Coen guides Al Laith to victory in feature at Al Ain Racecourse

Al Laith delivered an emphatic performance in the 7th race of Al Ain’s meeting held on Sunday, showcasing his versatility and dominance over the five-furlong conditions event.

The nine-race card at the Al Ain Racecourse was dedicated to UAE-bred Purebred Arabians.

Entered as the top-rated horse with a mark of 115 and carrying 60kg, the star runner once again proved why he is the crown jewel for the Ahmed Al Mehairbi stable claiming his 7th career win in 16 runs.

From the moment the gates opened, Al Laith showcased his explosive start, immediately settling into a strong and confident rhythm.

Navigating the fast-paced conditions with remarkable ease, the talented runner demonstrated his ability to adapt to the sprint distance, blending raw speed with calculated control.

Spotting minimal weight to rivals rated nearly 20 points below him, Al Laith cruised to a commanding victory from gate 2 and was ridden accordingly as the best horse from start to finish.

Jockey Ben Coen made the journey from Dubai for the sole ride aboard Al Laith, continuing his remarkable strike rate of 22% this season.

As the number-one jockey for the UAE’s leading trainer, Michael Costa and a key partner for Al Mehairbi’s Arabian prospects, Coen has continued to deliver on opportunities provided to him and returning the favour with winners. His synergy with Al Laith was on full display last night, a horse he has had much success with already in the region.

This victory adds to Al Laith’s growing resume as a dual-surface horse, with multiple wins on both turf and dirt across his career. A consistent money earner for his connections, the six- year-old entire has been a pivotal performer over the past two seasons.

Looking ahead, Coen stated that Al Laith may return to Abu Dhabi for a six-furlong sprint, where he will aim to continue his stellar season that has seen him step out four times for three wins and a fourth.

Sunday’s performance has well and truly reaffirmed his position as one of the UAE’s top Arabian sprinters.

In an exhilarating display of stamina and skill, Muntahreer, the six-year-old son of Munjiz, dominated another feature race of the nine-race card.

Guided by jockey Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Jalal Ghalib Khalifa Al Busaidi’s Muntahreer won the race by more than three lengths ahead of Aarif.

Muntahreer entered the race with slim chances against the top-rated runners but defied the odds in spectacular fashion.

This victory marked his first win from nine starts, two of which were at this distance, highlighting his steady progression.

Aarif under Silvestre De Sousa gave a strong effort but fell short in the final furlongs, as he was unable to close the gap.

Salem Almarar’s Hawafez proved that age is no barrier to excellence as he delivered a masterful performance in the second race of the card.

Ridden by the Bernardo Pinheiro, Al Nasr’s son maintained a consistent pace throughout the 1800-metre contest, biding his time to make a decisive move when it mattered most.

Hawafez edged out his closest rival Af Al Abadee by a razor-thin margin.

Earlier, the excitement at Al Ain Racecourse kicked off in style as AF Asyaf claimed the opening race of the card.

The 2,000-metre contest was nothing short of electrifying, with AF Asyaf emerging victorious after an intense, neck-and-neck battle with Waheed, trained by Eric Lemartinel.

From the outset, the race promised to be a fiercely competitive affair.

AF Asyaf quickly settled into a strong rhythm, maintaining a steady pace while keeping his closest rivals in sight.

Waheed, equally determined, matched every move, setting the stage for a thriller.

In the final moments, it was AF Asyaf’s grit that proved decisive. He surged ahead just enough to secure the win by a narrow margin.