HORSERACING – Victorious Forever horse Al Aali won his second international horserace in as many weeks yesterday in England.
The four-year-old, chestnut-coloured gelding triumphed in the valuable Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap at Goodwood Racecourse, coming away with close to £62,000 in prize money for world-renowned trainer George Scott while ridden by jockey William Buick.
His victory continued the outstanding results this European horseracing season for the Victorious Forever stable, owned by His Majesty King Hamad’s humanitarian work and youth affairs representative, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman, and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Al Aali took the 10-furlong event amongst a large, 17-runner field.
He was in touch with the leaders heading into the race’s later stages, and began to charge towards the lead a furlong out.
He then powered to the front with just over a hundred yards remaining, battling past Noble Horizon and holding on until the line to win by three-quarters of a length.
Noble Horizon took the runner-up spot for owners Seven Seas, trainer Oli Rix, and jockey Silvestre De Sousa; while in third was Night Breeze, competing for Midtech Two, Ian Williams, and Edward Greaetrex.
The Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap was the opening race on the first day of the prestigious Qatar Goodwood Festival, also known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’, which is one of the highlights of the British flat racing season.
Al Aali’s victory yesterday followed his fine triumph in the 10-furlong National Stud Handicap at Newmarket earlier this month, when jockey Billy Loughnane in the saddle.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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