Zagato clinches HM the King's Cup in top horseracing meet

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Al Mohamediya Racing contender Zagato captured the His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup, King of Bahrain (sponsored by Bapco), in yesterday’s feature race on an exciting day of action at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa delegated HM the King’s personal representative His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa to attend yesterday’s event, which is one of the biggest national meetings.

Also on hand was REHC High Committee chairman His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa along with other high-ranking officials. Top Irish jockey Neill Callan rode Hesham Al Haddad-trained Zagato to first place in the prestigious Class One-Listed event, held over 12 furlongs with a BD70,000 total prize purse.

Zagato lived up to the billing of one of the pre-race favourites, and finished ahead of Encourage, also representing Al Mohamediya Racing and Hesham Al Haddad, with Jimmy Quinn in the saddle. Tawaareq claimed third for Victorious, Hesham Al Haddad and Adrie De Vries.

The race offered one of three HM the King’s Cup trophies yesterday. The other two were in the sixth and first races—both Class One-Grade One events— with Callan once again emerging triumphant in one of them.

That was in the day’s opening event riding Kuheilan Umm Zorayr 1797, owned by KHK Racing and also trained by Hesham Al Haddad. Callan steered the victor to a fine result over eight furlongs to claim the lion’s share of the BD7,000 prize.

Kuheilan Afas 1708 followed as the runner-up for Victorious, Yousif Taher and Hasan Al Saffar, while Kuheila’t Al Adiyat 1782 came third for Victorious, Yousif Taher and Mueenis Al Siyabi.

In the day’s sixth race for the other HM the King’s Cup, held over 12 furlongs with a BD20,000 prize, Pulsar claimed first place to secure a double for KHK Racing and yet another victory for Hesham Al Haddad. Adrie De Vries was the winning jockey.

Living Art, owned by Abdulla Sami Nass and trained by Hesham Al Haddad while saddled by Neil Callan, came second, and Epic was third competing for Abdulla Fawzi Nass, Hesham Al Haddad and David Egan. Meanwhile, another Class One-Listed event was held yesterday at REHC with the Al Methaq Mile in race five.

The BD20,000 challenge was won by Yousini, who enjoyed a brilliant performance for owner Abdulla Fawzi Nass, ridden by last year’s Bahrain International Trophy winner David Egan, who claimed yet another win for trainer Hesham Al Haddad.

The runner-up was Ecosystem competing for MKAR Racing, Haider Ebrahim and George Wood, while in third came Beauchamp Bagenal for KHK Racing and Hesham Al Haddad while ridden by Husain Makki. Also yesterday, What A Welcome won the REHC Cup in the 10-furlong fourth race, offering a BD5,000 prize purse.

David Egan sealed his double for the day saddling What A Welcome for owner Ahmed Al Isa, with Hesham Al Haddad once again being the triumphant trainer. Wait Forever came second and Zezenia was third.

In the Tattersalls Sprint, contested by Bahraini apprentice jockeys and held over a five-furlong straight with a BD5,000 prize, Abdulla Al Hawaj steered Swindler to first place for owners Victorious and trainer Yousif Taher.

Al Hawaj captured his first-ever win with the result, which saw Desert Gulf in second and Ocean Star third. In the second race of the day, Manama Girl took home the Al Raffa Cup with first ride and win in Bahrain for jockey Ray Dawson.
Manama Girl, owned by Ramadhan Stable and trained by Jaber Ramadhan, triumphed over eight furlongs to claim the biggest portion of the BD5,000 prize, with Campolina in second and Al Aafoor third.