Tefkir stuns Ziyadd in Shaikh Zayed Cup

Tomas Lukasek is seen riding Tefkir to victory in the Shaikh Zayed Cup.

Tomas Lukasek scored a great victory on Tefkir pushing favourite Ziyadd to second place in the Polish leg of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival's Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Group 3) race at the Sluzewiec race course in Warsaw, Poland on Sunday.
Earlier there was cheer for the Gulf region when Bahrain's Ali Al Shuwaikh on Eastway won the Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFAHR) series while the Polish fans rejoiced in wet conditions when Joanna Wyrzyk won on Cepton to clinch the final berth to qualify for the Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) 2016 series final to be held in November.
All eyes were on Ziyadd, a horse owned by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, but jockey Pierantonio Convertino kept the recent European Triple Crown winner at the rear for most part of the race and on the final two furlongs despite a great effort could not match the stamina of the 4-year-old Tefkir under Lukasek.
"It was a very tough race and some very good horses were in the line-up. But I fancied my chance and I always ride to win. This is so exciting and I am looking forward to making a trip to Abu Dhabi," said the Czech-based Lukasek.
Earlier, the Polish fans were delighted when Joanna Wyrzyk on Cepton did very well to finish ahead of Norwegian Hagelund Holm on Dar Dunia while American jockey Erika Taylor on LB Naj finished third.
"I have been to Abu Dhabi before but not as a participating jockey so in November I will try and do my best to do well for my country in the Championship finale," said the 19-year-old Wyrzyk.
"It has been an amazing ride and an equally amazing experience to compete with lady jockeys from around the world," the Polish winner said.
Bahrain's 29-year-old Apprentice Ali Al Shuwaikh was a rather comfortable winner on Eastway while Scottish jockey Rowan Scott finished second on Inextremo. It was his Al Shuwaikh's 31st win in 438 starts and he will take on fellow qualifiers in the Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFAHR) series, also to be held on November 13 in Abu Dhabi.
Yousif Isa Hassan Al Sabri, UAE Ambassador to Poland, gave away the trophies to the winners of the three races.
Al Sabri said it was great to see young lady jockeys and apprentice jockeys being given this opportunity by the UAE leadership to further their skills and careers.
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