The Sharjah Longines Racecourse officially launched its new season on Saturday with a high-stakes meeting featuring six races dedicated to Purebred Arabians. Yas Racing enjoyed a standout day as Sha’an, a son of Mahabb, delivered a powerful late surge to overcome his stablemate Saafeer in the Sharjah Sports Council Race. Ridden by Samuel Legrix, Sha’an engaged in a fierce battle throughout the contest before pulling away in the final strides to clinch the win by nearly a length.
The event was attended by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, along with Director Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaee and various sponsors.
The day’s action began with a dominant display in the Sharjah Municipality-sponsored opening race.
Owned by Abu Dhabi Racing, Asim Baynounah, a colt by RB Burn, secured a commanding victory under jockey Sandro Paiva. Trained by Saif Al Mehairi, the colt outpaced his rivals by an impressive 6.48 lengths over 1,200 metres. He maintained his advantage under pressure and never looked back, crossing the finish line to seal victory, displaying composure and strength throughout.
Competition remained intense during the Sharjah Public Works Department race, which featured a tight struggle between Waseem Baynounah and Bashasha Al Reef. The latter, representing owner Salem Rashid Al Neyadi, demonstrated remarkable stamina. Partnered by Qais Al Busaidi and trained by Jaber Bitar, Bashasha Al Reef matched Waseem Baynounah step-for-step until the final furlong, where a decisive increase in pace secured the win. Trained by Jaber Bitar and partnered by Qais Al Busaidi, Bashasha Al Reef showcased impressive determination and stamina in a competitive field of 16 horses.
The third race, sponsored by Maliha Municipality, saw a narrow finish as Rabdan Al Buhais edged out Muntaha AW. Ridden by Hamed Al Busaidi and trained by Qaiss Aboud, the grey colt clocked 1:05.29, narrowly beating Jules Mobian’s mount, who finished in 1:05.30. This victory marked a successful debut for the young colt. Who showed promising form to take the honours, the result marked a winning debut for Rabdan Al Buhais.
In the fourth race, sponsored by the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority, Al Ain Stud’s AS Mared Al-Bahr claimed the top spot with jockey Bernardo Pinheiro in the irons. The meeting’s conclusion featured the sixth race over 2,000 metres, which was won by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda’s AF AlHazem. Trained by Ernst Oertel and ridden by Marcelino Rodrigues, the horse controlled the pace from the start, maintained a comfortable lead, and held off all challengers to cross the line first. Settled comfortably in front, and dictated the tempo of the race with confidence, he quickly established the lead.
Reflecting on the successful start to the season, Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaee praised the quality of competition. He noted that the performances across all six races highlighted the deep talent and spirit within the UAE’s Purebred Arabian racing community. He also expressed gratitude toward the sponsors for their continued support of the sport. Whose continued support plays a vital role in the success of our events, we are proud to organise this meeting in collaboration with our valued sponsors and partners.
Looking ahead, the Sharjah Longines Racecourse has planned a series of signature events for the coming months, reflecting the region’s long-standing connection to horse racing. Key highlights on the upcoming calendar include the HH The Ruler of Sharjah Cup, the GCC Cup, and the prestigious HH Sharjah Crown Prince Cup, as organizers look forward to a memorable season.
