Ah Tahan wins Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup, Morning stars in Sheikh Ahmed Cup

Hamad Al Marar’s Ah Tahan comfortably won the HH The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup while Bhupat Seemar’s Morning dominated the HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup during the penultimate meeting of the Sharjah Longines Racecourse season on Sunday.

The HH The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup, restricted for four- and five-year-old UAE-bred Purebred Arabians, drew a competitive quality field of 14 runners, promising a thrilling spectacle on the turf.

At the heart of the action was Ah Tahan, who proved the standout performer and continued his fine form in emphatic fashion.

The five-year-old son of Sir Bani Yas, ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro, went into the race as the highest-rated runner with a rating of 95, and fully justified that status.

From the outset, Ah Tahan settled comfortably just off the pace, travelling strongly throughout. Turning for home, he produced a decisive acceleration, quickly taking control of the race and asserting his superiority in the closing stages.

He finished more then five lengths ahead of Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum’s Jap Abeya.

It marked Pinheiro’s second victory of the day, as he steered As Shamoos to a narrow triumph over Af Mi’aad in the Al Ferdous race earlier.

After landing double at the Jebel Ali Racecourse on Saturday, the burgeoning partnership of Seemar and Tadhg O’Shea once again captured the spotlight, as Morning soared to the fore with effortless grace, claiming victory in the HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup — the opening leg of the Emirates Sprint Series.

The six-year-old Munnings’ gelding settled into a smooth rhythm early on before launching a commanding run to overtake Michael Costa’s Mozahim, crossing the finish line a decisive 4.75 lengths clear.

Launched in 2022 under the directives of Sheikh Ahmed, patron of Jebel Ali Racecourse, the Emirates Sprint Series has swiftly established itself as one of the cornerstones of UAE racing.

“A great initiative since the launch of the Emirates Sprint Series. It was a highly competitive race in Sharjah, with Morning delivering an impressive performance,” said Mohammed Al Ahmed, Executive Director of the Emirates Sprint Series and General Manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse.

“He also won the opener last year at the same track, capturing leg one of the HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup. The race was competitive throughout, reflecting the quality and depth of the series. “We now look forward to seeing Morning compete in the second leg, the Jebel Ali Sprint, on February 15.

“My sincere gratitude goes to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed for his continuous support of the racing industry and for backing a series that is truly supportive of owners and trainers, while consistently producing exciting and competitive racing,” he added.

Earlier, Es Al Habib owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, won the opening race of the card.

The Adnan Mohammed-trained son of Es Ajeeb made a flawless debut at Dubai Creek Tower. Ridden by Ray Dawson, he settled smoothly before launching a commanding surge in the final furlongs.

Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Director General and Board Member of the Emirates Racing, and Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaei, Director General of Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, gave away the prizes to the winners.

In a nail-biting finish in Al Yasmeen race, An Al Hunood edged out Irafn Elahi’s Jap Hatanah under Khalid Al Balushi, holding off a relentless challenge from the four-year-old filly guided by Qais Al Busaidi.

Yas Racing’s Tahhan Al Wathba outlasted stable mate Murhib Al Wathba in Palma Spring.

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaei, Bernardo Pinheiro and others during the presentation for Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup.