16.12.2020

SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN NATIONAL DAY CUP: AF ALWAJEL EXTRACTS A STUNNING REVENGE

ABU DHABI (UAE), DECEMBER 4^th 2020

Gr3 PA - 4-year-olds and up - 1,600m (1m) - AED500,000

The top weights in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Gr3 PA), Af Alwajel (Af Al Buraq) and Jayide Al Boraq (Burning Sand), renewed rivalry on the turf course at Abu Dhabi – two weeks after the latter had dominated his rival in the Bani Yas (Gr2 PA) on the dirt at Meydan. However, the change in racing surface allied to the draw factor, enabled AF Alajuela to turn the tables in stunning fashion after romping his way to victory by over three lengths. Trained by Ernst Oertel, the winner races in the colours of influential owner-breeder Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda. It marked his second PA Group win following his success at the same track in the Liwa Oasis (Gr2 PA) over a shorter trip at the backend of last season. Progressively stepped up in trip from 1,000m (5f) to 1.600m (1m), Al Alwajel crowned his first win over a mile, having never finished worse than second in five attempts in the Emirati capital. Clearly, Abu Dhabi brings out the best in him.

PATIENCE IS KEY

Contrary to his win in the Bani Yas when he was held up, Jayide Al Boraq made a beeline for the lead and dictated terms, and he was chased on his outside by Af Al Sajanjle (Af Al Buraq) and the unbeaten Ithesham (Af Albahar). Meanwhile, Af Alwajel was poised to pounce after sitting on the heels of the leaders. After making a forward move on the final bend, he drew upsides the leaders in the straight. However, going to the final 200 metres, the winner raced clear. Coming from the rear of the field and finishing with a flourish, the 11-year-old veteran Sharaf Al Reef (Bibi de Carrère) ran on at the business end to deprive Jayide Al Boraq of second in the dying strides. The latter got a second wind on the rails after coming under pressure at the entrance to the straight.

To see a replay of the race please use the following link: https://youtu.be/G90I9c04m3I

THE PRIDE AND JOY OF HIS OWNER-BREEDER

The winning rider, Tadhg O’Shea, boasts no less than eight UAE riding titles, and the Irishman said: "What a horse and what a trainer! It’s an excellent result for the whole team, but above all for the owner. The horse had a tough race on dirt 15 days earlier. However,

Ernst Oertel and his team deserve all the plaudits for ensuring that the horse was in such good condition."

Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda added: "In my capacity as an Emirati owner-breeder, it’s a race that I’ve always coveted. I’ve achieved that milestone and am very proud of it."

FROM THE LINE OF DAHOR DE BRUGÈRE

Af Alwajel is a son of Af Al Buraq (Amer), the Shadwell sire based at the Haras de Saint-Faust. The dam, Samira de Carrère (Djouras Tu), bred by Terry Dell’Ova, captured the Abu Dhabi Championship (L PA) at this same course. The grandam, Kandra de Carrère (Coq du Cassou), is a half-sister to the Qatari-winning Issada de Carrère (Manganate). The maternal line traces back to Bassala (Masbout), herself the dam of Berthe (Irmak). The latter was the source of six winners including Bergeronnette (Djouran), the great grandam of the high class Dahor de Brugère (Dahess). The latter was unbeaten in five starts as a 3-year-old, which included the Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes - Al Rayyan Cup - Prix Kesberoy (Gr1s PA) double.