4 December 2015, Dubai, UAE ~ At the Dubai Meydan Longine-sponsored racing on 3 December, Purebred Arabians made a welcome return to Meydan with nine going to post for the opening Mazrat Al Ruwayah Prep, a 1600m conditions contest.

For the second year running, trainer Eric Lemartinel and jockey Wayne Smith combined to land the spoils, on this occasion with the progressive RB Torch. This four-year-old with the pedigree of TH Richie and a Burning Sand mare shows a speedy combination of US breeding, setting a track record for Purebred Arabians over the mile of 1:47.87.

After this victory, Smith’s mount boasts the impressive career record of four wins from just six starts, winning both his dirt outings in the process.

Settled off the speed, Smith asked his mount for an effort early in the straight with the response both striking and victorious.

“Eric asked me to ride him about a week ago,” said Smith. “He was spot on and predicted we would hit a flat spot but would then run home strongly once we hit the straight. And that is actually what happened.”

Now the master of Al Asayl stables and, thus, training predominantly for RB Torch’s owner, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Lemartinel won this race 12 months ago with Bigg N Rich, subsequent winner of the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over the same 1600m course and distance.

RB So Rich, another TH Richie colt came in second in the race, with Haajab in third with the TH Richie mare Richlore, coming fourth.

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