Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Race winner Molahen El Alhan gets ‘a perfect ride’

All week, Ernst Oertel had been exceptionally bullish about his chances, and his confidence was vindicated, in some style.

Ernst Oertel, third from left, bagged a treble in Abu Dhabi's opening race meeting for the season. Lee Hoagland/The National / November 9, 2014

ABU DHABI // Yesterday’s Abu Dhabi meeting concluded the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies’ World Championship and provided the perfect opportunity for champion trainer, Ernst Oertel, to complete a treble.

All week, the South African had been exceptionally bullish about the chances of Molahen El Alhan, and his confidence was vindicated, in some style.

When the draw was made, he spoke of his delight when the name of Jadey Pietrasiewicz, from Holland, was allocated to his charge and it was easy to see why, when she gave the four year old a perfect and confident ride.

Laamma tried to make all under South Korean Keumjoo Lee, but was never going to be able to repel the challenge of Oertel’s charge, with the pair prominent throughout.

It was just a question whether anything could materialise from the pack to throw down a challenge, and it did, briefly, in the shape of Bigg N Rich.

Ridden by Belgian Anna van den Troost, he, too, was strongly fancied by his trainer, Eric Lemartinel, and briefly seemed set for a titanic struggle.

It was not to be, though, and Molahen El Alhan saw off his rival, who lost second to a rallying Laamma.

“It has been a great evening, as we hoped it would be,” Oertel said. “We are big supporters of these races and have had plenty of runners in the two HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak World Championship races. To win them both is brilliant.

“Molahen El Alhan did not stop improving last season and did particularly well over the summer. We knew we had him fit and well, but you always need a good draw in these races.

“We were very lucky to get gate two, but more importantly, one of the top jockeys in the race.

“She gave him a perfect ride. Hopefully, this horse has a big season ahead.”

Said Pietrasiewicz: “I rode him confidently, as the trainer was so positive about our chances, and he was certainly right. I was always thinking I would win and he seems a nice young horse.

“To win here in Abu Dhabi, in the colours of Sheikh Khalifa, is just brilliant, as has been the whole week.

“These races are a great initiative and I thank everyone involved in organising them – not just for myself, but for all the girls.”

Lara Sawaya, executive director of the Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and chairman of the Ladies Racing Committee, a member of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities, and chairman of Apprentice Jockeys and Racing said: “The last five days have been a great success, with some exciting discussion about big topics at the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Conference for Education and Training, culminating in a great race evening here.

“The whole concept of the Sheikh Mansoor Festival and these races has been exceptionally well-received worldwide and we thank His Highness for his ongoing support.”

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