Sheikh Abdullah’s Es Al Ward, Al Asayl shine in Sharjah racing season opener

The Sharjah Longines Racecourse roared to life on Sunday as Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi’s Es Al Ward blazed to victory in the opening race, while Al Asayl Stables clinched a double in the first meeting of the season.

The three-year-old colt, son of Es Ajeeb, commanded the race from start to finish. Trained by Hamad Al Marar and ridden by jockey Bernardo Pinheiro, Es Al Ward surged ahead from the very first stride, leaving his rivals in awe. With a masterful display of speed, he crossed the line 11 lengths clear of Irfan Ellahi’s Jap Hatanah, delivering a triumphant victory to racecourse patron Sheikh Abdullah in the Sharjah Municipality Race.

In a breathtaking contest for the Sharjah Sports Council race, Al Asayl Stables’ Dhleem, ridden by Sam Hitchcott, showcased resilience and brilliance, triumphing over the formidable Bh Ramah trained by Adil Mouchahi.

Al Asayl Stables swiftly returned to the winner’s circle in the very next race, sponsored by Al Marwan Machinery, claiming their second victory of the six-race card. Makin triumphed over the valiant Al Nayer, with Sam Hitchcott guiding him to an unstoppable performance in the final stages of the race.

In the fourth race, also sponsored by Al Marwan Machinery, Yas Racing’s Saafeer clinched victory with a powerful performance, crossing the finish line almost four lengths ahead of Ammar. Trained by Eric Lemartinel, with Jules Mobian in the saddle, the son of Areeem commanded the race from the moment the gates opened.

The fifth race unfolded as an electrifying duel between two formidable contenders — Fatin Ahmad Rashad Manasra’s Idris Des Arnets and Abdallah Al Hammadi’s Ozone Layer. From the moment the race began, the two were locked in an unyielding struggle for supremacy, neither willing to relent.

Ozone Layer pushed forward with relentless force, but Idris Des Arnets refused to be overtaken. With a final surge of strength, the Adil Mouchahi-trained gelding, under Sandro Paiva, found that extra gear, edging out his rival by the slimmest of margins.

In a thrilling finale, sponsored by the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority, Shadwell’s Mutaany edged past Arabian Angel. The five-year-old gelding, trained by John Hyde and ridden by Daniel Tudhope, blazed through the 1200-meter race, holding off a determined challenge from Arabian Angel.

Arabian Angel, trained by Bhupat Seemar with Tadhg O’Shea in the irons, showed strong promise but couldn’t close the gap in the final stages of the contest. Split the Profit rounded out the top three, finishing more than two lengths behind the winner.