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Newmarket: UAE connections enjoyed a successful day at Newmarket's July racecourse as Frankie Dettori completed a double highlighted by an impressive win in the Group One UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes with Nahoodh.
Dettori also captured the Group 3 Xplor Maiden Stakes with Godolphin's Meydan City, a race that was watched by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Nahoodh is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, also won the Group 2 with Red Dune. Ahmad Ajtebi, the UAE jockey who created history when he won a race at Royal Ascot last month, was back in action but had to be content with a third-place finish with the same horse Ahla Wasahl.
Improving
Two weeks ago Ajtebi won a Group 3 race but Wednesday's Group 2 Hinton Stakes was a much tougher task considering the step up in class.
"Ahla Wasahl is the improving sort and he ran a good race. Much can be expected from the 2-year old Dubai Destination colt," Ajtebi said.
Commenting on his own form the UAE ace said he was very happy. "It has been a fantastic summer so far for me here. I have already won nine races and I ride two more tomorrow, one in Newmarket and one in Newbury," said the Emirati ace.
With the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation supporting two races in association with Hydra Properties, Wednesday's meeting was featured by the won UAE President Cup-Hydra properties Group 1 race for Purebred Arabians which was won by Nashwan Al Khalidiah. Speaking to the media, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan said the number of Purebred Arabian horses racing in Europe was on the increase. "Purebred Arabian racing has found many takers here in Europe and the UAE's support for these races has borne fruit," he said. "What started 14 years ago thanks to Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's interest and support has now blossomed into a great race series.
Sultan Abdullah Al Marzouki, Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, said the exciting results reiterated the racing abilities of Purebred Arabian horses.
"Over the past 14 years we have seen the UAE President Cup race series grow in strength. We will continue to ensure that these races are held in many part of the globe to enhance the status of Purebred Arabians," he remarked.
Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, CEO of Hydra Properties, added: "After seeing the large crowds and the great action in the two races we are happy to be involved as sponsors. For us it is a matter of supporting the UAE tradition and heritage."
Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq said: "This time the Newmarket race course has been flooded with banners and billboards of UAE organisations. It has made a great impact and everyone has been highly satisfied with the success of the UAE-supported races."
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