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unprecedented 10th UAE Jockeys Championship In the bag, Tadhg O’Shea – the all-time leading rider with 670 winners – is ready for a busy new season that starts in Al Ain on Friday.
All seven of the Irish’s games at Al Ain are booked, all six at Jebel Ali the next day and five of their six at Sharjah on Sunday. For the busiest jockey in the UAE, that’s the norm on the course.
O’Shea returns to action after a stellar season He rode the first group winner Switzerland Dubai Sands at Dubai World Cup night.
The champion jockey was modest, saying he was “very lucky” to have raced all seven races in Al Ain.
He was the saddle of five purebred Arabs of his main patron Khalid Khalifa Al Naboodah, all trained by Ernst Oertel, one Ajban Stables and one champion trainer Bhupat Seemar, the only pure Stallion race.
“It’s been a busy start to the weekend, praying and hopefully I can ride some winners,” O’Shea told National On the eve of the season opening meeting.
“My main goal every year is to stay healthy. Of course, we’re here to ride as many winners as possible. We’re all back to scratch, all back to zero. Hopefully we’re having a really good season.”
O’Shea is Antonio Fresu challenges for the titlebut the Irish finished the season with 68 winners, 10 more than the Italians.
“Since December, Antonio and I have been away from everyone else. It’s been very stressful week after week.
“It means a lot to me because a lot of people tell me it’s Antonio’s year. I’m sure he’ll have his year, but I’m not ready to give up my title.”
O’Shea expects Fresu, Richard Mullen and Ray Dawson to be the main contenders for the jockey’s title this season.
“Antonio is going to be very strong, obviously Rich Mullen is always a dangerous guy, and Ray Dawson’s first season has been excellent,” said.
“There’s a lot of good riders here, there’s a lot of competition there. For me, this time of year is quite exciting, with a lot of horses that haven’t been raced in the UAE.”
O’Shea wore Al Naboodah’s silk on the AF Musharek in Oertel in the opener and half an hour later rode the out-of-race Rabih Al Reef for Al Abjan trainer Abdallah Al Hammadi.
Seemar’s debut in the UAE was an interesting addition to O’Shea’s performance in a solo race in thoroughbreds.
The former Godolphin prisoner and Dubawi gelding is back on the track for his first run in 19 months.
O’Shea’s remaining rides were AF Saleet, Masar, AF Al Baher and AF Thayer, all trained by Oertel for champion owner Al Naboodah.
AL Ain Card 2022-23 Season Opener
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Maiden Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh50,000 (D) 1,600m
6.30pm: Virgo (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
7pm: Virgo (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
8pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 1,000m
Updated: 10/28/2022 5:04am
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