Ajwad wins thrilling Longines Nad Al Sheba Classic at final 2018-19 meeting at Meydan

Bouresly Racing Syndicate’s Ajwad, ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro, went straight to the front in the Nad Al Sheba Classic run over 2000 metres on turf, and then fought off the attentions of Majestic Mambo to win by a neck. The win was his fifth from 29 starts and third in six weeks.

Hold Sway and Xavier Ziani ran on well to claim third, two and a half lengths back of the top two, whilst favourite Gabr failed to factor after a brief inside rally to finish sixth.

“This is a very good horse and a tough one,” Bouresly said. “We have always thought he was very good, but today we were worried about the longer trip. The jockey has given him a very good ride, as he did last week, and has now won on him three times.

“The horse is tiny, but he has a big heart and will now go to England to race there in the summer before coming back for the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival, hopefully.”

The inaugural Meydan Mile, sponsored by Azizi Riviera was a wide-open 1600 metres conditions contest that could have gone to any of eight runners. As it was, the Doug Watson-trained Thegreatcollection, under a patient ride by Adrie de Vries, took the honours despite initially being held up until he burst through an opening to defeat stablemate Galvanize (under Pat Dobbs up) and Rodaini (Connor Beasley).

De Vries got the evening underway with success in the Al Tayer Motors Maiden over 1400 metres on turf on board Jaarim. Riding for for main employer Fawzi Nass, De Vries’s mount tracked nicely in mid-pack on the rail before tipping out to find room turning for home. After briefly struggling to find his path, he got clear and in turn aimed for favourite Dark Thunder with Pat Dobbs aboard, who appeared to be a winner at the time. However Jaarim found more and won by a half-length, with Rayig another neck back in third under Fernando Jara.

The second race, the Azizi Mina Handicap over 1200 metres on dirt, was won by Chess Master. Ridden to perfection by Antonio Fresu for Musabbeh Al Mheiri, the winner led from start to finish to win by four and a half lengths from Leading Spirit and race favourite Lytham St Annes in third.

In a drastic reversal of form, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Manahir ran down a tough-luck runner-up in Pillar of Society in the Gulf News Handicap. Ridden by Royston Ffrench for Salem bin Ghadayer, Manahir was two lengths clear at the line for the fifth career win (all on grass) from 22 starts.

This victory was in stark contrast to having never factored on dirt from five tries, including a 11th-placed drubbing last out on 14 March. Yaalail, ridden by Fernando Jara, was another neck back in third.

The Al Tayer Motors Handicap was secured by promising five-year-old Mudallel, who was ridden to perfection by Connor Beasley, te winner successful for the first time on dirt from four tries.

The race was the final outing in a storied career for multiple Grade 1 winner Furia Cruzada. After a career that has seen her compete in Group company on three continents, she went out fighting to a fine second-place finish with Antonio Fresu aboard; the pair two and a half lengths back and a neck ahead of Group 3 winner Montsarrat; Furia Cruzada finishing up her career with a record of 7-6-7 from 40 starts.

The final race of the 2018-19 UAE racing season, the Longines La Grand Collection Handicap, was won in brilliantly determined fashion by Ahmad bin Harmash trained Carrington, who held off the stubborn attempts of Almoreb throughout the stretch to win by a neck.

The victory over 1800 metres on turf was the winner’s fourth from 19 lifetime tries, with another one and a quarter lengths back to Valcartier in third.

The UAE racing season championships for owner, trainer and jockey titles were also awarded on the night, with the titles going to the same team that won the Group 1 $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup night with AF Maher: owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, trainer Ernst Oertel and jockey Tadhg O’Shea.

“It’s great and I had a tremendous year,” O’Shea said immediately after accepting the award.

“Richie (Mullen, five wins behind in second) said he would have to have a Frankie Dettori-type seven-win night to beat me. Obviously it was a great tussle the last month and to come out on top was very satisfying.

There are lots of people to thank, including Mr. Oertel, Khalid Al Nabooda and Satish Seemar. It’s a big team effort and I have it easy. I just try to steer them in the right direction.”