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Emirates Premier Handicap Stakes 1m (50-90) 4yo+ AL AZEEZA (FR) (4 f Munjiz x Ouassila Thabet (Akbar)) Owner & Breeder: HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum Trainer: James Owen Jockey: Jim Crowley
The first race of DIAR, the Emirates Premier Handicap was notable for trainer James Owen, not just as it provided his first DIAR success with Al Azeeza, but he also trained the placed horses, Naishaan and Farhaa. Naishaan under Tadhg O’Shea had set the pace, however she was unable to repel the challenge of her stablemate Al Azeeza, who took up the race in the final furlong drawing easily clear by three lengths in the hands of Jim Crowley. Farhaa had every chance, but she lacked the pace of the
winner and finished a neck behind Naishaan in third, ridden by Bryony Frost. Owen was delighted with the result, saying: “At last! We had three nice fillies in the race, all three were clear of the rest. The four-year-olds, Al Azeeza and Farhaa will both improve for a step up in trip now. Naishaan, obviously she’s got loads of ability and it was great to see her back to form, running well. I’m really pleased with all of them.”
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE