27.03.2023

Mazrat Al Ruwayah: Af Almomayaz continues on the upgrade

MEYDAN (AE), FEBRUARY 17^th, 2023

Gr2 PA - 5-year-olds and up - 1.600m (1m) - Dirt - $40,000

A late developer and the winner of his maiden on the Al Ain dirt three years ago, Af Almomayaz (Victor Adam) is now an 8-year-old. He has progressively been battled-hardened after contesting handicaps. The winner by a head at the backend of January in a sprint

when apprentice-ridden, Almomayaz was also a creditable fifth, following a blanket finish, in the Al Ruwais (Gr3 PA) on the Abu Dhabi turf course. Given a peach of a ride by Adrie de Vries, the combination enjoyed a dream run along the rails in the Mazrat Al Ruwayah (Gr2 PA), which underpinned their February 17^th win. The winner races in the colours of Mohamed Mosabbah Mohammed Al Mazrouei. This marked the owner's first PA Group win. The successful trainer Qaiss Aboud was similarly savouring his first black type victory.

Very fast away from the gates and capitalising on a good draw, Af Almomayaz was the quickest into his stride. Although he relinquished the lead to Asif (Dhiaa Al Reef). The latter was still at the head of affairs with 300m to go, before notably coming under pressure from Af Almomayaz, who threaded his way along the rails. Meanwhile, Héros de Lagarde (Af Albahar), having waited at the rear of the field, made a forward move on the outside. This was the prelude to him ‘hunting' down the winner after thrusting himself in the thick of the action.

However Af Almomayaz, having harnessed his energies following a rail-hugging trip, still had something up his sleeve, and he held on by a neck! Courageous to the end, Asif managed to hold third by a neck!

To the race replay please use the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63qVF_KWnc4

A first Group winner for Victor Adam

Af Almomyaz is a product of renowned Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda breeding academy, and this applies equally to the paternal and maternal sides of the pedigree. He's currently the best offering of his dam, Af Kalrajm (Amer). She failed to make the winner's circle on the racecourse, but is a half-sister to Kahzo (Dormane): the latter, bred by the Haras du Bosquet, won the 2001 edition of the Prix du Président des Emirats Unis (Gr1 PA) at Deauville, and this at the main expense of the smart Saklawi Jardane (Kesberoy), before being exported to the United Arab Emirates. The sire, Victor Adam (Nez d'Or), born in 2005 and a Khalid Al Nabooda sire, has covered relatively few mares. Af Almomayaz is his first real performer of note, and his first PA Group winner. Bred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Victor Adam didn't enjoy the greatest of racing careers, but his pedigree certainly stands out,

as his dam, Victorias Secrett (ZT Ali Baba), is a full sister to the outstanding Unchainedd Melody (37 wins in a 38 race career!). Bred by Bill and Dianne Waldron, Victorias Secrett had an unblemished career in the US after winning all her 14 career starts, including two Gr1 PA prizes. She was also the recipient of the Darley Award for the PA Horse of the Year in 1992 (a year before her sister). Subsequently exported, she has alas produced very little.

MAZRAT AL RUWAYAH

Gr2 PA - 5-year-olds and up - 1,600m - $40,000

1^st AF ALMOMAYAZ H8

(Victor Adam & Af Kalrajm, by Amer)

Owner: M. Al Mazrouei

Breeder: K.K. Al Nabooda

Trainer: Q. Aboud

Jockey: A. De Vries

2^nd HÉROS DE LAGARDE H6

(Af Albahar & Moubaraka, by Djouras Tu)

Owner: H.E. N. Al Hashar

Breeder: J. Delpech

Trainer: I. Al Hadhrami

Jockey: R. Dawson

3^rd ASIF H6

(Dhiaa Al Reef & Hayat, by Gerbya)

Owner: M. Al Saadi

Breeder: Muscat Stud

Trainer: I. Al Hadhrami

Jockey: S. Al Balushi

All ran (13).

Dirt. 1'46"35. Distances: NECK - 2 1/2 - NECK.