Athbah Racing’s Rebal Athbah remains unbeaten, with a win in the Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons (0-85) Handicap at Lingfield Park. The four-year-old colt was partnered for the first time by ten times UAE Champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea in the mile and a quarter contest and after waiting in behind the early leader Zayin Angkor Centurion, went smoothly into the lead for a two and a quarter length victory. Zayin Arabian’s other runner, Zayin Zyperion filled the third place berth.
Trained by current leading ARO trainer Phil Collington in Newmarket, Rebal Athbah also holds a UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby entry, along with his stablemate Ekleel Athbah who O’Shea partnered to win a Group 2PA earlier this month. This will win will give connections and O’Shea plenty to think about in the run up to declarations for the race next month, held at Doncaster on Cazoo St Leger Day.
Of Rebal Athbah’s win O’Shea, a regular in the Athbah silks commented: “He’s a bonny colt who continues to progress. It was always going to be a little bit tactical, I got a lead until just over half way and I started to put the pressure on just over four furlongs from home. He responded well and he’s ready now for a step up in grade, the better the race, you’ll probably see him to better effect.”
Now four out of four for Collington, the Athbah homebred still looked to have plenty left at the finish and remains an exciting prospect. He commented: “I think like Tadhg said, he’d be better off in a more strongly run race, but he couldn’t do any more and I’m really pleased with him. The UAE President Cup – UK Arabian Derby at Doncaster is still an option, we can ride him prominently, he’s no problem when he’s in front. We felt that the blinkers light him up a bit once the jockeys on, but ultimately, they’re beneficial in the race as he does tend to idle at times.”
Rossdale’s representative Joshua Davison said: “It’s been fantastic to be here today, we’ve really enjoyed it and of course we couldn’t have asked for a better result as Phil is one of our clients.”
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer commented: “We congratulate Athbah Racing, Phil and his team on Rebal Athbah’s win. It is also great for us to have a jockey of Tadhg’s abilities riding here and promoting our racing.
“ARO was delighted when Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons chose to continue their sponsorship with us for a fourth season and we thank Joshua Davison and Mat Harber for presenting the trophies. We also thank the British Horseracing Authority and all the team at Lingfield Park for supporting our racing this season.”
