HORSERACING – Urban Sprawl and Dalayil triumphed last night in the two races sponsored by Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co (GPIC), which headlined the second meeting of Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club’s (REHC) Golden Jubilee season in Sakhir.
In attendance during yesterday’s events were Prime Minister’s Court Minister and REHC High Committee chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Environment vice-president, REHC High Committee deputy chairman, and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports member Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, and other officials.
Urban Sprawl lifted the GPIC Cup for owner Ahmed Khalil Ali Khalil and trainer Jaffar Marzooq, with jockey Benoit de la Sayette in the saddle.
The six-year-old gelding won the 2,000-metre race featuring imported horses to claim the lion’s share of the BD4,000 total prize purse.
Knight of Honour finished as runner-up for Al Mohamediya Racing, Ali Abdulmajeed, and Hasan Al Saffar, while Young Ireland came third for Al Afoo Racing, Maher Ebrahim, and Patrick Cosgrave. Soldier’s Empire was fourth for Mohamediya, Fawzi Nass, and Hasan Asghar.
Dalayil captured the GPIC Sprint Cup competing for the triumvirate of owner Sadeq Juma Jasim, trainer Ali Nasser, and jockey Ben Sanderson.
The eight-year-old mare finished the BD2,000 race, held along a 1,200m straight for Bahraini-bred horses, ahead of Retaj, who took second place for Al Meshgab Racing, Osama Hashim, and Mohammed Jamil.
The Ghost Ship was third for Khalil, Hashim, and de la Sayette, while Authority ranked fourth for AMS Racing, Ali Jan, and Abdulla Faisal.
Meanwhile, Salvuccio won the Late Abdulhadi Al Afoo Cup last night for Hasan Mohamed Al Doseri, Jan, and Faisal.
The five-year-old gelding triumphed amongst imported challengers after 1,400m to come away with the biggest portion of the BD3,000 in winnings.
Ra’s Al Hadd followed for Jawad Abdulwahid Ahmed, Jaffar Radhi, and de la Sayette; while Arctic Grey was third for Victorious Forever, Paul Smith, and Abdulrahim Jasim; and Winforglory finished fourth for Mohamediya, Abdulmajeed, and Asghar.
Winners of the GPIC Cup being presented their awards
The other winners in yesterday’s nine-race card were Obeyan 1958 for owners Victorious Forever, trainer Yousif Taher, and jockey Jasim; Poinciana for Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim, Haider Ebrahim, and de la Sayette; York Tower and South China Sea for Al Adiyat Racing, Daniel and Claire Kubler, and Ebrahim Nader; Mahrousa for Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, Robert McDowall, and Nader; and Manikan for Abdulrahim, Haider Ebrahim, and de la Sayette.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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