Debutant Al Suhooj wins in Jebel Ali

Al Suhooj ridden by Omani apprentice Saif Al Balushi

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On Friday afternoon, January 8, the meeting at Jebel Ali Racecource kicked off with the only Purebred Arabian race on the card, a 1400m handicap for horses foaled locally in which very few of the 12 runners were ever able to get involved in the Dr Hussain Habib Al Reda Trophy Sponsored By Shadwell.

Bernardo Pinheiro and JAP Hadad (AF Al Buraq x Mutakahin by Big Easy, owned and bred by Sh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum) were soon in front, tracked by eventual runner-up AF Musannef and, at halfway, the race looked likely to develop into a duel.

However, shortly afterwards handicap debutant Al Suhooj (Al Waqqad x Aneefa by Monsieur Al Maury, owned by Khalifa Matar Mohd Matar Al Neyadi) and Omani apprentice Saif Al Balushi emerged from the remainder to throw down a challenge.

Just as AF Musannef (AF Al Buraq x Nasemah by Kaolino, bred and owned by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda) managed to pass JAP Hadad, Al Balushi’s mount loomed large, hitting the front inside the final 150m and staying on strongly. It was a first career success for the 5-year-old entire, owned and trained by Khalifa Al Neyadi, having his seventh start and whose best previous efforts had been a trio of thirds.

Al Neyadi said: “We were keen to try him here as we hoped the hill would suit and we also took him out of maiden company for the first time. That was very pleasing.”

Source and photo: Emirates Racing Authority