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AF Mathmoon created a piece of history by becoming the first local bred horse to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic, and by doing so ended owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s seven-year wait for his eighth success in the Arabian showpiece and traditional opener on the Dubai World Cup card.
He took over from a tiring Thakif under Silvestre D’Sousa to win from Qatar’s Olivier Peslier-ridden TM Thunder Struck to provide jockey Dane O’Neill and Emirati trainer Musabah Al Muahiri of their first success in the Kahayla. The result was also a huge boost for the Emirati breeder Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda.
“We had a nice break, I didn’t want to rush him because it was his first time over the distance,” O’Neill said. “We landed into a nice position just behind the leaders without having to do too much.
“The race panned out beautifully and when we when turned in the straight I thought I’d definitely be second. When the other horse ducked out it opened up the door for him and he tried really hard.”
The five-year-old Af Mathmoon, a son of Af Albahar and Temptayshuhn, was bred locally by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, who was very emotional following the victory.
“I am very proud,” Al Nabooda said. “This means that we can show the world that we can breed Group 1 Purebred Arabian horses who can compete in the biggest race in the world.
“I would like to thank Sheikh Hamdan and wish him all the luck with this horse. I’m glad, so glad.”
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