Two horses from breeder Cláudio Roberto Guimarães Ribas win the last races of the 2019 Brazilian racing calendar
On Saturday 30 November, the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Special Prize and the 6th edition of the Grand Prix Arab Chamber of Commerce were held at the Cidade Jardim Hippodrome, Jockey Club of São Paulo, as part of the 48th anniversary celebration of the United Arab Emirates.
The races brought together purebred horses who have already won races this year as well as maiden horses, born and bred in Brazil from states including Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Paraná and Mato Grosso.
This was the 87th edition of Arabian horse racing in São Paulo and the 12th and 13th races of 2019.
Director Willian Atui attended the event representing the board of the Arab Chamber of Commerce, along with the consul of the United Arab Emirates, Ibrahim Salem Alalawi.
RG Karat
In the first race of the day, the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Special Prize was held at 1,000m on turf, for three years old and upwards without victory and was attended by nine maiden Arabian horses. It was a very well-run race, with the nine horses fighting for good places during the first half. From that point on, AF Saci started to move in from the outside while RG Karat fought inside and began to take advantage of the runner-up and crossed the finish line by two lengths.
RG Karat (Cáceres CSM x Caldas CSM by Pavel Rach), who started a campaign in Ponta Grossa (Parana State) and was very well trained by E Petrochinski, was jockeyed by M Silva. His win secured victory for Stud JCR and his breeder, Cláudio Roberto Guimarães Ribas.
Second place went to AF Saci (AF Maden x AF Ramda by Nesperado), led by G Santos and trained by T H Lopes, owned by José Antonio Cardinalli Filho, and bred by Fazenda Fortaleza Ltda.
“They are three- and four-year olds that debuted this year and have not won any races yet,” said Almir José Ribeiro, ABCCA’s racing director.
Organised by the Brazilian Arabian Horse Breeders Association and the Jockey Club of São Paulo, the race was sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Arabian Racing Club (HARC) and the name of the award was a tribute to HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who passed away on 18 November. May his soul rest in peace!
The Arab Chamber of Commerce Grand Prix, in its sixth edition, was the second race on Saturday, with eight horses participating. This was run on turf over 1,300m for horse three-years old and upwards.
“They are the most qualified horses, aged between three- and six-years old and are from seven owners and five different breeders,” explained Almir José Ribeiro, racing director of the Brazilian Arabian Horse Breeders Association.
RG Kalif
Right at the start, RG Kalif (Pamir x Campanha CSM by Eksport), ridden by Robson Nunes, opened his advantage but was strongly attacked by Mahatma Rach (Sarmata x Magic All Rach by Ulysses Rach), led by Z M Rosa, and Oneida Rach (Vaillant Rach x Odisseia LC by Hardun) by M Silva. The three-way fight for the first three places opened several lengths over the other participants. In the final 50m, RG Kalif went from the outside and started his battle against Mahatma Rach, managing to open up two lengths of advantage to cross the line first and win the Arab Chamber of Commerce GP.
RG Khalif is trained by Thiago Haidar, owned by Susana de L S Stefani Marino and bred by Cláudio Roberto Guimarães Ribas. Mahatma Rach, owned by Paulo Jamil Saliba, and Oneida Rach, owned by Ricardo Jamil Saliba, are bred by Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltd and trained by L Quintana.
The GP was promoted by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Brazilian Arabian Horse Breeders Association (ABCCA) and the São Paulo Jockey Club.
Text Cidinha Franzão, photographs Porfírio Menezes
