30.03.2020

AL AIN MILE - SOMOUD RAISES HIS GAME

AL AIN (UAE), MARCH 5^th, 2020

Gr3 PA - 5-year-olds-and up - 1,600m (1m) - AED 350,000

He was one of the lowest rated horses going into this year’s renewal of the Al Ain Mile (Gr3 PA). However, Somoud (Munjiz) was tenacity personified as he snared his biggest career win to date after excelling over 1,600m (1m) on the dirt track. He is trained by Ahmed Al Mehairbi on behalf of Yas Horse Racing. His victory surprised some observers, although the former Antoine de Watrigant runner had shown good form in France after finishing fourth in the Al Rayyan Cup - Prix Kesberoy (Gr1 PA). He also beat everyone bar Rajeh (Jaafer ASF) in the Prix Chéri Bibi (Gr3 PA). Exported to the United Arab Emirates at the backend of 2018, this was his fourth win on the Persian Gulf circuit.

Shahm is eclipsed on his UAE debut. Mujahid (Mahabb) set the tempo to the race before he started to backtrack some 500m from the wire, as MH Rahal (Ghadab) quickened into the lead. Somoud, on the hand, raced in mid-division of what proved a compact peloton. Making his debut on the local circuit, Shahm (Mahabb), the winner amongst others of The President of the UAE Cup - Coupe d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1 PA) at ParisLongchamp, had a good trip. Well placed on the heels of the leaders, he was the star attraction of the race, However, he proved unable to raise his game on his dirt debut, and his was a modest return.

Somoud had no such problems as, after taking the lead going to the final 200m, he gave all to the cause. Shadda’ad (Munjiz), another well-known performer on the French circuit, took second, as MH Rahal completed the podium finishing order. Shahm could manage only sixth in a tight finish.

Hoping for an invitation to the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Ahmed Al Mehairbi, the winning trainer, told the local media: "Somoud has always been a consistent type but, on this occasion, he proved capable of raising his game. Rated a mere 80, he was coming up against horses whose handicap marks varied from 100 to 120. He showed that he had progressed and I hope that he will be accorded a rating which will entail him being invited to run in the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1 PA)." Regarding Shahm, his trainer Majed Al Jahouri opined: "The 1,600m (1m) trip was on the sharp side, but the primary purpose of this race was to act as a stepping stone to the Kahayla Classic."

Hailing from a prestigious ‘Sheikh Mansoor’ line. Somoud is a quintessential product of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan breeding academy. His sire, Munjiz (Kesberoy), is based at the Wathba Stud Farm. He is also the best current advertisement for his dam Wadya (Akbar). The latter is a half-sister to Lahib (Kairouan de Jos) – the winner of the inaugural edition of the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA). Their sister Aleefa (Kesberoy) has produced the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments, the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches and the H.H. The President Cup (Gr1s PA) winning Loraa (Mawood); Belqees (Mahabb) – the Shadwell – Critérium des Pouliches (Gr2 PA), heroine; plus Fazah (Mahabb) and Naziq (Mahabb) – the respective winners of the Prix Nevada II (Gr2 PA) and the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments (Gr1 PA).

AL AIN (UAE), 5^th MARCH 2020

AL AIN MILE

Gr3 PA - 5-year-olds and up - 1,600m - AED 350,000

1^st   SOMOUD (57) (H6)

(Munjiz & Wadya, by Akbar)

Owner: Yas Racing

Breeder: H.H Sheikh M. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Trainer: A. Al Mehairbi

Jockey: C. Beasley

2^nd   SHADDA'AD (57) (H6)

(Munjiz & Fazah, by Mahabb)

Owner: Al Wathba Racing

Breeder: H.H Sheikh M. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Trainer: Mrs A. Mendez

Jockey: F. Jara

3^rd   MH RAHAL (57) (H6)  

(Ghadab & Arkadya, by Dormane)

Owner: M. K. Sultan Bin Habtoor

Breeder: M. K. Sultan Bin Habtoor

Trainer: E. Jeanne

Jockey: B. Pinheiro

All ran (13).

(Dirt). 1'49"27. Distances: 1 1/4 - 1/2 - HEAD.