HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup Madjanthis gives Apprentice jockey Fitzpatrick first win in eighth attempt in the UAE

Madjanthis

7 December 2015, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ The Ernst Oertel-trained Madjanthis under Apprentice jockey Robert Fitzpatrick won the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners Only at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on Sunday, 6 December 2015.

The five-year-old son of the great Madjani, Madjanthis last won in Houston in the USA in April last year. Since coming over to the UAE the Khaled Al Taher-owned Madjanthis had two runs in Al Ain before winning Sunday’s race.

Taking over the lead with about two furlongs to go, Madjanthis under Fitzpatrick won with about three lengths to spare from Al Shabab under George Buckell with Tm Ac-Dc under Christopher Hayes in third place.

Earlier in the evening, Areem was the best of his ten rivals in the Group 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, for Purebred Arabians.The now seven-year old winner of the Group 1 National Day Cup in both 2012 and 2013, as well as finishing second in the race last year, made virtually every yard of the running under Richard Mullen. The National Day Cup was renamed this year to the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown.

Showing all his old verve and dash, the son of Mahabb always looked to be going best bowling along in front before putting distance between himself and the rest on the final bend. With the remainder of the field toiling, Areem was never going to be caught to the visible delight of his trainer Nacer Samiri celebrating his first big race winner in the UAE. When winning the prep for this race three weeks ago, Areem became the first winner to sport the silks of owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“He loves to jump out in front and put the opposition to the sword,” said Mullen. “He is obviously not as young as he was but he loves it around here and was always going strongly for me and he just galloped all the way to the line. It is great to ride a winner for young HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mansoor who now has two wins from two runs to his name. I am just grateful for such a quality spare ride and must thank Wayne Smith for putting my name forward.”

The first half of the card was totally dominated by owner and breeder Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda with his colors carried to victory three times.

Ernst Oertel won two maidens at Sharjah on Saturday with horses owned and bred by the Al Nabooda and they were celebrating further success together after AF Laja (KHOUTOUBIA (FR) x AL HAMDANIYA) won the opening 1400m maiden. Having only her second start, AF Laja had shown plenty of dash before finishing, ultimately, well beaten over the same course and distance three weeks ago. Apprentice Manuel Fernandes was in the saddle on that occasion but replaced here by David Probert whose mount had her race won turning for home.

“She did it nicely,” said Probert. “I was actually surprised how far clear we were when we crossed the line.
“It is my first season in the UAE and it is great to be here and a wonderful experience.”

Owner and trainer did not have to wait long to complete another brace in partnership, combining with debutant, like both their Sharjah winners, a homebred son of AF Al Buraq. The intended mount of Fernandes, who became indisposed earlier in the day, he ended up a chance spare ride for fellow apprentice George Buckell, who only found out during the afternoon he was riding the colt. Always prominent in the 1600m conditions contest AF La’Asae produced a decent turn of foot early in the straight soon putting the race to bed.

“My agent phoned me just before I left for the races,” explained Buckell. “It was a nice spare to pick up, especially with the Oertel team in such good form. “I was always happy and he quickened nicely when I asked him.”

The Al Nabooda bandwagon was relentless with his AF Mathmoon (AF ALBAHAR (AE) x TEMPTAYSHUHN) making it three wins from as many career starts with an easy victory in a 1600m handicap. Another also bred by his owner and always in the firing line, AF Mathmoon was returning to action having won both his outings last season over 1400m at Abu Dhabi in style. Trained by Musabah Al Muhairi he was even more impressive this time with stable jockey Fernando Jara clearly taken by the performance.

“He is a very nice horse,” enthused Jara. “I really liked everything he has done tonight as we went pretty quick but he just kept on going. Hopefully he has more to offer and he is a nice prospect.”

~ end press release