Halawani pays rich tributes as Jebel Ali names race after late Dr Redha
Amir Naqvi
A seasoned journalist covering major sports events around the world. Amir is Sports Editor with Gulf Today.
Shareef Al Halawani, Mirza Al Sayegh and other dignitaries during a press conference at the Jebel Ali Racecourse in Dubai on Tuesday.
The meeting will be opened by a Purebred Arabian handicap contested over a distance of 1400 metres. In a tribute to the late Dr Hussain Al Redha, the Jebel Ali Racecourse management has named the opening race in his honour.
Dr Redha, who was regarded as one of the most prominent specialists in orthopaedics as well as in neurosurgery, passed away in July 2020. It is no secret that the Purebred Arabian was closest to his heart, so it is fitting to see the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) and Jebel Ali Racecourse honour his achievements in promoting the breed.
Until his death, Redha was the general coordinator of the Emirates International Challenge Stakes, an endurance competition for Purebred Arabian series conducted by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.
Paying rich tributes, Shareef Al Halawani, Jebel Ali Racecourse Manager, lauded Dr Redha for his extraordinary commitment to promoting Arabian Racing.
“It was a long association with Dr Redha. For more than 20 years we used to travel together for races in Rome, Newbury and other countries. His absence will be deeply felt at Friday’s races,” said Halawani.
“He was a passionate supporter of Purebred Arabian racing, who always worked hard in promoting the sport.” He was awarded the Hamdan Award for distinguished personalities in the medical field in the UAE in 2003-2004.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Hassan, Dr Redha’s son, extended his warm thanks to the Jebel Ali Racecourse management for remembering the role his father played in supporting and organising horse races in the past.
“Dr Hussain was a passionate supporter of Purebred Arabian racing, and played a pivotal part in the development of equestrian sport right from the early 1980s,” he said.
Hassan recalled a famous quote by his father, who said: “Purebred Arabian horses are God’s creation; beautiful, kind, and unlike any other. They are close to the heart of the Arab world and will always be held in highest esteem.”
He also highlighted Redha’s roles as a Core Steering Member of Arab Races and Emirates International Challenge Stakes and as the Chairman of the Emirates Horse Breeders Society. Having established the Desert Arabian Stud in 1982, which has grown to breed and tend for over 150 horses through the years, Redha emerged as one of the sport’s most influential promoters. “My father’s legacy lives on through the imprint and inspiration rendered to the equestrian community,” Hassan said.
He also paid tribute to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, for their efforts to take horseracing to the highest level not just in the UAE but around the world.
“I am honoured to thank Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, patron of Jebel Ali Racecourse, for his tireless efforts and keenness to develop equestrian sport in the UAE.
“Today, Jebel Ali Racecourse is a proud witness of the great role played by Sheikh Ahmed in the promotion and development of horseracing.”
Hassan also thanked Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of Sheikh Hamdan’s Office and Chairman of Shadwell, for the opportunity to remember the late Dr Redha by dedicating the first race to his father’s name.
Sayegh also praised the efforts of Redha and said that the standard and growth of Purebred Arabian racing is entirely the result of his dedicated work and planning.
Sheikh Hamdan has runners in three races of Friday’s card. Masaali, who looked useful when winning a maiden on his second career start In November, features in a Thoroughbred handicap contested over a distance of 1950m.
The Hard Spun gelding returns for his handicap debut over nine and a half furlongs in race two and is the least experienced in the field. He can go well again up against hardened handicappers, including Tafaakhor, the choice of O’Neill, who now looks well-handicapped on the best of his form, which includes a win here over nine furlongs in November 2019.
Almoreb got back to winning ways with a seven-furlong win here in November, and Rashid Al Rayhi’s gelding returns to the same trip on Friday in race five. This is tougher, but he should show up well again.
