In front of a crowd of around 6,000 spectators, the Ali Rashid Al Rayhi-trained Skygazer (Ire) (Echo Of Light {GB}) landed Sunday's fourth running of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup presented by Longines at China's Al Jimna Racecourse.
Winning jockey Royston Ffrench was claiming his second victory in the race and was a member of the winning team of riders in the inaugural jockeys' challenge, glory going to the internationals with a winning tally of 28 points to the home team's 20.
“It's fantastic to ride a winner here in Chengdu and it was a great performance from the horse. It's for my old boss and to be able to ride a winner for him makes it extra special,” Ffrench commented after Skygazer had atoned for a stalls incident during last year's race in which he unseated jockey Tadhg O'Shea and ran loose as the race got underway.
It was in 2014 when the jockey last won the International Cup aboard Skygazer's now 9-year-old stablemate Mutual Force (Arch), who this time around won the Meydan Handicap under Adrie de Vries.
A joint venture between Meydan Group, Sichuan Provincial Government, Chengdu Municipal Government, the Wenjiang District Government and China Guangsha Group, the five-race meeting, which takes place in the Wenjiang District of Chengdu, is worth a total of RMB3,750,000 (approximately $545,000)
Chinese jockey Wenxun Wang claimed the opening contest, the Wenjiang Sprint, aboard Damar (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) who was recording back-to-back wins in the race and was also the first of two winners on the day for trainer Maria Ritchie. Her second came in the final race, the Wenjiang-Meydan Classic, which was won by 7-year-old Muhtaram (Ire) (Shamardal) in partnership with Argentinean jockey Jesus Rosales.
Mohammed Al Shehhi, a member of Meydan City Corporation board and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, said: “It has been a great pleasure for us to return to Chengdu for the fourth running of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup and renew ties with our Chinese partners. We are very thankful for the wonderful hospitality and the warm reception we have received here.
“Today we were treated to some exciting racing action at Jinma Lake Racecourse and it is satisfying to see how this significant raceday for China has flourished and developed into a world-class event. This year we are also pleased to showcase Chinese jockeys for the first time through the Chengdu Dubai International Cup Jockeys' Challenge.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
