Sanna guides Essa to Athbah Cup win

Alberto Sanna rides Essa to victory in the Athbah Cup at the Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

Famed jockey Alberto Sanna yesterday guided His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Essa to victory in the Athbah Cup, the feature race of the 7th meeting at Al Uqda Racecourse.  The four-year-old colt clinched the victory by a length for trainer Rudy Nerbonne to earn QR42,750 in prize money for his connection. Matraz, trained by Alban Elie De Mieulle and ridden by Ronan Thomas, was Essa’s closest rival in the 1,400-metre race. QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi crowned the winners.  Meanwhile, Al Jeryan Stud’s Majd Al Arab highlighted its presence by winning the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85) for 3YO+. The Mohamed H K al-Attiyah-saddled four-year-old bay gelding overpowered his closest rival Al Mohalhal in the 1,200-metre contest by a length under Szczepan Mazur. Earlier, the Rashid Ali al-Saaq-owned and ridden Third Order came with a strong late run to land the 1,300m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75). The eight-year-old knuckled down in the closing stages to win by a neck. Al Shaqab Racing’s Osaila took the 2,100m Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-75) for 4YO+ by 1½ lengths. The victory was her second in five outings. The Eric Lemartinel-trained four-year-old filly was ridden to success by Faleh Bughanaim. Khalid Abdulaziz al-Kuwari’s Selous (FR) emerged victorious on his 4th career start, this time under Soufiane Saadi. The three-year-old Bay Colt led the field in the 1,400m Thoroughbred Maiden Plate and won by 2½ lengths for trainer Zuhair Mohsen. Umm Qarn’s Sweet Dream (QA) (Amer) won the opening race of the day, saddled by jockey Thomas. The De Mieulle-trained four-year-old charged in the closing stages of the 1,400m Local P/A Maiden Plate for F & M to seal the victory. Results Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (Fillies & Mares) Sweet Dream (QA), Alban Elie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo Only) (Class 6) Selous (FR), Zuhair Mohsen, Soufiane Saadi Local Purebred Arabian Handicap Osaila (QA), Eric Lemartinel, Faleh Bughanaim Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 5) Third Order (IRE), Ali al-Marri, Rashid Ali al-Marri Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4) Majd Al Arab (IRE), M.H.K al-Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur Athbah Cup - Unraced Purebred Arabians Essa (FR), Rudy Andre Nerbonne, Alberto Sanna