The inaugural running of the €1.2million (Dh3.9m) Group 1 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, over 1600m and the most valuable Purebred Arabian contest in the world, is the undoubted highlight of Sunday’s first meeting of the season at Abu Dhabi.
The maximum field of 16 will face the starter in the ultra valuable feature, upgraded from the Group 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, which was won last year by Thakif and Harry Bentley.
Owned by Sheikh Mansour, Thakif, now trained by Nacer Samiri, is back to contest the big pot with Bentley again in the saddle and is joined by stable companion Shateh who chased him home 12 months ago.
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Thakif and Bentley were also first past the post in February’s 2200m Group 1 HH The President’s Cup but subsequently disqualified.
Bentley said: “Thakif is very versatile and seems to go particularly well in Abu Dhabi. He should give a good account but it is obviously a very strong race.”
Al Asayl trainer Eric Lemartinel is another handler in a new job who has two runners with Tadhg O’Shea aboard the unbeaten Abhaar, winner of all five starts last season, including three over 1600m.
Gerald Avranche rides stable companion Abu Alabyad, awarded HH The President’s Cup on the disqualification of Thakif.
Lemartinel said: “They are two nice horses and deserve to take their chance in this company. Hopefully they both run well.”
Sheikh Hamdan relies on Manark, trained by Erwan Charpy and winner of the Kahayla Classic, on the Meydan dirt, when last seen on World Cup night.
He was well beaten in his sole turf outing last season, but that was over an inadequate 1000m and he did win four times on grass in Europe.
Retained jockey Dane O’Neill, rides and said: “He worked very well the other morning and should go well in a competitive race.”
The real intrigue is arguably provided by the four-strong American challenge, headed by Paddy’s Day, winner of 11 of his 14 starts to date.
He has yet to race on turf and, like his fellow US raiders, will be racing right-handed for the first time.
Trainer and part-owner Scott Powell said: “It is a real privilege and exciting to be here. He seems to have taken the trip well and should be very competitive.”