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Patrick Dobbs starred in the biggest meeting of the season for the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club making the National Day Cup meet his own ringing up a treble, including winning the Gr. 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup.
Partnered with the highest rated horse, Af Alwajel (115), for Ernst Oertel with the ride by Dobbs a late decision following the unavailability of handy hoop Tadhg O’Shea.
In the Gr.3 Af Alwajel was ridden comfortably by Dobbs with a handy jump to a position in third. On the turn homeward bound Af Alwajel got pressed forward by a neck and extended to win by 1.25 lengths.
The horse is homebred by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda making the Group win even more special.
Following a year’s absence from the track the 7YO looked ready to get back to his winning ways after winning a Group 3 in Abu Dhabi and finishing third in a Group One in Meydan last campaign.
“I am very proud of my horse after such a long absence and it is great to win such a big prize with a horse bred in the UAE,” trainer Oertel said post-race.
Dobbs opened his account with a win by a head bob in the opening race on board Suny Du Loup trained by H Al Marar.
From the jump, the colt was taken to sit second on the rail for most of the trip allowing Only Smoke to lead by a length. With 400m left Dobbs asked the question of his ride between horses to put his head down on the line and take the win in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap.
Returning to the winner’s circle again in the Listed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup for thoroughbreds, Dobbs came away with his third for the day.
Over the 1600m he saddled the Irish-bred gelding San Donato in his first local debut after success in Listed company in the United Kingdom.
Trained by Doug Watson and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, the 6YO gelded son of Lope De Vega was returning after an absence from the track of near 600 days, its last start being in April 2021 in a Group Three at Newmarket.
In the home stretch Dobbs sat towards the back of the field before sweeping outside and rolling forward passing horses and hitting the lead with 100m left to run and won by two lengths off the back of an impressive run.
With the season in full swing and Dobbs now with 12 wins, a further 14 placings and $1.2 million in race earnings to his campaign so far it looks to be another successful won for the hoop.
By Rowan Anderson