Record-breaking jockey O'Shea relishes scaling Hill's landmark

Tadhg O'Shea guided AF La'Asae to victory in the Wathba Stallions Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Tadhg O'Shea etched his name in the record books as the most successful jockey in the UAE after riding AF La'Asae to victory in the Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race in Abu Dhabi on Friday night.
It was O'Shea 505th winner, surpassing Richard Hills record of 504 wins. O'Shea, though had to wait till the sixth and final race of the card in Abu Dhabi's second-last meeting of the season to stamp his mark.
Retained this season by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, it was his predominantly black silks he was sporting with the winner, like runner-up and stable companion, AF Motaghatres both homebred and trained by Ernst Oertel. Having chased the early pace, O'Shea committed for home fully 700m out and found a very willing partner, who galloped on relentlessly to deny his stablemate, just as he had on his penultimate start, over 1,400m, five weeks ago.
A delighted O'Shea said: "Obviously I am delighted with the achievement and would not have thought it possible when I first arrived here in 2001. I have ridden for many great people and am indebted for all their support over the years. I have enjoyed plenty of success here in Abu Dhabi so it is fitting I broke the record here, on a Purebred Arabian; my first winner was a Purebred for Erwan Charpy, at Jebel Ali."
Friday meeting was highlighted by the Group 1 Emirates Championship for Purebred Arabians, as well as the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship for Thoroughbreds. Both races were over 2,200m on turf.
When he hit the front 400m out, Al Zahir looked likely to defend his crown in the Emirates Championship, only to be passed just inside the final 200m by Rmmas who, himself, was almost immediately swamped by BF Mughader, who quickly opened up a decisive lead.
Rmmas tried to go after him, but could not, losing second close home to Abu Alabyad, who was flying home. Al Zahir crossed the line in fourth. The winner completed doubles on the card for trainer Younis Al Kalbani and jockey Szczepan Mazur. Owned by Alwarith Ibrahim Al Hadhrami, the 6-year-old was winning for the first time since landing a 2,000m handicap on the Al Ain dirt last January, having also won his previous outing, a handicap over this 2,200m at Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi Championship for Thoroughbreds was won in impressive style by GM Hopkins, giving the team of jockey Pat Cosgrave trainer Jaber Ramadhan another victory this season. Racing in mid-division, he progressed nicely under confident handling before leading about 300m from the finish, winning ultimately by a comfortable 1¼ lengths.
Debutant Jabalini was impressive landing the opening 1,200m maiden when finishing with a real flourish having been last of the main bunch of runners entering the relatively short run for home. Homebred by the Royal Cavalry of Oman, the 4-year-old was drawn widest of all in 14 and settled in 10th with just a quartet of stragglers behind him. Confidently ridden by Mazur, he was switched wide leaving the home turn and picked up in style, hitting the front at the 200m pole and storming clear.