Sheikh Mohamed’s Heelywa opens account in Spain

Valentin Seguy (second from right) rides Heelywa to victory in the Premio Sheikh Mansoor Festival Maiden in San Sebastian on Sunday. (San Sebastian Racecourse)

Carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, three-year-old Arabian filly Heelywa broke her maiden, taking the Premio Sheikh Mansoor Festival Maiden in San Sebastian, Spain, on Sunday.It was Francois Rohaut-trained bay filly’s second start, having finished third on her debut at La Teste De Buch, France, last month.Heelywa was placed mid-division and travelled strongly through the early stages of the 2,000m contest under jockey Valentin Seguy.Early pacesetter Dabba De Monlau looked like stealing first run on the field as they turned into the home straight. Both Al Jasrah, carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, and Heelywa closed strongly inside the final 200m, heading Dabba De Monlau as the duo led to the line. Heelywa produced one final effort and got the better of Al Jasrah, who is trained by Didier Guillemin and was ridden by Alexandre Gavilan, in the final strides, winning by half-a-length. Dabba De Monlau held on well for third under R. Ferreira Sousa for trainer M Molist Comas.Bred by Sheikh Mohamed’s Al Shahania Stud, Heelywa is by Shadwell Arabian stallion No Risk Al Maury. Her dam Al Shahania Aseala was unraced and has produced Al Afreata, fourth in the Group One Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches at Saint Cloud, and Sayaad, a winner on debut in Pompadour, France.