30.01.2019

AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND I - Wadeeaa proves unflinching on the dirt

MEYDAN (UAE), 10^th January 2019

Gr. I PA - 5-year-olds and up - 1,600m - $ 65,000

A former inmate of the Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte stable in France last season, Wadeeaa (Mahabb) is currently pursuing her racing career in the United Arab Emirates, having joined the stable of Mohamed Ali. After two prep races, the mare showed her superiority by making all to land Round I of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr. I PA) on her dirt debut.  It also marked the first Group I PA success of the Yas Horse Racing protegée, having run third in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Gr. I PA) at ParisLongchamp last year.

The quickest away from the stalls, Wadeeaa was soon at the head of affairs and was tracked on her outside by Af Al Sajanjle (Af Al Buraq), whereas Mawahib (Abu Alemarat) hugged the rails. On hitting the straight, Wadeeaa continued to lead and she proved tenacious until the very end by turning back Af Al Sajanjle. Goshawke (Thoroughbred), despite an interrupted passage, produced an eye-catching finish to take third.

To watch the race:

https://youtu.be/K09nrhdQAwo

A first success at Meydan

Wadeeaa’s successful dirt debut also provided her Polish rider, Szczepan Masur, with a first success at the Dubai track. He said: "It’s fantastic. The mare was very well away from the gates and so I quickly made a beeline for the lead. It’s what she prefers. I was a little surprised as the mare was racing for the first time on dirt yet she seemed to be enjoying herself. It’s as if she was tailor-made for this type of surface! Going to the final 400 metres, I was aware that she still had plenty left in the tank." Concerning the next round of the Maktoum Challenge, which is run over a longer trip, Wadeeaa’s rider wasn’t going out on a limb regarding the question of the mare’s stamina by adding: "We must see. The trainer will need to think first before racing the mare over a longer distance."

Born to win this very race

Bred by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Wadeeaa is a daughter of Mahabb (Kesberoy) and Gaira (Akbar). The latter was unbeaten in three starts and has generated several winners, including Sardan (Mahabb), a three times winner at Toulouse and third in the Liwa Oasis (Gr. I PA) at Abu Dhabi, as well as Adieb (Munjiz) who made a successful start to his career in the Prix Nez d’Or - Wathba Stallions Cup at La Teste-de-Buch. Gaira is a half-sister to the multiple Group I winning Areem (Mahabb), whose CV includes two editions of the National Day Cup, the Liwa Oasis and the same Round I of the Al Maktoum Challenge!

MEYDAN (UAE), 10^th January 2019

AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND I

Gr. I PA - 5-year-olds and up - 1,600m - $ 65,000

1^st      WADEEAA (55) F5

Mahabb & Gaira, by Akbar

Owner & Breeder: Sheikh M. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Trainer: M. Ali

Jockey: S. Mazur

2^nd     AF AL SAJANJLE (57) H6

Af Al Buraq & Câline du Loup, by Manganate

Owner & Breeder: K. Khalifa Al Nabooda

Trainer: E. Oertel

Jockey: T. O’Shea

3^rd     GOSHAWKE (56) H5

Af Albahar & Waad Fadi, by Burning Sand

Owner: Al Ajban Stables

Breeder & Trainer: A. Al Hammadi

Jockey: F. Jara

Other runner(s) in finishing order: Mawahib, Rmmas, Rb Torch, Cheik Roque, Af Mahshoum, Najm Alemarat, Rb Madymoiselle, Mirna, Rb Smokin Rich, Aziz Al Shahania, Af Al Hazer & Af Marrah.

Ran (15) - Non-runner(s): Al Hantar Monlau
(Turf) - 1’48’’24

Distances: ½ - NECK - 2