Ruler of Sharjah Cup headlines Sharjah Longines Racecourse’s final meeting

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sunday’s final meeting of the Sharjah Longines Racecourse campaign is arguably the track’s best, with the track’s most valuable race of the season, the Dhs250,000 His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Cup, ably supported by the Sharjah Marathon and a competitive Thoroughbred handicap.

A conditions race carrying Prestige status, the 1700m His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Cup has attracted a field of 15 and looks a competitive renewal of a race inaugurated in 2002.

Majed Al Jahoori saddled Jawaal to win the race last year for Al Wathba Racing and the same connections would appear to hold reasonable claims this time with Wadheha.

As a 4yo filly, she receives weight from all 14 rivals and is a Sharjah winner, having recorded her only career success, to date, here over 1200m on just her third start last November.

The Al Wathba silks will also be carried by Hakaam, for Frenchman Jean de Roualle, who is based at Al Ain.

However, the one to beat could well be Yas Xmensor, ultimately comfortably victorious in the aforementioned Al Ain Derby, just five days after winning the Emirates Colt Classic, over 1600m on the Abu Dhabi turf, thus completing a rapid Prestige race double for trainer Khalifa Al Neyadi who continues to enjoy a fine season. He was also entered at Abu Dhabi but connections have decided to run here which looks significant.

The first 2700m Sharjah Marathon was contested back in 2010 and has been an ever present in the racing calendar other than 2012 when it was not staged.

A handicap, it was won last year by Asraa Min Al Talqa for Helal Alalawi and National Stables. He must have every chance of repeating the feat, thus emulating The Secret (2016-18) and RB Grynade (2019 and 2020) who defended their crowns successfully.

There are few bigger fans of marathon races than Abdallah Al Hammadi who landed all three such races at Al Ain this season, most recently the 5100m third round with Whistle on Friday, and he runs Kesra, Optimizm and Majdi in this with.

Crowds will make their return to the Sharjah Longines Racecourse for the first time this season. The fans have to produce green pass on Al Hosn app to gain entry.

The Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club management has decided to strictly apply all the precautionary measures approved by the Ministry of Health and the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Sharjah.

Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaee, Director of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, hailed His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unflinching support to the club.

He also thanked Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, for his support.

"We thank the sponsors, including Longines, Sharjah Sports Council, and media sponsorship of Sharjah TV for their valued support, and the Emirates Racing Authority for its efforts and continuous cooperation in developing racing in the UAE and here at Sharjah Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club.

"The efforts of the management and those involved in racing have had a huge impact on enriching the quality of racing here.

“We hope the fans will have a good time at the races on Sunday when we host our last meeting of the season, "he added.