Forjatt wins listed National Day cup

abu dhabi — All eyes were on Muntazah and one of the 15 runners in Sunday’s 1,600m Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Listed) for Thoroughbreds at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Saddled by Doug Watson for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deptuy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance; his trainer had warned he would improve for the outing with big targets awaiting at Meydan during the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Such appeared the case, as the well-fancied charge tracked the leading bunch throughout the first half of the race, only to drop away early in the straight under Dane O’Neill.

Meanwhile, turning for home early leader Above N Beyond weakened, leaving Jaaref in front and he looked to have most of his 14 opponents beaten. However, in the predominantly yellow silks of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chris Hayes looked supremely confident on Forjatt, a 10-year-old and winner of this race in 2015. Weaving through runners throughout the straight, they hit the front 100m out to gain a win for new Jebel Ali Stables trainer Nicholas Bachalard.

Sheikh Ahmed’s Jaasoos was a dual winner of the National Day Cup, as was Emirates Gold, but both defended their crowns in consecutive years. Forjatt became the first horse to regain the title; all the more impressive being three years apart.

“He is a great little horse, especially for his age,” Hayes said.

“He jumped great and has then really travelled strongly in behind. The one thing with this horse is he needs to be produced late and I was able to take my time, threading through the gaps as they opened in the straight. That is a brilliant effort from all the team at home to get the old boy back to win again.”