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| Staff Writer |
Previous winners of the President Cup include multiple Group One winner Hayyan (2023), while Somoud claimed back-to-back victories in 2020-21. The race, worth US$2.18 million, stands as the premier event for Purebred Arabians in the UAE.
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Heros De Lagarde delivered a commanding performance under Connor Beasley to capture the Gr.1 President Cup at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday, providing Ibrahim Al Hadhrami with his most significant training success.
The 7YO, carrying the colours of Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Hashar, demonstrated his class with a powerful late surge, securing victory by 2-1/4 lengths from Sunny Du Loup, with Bahwan a further 1-3/4 lengths behind in third.
Beasley, positioning his mount near the rails throughout the 2,200-metre contest, navigated through the field with precision before launching his challenge at the 200m mark. Such was his confidence, the jockey began his celebrations before crossing the line.
Al Hadhrami said: "This horse has been with me as a 2YO and has run all his races for me. He has been consistent and winning his fifth race in the last seven starts."
The trainer added: "He is such a good horse and tonight he proved that he was the best in a field that drew some of the finest Purebred Arabians from Europe and around this region. He's also versatile, having won both on turf and dirt, and distances varying from 1,200m to 2,200m."
In the Thoroughbred division, James Doyle delivered a tactically astute performance aboard Make Me King to land the Listed President Cup worth US$272,000.
The Dark Angel gelding, trained by Hamad Al Jehani, powered through the field in the closing stages to deny Marbaan and Laneqash in a thrilling finish to the 1,400-metre contest.
Doyle, securing his second President Cup after his 2011 triumph aboard Jaasoos, said: "He's a high quality horse, he's had a good campaign both in Qatar last season and a good campaign back home in the UK."
"There's no better feeling, but you know I wanted to be a bit handier, but the gallop was a bit too strong for me so I was happy to let them get on with it. I just prayed that the gaps opened and they did."