UAE Champion Jockey O’Shea, Oertel on the double at Al Ain

Reigning UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea and South African trainer Ernst Oertel clinched a big-race double at the races at the Al Ain Racecourse on Friday night.

O’Shea, the high-flying Irishman with a record eight titles, landed the Al Ain Derby with AF Mahzamy, to complete twin wins with Oertel, after AF Yahawa had won the Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only.

“I expected a good run but he surprised me a little bit. When the pressure was on, he came home,” Oertel said of AF Mahzamy, who notched his maiden win in two starts.

“His first race was ok, it was medium but I just felt he’s the type of horse who is good for Al Ain,” he added.

Oertel said that there were some concerns about AF Yahawa’s fitness but the six-year-old from Murhib came through on the night.

“I was a little bit worried about his fitness but he did well today. He’s a consistent horse and he has won before here and I was hopeful because he’s a nice horse. Inshallah, we will come back here again. I think he likes Al Ain so we will bring him back,” the South African said.

james@khaleejtimes.com

RACE RESULTS:

1. Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only, PA Handicap, 1800M (a9F), Dirt, Dh 85,000:

Winner: AF Yahawa

Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea

Trainer: Ernst Oertel

2. Al Ain Derby, PA Prestige, 1800M (a9F), Dirt, Dh 100,000:

Winner: AF Mahzamy

Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea

Trainer: Ernst Oertel

3. Al Sarooj, PA Maiden, 1400M (a7F), Dirt, Dh 70,000:

Winner: Odessy

Jockey: Jesus Rosales

Trainer: Abdallah Al Hammadi

4. Al Masoudi, PA Maiden, 1400M (a7F), Dirt, Dh 70,000:

Winner: Tayseer

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Trainer: Eric Lemartinel

5. Al Jimi, PA Handicap, 1600M (a8F), Dirt, Dh 70,000:

Winner: AF Barari

Jockey: Jose Santiago

Trainer: Yousif bin Ghilan

6. Zakhir, PA Conditions, 2000M (a10F), Dirt, Dh 85,000:

Winner: Kerless Del Roc

Jockey: Fernando Jara

Trainer: Ahmed Al Mehairbi

7. Remah, TB Handicap, 3200M (a16F), Dirt, Dh 80,000:

Winner: Book Review

Jockey: Royston Ffrench

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai