally captured their elusive Gr.1 President's Cup victory when Heros De Lagarde stormed to an emphatic win under Connor Beasley at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on December 15. For Al Warith, son and assistant trainer to Ibrahim Al Hadhrami, this triumph marked both a professional milestone and the realisation of a long-held family dream.
"We've been participating in this race since around 2011 or 2012," Al Warith reflects. "We've had several notable performances — placing second twice and fourth on different occasions. Timadit Almels ran in it around 2012, and we had Bf Mughader, who also came in second once. So we've had quite a few horses compete."
"Having Heros De Lagarde win it is sensational, especially with the race's new format. The prize money is much bigger now, and it's become an invitational race attracting many runners from all over the world. It's truly been a dream come true."
The journey began when the Al Hadhrami stable purchased Heros De Lagarde as a yearling in France. Under their careful nurturing , the son of AF Albahar has blossomed into one of the most versatile and accomplished Purebred Arabians in training.
"We bought him as a yearling and initially kept him in France. He then came to us in the UAE as a 2YO," Al Warith explains. "His first race was in 2021, and he was quite green at the beginning. He has quite a character — very professional, but he sometimes needs more attention than other horses. We've developed a really good relationship with him over the five years he's been in our stable."
The 7YO's versatility has been particularly impressive, with victories ranging from 1,000m to 2,200m on both dirt and turf surfaces. "Actually, we've been discovering more about Heros De Lagarde with each season," Al Warith says. "The season before last, he won over 1000 meters in the Alliance Sprint, which was a listed race. It's phenomenal that he's won over various distances - from five furlongs to seven furlongs, a mile, and even eleven furlongs in black-type races."
"True champions are horses with the best mentality; they are horses that can develop their own race. They don't require perfect conditions - they create their own conditions. That's what defines a champion horse," Al Warith explains.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Heros De Lagarde's success story is his partnership with jockey Connor Beasley. Before teaming up with Beasley, the horse had won his maiden race and the Al Ain Sprint. The transformation since then has been remarkable, with five wins in his last seven starts, including Group One triumphs in both the President's Cup and Emirates Championship.
"We knew Connor from when he was riding in the UAE a couple of years ago," Al Warith explains. "We knew how good he was —he is a very tough jockey, and that's exactly what we needed in our stable. Last season, when we were looking for a jockey and learned that Connor was coming to the UAE, having him ride our horses wasn't a difficult choice."
The partnership has proven transformative. "Connor and Heros De Lagarde really connected. He was a tricky horse initially — he didn't want to pass other horses. Even at five years old, he was still very green and was challenging for jockeys to ride. But with Connor, everything just clicked."
"The partnership between rider and horse is phenomenal. I don't think we could find another jockey to give him a better ride. "
Al Warith reveals that Beasley's understanding of the horse's mannerisms has been crucial. "I remember the first time Connor rode him — they came second in the race, and Connor immediately understood this issue about the horse's reluctance to go forward. But he developed his own strategy. He knows exactly when to push the horse — not too early, not too late. He chooses his moments perfectly."
Operating from their private facility in Umm Ghafa, Al Ain, the Al Hadhrami stable has grown steadily since establishing their first barn in 2009. With three barns now housing both Purebred Arabians and an expanding string of Thoroughbreds, their operation exemplifies the evolution of professional racing in the UAE.
"Running a private stable is much more challenging than working at or renting an existing facility," Al Warith admits. "We had to build all our own facilities, including our private training track and amenities like a swimming pool. We recently added a new treadmill - we provide everything we can afford for the horses."
The stable's growth has been methodical. "We have three barns in the stable. The first barn was built in 2009, the second in 2012, and the newest one in 2022. So it's grown step by step - you start small and build up from there,"Al Warith continues.
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With the President's Cup secured, Al Warith has his sights set on other prestigious targets. The Dubai Kahayla Classic and H.H. Amir Sword Festival in Qatar feature prominently in their plans. However, immediate attention focuses on ensuring Heros De Lagarde's well-being after his historic victory.
"As someone who grew up in the Gulf, some races are close to your heart, regardless of the prize money," Al Warith reflects. "The President's Cup was really close to our hearts, and we got it. If I'm not mistaken, I believe it's the oldest Group One race in the Gulf. That's why it has such high sentimental value for us."
The stable's future looks bright, with promising talents like Lippo De Carrere and Munir Du Soleil in their ranks. Al Warith's measured approach to developing young horses reflects the patience and horsemanship passed down from his father.
"Growing up around horses, and especially around horsemen, you tend to absorb some of the horses' characteristics into your own personality. You become much more confident with challenges and more patient. You learn patience because this isn't an easy sport - it's one of those sports where you lose more than you win."
Looking ahead, Al Warith remains optimistic about Heros De Lagarde's continued progression. "He's doing better with every run. Every time he races, he improves, and each win is more impressive than the last. The season before last, he won a Listed race. Last season, he started winning Group races. This season, he's won a Group Three, and now a Group One."
The President's Cup victory added another jewel to an extraordinary campaign for Heros De Lagarde. Racing on the near rails for most of the 2,200-metre trip, Beasley worked his way through the field to get the 7YO in front at the 200m mark. The combination proved too strong for Bernardo Pinheiro aboard Sunny Du Loup and Ray Dawson on Bahwan, winning by 2-1/4 and 1-3/4 lengths, respectively.
This triumph marked Heros De Lagarde's seventh win in 22 career starts, with earnings now exceeding US$1.75 million. His 2023/24 campaign has been particularly impressive, having secured the Group Three Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup and the Gr.1 Emirates Championship prior to his President's Cup victory.
The son of AF Albahar has proven himself a model of consistency at the highest level, with additional career highlights, including victories in the Gr.2 Liwa Oasis, Gr.3 Al Ruwais, and the Listed Al Ain Sprint. His versatility is further evidenced by placed efforts in the Gr.2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah and Gr.3 Al Ain Mile.
Looking ahead, Al Warith hints at international targets. "We're looking at either a race in the Saudi Cup or His Highness the Amir Sword in Qatar. We'll have to choose between these races since they're scheduled for the same day. First and foremost, though, we need to ensure that the horse recovers well."
With their expanding operation and strong team led by Connor Beasley, the Al Hadhrami stable is poised for continued success at the highest level of the sport. As Heros De Lagarde continues to cement his legacy as one of the most versatile and accomplished Purebred Arabians of his generation, his President's Cup triumph stands as a testament to the patient development and masterful horsemanship of the Al Hadhrami team.