'No Problem Al Maury' wins Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup

The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, part of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, yesterday made its debut at the Wellington racetrack in Ostend, Belgium with ‘No Problem Al Maury’ winning an exciting contest.

Over 10,000 fans turned out for what was an exciting day of racing and the Euros 20,000 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Listed) race was the feature event.

With 11 strong runners in the 1800-metre turf contest it was once again Jean-Francois Bernard who saddled the winner with Jean-Bernard Eyquem coming up with a perfect ride.

‘No Problem Al Maury’ was, however, challenged strongly by ‘Voyou De Faust’, ‘Athlete Del Sol’ and ‘Gazel T’, but Eyquem did well to stay ahead and win by over a length in a time of 2:08.19.

"The trainer asked me to just keep him within striking distance and I managed to do that for most of the race. Once we turned for home ‘No Problem Al Maury’ changed gears and I hardly had to put any effort," the winning jockey said.

Jean-Francois Bernard, who is no stranger to success in the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival said, "It was a strong field but I did have some confidence. ‘No Problem Al Maury’ ran well and now I am seriously thinking of running him in the big race in Turkey next month."

Suleiman Hamed Al Mazrouie , the UAE Ambassador to Belgium, attended the race along with his embassy staff and later took part in the prize distribution along with Lara Sawaya, Director of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Head of International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Ladies and other guests.

The Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and is supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier.

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