Spectacular clashes on the cards at Sharjah meet today

Donald arrives at Yas Island ready to kickstart his 2023 season as the prestigious tournament returns to the famous venue for the second consecutive year, having long been a fixture on the global golf schedule, first staged in 2006

winner of this tournament in 2017 and 2018.

Donald will have further support from his 2023 Ryder Cup Vice Captains with Nicolas Colsaerts set to start his year at Yas Island alongside Thomas Bjorn, the successful 2018 European Captain, and Edoardo Molinari.

Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “There is an excellent group of players breaking through and we’re delighted to welcome these future stars to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links later this month.”

Abdulfatah Sharaf, HSBC UAE CEO and Head of International Markets, said: “HSBC has been supporting new visions and opportunities across the UAE since we first opened our doors for business here more than 75 years ago. We are delighted to support a world class sporting event here in Abu Dhabi and excited to welcome major names in golf alongside rising young talent. Everyone is welcome at the stunning Yas Links later this month where entry tickets are free for all.”

The successful move to Yas Island in 2022 heralded a new chapter for the tournament which highlights Abu Dhabi as an international sports hub with the season ending F1 Championship and Ultimate Fighting Championship also taking residency at the world-class venue.

The DP World Tour confirmed all Rolex Series events in 2023 will have a total prize fund of $9million – an increase of $1million from the 2022 prize. The 2023 tournament will be the second of four events forming the Middle East swing, as Abu Dhabi prepares to host two weeks of world class golf across multiple venues.

SHARJAH: Sharjah’s Saturday meeting is a quality one with a pair of 1200m Dhs200,000 contests on the six-race card including the only Thoroughbred contest, the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup.

A conditions race, it is being contested over 1200m for the first time as the first half of the newly introduced Emirates Sprint Series, the second leg of which is the 1000m Listed Jebel Ali Sprint, staged at Sheikh Ahmed’s Jebel Ali Racecourse.

A capacity field of 16 is due to face the starter including the Ismail Mohammed-trained Never Just A Dream who, as a 3yo, receives weight from his 15 rivals. Thrice a winner for Mohammed in the UK, on all-weather surfaces, he appears a fascinating contender with Fernando Jara in the saddle.

At the other end of the age spectrum, 10yo Ibn Malik is entering the twilight of his career but appears to hold major claims for Musabbeh Al Mheiri and Shadwell. He is the choice of the owner’s retained jockey, Dane O’neill, who could have partnered Raaeb for the same owner and trainer.

Raaeb also appears to have been overlooked by Al Mheiri’s stable jockey, Antonio Fresu, who opts to partner On The Warpath and looks a big threat to all in the Naser Askar silks.

From a pair of Bhupat Seemar contenders, Tadhg O’shea has elected to partner Quintillus, having his first start for new connections having won twice for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Sandro Paiva rides stable companion Dessman and both the Seemar duo should be thereabouts in a competitive contest.

Salem Bin Ghadayer relies on Meshakel, the mount of Royston Ffrench and a 5yo who showed huge potential in early 2021 but missed all last season and was disappointing in his first two outings this campaign, both at Meydan before showing signs of a revival when runner-up, over 1000m, at Jebel Ali on his latest start.

As is the Sharjah tradition, the Thoroughbred race is the last on the card, on this occasion 30 minutes ater the best of the Purebred Arabian action, a 1200m Prestige contest, the The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup, also over 1200m.

Fourteen have been declared, including AF Marmuq, the mount of O’shea, riding for his main employer Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and the Champion Owner’s principal trainer, Ernst Oertel.

The homebred 5yo has only had four outings, winning half of them, including a handicap over this course and distance on his penultimate start.

Jean de Roualle and Richard Mullen combine with Al Wathba Racing’s Sadiq Al Wathba, an unbeaten homebred 4yo colt, ater just one start, having never been headed in a 1000m maiden on his debut here at Sharjah.

His trainer was very complimentary about his charge ater the race and Mullen’s mount appears an exciting prospect.