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Nokomys wins President of the UAE Cup race

DUBLIN - Top Irish jockey William Supple partnered Nokomys to land the first running of the HH the President of the UAE Cup sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation for trainer Bill Smith at the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday. The British based trainer has previously won the first race ever run in Ireland for pure bred Arabians in 2003.

“She raced keenly and did nothing wrong throughout the trip,” Supple said later. “She galloped very nicely and responded impressively when asked the question in the concluding stages,” he added.

A previous Group-2 winner in her career, the Amer daughter finished runner up in the Hatta Stakes at Newbury for the second successive season last season. She was also third in the International IFAHR Trophy in Turkey.

Meanwhile, the cup’s front runner and 4-6 favourite Raqiyah finished disappointingly second under regular rider David Bouland.

Raqiyah, a French-trained mare at the yard of M. A. De Mieulle for the Qatari owner Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, was the public choice before the race. She was an exceptionally smart filly from the all conquering Umm Qarn Farms. At the age of two Raqiyah won the Juvenile Group-1 President of the UAE Cup in Chantilly in France in 2008 over this trip. Then she seemed to lose her way in two starts in France before finding her form again in Doha, Qatar when she won the Group-1 Qatar Derby in December last year over a mile before following up in the Al Ruwais Cup over nine furlongs. In March 2010, she finished second behind stablemate multiple Group-1 winner Al Dahma in the Emir Sword Group-1 over 2400 metres.

“She didn’t pick up well,” said Bouland later. “I think she was beaten by a better horse,” he added.

However, overconfident jockey raced at the tail of the six-horse field before he gave the mare a reminder as Nokomys went clear with less than two furlongs remaining. The winner held on very strongly to lead by two lengths close home.

The UAE ambassador to Ireland Khaled Nasser Rashid Lootah said the Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas is one of the most successful events thanks to the strong support and backing of the wise leadership of the country.

“I believe the organising committee has made the right choice. The Curragh Racecourse is the place where horse races have started. The festival has exceeded all expectations and a record number of spectators have come over to the venue to watch the races. It was a great success by all measures,” he said.

“I would like to congratulate Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the brilliant performance of his filly Bethrah. Claiming the top three spots in the 1000 Guineas by UAE fillies added colour to the festival. I wish them all success in future races,” he said.

Ahmed Al Rumaithi, member of the HH the President of the UAE Cup series, thanked His Highness the President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for support to Arabian horse racing. “We have got off to a flying start. It’s a great challenge and so far we are right on the track. The 16^th edition of the series will break new grounds and our voice will be heard all over the world. The spirit of the team has prevailed. Without the cooperation and support we have been receiving from the National Identity Office, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Etihad Airways, Emirates Equestrian Federation and the diplomatic missions of the UAE nothing would have been achieved. We have put the name of Abu Dhabi on every mouth,” he said.

Taleb Al Muhairi, secretary general of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, reiterated that the first round of the series hit new horizons. “Let’s build on what has been achieved in the Curragh Racecourse. At last we are part of Europe’s most prestigious races. I think the message has been conveyed and the racing fans are now well aware of the qualities of the Arabian breed,” he said.

“We will go ahead with our plans to make the heritage and cultural events part of all of the series. The strong presence of the European media made our job much easier and this is a positive trend. The race has been watched around the globe and the results have been carried by all leading newspapers and websites,” he said. “I’m truly glad to see the UAE horses winning the Guineas and finishing in the first three positions. Everything has been beautiful, the races, events and the weather,” he concluded.