Flying start to the season in the capital

Season begins in the UAE capital.

ABU DHABI // The capital will kick off its racing season with a bang tonight by hosting the richest race in the world for Purebred Arabians.

The inaugural Group 1 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown is tonight’s feature race, with a purse of €1.2 million (Dh4.7m) on offer.

The race, run over the 1,600-metre distance at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, has drawn an international field, with the United States entering four of the 16 runners, with one each from France, Sweden, Netherlands, Qatar, and Oman to tackle the UAE contingent, with Manark, the Dubai Kahayla Classic winner, leading the home challenge.

The American challenge is headed by Paddy’s Day and So Big Is Better, both owned and trained by brothers Scott and Mark Powell. RB Rich and RB Frynch Broad are the other two.

Alban de Mieulle, the Qatar-based French trainer, has been a regular traveller to Abu Dhabi and has hired the service of top French jockey Olivier Peslier for his mount Kalino.

Sahabba carries French hopes, Al Janoob represents Sweden, Athlete Del Sol is from the Netherlands and Al Mouhannad is racing in the colours of Oman.

Manark, who came home first to take the Kahayla Classic at the Dubai World Cup in March, is a six-year-old chestnut and the son of Mahabb.

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He is trained in Dubai by Erwan Charpy and is ridden by Dane O’Neill.

“We are really looking forward to the race,” O’Neill said. “Obviously it is a very strong field but he is a good horse and has been working very nicely in his preparation.

“Meydan is obviously a different surface and left-handed as opposed to Abu Dhabi, which is turf and right-handed, but it should not be an issue. We are hoping for a big run.”

Eric Lemartinel, who took charge of President Sheikh Khalifa’s Al Asayl Stables in the summer, is double handed with Abhaar and Abu Alabyad.

Abhaar, ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, who rode three winners at Sharjah yesterday, goes into the race unbeaten in eight starts, including thrice over the course and distance, and Abu Alabyad was the winner of the Dh3 million President’s Cup last season.

“They have trained well over the summer and expect both of them to run big races in their first starts for the season,” Lemartinel said.

Nacer Samiri, who steps in for the suspended Majed Al Jahouri at Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s Al Wathba Stables, is also double handed with National Day Cup winner Thakif and Shateh.

The six-race card also features both the finals of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies’ (IFAHR) World Championship and Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice (IFAHR) Championship.

Twelve apprentices and 13 female jockeys from around the world have qualified to contest the races through a series of qualifiers staged throughout the summer.

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