37 ADIYAT RACING PLUS ISSUE 840 Thursday 4th April 2024 REVIEW / DUBAI KAHAYLA CLASSIC adiyat racing plus.com adiyat racing plus.com HE’S THE MODEL OF CONSISTENCY, TAKE NOTHING AWAY FROM HIM. HE TRAVELLED LOVELY AND GOT BEATEN BY A GOOD HORSE. AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS PUT UP A GOOD PERFORMANCE WITH SOME TALENTED ANIMALS BEHIND HIM — CONNOR BEASLEY. eased-down six-and-a-half lengths victory at the post in a final time almost half a second faster than last year. “Tilal Al Khalediah and Asfan Al Khalediah are the best horses in my stable,” said a delighted Alkahtani. Even though, most of the audience, both live and on television, were banking on Asfan Al Khalediah to win, Alkahtani was scarcely surprised at his stable companion coming out on top instead. “Asfan Al Khalediah faced a lot of traffic today and went very wide. He won ten times in Saudi Arabia last year including six Group 1s so maybe he was a bit tired today. Tilal Al Khalediah has been quietly campaigned so was fresher for today. For one year, he was sick, so he started back only in the Al Mneefah Cup in February. When the jockeys asked me last night, I told Adel that Tilal Al Khalediah looks better and that he was going to win,” he admitted. Having also been involved with 2018 Kahayla winner Tallaab Al Khalediah, who was trained by his brother Saad bin Mutlaq, Alkahtani hopes there are more days of glory awaiting him in Dubai. “This is the second time for me in Dubai. Tallaab Al Khalediah won in 2018 for us and I hope we can come again next year.” Winning jockey Al Furaydi was, understandably, equally pumped up as he landed the biggest win of his career outside of native Saudi Arabia. He said, “It’s a dream come true. I am very grateful to the owners and the trainers who have trusted me with such a great horse. I’d also like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan for the opportunity to race on such a grand stage.” Asfan Al Khalediah rallied late again after straightening in the home stretch but had to settle for bronze clear of Fawzi Nass’ RB Rich Lyke Me who too gathered some momentum late to finish fourth. BARAKKA’S UNFINISHEDKAHAYLA CLASSIC BUSINESS CONTINUES Beasley, who has now ridden Barakka to two consecutive silver placings in the 2000m feature, is already upbeat to partner Ahmad bin Harmash’s star horse next season. “He’s the model of consistency, take nothing away from him. He travelled lovely and got beaten by a good horse. At the same time, he has put up a good performance with some talented animals behind him. The future is very bright for him, and I cannot wait for next season,” said Beasley. Having kept their two star horses separate on the racetrack for the entirety of their careers until Saturday, trainer Alkahtani and Al Khalediah Stables are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to making a say on the international stage and the ecstatic post-race celebrations from their entourage showed they are determined to dominate the world of Purebred Arabian racing. RESULTS 1. Tilal Al Khalediah (Al Furaydi/Alkahtani) 2. Barakka (Beasley/Bin Harmash) 3. Asfan Al Khalediah (Alawfi/Alkahtani) Connections of Tilal Al Khalediah raise their trophies after his stunning PA G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic success
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