Adrie de Vries Rides Winning Double For UAE Champion Trainer
Champion Trainer Ernst Oertel supplied two of the three feature race winners at Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening, highlighted by the impressive local debut victory of Nymphea Du Paon in the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship.
With regular pilot, Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea, suspended, Dutchman Adrie De Vries came in for the pick of the trainer’s mounts and he was never far off the pace on Nymphea Du Paon, a Group 2 winner in her native France and now winner of all three starts.
“She is a very nice filly indeed,” said De Vries. “The wide draw was a bit of a concern but I was able to get across and there was never any real worry after that.
“She should have a big future and is an exciting new recruit who has not been in the UAE very long.”
Earlier, Oertel provided both first and second in the opening Abu Dhabi Fillies’ Classic, with De Vries aboard winner Fatat Al Arab who won comfortably from stable companion Al Yawazi.
The jockey said: “She is a nice filly and clearly improving with racing. This is always a good yard to ride for as they have some lovely horses.
“It is a good opportunity for me but obviously you have to feel sorry for Tadhg O’Shea.
The jockey and trainer were then denied in the following Abu Dhabi Colts’ Classic, like the Fillies’ equivalent over 1600m, when his mount Molahen El Alhan, was bested by AF Al Hazer.
Royston Ffrench took the ride, helping his mount retain his unbeaten record on this, his third career start for trainer, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami. Ffrench was clearly impressed.
“He is a really nice young horse and an exciting prospect,” said the jockey. “I won on him on his debut when he was very green and a big baby. I then deserted him last time and he won well under Harry Bentley.
“He is improving and has a nice turn of foot so you can ride him with a bit of confidence.”
Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen have been in great form in recent weeks and combined to win the only Thoroughbred race, a 2200m handicap, with Inthar who was having his first start for the yard.
Previously with Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, Inthar was recording only his second career victory and first on turf having only previously won a maiden on Polytrack at Lingfield.
Mullen said: “We were hoping he would go close as he has been going well at home. He is a nice addition to the yard and clearly versatile as to underfoot conditions.
“Hopefully he can build on this.”
The 1600m maiden provided the Jaber Bittar-trained Bayan the perfect opportunity to open his account with Pat Cosgrave in the irons. Runner-up in a similar race over 1400m last Sunday, he made no mistake this time with Cosgrave saying: “We thought the extra 200m was to our advantage and so it proved.”
He was not the only horse narrowly denied seven days ago to go one better with Solo Restoreto, trained by Eric Lemartinel, prevailing in a 1200m handicap for apprentice Noel Garbutt.
The pair were touched off over 1600m at the previous meeting.
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