The new racing season at Sharjah Longines Racecourse began on Saturday with a high-stakes meeting featuring six races for Purebred Arabians. The event drew key figures, including Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, along with Director Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaee and various sponsor representatives.
Yas Racing celebrated a notable win in the Sharjah Sports Council Race as Sha’an, a son of Mahabb, delivered a late-stage surge under jockey Samuel Legrix. After a fierce battle with stablemate Saafeer throughout the contest, Sha’an broke free in the final strides to secure the win by nearly a length.
The meeting opened with a dominant display from Asim Baynounah, owned by Abu Dhabi Racing. Sponsored by Sharjah Municipality, the 1,200-metre race saw the RB Burn colt, trained by Saif Al Mehairi and ridden by Sandro Paiva, cruise to an emphatic victory by 6.48 lengths over the field.
A gripping contest defined the Sharjah Public Works Department race, where Bashasha Al Reef, owned by Salem Rashid Al Neyadi, narrowly defeated Waseem Baynounah. Trainer Jaber Bitar and jockey Qais Al Busaidi guided Bashasha Al Reef through a competitive field of 16 horses, surging in the final furlong to secure the result.
In the Maliha Municipality race, Rabdan Al Buhais made a successful debut. Ridden by Hamed Al Busaidi and trained by Qaiss Aboud, the grey colt finished in 1:05.29, narrowly edging out Muntaha AW, who clocked 1:05.30 under Jules Mobian. Shortly after, Al Ain Stud’s AS Mared Al-Bahr claimed the fourth race sponsored by Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority, with Bernardo Pinheiro in the saddle.
The evening concluded with Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda’s AF AlHazem winning the 2,000-metre sixth race. Trained by Ernst Oertel and ridden by Marcelino Rodrigues, the son of Fleur Du Cayrou dictated the pace from the start. He maintained a strong lead throughout the event, displaying both composure and stamina to seal the win.
Reflecting on the successful start to the season, Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaee praised the quality and competitive spirit demonstrated by the participants. He highlighted that the diverse performances across all six races reflect the growing influence and dedication within the UAE horse racing community.
Al Yahyaee also acknowledged the essential role of sponsors and partners in the success of the event. He noted that the organization looks forward to a season filled with high-profile contests that honor the emirate’s deep-rooted passion for the sport.
The Sharjah Longines Racecourse calendar is set to continue with several signature events. The upcoming season highlights include the prestigious HH The Ruler of Sharjah Cup, the GCC Cup, and the HH Sharjah Crown Prince Cup.
