Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The colt Haseef, carrying the silks of Wathnan Racing, was crowned champion of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses in Warsaw, the venue for the 14th round of the series on Sunday. The final leg was a part of the Central European Derby at Służewiec Racecourse.
The prestigious Cup this year has featured 11 stagings across France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Turkiye, Britain, Russia, and finally Poland, where an impressive crowd of 20,000 spectators was in attendance.
The UAE President’s Cup Series enjoys the support and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
Now in its 32nd staging, the Series elevates the stature of the Arabian horse across the world, and encourages ownership and breeding through a developed racing industry that supports the fraternity and enhances the presence of the Arabian horse in the most prestigious international races.
Haseef, trained by Damien de Watrigant and ridden by jockey Faleh Bughenaim, achieved a well-deserved victory with an outstanding performance in the 2,000-metre turf race.
Born out of Al Mourtajez and Ghazwa by Zawam, the colt won the Group 3 race which was contested by 15 horses, representing elite studs from across Europe and Poland. The prize fund of the race amounted to €200,000, the highest in Arabian horse racing history in Poland.
Throughout the race, Haseef bided his time behind the leaders until the final turn, before powering strongly down the home stretch to overtake his rivals. Haseef’s charge left Katrin de Ghazal (Gazwan × Karabosse de Ghazal by Munjiz) in his wake. The champion completed the race in a time of 2:12.80 minutes.
Owned by Hilal Al Alawi and trained by Elizabeth Jean-François, jockey Michael Forest was aboard in the saddle to take second. In third spot, came the Rafal Płatk-owned Power Bolt (Al Mourtajez × Oleya du Loup by Kerbella), trained by Van den Bos Catherine, and ridden by jockey Jente Mariën.
The race was attended by Mohammed Al Harbi, UAE Ambassador to Poland; Prince Jan Lubomirski-Lanckoroński, honorary president of Służewiec Racecourse; Faisal Al Rahmani, General Secretary of the Higher Organising Committee, and Mohammed Al Suwaidi for Wathnan Racing, among others.
