Thrilling UAE championship battles on the cards at Jebel Ali Racecourse

Jebel Ali Racecourse will host its penultimate meeting of the 2019-2020 UAE racing season on Friday, highlighted by Derrinstown Stud sponsored 1400m race.

The eight-race card framed for Friday’s meet at the iconic racetrack will feature all the leading jockeys, who are battling for the coveted jockey’s title.

The race for the crown looks particularly thrilling with Tadhg O’Shea, Richard Mullen and Antonio Fresu within striking distance of each other.

Defending champion and Jebel Ali’s retained jockey O’Shea has been one of the busiest and most prolific freelance riders in the country with 36 winners.

Former champion Mullen is in hot pursuit with 32 wins and Fresu enjoying his best-ever season in the UAE.

Close to 100 jockeys have been seen in action since the season began in October but O’Shea, Mullen and Fresu are among the leading pack after producing stunning victories.

Enjoying a good record at Jebel Ali, all there will look to give their all in a bid to capture the title.

Although veteran Dubai handler Satish Seemar has a sizeable advantage over his rivals, Doug Watson and Ernst Oertel, with 38 winners giving him an eight-point advantage, there is still plenty of racing to come at Meydan, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Watson is on the 30-winner mark with Oertel, who essentially races Purebred Arabians, on 26 wins for the season.

Shareef Al Halawani, manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse, said: “We are very excited about this weekend’s racing thanks to the high number of horses that will be in action.

“Jebel Ali Racecourse has always been popular with the trainers and jockeys and with the end of the season round the corner, we can expect a lot of hot competition in the race for the championships.

“With highly competitive eight races, this weekend’s meeting has the potential to produce some very competitive racing, which is sure to entertain our regular fans and friends,” he added.