HORSERACING – Victorious Forever horse She Commands powered to a sensational late victory yesterday in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap, held at Lingfield Park Racecourse in England.
The three-year-old grey filly triumphed in the 10-furlong event to continue the impressive winning form this international horseracing season for the Victorious Forever stable, owned by His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden yesterday by jockey Edward Greatrex, She Commands pushed along in the middle of the nine-horse pack two furlongs out before pressing for the lead.
She then charged to the front in the final 110 yards and went clear towards the finish, comfortably securing first place with a length-and-a-half’s gap from runner-up Guesstimate, competing for owners Ian and Christine Beard and family, trainer William Haggas, and jockey Cieren Fallon.
Asset placed third for Gestuet Schlenderhan Gmbh U Co Kg, Sir Mark Prescott BT, and Luke Morris.
She Commands’ triumph yesterday headlined a series of other fine results for Bahrain-connected horses.
Moonswept, ridden by history-making Bahraini jockey Ebrahim Nader, won the Fitzdares Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at England’s Royal Windsor Racecourse, while Real Bullet took first place in the Join Fitzdares For a Personal Service EBF Restricted Novice Stakes, held at the same venue.
Nader steered Moonswept to their win after eight furlongs for owners Mr and Mrs G Middlebrook and trainers Daniel and Claire Kubler.
The three-year-old bay filly went ahead inside the final furlong before winning ahead of Mystic Music, racing for Kingsclere Racing Club, Andrew Balding, and Callum Hutchinson, while in third was Sterling Fortune for Fortune Racing, James Tate, and Hector Crouch.
The result followed Nader’s historic maiden victory in the UK last month at Ffos Las Racecourse in Wales, where he was competing on Distinct Spirit, also owned by the Middlebrooks and trained by the Kublers.
“I am delighted for my second win, it means a lot to me,” said Nader.
“Surely everyone is watching back at home, and this one is for Bahrain!”
Meanwhile, Real Bullet was triumphant for owners Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa and Hasan Alajmi.
The two-year-old bay colt, trained by George Boughey, put in an impressive showing across six furlongs with jockey Billy Loughnane in the saddle.
They took the lead over a furlong out and won by two lengths ahead of Wateera, who was the runner-up for Mohamed Saeed Al Shehhi and Burke, KR Burke, and Clifford Lee.
Major Looktwice came third in the five-runner field for Befi Ltd, Gary and Josh Moore, and Crouch.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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