Richard Mullen steers AF Sajanjle to Emirates Colts Classic win in Abu Dhabi

Six different jockeys win the six races with Mullen's rival Tadhg O’Shea ahead in chase for UAE top jockey prize.

AF Sajanjle is ridden home by jockey Richard Mullen at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday. Courtesy Andrew Watkins / Dubai Racing Club

Amith Passela

ABU DHABI // AF Sajanjle provided the icing on the cake for his connections in the Emirates Colts Classic under the in-form jockey Richard Mullen last night at the capital’s track.

Mullen had the colt in front on the 400-metre home stretch to lead a superb 1-2-3 finish for the owner-trainer combination of Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and Ernst Oertel.

Al Yatroq, under Antonio Fresu, and AF Maher, ridden by Christopher Hayes, chased the winner home in the event for four-year-old colts and gelded UAE Purebred Arabians.

“He showed what he could do at his level,” said Mullen, who finished more than two lengths ahead of his closest challenger over the 1,600m distance.

“I’m very lucky that I get a fair share of the horses owned by Mr Al Naboodah. He’s got a good team going, and I feel privileged to be part of this partnership when I’m not riding for [retained trainer] Satish Seemar.”

That winner in the second race drew Mullen level on 42 winners each with Tadhg O’Shea but the latter regained the lead by steering Jaaref to victory in the concluding handicap for thoroughbreds.

O’Shea raced in fourth on Jaaref for most of the 2,200m trip before stepping on the gas at 200m to clear Hunters Creek under Royston Ffrench, prevailing by half-a-length.

“He was doing this trip for the first time,” O’Shea said.

“I ride him during his workouts at home and he can be a bit lazy when in front.

“I got him straightened up and then he picked up again and galloped over the line.”

Oertel completed a double on the night when Fresu made all of the running on AF Hakeem, another in the silks of Al Naboodah, to claim the Wathba Stud Farm Cup for private owners and stables.

The six races were won by six different jockeys: Sam Hitchcott taking the opener on Arif, Patrick Cosgrove claiming the third race aboard Brooklin Jet D’Azrak and Fernando Jara atop Nawarat Al Reef getting on to the winner’s enclosure half hour later.

RESULTS

5pm: Al Hosn Maiden

Winner: Arif, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).

5.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic

Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Richard Mullen, Ernst Oertel.

6pm: Al Dana Handicap

Winner: Brooklin Jet D’Azrak, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.

6.30pm: Jarneen Handicap

Winner: Nawarat Al Reef, Fernando Jara, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7pm: Wathba Stud Farm Cup

Winner: AF Hakeem, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.

7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Handicap (TB)

Winner: Jaaref, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

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