Sponsored by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival this years edition of the Wathba Stud Farm Cup (Gr3 PA) run over 1730 m dirt at Jägersro, Sweden, was quite a success for Dutch owner-breeder and trainer, Gerard Zoetelief.
In Zoetelief’s blue and white colors the 4-y-o Gazel T (x Prince d’Orient), won the race run over 1730 m and his second entry, Mirabella Del Sol, was far from disgraced in fifth place.
The winner clocked in just one tenth of a second outside the track record set by Scandinavian champion, SR Dorwan, in this very race in 2010.
Round the first bend, German raider, Ameretto (Amer) and Gazel T were right behind Sweet Dauphine (x Daffaq) and never taking their eyes off SR Dorwan (x Marwan), while Polish trained Pentagon (x Marwan) was the back marker and had trouble keeping contact. Down the back stretch everybody seemed content until Pentagon found his action, gradually picking his way up the field and Dutchman, Athlete del Sol (x Dormane) began his run.
Sweet Dauphine began to send distress signals round the final bend leaving Sakba and W Helge in front from a confident looking SR Dorwan. Ameretto was just behind SR Dorwan with Gazel T full of running on the rail and Athlete del Sol on the outside. SR Dorwan took command entering the straight, but it was soon clear he was done for too, when Gazel T found room and made his challenge. Gazel T was past the local hero in a few strides and held on gamely by a fast diminishing neck from the flying Pentagon and Ameretto, SR Dorwan finishing fourth.
The Wathba Stud Farm Cup race series is part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and is staged around the world to help and support Purebred Arabian racing.
Ms Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and Head of IFAHR Ladies Racing said, “Purebred Arabian racing has received a huge boost in Sweden thanks to the Festival and the strong field and quality of runners reflects this success.”
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Arabian Horse Society and IFAHR, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2012, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Finish line photo by Stefan Olsson.
Report from Nels Rosenkjaer
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